GARY WILLIAMS REVIEWS & QUOTES
The Rat Pack
 Rat
Pack feature for London What's On. Nov 2004
The
Rat Pack Live from Las Vegas. Jun 2004
The Legend of Sinatra
Gala Performance, Oct 2003
Wyvern Swindon, Feb 2002
Gary's
Magic Brings Legend Back to Life, May 2001
Reviving
The Magic Of Sinatra, May 2001
"Alone Together" CD
Perfectly
Frank Magazine, April 2005
Shropshire Evening Post, March 2005
The Sunday Times. Jan 2005
Jazz
Views. Jan 2005
Big Band World. Jan 2005
David
Jacobs on Radio 2. Dec 2004
'Songbrids'. Nov 2004
Malcolm
Laycock on Radio 2. Nov 2004
Journal
Into Melody preview. Nov 2004
In
Tune. Nov 2004
Review: Swingin' on Broadway at Pizza Express Jazz Club, Dean Street
Grimsby-born Gary Williams is a singer with an easy style. His favourite singers are the likes of Andy Williams, Bobby Darin, Eddie Fisher and Matt Monro, performers who exude an air of relaxation but who can also swing with the best of them. Gary first came to public attention when he appeared with the BBC Big Band at Pebble Mill, in a tribute to Vic Damone (he had a hit with ‘On the street where you live’ which Gary has just recorded on his new album “Swingin’ on Broadway”). After that he was a regular with the BBC Band, since when he has worked with many other bands (Back to Basie, Opus One, Syd Lawrence) and, on occasions, symphony orchestras too. He regularly visits Finland where he sings with the Lahti Symphony Orchestra conducted by the irrepressible John Wilson. In fact they will be in Finland later in February, after Gary returns from a week’s work on the QE2. Then it’s over to Ireland and the RTE Orchestra again under Wilson, more cruise work on the Queen Mary 2 and then back to Finland in April for a Fred Astaire tribute. This week (4-9 February), however, he’s at the Pizza Express in Soho to launch the new album.
Gary Williams came to prominence through “The Rat Pack” show. He sang the songs of Frank Sinatra and, although his voice is not unlike Sinatra’s, he never slavishly copies the voice, just the intonation and the laid-back style. And ‘laid-back’ sums up Gary’s approach. He had not played Pizza Express in Dean Street before – yet he instantly knew how to work the room in a completely relaxed but swinging style and is more a live-wire than he is recorded. The new album presents songs from Broadway shows but sung in a gentle manner with superb arrangements – in an intimate style, just good honest interpretations of such numbers as ‘All I need is the girl’ (“Gypsy”), ‘This can’t be love’ (“The Boys from Syracuse”) ‘Who will buy?’ (“Oliver!”), ‘You’re never fully dressed without a smile’ (“Annie”), ‘On a clear day you can see forever’, and, of all (favourite?) things, ‘My favourite things’ from “The Sound of Music”.
If you think the ‘cheese’ factor is fairly high on the recording, you would be wrong, because there is nothing at all sentimental about Gary’s interpretations. Even ‘My favourite things’ sounds like a classic. The arrangement is by Clive Dunstall who also manages to make ‘Chim Chim Cheree’, ‘Who will buy?’ and ‘The surrey with the fringe on top’ sound new-minted. Other fine arrangements are by Andrew Cottee, Phil Lee and, of all people, Richard Rodney Bennett, who also plays celeste.
From the recording, Luke Annesley is a guest artist at Pizza Express, providing some excellent saxophone-playing particularly for ‘Why shouldn’t I?’ from Cole Porter’s “Jubilee”, and also on Porter’s ‘Just one of those things’. But the whole quartet is so very good – musicians who are enjoying themselves. They open the show with the title song from “The Sound of Music’, into which they breathed new life with a swinging arrangement. Gary’s first songs are from “42nd Street” – the first show he saw in London and which had a profound effect on him. Most of his material is from the golden age of the American Songbook – classics such as ‘Steppin’ out with my baby’, ‘I love a piano’, ‘Anything goes’, and ‘Hello young lovers’. When it comes to doing a Sinatra medley, however, Gary is even more spoilt for choice. He sings a line or two from abut twenty numbers that Sinatra made famous: ‘Come fly with me’, ‘I’ll never smile again’, ’One for my baby’, ‘Young at heart’ and even an arrangement of ‘Ol’ man river’ … well, whatever Frank sang was or became famous. However, he hated ‘Strangers in the night’, but it was still one of his greatest successes.
In his second set Gary sings ‘Over the rainbow’ complete with an introductory verse I don’t recall hearing before. Luke Annesley comes to the fore in ‘Ding dong the witch is dead’, and then it’s into ‘Lover come back to me’, ‘Thou swell’ and, finally, ‘Always look on the bright side of life’. All these songs suit Gary’s smooth style. And not only is he a brilliant singer; he also puts the audience at ease. A lot of artists are not good at being themselves when not singing – Gary is as relaxed chatting as he is singing, and he’s funny too. Don’t miss him.
Review by Michael Darvell www.classicalsource.com
Pizza Express Jazz Club, Dean Street - 4th-9th February 2008
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Big Band World Magazine Review by Radio 2's Malcolm Laycock
Master arrangers Clive Dunstall and Andrew Cottee are the perfect people to settle Gary Williams into a smooth and swinging groove as he ambles effortlessly down Broadway, one minute plucking out the unlikely Chim Chim Cheree and the next riding The Surrey With The Fringe On Top. And then Richard Rodney Bennett joins him as arranger and celeste player for the Gershwin’s Isn’t It A Pity and the set ends (naturally!) with Always Look On The Bright Side from Spamalot.
