BBC Worldwide has snapped up global rights to Robbie Williams’ first live performance of songs from his forthcoming album Swings Both Ways.
Williams and special guests will perform the album’s tracklist at the UK’s historic London Palladium next month and corporation’s commercial arm will film the event for release on DVD in December.
Released on 18th November and available for pre-order, Swings Both Ways is the long-awaited follow up to Williams’ Swing When You’re Winning and features songs written by the star and his long-term musical collaborator Guy Chambers.
The album is released on 18th November and features the singer giving his interpretation of standards such as Puttin’ on the Ritz and Dream A Little Dream, as well as performing new tracks including forthcoming single Go Gentle.
The live performance DVD of Swing When You’re Winning is still one of the best-selling music DVDs, achieving six times platinum status in the UK and double platinum in Germany.
The new DVD – Robbie Williams: One Night at the Palladium – will be released in the UK on 9th December and will include four songs not to be found anywhere else and exclusive behind the scenes footage shot as the show comes together over several weeks.
Salim Mukaddam, Director of Music for BBC Worldwide said: “Swing When You’re Winning will have been released twelve years ago this November and we like other Robbie fans have been waiting patiently for the follow-up.
“Robbie is one of the most versatile performers of our times – a truly outstanding pop star, who was born to sing Swing songs. We are thrilled to be involved in this project and to have secured the global rights to Robbie’s much anticipated return to Swing.
“This promises to be a fantastic performance and a must-see event for Robbie’s millions of fans around the world, as well as for anyone that enjoys great Swing and Big Band performances.” Speaking about the new album, Williams said: “This time is a definite ode and a loving glance towards a period on the planet that I was never invited to ‘coz I wasn’t there…I wanted to be, which I still feel strongly linked to. It’s different – it’s not all covers.
“I had some songs that I wanted the world to hear and check out and maybe become part of the fabric of their lives, if I’m lucky enough, that I’ve had a hand in writing. So it’s very similar to the last one, and very different – and hopefully I’m off to romance the world!”