A NUMBER of people have asked me in the last couple of weeks, what I thought about the Robbie Williams televised concert from the Royal Albert Hall.

And whether his current CD 'Swing When You're Winning', in which he takes a dramatic musical turn from pop to the heady world of big band jazz and songs of the masters, would make a reasonable Christmas gift for aficionados of the genre -- swing, not pop.

Well, first things first. Let's give the young man credit for attempting to recreate the sounds of Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jnr, Dean Martin, and Bobby Darin. He made a decent job of it, too, although he had maximum assistance from a phenomenal orchestra.

I was particularly impressed with his version of 'Mr Bojangles' during which he proved that he could not only count in 3/4 time, or jazz waltz as we know it, but sing in it as well. Highly commendable, though I could do without the pseudo American accent.

His 'duet' with the late Francis Albert was just a tad over-ambitious for my taste, probably because 'It Was A Very Good Year' is my absolute favourite of all Sinatra's songs.

No-one in my lifetime has come within 50 nautical miles of The Guv'nor, or ever will. Robbie Williams certainly won't, although I could kiss him (but I won't) for jumping in at the deep end and bringing the sounds of proper music to the attention of zillions of pop fans who probably believe 'Let Me Entertain You', 'Rock DJ' and 'Angels' are examples of Mr Williams at his best.

His detractors will just as probably conclude that the same three numbers represent the limit of his contribution to light music. Both factions might just be wrong.

Young Robbie swings. He could yet cross the great divide between pop and the good stuff. Tom Jones and Englebert did with spectacular success and I believe he will attempt the same lucrative route to Vegas and beyond.

He could make it, too, but should jettison the swagger, profanity and publicity about his sexual prowess. It's childish, embarrassing and boring.

Would the album, on which I believe the concert was based, make a Christmas gift? Well, yes, it would make a splendid gift for people on the periphery of swing. But the old jazzers like me go for the real thing. In fact, we've probably got most of them.

Recommended CDs from this correspondent are anything by the following five: Ella Fitzgerald (particularly the Cole Porter Song Books One and Two); Shorty Rogers and his Giants; Frank Sinatra (Songs For Swingin' Lovers is my favourite), Stan Kenton and Charlie Ventura, the latter utter magic if bebop is your thing.

Finally for this week, a reminder that the last jazz night of 2001 at the Rhythm Station in Rawtenstall features the brilliant Pete King, an alto saxophonist of awesome ability. He will be backed by the resident Tommy Melville Quartet. Tuesday night jazz sessions resume on January 8. PETE KING: Superb alto saxophonist: The Rhythm Station, Rawtenstall. Tuesday, December 11. 8.30-11pm. Adm £6. Tel: 01706 214039.

THE PENDLE JAZZMEN: Holden Arms, Grane Rd., Haslingden. Every first, third and fifth Friday of the month. Whitchaff Inn, Bury Rd., Rawtenstall. Every second and fourth Friday of the month. From 9pm each venue. Free admission.

ART LESTER BIG BAND: Pennine Suite: Horwich RMI, Chorley New Rd., Bolton. Every Tuesday. From 8.30. Free.

KEN WARD BIG BAND: Mercury Motel, Manchester Rd., Westhoughton, Nr Bolton. Every Tuesday. From 8pm. Adm free.

JERIATRIC JAZZ: Mainstream and BeBop. The Cotton Tree, Prince Street, Bolton. Thursday, December 20. From 8.30. Adm £1. The Met Arts Centre, Market St., Bury (0161 761 2216). Friday, From 8pm. Tickets £8 (conc £6)

Blakeys Bar, King George's Hall, Northgate, Blackburn. Monday, . 8.15-11pm. £3.50 on the door.