It’s a well-paced CD of enjoyable variety, skilfully performed. Gary’s in great voice and all’s well. I think I would rate this his best showing to date. Impressive sound balance achieved by producers John Wilson and Mike Dutton.
***** Five stars
Malcolm Laycock
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Great Songs from a Great Vocalist
This latest CD from Gary Williams is the perfect companion for the earlier “In the Lounge with Gary Williams and his Musicians on BOS6814. If I was going to ask Gary to record a new album then I would certainly have suggested some songs from musicals and here we have 15 songs all from Broadway and covering as diverse a group as you could get. All the songs with the exception of “Isn’t it a Pity” were recorded in January 2007 and that dates from June 2004.
The liner notes are penned by the late Ned Sherrin a man associated with musicals himself and I can sense the joy he had listening and writing for the CD booklet. Of course Mr Sherrin was a precise gent and takes Gary to task (lightly) for his inclusion of the wonderful Alec Wilder song “It’s a Fine Day for Walking Country Style” from a show entitled “Miss Chicken Little”. I have done some research too (www.ibdb.com) and sure enough there is no mention of the musical playing on Broadway. Dating from 1953, "Miss Chicken Little" was one of several TV musicals Wilder wrote for the fledgling industry. It featured Jo Sullivan in the title role and George S. Irving as the Fox. William Engvick was Wilder`s collaborator on the project. So there you have it folks, Ned was correct and Gary was right to include this little heard gem on the CD. From the opening song “Chim Chim Cheree” from Mary Poppins through to “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life” from Spamalot the pace is well handled both vocally and instrumentally with plenty of opportunity for the soloists to shine. Pianist Clive Dunstall accompanies Gary expertly throughout and there is a super sax solo from Luke Annesley on “Who Will Buy?” from Oliver! Likewise Phil Lee can be heard performing a super guitar solo during the Alec Wilder song. And, a fairly rare instrument the celeste is played by Richard Rodney Bennett on the Gershwin’s “Isn’t it a Pity”. Vibraphone player Justin Woodward clears away the mist for an enchanting sequence during “On a Clear Day” whilst Gary creates yet another memorable performance. The running time is approx 45 minutes. This is a must have CD.
Clive Fuller
Encore Magazine
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Festival Goes off with a Bang!
Festival Goes Off With A Bang
Kit Chellel, Kent & Sussex Courier, 31st May 2007
The Tonbridge festival of music and fireworks has been hailed a sparkling success.
Some 4,400 people came to the castle lawn over the weekend to enjoy what organisers say was the best ever line-up. And audiences escaped the muddy misery endured by other festival-goers in the north of the country over the three days. The predicted heavy rain never materialised, apart from a five-minute shower on Sunday night.
Acts like Magic of Abba and Gary Williams and the Rat Pack had revellers dancing in the aisles against the spectacular backdrop of Tonbridge Castle.
There was an appearance by musical students from West Kent College, who performed a selection of pop and disco hits on Friday evening.
Organisers Musical Associates hailed the event as a resounding success. Spokesman Andrew Wyke said: "Last year there were a few things we had to improve on - and we did. "I think this is the best one we have done. The combination of music and fireworks was something else. Hopefully the festival is back on track."
This year was the 8th festival held in Tonbridge and organisers are hoping to return to the castle lawn next summer.
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A Serious Affair
The ASO Plays Cabaret with UK swing singer Gary Williams served at this year’s festival centrepiece. A serious more than uplifting affair, it artfully and meticulously recreated the sound of the 1950s Capitol recordings of Nat King Cole and Frank Sinatra using Nelson Riddle’s spacious original orchestral arrangements.
Here was no boisterously blaring big band fronted by a one-dimensional greasy crooner. Williams himself was all warmth and laid-back almost to a fault. Punchier numbers such as ‘Route 66’ lacked grit, but ‘Let There Be Love’ and ‘Come Fly With Me’ sailed effortlessly without a trace of smear or coarseness. Under conductor John Wilson, the ASO was impeccably refined. Wilson is clearly a master at this stuff, displaying real understanding of Riddle’s finely layered scores.
Graham Strahle
The Adelaide Review
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MSO Knows Hollywood Score
After just the barest opening nod to more recent film-making through the main title music for Star Wars by John Williams, the remainder of Sunday's Pops concert, in which the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra took a trip through Hollywood film music, was devoted to scores that were written in the first half of the 20th century.
As conductor John Wilson pointed out, that period was a golden era for musicals as well as film soundtracks, and he gave us ample proof of this claim.
For instance, it made quite a study to juxtapose the bloated Williams score with Erich Korngold's music for The Sea Hawk , in which each member of an orchestra could probably be conscious of contributing to a rationally organised sound complex instead of being implicated in a fortissimo juggernaut.
Much the same could be heard in pieces that followed, such as David Raksin's theme for Laura , Franz Waxman's ever-suggestive score to Alfred Hitchcock's Rebecca and the music Max Steiner rushed to complete for Gone with the Wind.
The guest artist for this nostalgic exercise that clearly brought back happy memories for those in my section of Hamer Hall was Gary Williams, a personable British light baritone with mastery of the microphone who made few false moves in a sequence of 10 hits ranging from The Heather on the Hill through the Gershwins' evergreen 'S Wonderful and on to Singin' in the Rain. The singer loped through his numbers with minimal stress, enjoying plenty of orchestral interludes while Gene Kelly stopped crooning to splash around the street or Fred Astaire danced on the ceiling.
