Take That has just released a new album called The Circus, which went straight to number 1 in the British charts. The first day sales figure was astounding - 133 000 copies, which is the highest of the year, beating for example Coldplay. A couple of years ago Take That made a comeback to the world of music after a ten year absence. The 2006 reunion was conducted very stylishly and without big media attention (must be a Finnish writer if he hasn't noticed them in the media), and yet it has sold 3,2 million copies.

"It's true that we want to do things carefully and with style. There are dozens of bands who make comebacks with such noise that you will surely notice. In the end everything goes wrong, and it's very embarrassing to crawl back to your hole after something like that", says angel-faced Mark Owen in Paris.

Nobody was surprised about the success, because these relatively (relatively????) good-looking men really can sing and they all behave like every mother's dream son-in-laws. The remaining foursome seems to do just fine without Robbie Williams, and rumours about his return have disappeared (hah, no they haven't) "There are not a lot of nasty rumours about us. We've managed to explain things to the media in a way that sounds truthful, and so everyone thinks we're quite nice guys", Jason Orange explains seriously.

Having sold millions of records, the band held a launch party for their new record in Paris last Monday. They flew fans and members of the media from around the world to London, and the whole group travelled together by trian to the party in Paris. The band played their biggest hits in a rare club gig and showed that they appreciate their fans.

"Our fans really include those housewives from Manchester who were crazy about us already fifteen years ago. It's a little strange to think about, but they are the basis of our success", Gary Barlow ponders.

The Circus will surely find its way to many Christmas present packages, and it's an interesting coincidence that on the same day Britney Spears is releasing an album with the same name.

"Wow, what are the odds!" Mark Owen laughs.

The Irish boy band - who followed in Take That's footsteps by regrouping for a reunion tour and new record - think teaming up with Take That would be a successful venture for both groups.

Boyzone singer Stephen Gately explained to Britain's Daily Star newspaper: "We are going into the studio to record a new album next year and I would really love to do a duet on it. I think a Take That and Boyzone single, in the vein of when Girls Aloud and the Sugababes did 'Walk This Way', would be so cool.

"It would be great, although I don't know whether they would be up for doing it. I'm a big Take That fan and they have definitely set the benchmark. They deserve it - they have put their heart and souls into their work."

However, Stephen may have to work hard to convince Take That frontman Gary Barlow to take time out of his busy physical exercise regime.

Gary, who was famously nicknamed "the fat one" at the height of Take That's fame in the 90s, has worked hard to lose his excess pounds, and is determined not to let Christmas ruin his new figure.

He said: "I won't be able to have my Christmas dinner without a guilt trip. So I have got it all planned out. I'm going for a two-hour workout on Christmas morning to earn my dinner and that way I won't feel guilty about getting stuck into it."

IT is one of the great comebacks in pop history. After 432,000 first-week sales of their new album, Take That rank alongside giants Oasis and Coldplay. And now anyone from girls to trendy blokes can like them. Here Radio1 DJ Edith Bowman, a champion of cutting edge bands, says why . . .

IF you want any proof about how it has become acceptable to like Take That now, then I can provide it.

I was at the MTV awards in Liverpool a few weeks ago and I was on the red carpet interviewing guests for Scott Mills’ show.

We were over- running a bit and it passed 7pm and we started eating into Zane Lowe’s show.

I asked Zane, who bear in mind is about as cutting edge as you can get, if he wanted me to grab anyone like Lemar or The Killers. ‘Or how about Take That?’ I joked. I thought he’d tell me where to go.

But straight away he said, ‘Hell yeah, can you get me Gary Barlow?’

Then on air he proceeded to profess his love for the man band and hail the songwriting genius of Gary.

I challenge anyone who still thinks Take That are a boy band to compare Barlow’s songwriting with the likes of Gary Lightbody from Snow Patrol or Tom Chaplin from Keane.

There’s not a great difference between the three. Yet, for some reason, there is still a stigma attached to loving Take That, particularly for blokes.

But that, thankfully, is changing.

I’ve always loved Take That. I went to see them at the MEN Arena in Manchester when I was 15 and it was a great night.

I’ve enjoyed all sorts of music from loads of different genres but there will always be a place for Take That.

Back in the day they penned pop classics including Back For Good and Never Forget. For me, the old stuff never died.

I’ve always been out of the closet with my love for them. It’s never been a problem for me to hold my hand up and proudly say, ‘I am a Take That fan’.

