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Media"With
a style that owes more to Sammy Davis Jr, Vic Damone and Jack
Jones than Frank Sinatra, Anthony Warlow pays tribute to the big
band sound that backed so many singers in the Hollywood studios
of Capitol Records in the mid to late 1950s. Warlow is unique
in that he understands the songs he sings - not suprising when
you consider his perfect intonation and ability to phrase naturally.
And he is in top form on this set of timeless standards superbly
showcased by arranger Tommy Tycho, whose writing is one of the
reasons why this album will become a landmark in Australian popular
music. His charts may bear an uncanny resemblance to the best
writing such great arrangers as Nelson Riddle and Billy May, yet
by adding that special Tycho touch he makes them his own. He rekindles
the sound of a swinging big band, making it as relevant in the
21st century as it was nearly 50 years ago. There's excellent
musicianship from the top Sydney jazz and studio musicians, resulting
in some of the most exhilirating Australian big band sounds I
have heard. I doubt if any Australian big band has been graced
by a better trumpet team than that of Ralph Pyl, Paul Panichi,
John Hoffman, Warwick Alder and Don Rader. Booted along by the
rhythm section and Gordan Rytmeister's explosive drumming, they
charge through Lover Come Back to Me, breathing as one
as they shout with fire and excitement. And what a rhythm section!
Jonatthan Zwartz's big sounding bass, pianist Bill Risby and Rytmeister
imaginatively set the scene for the uptempo Charade,
in which Warlow strong and confident, holds his own against the
the blend of shouting brass and flaming reeds. However, not all
the tracks are in this vein. Nobody's Baby is a handsome
blending of the sleek and smooth , and The Girl From Ipanema
an oasis of quiet beauty featuring Jim Pennell's gently insinuating
guitar and soft strings. It is doubtful if any other Australian
male singer could have carried this off with such aplomb and excellence.
Then again, I doubt if one had ever had better backing". "
The All Stars, led by trumpeter Ralph Pyl, with a book based on
charts associated with the bands of the late Buddy Rich, Woody
Herman and Canada's wonderful Boss Brass is a winner. In full
flight it can roar like a lion yet purr like a kitten on a ballad
- and it includes some of the best jazz and studio musicians in
the country". "I
have worked in Big Bands with Ralph Pyl since we were kids, his
experience
in this genre is immense. As a guest with his Big Band on many
occasions I'm
always impressed with how he gets the most out of the band, his
easy going
knowledgeable approach really pulls it together". "In
his role as Band Leader during the 1998 - 1999 national tour of
"Frank -
The Sinatra story in song", Ralph Pyl's extensive knowledge of
and great
passion for Big Band music, as well as his remarkable ability
as a lead player
and soloist, made him a major contributor to the success of the
show". "We
here at Darling Harbour Authority would like to congratulate Tom
Burlinson and the "Sydney All Star Big Band" for delivering a
superb evenings
entertainment on board the Aquashell on Cockle Bay. The event
was an
outstanding success and launched our 'Winter Concert Series' 2000
in style.
To have your uncannily 'Frank' vocals and the "All Stars" brilliant
execution
of the 'charts' fill this site with the fabulous music of Sinatra
was an
unprecedented thrill, which drew constant enthusiastic response
from
thousands of people sitting around Cockle Bay". "In
1997, I was approached by Sydney's "Star City", Australia's newest
most
prestigious Casino complex to perform 22 concerts. I was determined
to have
the hottest and swingin'est band in town. That's exactly what
I got. Under the
direction of Ralph Pyl the "Sydney All Stars" tore the roof off
the place every
night, so when I was ready to make my last album "Cash Landing",
Ralph and
the "All Stars" were the obvious choice. The band brought a depth
of passion,
dynamics and sheer musical quality to the recording that no other
band possibly
could. Ralph and I have been working together for over 4 years
now and
whether it's a festival concert, a night club, television appearance
or studio
recording, Ralph's blistering solo abilities and machine gun accurate
reading
skills have become an integral part of the Frank Bennett sound.
The guy just
loves his work ..... and so do I". "Having
featured on many occasion with Ralph's "Sydney All Sar Big Band"
and as a top student in the Conservatorium Jazz Program, followed
by his
impressive years in the top echelon of the professional ranks,
Ralph Pyl comes
highly recommended as a very experienced player and leader". "One
of the greatest highlights of my musical career, has been the
honor of
working with the "Sydney All Star Big Band". Led by the absolutely
professional and wonderful Ralph Pyl - The " Sydney All Stars"
provide a world
class sound, are brilliant readers and are a great bunch of guys
as well. It is of
great joy to work with this Big Band, they're in a galaxy of their
own"! "The
Sydney All Star Big Band was assembled by its leader trumpeter
Ralph
Pyl in 1990 to continue the big band jazz tradition started in
Sydney in the late
70's and carried into the 80's by the Northside Big Band. The
nucleus of the All
Stars came from the ranks of the Northside Big Band. Now the Sydney
All Star
Big Band contains 15 of the finest jazz and recording musicians
on the current
Australian jazz scene. Since its inception the band has captured
the imagination
of jazz fans and big band buffs with its first class soloists,
powerful ensemble
work and dynamic swinging style. Its performances at major jazz
events,
including several at the Manly International Jazz Festival, drew
much critical
acclaim and in particular when associated with international artists
like Vanessa
Rubin, Buddy Greco, Tom Burlinson, James Morrison, Don Burrows
and
Andrew Speight. One of the highlights of the band's career was
a superb tribute
concert in the Sydney Town Hall to the legendary Duke Ellington.
It is without
doubt this nation's most outstanding professional jazz orchestra.
Its leader
Ralph Pyl is a thoroughly skilled and totally dedicated professional
musician
who is highly respected by his peers. Keeping big bands together
and active is
difficult enough at anytime, but it is significant that the membership
of the All
Star Band has changed little over the years and indeed its present
line up
would be hard to better in this country". "Ralph
Pyl is an exceptional musician, the fact that he has his own Big
Band is a testament to his talent. I have worked with Ralph for
over 12 years and have always found him to be dedicated, professional
and highly respected by everyone in the industry". |
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