In fact, Williams' range is limited in terms of its compass and his delivery is best suited to laid-back swing numbers such as You Were Meant for Me and Almost Like Being in Love. His attempt to summon up a shade of Howard Keel in Bless Your Beautiful Hide sounded at odds with the smooth elegance of Williams' stage presence.
For this year's exercise, the organisers projected on the hall's back wall slides of play-bills picturing the various films under treatment. These would have been of singular assistance if singer and chatty conductor had not filled us in at regular intervals about the music presented.
Inclined to point up the obvious and cue the unmissable entry, Wilson has expended - for our pleasure - a huge amount of his energy in resurrecting and often recreating these memorable scores, keeping faith with that group of admirable composer-craftsmen whose splendid manuscripts were often destroyed through neglect or thoughtlessness after Hollywood's philistine studio heads had finished with them.
Clive O'Connell, Reviewer
June 7, 2007
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Adelaide Festival, Australia.
The Adelaide Cabaret Festival swooned into town alongside the impeccable company of the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra (ASO), UK’s leading swing conductor John Wilson and velvety crooner Gary Williams, for – The Music of Nat King Cole and Frank Sinatra.
Split into two sets, the first part of the program paid homage to the tunes of Nat King Cole, featuring some of the artist’s finest works such as Mona Lisa, Unforgettable, Let There Be Love and Route 66, while the second was dedicated to the tunes of Frank Sinatra. The journey of Old Blue Eyes didn’t disappoint the audience with the expected classics like The Lady is a Tramp, One for my Baby, I’ve Got You Under My Skin and Come Fly With Me.
The assemblage by John Wilson and the delivery of the ASO was impressive. The string section for Unforgettable was superb. Shut your eyes and you couldn’t help but be transported to another place and time. The visuals however, were a tad under-whelming. A touch of mood lighting, props or backdrop imagery of Nat King Cole or Frank Sinatra would have added to the ambience and ‘Cabaret feel’ of the night. In addition, Williams was at times swallowed by the activity on stage, blending into the sea of black suits behind him.
A magical voice, Williams mastered the songs, although did seem to take some time to warm up to his surroundings. His efforts in the first set seemed to be slightly overwhelmed by the sounds of the Orchestra, which at times drowned him out. By the second set William’s confidence grew and his stage presence followed, matching the challenge put forward by the ASO with Wilson. Working the stage and relaxing into his role resulted in a wonderful marriage between music and vocals, to which the audience responded with enthusiastic appreciation.
The night wasn’t without celebration of some of the finest arrangers of the day, most notably Nelson Riddle and Billy May who both forged successful partnerships with Sinatra and Cole that saw the singers’ careers soar.
Come encore, the charm and presence of Williams had won over the room. The respect and appreciation between conductor, vocalist and orchestra was apparent throughout the performance. The good news for those who missed out is that the concert was recorded for future broadcast on ABC Classic FM. Tune in, I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.
Written by Bianca Barbaro
Sunday, 10 June 2007
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Gary Wows The Crowd At Pink Rose Gig
The spirits of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davies Jnr combined in the great voice of Gary Williams at a charity concert in aid of The Pink Rose Appeal.
More than 350 guests were entertained by Gary, who did it his way in big swing style and helped raise thousands of pounds for the appeal.
Guests paid £12 for a ticket and Gary gave CDs to people who paid £10 towards the appeal - which was no kick in the head.
He sang his heart out, accompanied by Regency Music and the appreciative audience.
June Hills, of Columbia Road, Grimsby, said: "We know one or two people suffering from breast cancer at the moment and we wanted to do anything we could to help and make them more comfortable."
Her husband Paul Hills said: "It has been an excellent night. It is our sort of music."
Guest Angie Smith, who overcame breast cancer after two mastectomies, said it was a fabulous night.
She said: "The people have said it all tonight. It has been a fabulous night for me to end all that I have gone through and move on. I have been lucky. The number of people who have been touched by cancer or get involved with fundraising, it is all unbelievable."
She said she was overwhelmed when Gary Williams presented her with a red rose.
Gary said: "It has been a lovely night. It is like performing in front of friends and family. "There was a great atmosphere. As soon as I started singing everyone was up for a great night."
Organiser Linda Lyon, secretary to The Pink Rose Appeal and to the Breast Care Unit at Grimsby's Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital, said: "I am thrilled with the turnout. Gary has been wonderful. It has been a phenomenal night."
Joyce Woods (70), of Suggitts Orchid, Cleethorpes, said: "We came to see Gary Williams. We are fans of his and, of course, everyone supports The Pink Rose Appeal. It has been an enjoyable evening and Gary was magnificent." Diane Falkingham (61), of Laceby Road, said: "We have had several friends with breast cancer, so we always support the appeal. This has been a fabulous night."
Anne Spall (61), of Davenport Drive, Cleethorpes, said: "Seeing Gary Williams was a bonus."
Grimsby Evening Telegraph
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Review of Gary's Pizza on the Park show 'An Evening with Gary Williams', performed in November 2006, published February 2007.
Ted’s Talk Special (cover story)
I hadn’t been to POTP for some time. This visit was something of a revelation, due to a huge improvement in the food, service with a smile, pleasant staff. This commences to restore my belief in the original meaning of nightclub and the practise of it and as I understand there has been a change of management, it would seem that it is all down.
How good that all this sophisticated enjoyment was conjoined and equally matched with a scintillating show by Gary Williams, complete and in no way prejudicing the intimate cabaret club atmosphere, so that the whole audience was involved and enthralled. And he did just that, by talking directly to individuals in his audience, the young couple (and this was a predominately young audience, this writer excepted of course) assessing Gary for their wedding entertainment, banter back and forth with his agent, and our own part of four, also there by personal invitation in return for Sinatra Music Society invitations to Gary, very happy to hear a couple of plugs for SMS from him. Thank you much Mr Williams, Sir.