A lot of the cool kids turned their noses up when the band announced they were to reform.

But slowly there has been a realisation, particularly among a lot of blokes, that the new stuff is quality.

Although, sadly, a lot of them will be scared to admit it till the day they die.

I’m glad it’s becoming easier to confess to being a fan, though, and the more guys who put their prejudice aside and say they are into it, the better.

The band are incredibly likeable, they don’t pretend they’re anything they’re not.

They are just a bunch of wholesome guys and great role models for anyone who looks up to them.

For those who still refuse to accept they are a great band who write great songs, then I say it’s time to get over the fact they are Take That.

I’m on the judging panel for the Brits next year and, in the Best British Album category they are in there with The Streets, Snow Patrol, Razorlight and Coldplay.

And they are as deserving, if not more so, than any of those others. Why shouldn’t they win? They are, after all, the full package.

They sing live, they write their own stuff, they look fantastic and they never stray too much from who they really are.

That old adage about a good bottle of wine also applies to Take That.

They just keep getting better and better with age.

Listen to Edith every weekday on Radio 1 from 1pm to 4pm.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/features/article2017600.ece

It was a choice between Julia and Up All Night and it was down to what
was best received at the recording and Thatters voted for Up All
Night

It's a fabulous song, rumour had it that it would be released in time
to bid for Chrimbo No 1, which would mean it would have to be released
on on 15th December - next Monday.

It may be they release it as a bid for New Year No 1

Their move plunged the ITV1 show into chaos last night.

Desperate efforts were being made to book another act for Saturday’ s finale.

A source said: “Take That are huge fans of X Factor, especially Gary Barlow. He feels a real affinity with the show and loves encouraging new talent. When they heard Boyzone were on the bill they decided not to do it. It’s really upset the schedule.”

After Take That discovered Boyzone’s fellow Irish crooners Westlife were also lined-up, they dug their heels in even further.

Beyonce, Seal and Duffy will sing with the finalists. Show supremo Simon Cowell yesterday publicly backed Alexandra Burke, 20, to win. She heads JLS and Eoghan Quigg in our online poll.

More than 12,000 votes have been cast — with 49 per cent for Alex.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol....386.ece

British band TAKE THAT are determined to stay around as long as the ROLLING STONES, according to singer HOWARD DONALD.
Donald, along with Mark Owen, Gary Barlow and Jason Orange, reformed the band for a hugely successful comeback in 2006 after enjoying chart success in the 1990s.
And Donald is convinced the band have enough longevity to rival the Can't Get No Satisfaction hitmakers.
He tells Britain's Star magazine, "(We'll) Probably (be around) as long as the Rolling Stones. To knock Take That off the top this time is going to take a very special band."

Tuesday, December 16 2008, 17:44 GMT

By Simon Reynolds, Entertainment Reporter
Owen: 'Britney ill-advised over X Factor'

Rex Features
Mark Owen has suggested that Britney Spears should not have appeared on The X Factor.

The Take That star told Heat that Spears, who came in for criticism for her mimed performance of comeback single 'Womanizer', took bad advice about the ITV show.

"I think she was ill-advised to appear on The X Factor," he commented. "They don't have the show in the US, do they? I thought it seemed like she wasn't sure where she was."

Owen added that he enjoyed his time as an X Factor mentor, where he played "good cop/bad cop" with Gary Barlow.

"I was the good cop!" he said. "I honestly though they were all really good. I had my own favourite, but no, I'm not going to [say] who it was!"

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/xfactor....or.html

Gary Barlow has admitted that he thought Chris Martin was "taking the p*ss" when he said that Coldplay wanted to support Take That.

The boyband singer revealed his surprise that Martin wanted his group to be the opening act for Take That's summer shows.

"It's amazing! I think Chris wrote it on his website. We thought he was taking the p*ss, but he wasn't. He's genuinely a fan," Barlow told Star Magazine.

Martin voiced his admiration for Take That, saying: "I'd like to use this forum, the Coldplay website, to announce that if Take That want us to open for them, we'll do it."

The 'Take That Presents The Circus Live - Summer 2009' tour kicks off in Sunderland on June 6.

Участники британского вокального квартета Take That, переживающего ныне новый пик популярности, надеются, что их реюнион станет долгосрочным и никакая сила в мире не заставит их вновь разбежаться по сольным проектам. По словам Говарда МакДональда, Take That хотели бы переплюнуть рекорд долгожителей рок-сцены Rolling Stones, и продолжать выступать, когда им уже исполнится далеко за 60.

