Robbie Williams
I mentioned recently that someone gave me a bunch of CDs. One is Robbie Williams’s Greatest Hits, or something like that but in any case Robbie Williams.
I’m thoroughly impressed! Thoroughly, utterly, completely. Here’s an artist who composes compelling lyrics then drapes it in fabulous layers of music. And it’s music I want to TURN UP.
They say there’s nothing new, no new story, no new theme, nothing new in the world. As Prior Walter said, “It’s something you learn after your second theme party.,…… It’s ALL been DONE BEFORE!”
In general, I agree with that sentiment and it’s what has been my biggest obstacle in writing creatively. Writing this blog is helping me explore that more, but this isn’t a ME moment.
This is a Robbie Williams moment. He isn’t just a voice and his music isn’t just noise. It’s very complicated and textural. And it inspires me because though it has, indeed, all been done before, that doesn’t mean it can’t be done differently. He borrows riffs from Bachrach and Pet Shop Boys and everything in between. He adheres to the diatonic scale and “traditional” beats and melodies and he employs kitschy but lovely and sonorous refrains and chorus.
In 2530 when they dig up the remains of Earth and find his music, they will be very confused because they won’t be able to identify him with a time period.
50s, 60s, 70s, 80s……… who is this guy?
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