[biography information was here]
Well, to Gary’s performance. We know him well enough now that we know he will deliver a joyful, erudite performance. Joyful because of his delight, which he communicates to his audience, in singing the greatest songs ever written. Erudite because he has learnt the history of our music and the great performances of the past. He is very aware also of choice of material to suit the moment in his show, welcoming and greeting the people with hello, Young Lovers, Steppin’ Out With My Baby and How Do You Do? Telling us his thoughts about the show business life, bringing in his MD/pianist Clive Dunstall with I Love Piano. Moving on to mention Sinatra, giving his own reading of Nice ‘n’ Easy and Andy Williams (common name ins how business but not common talent) and putting his own stamp on Moon River, Music To Watch Girls By. Then reference to the musical theatre, Rodgers and Hart’s This Can’t Be Love, really swinging, and Cole Porter’s Anything Goes (reference to old leather lungs Ethel Merman). All these excellent renditions by Gary were not paying tribute as such but references to classic versions of the past. There’s no reason why new, innovative treatments shouldn’t be looked for and appreciated. Having said that to steer a course between esoteric and at the same time getting the message over to the not so knowledgeable.
Alec Wilder (“in amateurs took over”) next, Gary giving out with It’s A Fine Day For Walking Country Style, words by William Engvick; memories of Judy Garland and The Trolley Song with Gary. He sang through all the exotic locations of Route 66 then sang it again substituting the locations of northwest England, his home territory. In the exotic stakes northwest England lost out but Gary’s idea, and his delivery of it with a great sense of fun, ensured that the audience did not lose out, as evide3nced by its enjoyment, endorsed by its laughter.
After the interval Gap. Gary brought with him a very bright Oklahoma segment. Oh, What A Beautiful Morning (some straight singing here) and Surrey With The Fringe On Top and reminiscing about George Melly at POTP. Gary’s times in the Rat Pack led to The Lady Is A Tramp, a la Sinatra and leading on to Dean Martin I Can’t Give You Anything But Love, Gary sotto voce, again lowering the ‘babys’. References to Stop The World I Want To Get Off gave us of course What Kind Of Fool Am I?, from Gary in great voice. Fly Me To The Moon became so called after Sinatra rocketed it on the moonshot. Gary delivered it as a beautiful swinging ballad so I prefer to refer to it by its original title In Other Words. Channelling his chat long romantic lines Gary gave us, in fine fettle, the Dick Haymes favourite The More I See You, DH classic baritone voice. Reference to The Wizard Of Oz, Gary produced a sprightly ring-a-ding reading of Ding Don, The Witch Is Dead. Probably the fastest number in the set. Next, Lover Come Back To Me, well rushed out by one and all! Sigmund Romberg (words by Oscar Hammerstein), I believe a somewhat unjustly criticised instigator of the genre. Then a very nice combination of Almost Like Being In Love/Thou Swell, Loewe & Lemer, Rodgers & Hart, plus the false exit. “You knew I was coming back” Gary then gave us a ‘be happy pep talk’ (we didn’t need it in these conditions!) And furthered it with Life Is Just A Bowl Of Cherries, anti-depression song 1931. Gary then swung us with Cole Porter (what better?) Just One Of Those Things to hugely deserved applause by the appreciative and now more aware audience.
What a great ensemble backing Gary. The Metro Swing Band, equally enjoying themselves as mush as him. He is wise enough to know that the audience wants to hear nags of solos. Clive Dunstall has worked with so many artistes, including that other top Mr. Williams. Luke Annesley, tenor sax, clarinet, and flute has such style in his attitude whilst playing that developing these attributes I believe he could become an act in his own right.
Don’t tell him I said that Gary! There were many fine integrations between Clive and Luke. James O’Carroll, who led the big band at the SMSLB 50th in 2005, playing drums, laying down the tempos and Joe Pettitt underpinning it all on double bass and coming in with solos; that always seems to me so hard to do. Everything was s(w)ung by Gary and these guys to hold the audience transfixed.
One word to sum up Gary’s performance – POLISHED. That was in his appearance and dress (others please note) but of course more than anything in his music, every attention to every detail of his craft.
How good to see young people enjoying the infectious adult ambiance of POTP but most of all enjoying THE MUSIC. All these signs indicate that the class, dignity and intelligence of our music is continuing to be recognised and appreciated by the next swing generation.
Gary secured the wedding booking, indicated by the young couple at the conclusion. They will always remember it. You can also find out more information on Gary via his website, which is www.garywilliams.co.uk
Ted Hall
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From Big Band to Broadway - An Evening with Gary Williams
Pizza on the Park. 30th October - 4th November 2006
Ten years ago when Gary Williams made his London debut at Pizza at the Park, the singer left quite an impression. While it was early days for his career, there was no mistaking the quality of his voice and the huge passion he had for the very best in popular music.
Flash forward and Williams still exudes that same infectious joy when performing, especially when offering a programme packed with great standards. He is also a natural with an audience, oozing charm and confidence from every pore.
During the last decade Williams has rarely been out of work, singing with Europe’s leading orchestras, recording several CDs and recently starring as Sinatra in the Rat Pack stage show. As a result he displays a versatility on stage, coupled with a genuine ability to make songs his own, however well known the originals.
During delightful arrangements of Nice’n’Easy and What Kind of Fool am I?, for example, it is not just phrasing and technique that stand out but the real warmth of his vocal style. An injection of humour comes with a smattering of alternative lyrics and parodies, the Route 66 meets A56 idea being a particular hit.