«Мы хотели бы находиться на сцене так долго, как это возможно, - признается Дональд. – Хотелось бы стать такими же долгожителями, как Rolling Stones. У них были свои взлеты и падения, но они всегда оставались вместе. Сейчас мы на пике популярности, но всякое может случиться. Мы будем стараться оставаться в этом бизнесе как можно дольше».

Напомним, что в 90-х годах Take That являлись одной из самых успешных и популярных британских групп. С 1993 по 1996-й годы их композиции восемь раз возглавляли хит-парад Великобритании. Группа распалась в 1996-м, после того как из нее ушел Робби Уильямс (Robbie Williams), построивший впоследствии успешную сольную карьеру.

Ровно через десять лет Take That объявили о своем реюнионе (уже без Уильямса), и до сего момента успели выпустить два чрезвычайно успешных альбома – «Beautiful World» и «The Circus». Тираж первого из них, выпущенного в 2006-м году, составил более 3 млн копий по всему миру. Изданный же в конце ноября 2008-го «The Circus» еще в первую неделю продаж заработал «платиновый» статус, став один из наиболее быстро раскупаемых дисков за всю историю британского шоу-бизнеса.

Анонсированный по следам этого альбома тур также поставил рекорд по скорости продаж билетов: более 600 тысяч пригласительных разошлись всего за 5 часов – притом что гастроли группы стартуют только в июне 2009-го.
http://music.com.ua/news/pop/2008/12/18/28190.html

The Take That frontman is a huge fan of the group and their lead singer Tom Chaplin, and would love to team up with the band on a new track.

He said: "Keane's new record 'Perfect Symmetry' is my album of the year. I love that guy's voice."

Gary also said he would like to join forces with former Mis-Teeq star Alesha Dixon, who recently released her second solo record 'The Alesha Show'.

He added: "I love the Alesha Dixon album too. We got to meet her when we performed on TV talent show 'Strictly Come Dancing' and we have been supportive of her ever since."

Gary recently revealed he is keen for Robbie Williams - who left Take That in 1995 after a series of reported feuds with the group - to rejoin the band.

He said: "The band has been having great fun with Robbie and we have been talking a lot. It's been really good getting to know him again. He has sorted himself out and is in a really good place at the moment.

"Robbie will not be coming on tour with us next year because he has got his own things to do. But we are not ruling out getting together with him beyond that.
http://www.monstersandcritics.com/people....ne_song

The Rockin' All Over The World hitmakers performed for more than 300,000 fans during 35 performances across the U.K.

Boyband Take That were close behind after playing 34 major gigs as part of their successful comeback.

The Kaiser Chiefs, girlband Sugababes, and the temporarily reformed Spice Girls completed the top five hardest working bands, according to the Performing Right Society (PRS).

Popular 1960s group Gerry And The Pacemakers were also hard at work during 2008 - they performed the most shows at smaller concert venues, followed by David Essex and Chas & Dave.
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/1....6d.html

Второе место заняла британская группа The Smiths. Между тем в конце 2008 года бывшие участники группы заявили, что не намерены больше играть вместе. Вокалист Моррисси продолжает успешную сольную карьеру (в начале февраля у него выходит новый альбом), а гитарист Джонни Марр играет в группах The Cribs и Modest Mouse.

Также меломаны мечтают о воссоединении Take That и Робби Вильямса – они заняли третье место. Это единственная группа в десятке, участники объявили о намерении спеть вместе в 2009 году. Не исключено, что Take That вместе с Вильямсом станут хедлайнерами фестиваля "Гластонбери".

Далее в списке Gigwise идут The Stone Roses, Guns'n'Roses с гитаристом Слэшем, Pink Floyd, Talking Heads, The Faces, бывшая группа Джорджа Майкла Wham! и ансамбль Jackson Five, в котором начинал свою карьеру Майкл Джексон.
http://www.lenta.ru/news/2009/01/10/abba/

StarsLife.ru, DELFI
20 января 2009 15:11

Робби Уильямс воссоединяется со своей бывшей группой Take That — но исключительно ради кино. Робби и фронтмен группы Гари Барлоу обсуждают сейчас идею биографического фильма о Take That.

"Все свое время Робби проводит за игрой в футбол или расслабляясь в своем особняке в Лос Анжелесе, — рассказывает друг певца. — Он радуется жизни, а еще обсуждает идею о том, как снять фильм о его годах работы в Take That. Ему определенно нравится мысль увидеть себя на большом экране".

