JK
as Robbie Live at the Eagle Hotel, Buxton. February 2004
"Are
you with me? I've been away from Buxton for too long - and now I'm back I can't
wait to return again and again." The opening words of JK as Robbie were
echoed by those who know and enjoy his show and those JK virgins, now converted
to their very own Robster.Having
had the privilege of witnessing the other Robbie - a certain Mr Williams - performing,
I felt a déjà vu experience. How similar are the respected shows? From
the moment he opened with "Let me Entertain You" the Eagle crowd erupted
with hand-waving, lighter-swinging, happy faces and delightfully bad harmonies. Girls
took him up on his suggestions, as they displayed various parts of their anatomy
for his approval. As
the ultimate tribute to Mr. Williams this guy is no impostor of a performer, he
doesn't just sing - he entertains you. He hit every note, cheesy smiled every
cheesy Robbie smile, thrust every pelvic thrust, sang all the right songs and
even had the Eagle men joining in. Right through to his frighteningly accurate
and majestic "Angels" led encore, he completed 15 numbers along with
an extra helping of "My Way" to close the show. His band did not look
as though they were playing together for the first time and the thought that they
can only improve astounds. Adapting
the song list to fit the occasion made for some daring choices. JK is about to
embark on a National Tour after his record breaking residency in Spain, Denmark
and Europe he wanted to see how a variety of styles and songs were received. He
needn't have had any concerns "Come Undone" is something that will never
happen to this excellent showman. "We Will Rock You" brought the audience
and artist even closer together as we tried to rock JK. But nothing could put
this man off his stride and indeed when he ripped into "Something Beautiful"
it certainly felt just that. Just at that point the largest, widest man I've seen
in the Eagle for a while - and let's face it there have been a few over the years,
looked at JK then straight at me and whispered like an excited 15 year old girl
that he couldn't wait for "Angels". Tough - he had to wait, but it was
worth it. I just kept thinking "Betterman". I doubt if there is any
one better, man. With
all sorts of announcements regarding his background, ambitions and dreams JK carried
us with him all the way and I'm not one to get carried away, unless of course
they're wearing white coats. I won't pre-empt what the Williams doppelganger plans
but if you want to check out www.jkasrobbie.com you'll get up to date information
on the man who would be the Bloke from Stoke. I'm
not too sure if the original Robbie could muster such an overwhelming response.
Well all right he could. But he's Robbie Williams. At least our man can be both
and only he is JK. Our man has an undoubted presence and by that, I mean that
not only is he comfortable being on the stage but his audience is comfortable
with him being on the stage too. Compared to some who take themselves seriously
and shouldn't, JK is one of those who doesn't take him self seriously and could.
You
know when somebody has That something. He does. JK should just Take That and Party.
Not
just a Bloke-from-Stoke look-a-like, as the ultimate tribute to Mr. Williams this
guy is no impostor of a performer, he doesn't just sing - he entertains you and
there is no Better Man... Clive Leighton |