During a nicely balance programme, Williams is accompanied by four fine musicians - bassist Joe Pettitt, Luke Annesley on saxophone and clarinet, drummer James O’Carroll and topnotch musical director and pianist Clive Dunstall.
Lisa Martland - The Stage
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Songs for Swingin' Lovers
Songs for Swingin’ Lovers, National Concert Hall, Dublin
By Chris Hitchcock ~ Dublin Branch Secretary of The Sinatra Society
Its said that when arranger Pat Williams was presented with the Nelson Riddle charts in order to choose items for the “Duets” project he was overcome with emotion on seeing these historic arrangements. I am sure that many attending “Songs for Swingin’ Lovers at The National Concert Hall in Dublin felt the same emotion at hearing Nelson’s charts being performed by The National Concert Orchestra plus Big Band under the baton of David O’Rourke who has an empathy with this music. A Dubliner by birth and jazz guitarist, who has made a name for himself in the States, he seems to have adopted the role of caretaker of these charts with the blessing of Rosemary Riddle Acerra.
The concert opened with a Cole/Sinatra medley followed by three movements from Nelson’s composition “Cross Country Suite”. We tend to forget the Riddle contribution to the world of the movies and David showed us his arranging skills with a piece written for Audrey Hepburn’s character “Gabrielle” from “Paris When it Sizzles” featuring Fintan O’Neill on piano and Hugh Buckley guitar. The ever-popular Gary Williams and a new performer to the Dublin stage Allan Harris performed many of the Sinatra/Cole/Martin hits to the delight of a packed hall. Ciaran Wilde on clarinet was the featured soloist on “Please be Kind” from Nelson’s first album and it is sad to think that arrangers were paid no royalties, just a flat rate hence Nelson’s entry into the album scene.
It was typical of Nat that when he learned that Nelson not Les Baxter had arranged “Mona Lisa” that he had the subsequent pressings changed to credit Nelson. It was marvellous to hear the award winning song with full string arrangement. The Sinatra Film Suite was featured in the second half of the concert. Stephen Mathieson was the trombone soloist on “You’re Mine You” from the Tender Touch album. One of the standout vocals of the evening was Gary Williams interpretation of “Don’t Make a Beggar out of Me” arranged by Axel Stordahl. Allan Harris brought the evening to a close with a fine version of “My Heart Stood Still”.
Credit is due to all concerned with organising this tribute to one of the great musical arrangers of popular music. Thanks to RTE. Rosemary Riddle and David O’Rourke and the ladies and gentlemen of The Concert Orchestra and Big Band. One small quibble, it’s a pity that a female vocalist was not featured in order to hear some of the charts that Nelson wrote for Ella, Judy, Linda etc. Maybe next time.
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Audience Spellbound by Sensational Swing
Toe tapping was instinctive for the audience charmed by Gary Williams.
In The Lounge With Gary Williams Central Hall, GrimsbyThe Stage One singer turned West End superstar used his wit, humour, personality, and above all his sensational swing voice, to spellbind listeners at Grimsby's Central Hall on Saturday.
With the help of a truly talented quartet of musicians, he performed cocktail lounge classics which transported fans to the glory days of Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole.
After opening with the Bing Crosby favourite Anything Goes, he developed an immediate bond with the audience by shaking hands and inviting them to snap their fingers. Resistance was futile thanks to his own brilliant performance, and those of pianist Joe Stilgoe, bassist Tom Mark, drummer Steve Rushton and Luke Annesley on saxophone, clarinet and flute.
The Rat Pack era was truly evoked by their rendition of Dean Martin's Music To Watch Girls By and Sinatra's Nice 'n' Easy. Fans were enchanted by their interpretation of Andy Williams' Moon River and Nat King Cole's The More I See You.
And West End musicals were brought to life through performances of Oh, What a Beautiful Morning! and Hello, Young Lovers. But it was Gary's home-inspired lyrics which truly charmed the audience. Changing the American road in (Get Your Kicks On) Route 66 to the A56 had everyone laughing. And approval was cemented by his own verse of The Lady Is A Tramp.
He crooned: "I come from Grimsby, the fish is divine. They know how to serve it and the prices are fine. Fish, chips and peas for £1.99."
The event raised more than £200 for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), thanks to a fundraising raffle, and the Immingham-born singer complimented young members of theatre group Cast for their behind the scenes help. To guarantee fans felt uplifted, he ended his set with the optimistic numbers Life Is Just A Bowl Of Cherries and You're Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile.
Katie Norman
Grimsby Evening Telegraph
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In Cabaret at The Volupte Lounge, London
Last Thursday, I had a pleasurable musical experience. Gary Williams, who has made some 150 appearances in The Rat Pack – singing/playing Sinatra – is a Grimsby-born vocalist, with an unerring sound and I was privileged to hear him perform at Volupte, a great cabaret room just off High Holborn. Backed by Tom Mark’s good bass (not to be confused with above joke) and a really excellent jazz pianist in Clive Dunstall*, Gary sang two sets of some two dozen songs, interspersed with patter and jokes, which – unlike most of those in The Rat Pack – were amusing e.g., when he saw George Melly perform, Melly was approached by a lady from Hatfield, who told him "30 years ago, in Hatfield, you let me hold your hat." Replied Melly: "Just as well we're not in Cockfosters . . ."