Однако пока сообщается, что картина будет в основном сфокусирована на том, как в 2005 году Take That вернулись на сцену — и произошло это без Робби, как вы помните. Парни наслаждаются новыми успехами, что порождает слухи о желании Робби Уильямса присоединиться к бывшим коллегам.

DELFI

The biggest manband on the planet only decided to give the fame game another shot after, well, several rounds of shots.

Back in 2005 when they reformed the lads originally met up just to film the ten-year anniversary documentary Take That: On The Record.

And until now grateful fans thought it was purely the success of that November TV performance which fuelled the amazing return of the fantastic foursome GARY BARLOW, MARK OWEN, HOWARD DONALD and JASON ORANGE.

But I can now reveal they nearly bottled it.

Turns out the decision was down to an alcoholically inspired all-nighter of a discussion.

Mark admits: “We only came back to do the ten-year documentary and to talk about what had happened and where we were now.

“And because of the feedback we got off that, people started saying would we tour again?

“And then one night me, Gary and Howard went out for a drink — and we had a couple of drinks — and we thought, ‘We can do it!’

“We were in the bar singing, ‘All I do each night is Pray... ’

“Basically we were a bit slopped up and we phoned Jay, I think he was at a wedding, and we said, ‘Jay, Jay, we’ve got this brilliant idea, come back.’

“So he came back from the wedding at two in the morning, we went round to Gary’s house and we stayed up ’til six, envisioning it, getting all really excited.
Booze

“Then we went home and slept and then obviously when you wake up it was like, ‘What have we just... What have we decided to do?’”

Gary agrees with Mr Owen, accepting: “I attribute it to booze”, as does Howard. He simply says: “It was Mr Smirnoff’s fault.”

The rest, as they say, is history and the band went on to Rule The World.

The Bizarre Lords have gone on to sell more than a million concert tickets in record time and more than a million copies of their latest album The Circus.

That’s a far better result than any of the hare-brained schemes anyone I know has ever come up with after in-depth talks with the aforementioned Mr Smirnoff.

Those lads are a real tonic.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol....948.ece

The group explained that they originally came together only to film the anniversary documentary Take That: On The Record.

They told The Sun that their full reunion would not have taken place had they not had the alcohol-inspired talks.

Mark Owen said: "One night me, Gary and Howard went out for a drink - and we had a couple of drinks - and we thought, 'We can do it!'

"Basically we were a bit slopped up and we phoned Jay, I think he was at a wedding, and we said, 'Jay, Jay, we've got this brilliant idea, come back.'"

He added that Jason Orange returned from the wedding at two o'clock in the morning and all four went to Gary Barlow's house and discussed the possibility of returning.

Barlow said that he attributed the reunion "to booze", while Howard Donald agreed: "It was Mr Smirnoff's fault."

Earlier this week, Take That confirmed that they would be supported by singer-songwriter Gary Go on their upcoming stadium tour.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music....on.html

Take That напилисьВ 2005 году Гари Барлоу, Марк Оуэн, Говард Дональд и Джейсон Орандж снялись в документальном фильме, посвященном истории первого в мире классического бойз-бэнда Take That, покорившего мир в начале 1990-х. Фильм оказался настолько успешным, а чувство ностальгии настолько глубокими, что ребята решили объединиться снова. Но это лишь официальная версия.

А о том, что произошло на самом деле, стало известно в эти дни. Марк Оуэн рассказал в интервью британской газете The Sun: "Мы вначале решили собраться вместе, только для того, чтобы снять фильм к десятилетию группы и поговорить о том, что с нами за это время стало. А потом пошли письма, просьбы от поклонников. Люди спрашивали, когда мы снова поедем в тур. И вот в один прекрасный вечер Гари, Говард и я вышли в бар выпить. И, основательно употребив, решили: "Мы можем это сделать!"

Оуэн рассказывает, что в тот вечер друзья поначалу громко распевали песни в баре, а потом позвонили Джейсону, чтобы поделиться блестящей идеей. Автор песен для группы Гари Барлоу признается: "Я связываю это решение с выпивкой".

Take That распались в 1996, через год после того, как из группы ушел Робби Уильямс. Объединившись вновь в 2005, ребята успели дважды возглавить со своими новыми альбомами чарты и трижды победить с композициями в хит-парадах.
http://www.cosmo.ru/in_focus/section_news_events/636320/