Customer Reviews

Back in the Swing

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After a meteoric rise to Australian musical theatre's top ranks, via shows like Guys and Dolls, Les Miserables and the lead in "Phantom" Anthony Warlow's first two albums were highly successful. Fans outside Aus may not be aware that in 1992, at the peak of his career, Anthony was stricken with cancer. "Back in the Swing" was his way of saying to the fans who had supported him through the ensuing battle,"Hey, I'm OK now. I'm back in the swing!" Listen carefully to his own particular lyrics in "This Can't Be Love". Never was an album more delightedly welcomed, especially as the whole performance completely lived up to the exceptional standard we had come to expect of this very talented artist. A different slant here, honey-smooth renditions of swing era favourites, many of which were originally made popular by Nat King Cole. In my opinion, Anthony does it better!

Anthony Warlow can do no wrong, and this CD is another example of that! This recording differs from the showtune fare you'll usually hear him sing - and it's a nice break! It's filled with a great sense of fun with a few songs of pure beauty. A couple of my favorites are the wonderfully fun "Orange Coloured Sky" and the absolutely breathtaking "Without A Song." A must-have for any fan of either Warlow or the old swing era music!

Wow! . . . . Wow. Anthony touches each tune with such integrity, such emotion, such sincerity! His golden voice resurrects each song with all the life and character one could ever expect! He sings "Autumn Leaves" with such longing and such power! The medley "Almost Like Being In Love/This Can't Be Love" is sheer bliss, and will have you singing in the sunshine on a cloudy day! "Smile" is utterly heartbreaking! All of the songs are so perfect, and Anthony's whimsical interpretations bring about so many unexpected (and very pleasant) surprises! (As much as I'd like to tell you, I wouldn't wanna spoil the surprise!) Get this CD!

One of the greatest recordings EVER to be produced. This wonderful collection contains irresistable songs that will either tear you apart or put a big grin on your face. Ingeniously put together, this CD is a must for any set of ears. Trust me, you will be listening to his performances over and over again.

Anthony Warlow can do no wrong in my opinion. He most enjoyable Broadway influenced albums are wonderful as is his more quiet demanding style in Midnight Dreaming (See my review for that album.) Back in the Swing is the opposite in style from the former recording. It is also has far away in style from Broadway. The big band sound recalling Benny Goodman and all the great bands with boy and girls singers. I think Warlow was smart to take this adventerous route in trying albums with different sounds and feels. Although he doesn't shy away from some Broadway standards he does them in a fresh and exciting way. If you are only familiar with Warlow from his musical albums or any of his cast records, you'd be wise to pick this album up. You'll listen to it more than once.

Anthony Warlow is a brilliant singer who has released great albums in the past of just theater music. But this cd is all jazz , the best of the swing era! Any lover of jazz and swing or any lover of Anthony Warlow won't want to miss out. A must buy!

With the addition of this latest CD, I now have all of Anthony Warlow's music. He is a singer/performer with such magnificent vocal control that he easily is able to approach this collection of "Swing Era" tunes with such ease and grace . Warlow gives new life to old standards, with such impeccable phrasing, that you will not hear any better versions than his."Autumn Leaves" will leave you breathless and "Moonglow" will leave a smile in your heart.Get it and get back in the swing.