The arrangements, by Paul Campbell, were excellent and Gary’s mellifluous style flitted easily around Arlen, (The Witch Is Dead), Berlin (I Love A Piano), Kern (Long Ago & Far Away), Porter (Anything Goes), Rodgers & Hart (Lady Is A Tramp) and many more including a rarely heard Harry Warren composition, Nobody’s Heart Belongs To Me. He also did a sweet duet with Donna Canale but most impressively, Gary involved his audience by singing a song originally written for Matt Munro, titled How Do You Do? – and coming down into the audience and shaking hands with most of them. He also talked to different individuals in between songs. Gary is a man after my own heart! (How often do singers make a positive effort to liase with their audiences?)
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Songs for Swingin' Lovers. National Concert Hall, Dublin
Vocalists Gary Williams and Allan Harris conjured up benign ghosts during a performance of the musical arrangments of Nelson Riddle at the NCH, writes Gerry Colgan.
Frank Sinatra used to call his early recording years (under the baton of Axel Stordahl) the Old Testament, by way of contrast with the later collaborations with Nelson Riddle, naturally dubbed the New. The two came together in the mid-1950s, when Sinatra was trying to climb out of a mid-career slump. Together they were a revelation and the eponymous album is recognised as one of popular music's brightest gems.
At the weekend, the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, conducted by David O'Rourke, gave two performances of a concert dedicated to the musical arrangements of Riddle, mostly featuring his work with Sinatra, and including some of the hits he created with Nat King Cole. Two exceptional vocalists, Gary Williams (UK) and Allan Harris (New York), added lyrics, but not in imitations of the dear departed. They did better; nestling into the Riddle sound, they conjured up benign ghosts.
The first half included well-known favourites such as Please Be Kind, Lonesome Road and a couple of near-forgotten songs in Gabrielle and French Foreign Legion from the Sinatra oeuvre. Nat King Cole got a good innings with Mona Lisa, Unforgettable and Straighten Up And Fly Right, ranging from the lush to the bouncily effervescent.
After the interval, a feast of standards was offered, including Don't Worry 'Bout Me, Learnin' The Blues, I've Got You Under My Skin and One For My Baby. The vocalists interpreted their songs with brilliance, among them I Get Along Without You Very Well, I Thought About You and My Heart Stood Still. There were also pyrotechnical solos from trombone, guitar and clarinet. This was an unforgettable journey down Memory Lane.
Gerry Colgan
Irish Times
Click here to listen to Rosemary Riddle talking and Gary singing Nice 'n' Easy for live Radio with the RTE Concert Orchestra and Big Band. She says: “Listening to Gary sing just brings back so many memories of dad being in the recording studio and Gary does a fantastic job at bringing his own touch to it. He’s just very good at what he does and it’s wonderful to have him part of this whole project.”
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In the Lounge - Album review - Big Band World magazine
Top 12 CD Reviews
Selected by Malcolm Laycock
BBC Radio 2
Gary Williams *****
In The Lounge with Gary Williams
17 tracks. Playing time 47` 18``. Vocalion CDSA 6814.
After Gary’s last superb foray with the John Wilson Orchestra, this new CD has him in the intimate setting of a smooth and gently swinging small group Arranged for him by rising star Andrew Cottee, with just one title arranged by Richard Rodney Bennett. It shows a more intimate side of Gary and he doesn’t put a foot wrong. He swings when needed. He smooches when needed. He caresses when needed. His phrasing is sure, his intonation spot on.
It’s an intelligent reading of a set of ‘standards’ which is never pretentious and always satisfying. Best of all, he sounds like Gary Williams and not like anybody else. At one time Gary would have been a world star. Dream the possible dream…!
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In the Lounge - Album review - The Singer magazine
One might ask what the point of recreating almost to the letter the vocal sounds of Dean Martin's 'Music to Watch Girls By' era of easy swing, as executed by Gary Williams on his new album 'In the Lounge with Gary Williams and his Musicians'. The point would be that the music is given a new, contemporary life by a young singer and thus potential propulsion towards new audiences - which is always a highly valuable endeavour. Williams' vocals may be a little too reproductory of Martin's, but there is no denying the ease and rhythm blended therein. The album does achieve its aim of providing upbeat background chill-out music and anyway, one could argue that this is the only way to sing these types of songs.
Antonia Couling
The Singer
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In the Lounge - Album review (MFR Radio)
I recently featured the Gary Williams CD 'IN THE LOUNGE' and I think it is really outstanding. I especially like him
because he sings "standard" without thinking he has to twist the melody or
find a rock style rhythm. He is following in the Sinatra, Bennett, Cole
style without imitating any of them.
I played 3 tracks and it was hard to pick which to use. All the songs are as
good as one another. The backing is great throughout, and what lovely piano playing - in I'm Glad There Is You it is well-nigh perfect.
I think the best thing of all is that not only are Vocalion putting out
present day singers but the standard of sound is so high.
Congratulations to all at Vocalion.
Syd Atkinson
MFR Radio
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In the Lounge - Album review (Journal
Into Melody)
One could describe this collection as ‘cocktail’ or ‘late
night’ music, but that would imply that it should be enjoyed while
doing something else – possibly more interesting. But that is
not the case! Gary’s approach to his lyrics, and his empathy with
his musicians demand your full attention, and his choice of numbers
confirms what a wonderful period in history the last century was for
high quality popular songs.
Being the supreme professional that he is, Gary occasionally surprises
by slipping in a verse that others have not treated us to previously.
The general tone of the album is up-tempo, and the fine musicians performing
the great arrangements created specially for Gary include Graham Harvey
(piano, Dave Chamberlain (bass), Matt Skelton (drums), Martin Kershaw2
(guitar), Andrew Cottee (vibes) and Luke Annesley on reeds and flute.
