Escapology

Personnel includes: Robbie Williams (vocals); Grant Geissman (acoustic guitar); Gary Nutall (acoustic & electric guitar, background vocals); Neil Taylor (acoustic & electric guitar); Guy Chambers (acoustic & fuzz guitar, piano, Wurlitzer piano, harpsichord); Boots Ottestad, Waddy Watchell (guitar); Eric Marienthal (tenor saxophone); Wayne Bergeron (trumpet); Jim Cox (piano, Hammond B-3 organ, Clavinet); Claire Worrall (piano, Hammond B-3 organ, background vocals); Andy Wallace (piano); Aren Hovda, Dave Stewart (keyboards); Yolanda Charles, Phil Spalding, Leland Sklar (bass); Steve Ferrone, Jeremy Stacey (drums); Andy Duncan (percussion); Michelle Escoffery, Katie Kissoon, Tessa Niles, Paul Williams (background vocals); The London Session Orchestra, Rose Stone Gospel Choir.
Recorded in Los Angeles, California and London, England.
Escapology, Robbie Williams' last album recorded with producer/songwriter phenom Guy Chambers, relies on the singer's volcanic personality. "Feel" and "Love Somebody" are looking-for-love songs, the latter with a set of lyrics cribbed from 30 years of rock & roll. The Oasis flag-waver "Something Beautiful" finds Williams trying to keep on despite being tired with the modern world, while "Monsoon" and "Handsome Man" chart celebrity regrets with an odd sense of arrogance and self-deprecation. The sound is MOR throughout. ~ John Bush