If I have one minor criticism it concern the almost unreadable printing
in part of the booklet- but that is the fault of the printers, not the
musicians! Gary Williams simply gets better all the time – a great
CD.
David Ades
Journal Into Melody
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Hollywood Rhapsody with John Wilson
conducting the Lahti Sinfonia
Highlights of a transleted review from 21st May 2006:
"In the Sinatra programme two years ago there was swing music,
but this time we heard familiar tunes from Hollywood productions. When
there wasn't the passionate swing pulse, Williams got more time for
his pleasant and lyrical voice. For example 'The Heather On The Hill'
and 'I Love You Samantha' purred now with style. Williams mastered also
the other repertoire well. ...
The true primus motor of these Brits' entertainment concerts is conductor
John Wilson, who, by listening to recordings has written down an enormous
amount of orchestral arrangements of entertainment music. Wilson's hearing
is amazingly acute, and also his arranging skills deserve recognition.
All the orchestral music heard on Friday was bathed in glamorous Hollywood
colours - exactly how we have used to hear them in films."
Markus Luukkonen
Etelä-Suomen Sanomat, Finland
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In the Lounge - Album review (Perfectly
Frank Magazine)
Imagine the scene – low lighting, comfortable airchair/settee,
favourite drinks with friends of like musical tastes and @In the Lunge
with Gary Williams and his musicians’. Sounds good to this receiver!
Gar, for this CD, has chosen a range of classics by world-class tune
and songsmiths and selected a group of first-class musicians, who react
superbly to each song to record what evolves in to an intimate private
concert.
Who could ask for more from a singer whose skills have grown as his
mastery of the genre has increased immeasurably over the last few years?
All praise to the composers, lyricists, arrangers, musicians, conductor
and production team – all of whom have pulled out the stops in
this endeavour. To name names (all are on the sleeve notes) would give
the false impression that one or other was more important. Not so! A
truly classic mix from a highly talented team.
Derek Harper
Perfectly Frank Magazine
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In the Lounge - Album review (Bournemouth
Echo)
THE star of several Bournemouth summer shows Gary Williams has received
huge critical acclaim from everyone from Michael Parkinson to David
Jacobs for his new CD In the Lounge with Gary Williams. Gary, of course,
appeared with David Jacobs here in Bournemouth in The Legend of Sinatra,
which was truly amazing, and in 2004 he received his West End debut
recreating the role of Sinatra for The Rat Pack Live from Vegas.
The new release, in which he has assembled six superb jazz musicians,
has a lilting jazz feel with exciting new arrangements of old familiar
classics.
Andrew Cottee, the ace young arranger, has given Music to Watch Girls
By a brooding allure, while Dean Martin?s I Can't Give You Anything
But Love, has a more relaxed, playful mood. Songs like Life is Just
A bowl of Cherries and I've Got the Sun in the Morning remind us it?s
the simple things in life that matter.
Whether playing this in the lounge or in the car, you are always in
good company with Gary. A charming, charismatic performer his vocal
skills make him a fine match for the likes of Sinatra and Dean Martin.
In the Lounge with Gary Williams is available now on the Vocalion label,
CD number CDSA6814.
Hilary Porter
Bournemouth Echo
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In the Lounge - Album review
This 17-track and 48-minute selection is one of the most relaxed albums
that I have heard. I attribute this to the superb combination of the
vocalist, musicians, arrangements and material lending itself to the
gentle swing that is achieved throughout the set. The experience of
entertaining at London’s prestigious Royal Garden Hotel on a regular
basis has added to an already sparkling style of vocal presentation.
The songs are ideally suited to the atmosphere that Gary wanted to achieve
and he gets 10 out 10 for achieving just that.
Stand out tracks, and it is genuinely difficult to single out just
a few, are the opener “Music to Watch Girls By” with its
subtle vibe’s from Andrew Cottee likewise “A Swingin’
Affair” last seen as part of the stage musical “Summer Holiday”
(great double bass from Dave Chamberlain and Clarinet from Luke Annesley.)
Always a favourite of mine is “I’m Glad There is You”
a vintage song with a meaningful lyric and beautiful piano playing from
Graham Harvey and gentle percussion from Matt Skelton. Given a running
time of 4 minutes and 30 seconds this is taken at just the right pace.
A definitive reading I suggest. And who couldn’t be pleased with
“Let There be Love” a timely reworking of the Nat “King”
Cole hit. All the accompaniments are charming throughout.
Gary pens an interesting liner note and there is even a note from author
and music lover Alexander McCall Smith. This latest CD makes a beautiful
companion to his earlier “Alone Together with Gary Williams and
the John Wilson Orchestra on Vocalion CDSA 6809. A worthy Top 10 of
2006 CD in my book.
Clive Fuller
“In Tune” Magazine
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Sinatra's Magic is Captured by Gary
OI' Blue Eyes
Symphony Hall, Birmingham
Review by John Watson - Wolverhampton Express and Star
For millions of fans across the world the magic of Frank Sinatra lives
on, eight years after the death of the showbiz legend. As Bing Crosby
once famously said: “A voice like Frank's comes once in a lifetime.
Why did it have to be my lifetime?”
Singer Gary Williams is one of the best interpreters of the style of
01' Blue Eyes and, with the lush orchestral backing of the CBSO last
night, he created a very special concert.
Much of the credit for the overall success of the show must go to arranger
John Wilson, who conducted last night's performance after painstakingly
recreating many of the original Nelson Riddle scores from the classic
Sinatra recordings.
From a technique point of view, Williams has a more flexible voice
than Sinatra's - and a much more accurate sense of pitch - but no-one
is ever likely to capture the texture of the singing legend's voice,
nor his unsurpassed sense of swing. Williams offered very fine versions
of classics including Come Fly With Me, My Kinda Town and My Way.
Credit must particularly go to drummer Matt Skelton, who drove the
hard-swinging numbers with dynamic force.
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Friday Night Classics: Ol’ Blue
Eyes
Friday 24 February 2006, Symphony Hall
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
John Wilson-Conductor
Gary Williams-Vocalist
What a wonderful way to start the weekend, a superb orchestra, brilliant
vocalist and conductor plus a venue second to none. Well that’s
how it was on Friday night at Symphony Hall when Gary Williams was once
again the guest singer with the enormous City of Birmingham Symphony
Orchestra. It was also good to welcome back John Wilson the young musical
director who has probably done more than anyone to keep the American
Song Book in performance whether through recordings or in concert performance.
In a new programme of music from the best of the easy listening catalogue
of the 20th Century we were treated to just over 2 hours of matchless
vocalising and the finest of instrumental playing that the capacity
audience just loved and even clamoured for more when it was time to
end!
It is rare to hear this size of orchestra playing the music associated
with Frank Sinatra and given the original arrangements by Nelson Riddle,
Gordon Jenkins etc and fresh arrangements for all the instruments of
the CBSO the sound achieved was magical. Symphony Hall is the perfect
venue for this kind of show and the sound balance on the night was perfect.
Unless you have heard it first hand it is difficult to comprehend just
how all encompassing that sound is. I have never heard the equivalent
on a CD and this is why these concerts are so popular and with such
a wide age group too.
All of Gary’s vocals were excellent and the added bonus of a
large brass section on “Let’s Face the Music and Dance”,
vibrant percussion on “I’ve Got the World on a String”
and even the harp played so gently by Robert Johnson for “Swingin’
Down the Lane” not to mention Mark Crooks on alto sax for the
classic “I Get a Kick Out of You”, lifted these performances
to a level that was exceptional. After the interval came even more with
great trombone work and strings on Cole Porter’s “Night
and Day” and Matt Skelton doing the honours on his drum kit for
“Cheek to Cheek”. And so the evening continued with superb
song after superb song including the saloon favourite “One for
My Baby” with beautiful piano from Andrew Potting until we sadly
reached the official end of the concert with “Mt Kinda Town”.
But clearly the audience had no intention of letting things end there
and back Gary came with “New York, New York” and finally
a perfect reading of “My Way” still as fresh as the day
it was written and still as emotionally powerful. A fitting end to a
purely magical evening.
Look out for more of the CBSO, Friday Night Classics that take you
on a journey through the popular classics and the finest of contemporary
music from the 20th Century. And let’s keep our fingers crossed
for an early return of Gary Williams and John Wilson.
Clive Fuller
Encore Magazine
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John Wilson Orchestra, with Gary Williams
- The Times review
John Wilson Orchestra
Live! On the Park, SW1
4 out of 5 stars
Review by Clive Davies
Have you ever wondered what that timeless paean to Route 66 would sound
like transposed from the wide-open spaces of America to the byways of
the North of England? Somehow, I suspect that Get thee kicks on the
A56 is never going to be as big a hit as Bobby Troup's original, but
the Newcastle-born conductor John Wilson and his debonair guest singer
Gary Williams (a proud Grimsby boy) certainly had fun with the signposts.
High jinks aside, Wilson takes his mission very seriously. Apart from
being an authority on Eric Coates, he has burrowed his way through no
end of MGM scores, while his love of the classic big band landed him
the assignment as musical director on Kevin Spacey's recent Bobby Darin
biopic.
This week's residency in Knightsbridge offers an opportunity to catch
Wilson's orchestra in an intimate lounge setting. The men in the audience
aren't wearing bow ties, and there's not a cigarette-girl to be seen,
but the programme still evokes memories of the supper club of yesteryear.
To be frank, some of the numbers, including the cuter-than-cute Geraldo
arrangement of Give a Little Whistle, were impossibly quaint. But Wilson
and his men are swingers too. The up-tempo pieces by that masterful
West Coast arranger Bill Holman could hardly be defined as easy listening,
and the presence of such fine players as Andy Panayi and Mark Nightingale
was another sign that Wilson was interested in more than nostalgia.
No string section this time, which meant that the Billy May charts
kicked all the harder. The Paul Weston setting of All of Me pushed glowing
clarinets to the fore. Sometimes you longed for a little more abandon:
the sedate horns on How About You? only left you pining for the swagger
of Nelson Riddle's version on Songs for Swingin' Lovers. The Basie tributes,
however, pulsed with just the right amount of swagger.
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John Wilson Orchestra, with Gary Williams
- The Standard review
John Wilson Orchestra and Gary Williams
Live! On the Park, SW1
3 out of 5 stars
Review by Jack Massarik
The men in black live on!
Back in the Fifties, when Saturday nights witnessed a million slow-dancing
courtship rituals at the local Palais, every town had bands like this.
John Wilson, one of those retro young men who wears a black tuxedo as
comfortably as pajamas, wants to bring them back.
Among the 17 men in black dusting down their Hollywood scores so stylishly
last night were a few strong jazz soloists, notably trombonist Mark
Nightingale and saxophonist Andy Panayi, but the emphasis was on a tight
ensemble sound, complete with unison breaks for the saxes or trombones.
Hipper arrangements included Sixteen Men Swingin', a Basie favourite
by Ernie Wilkins, and a speedy version of Hello Young Lovers, sung Sinatra-style
by Gary Williams. Music to Watch Girls By also got the ring-a-ding-ding
treatment from Williams, for whom an OBE must mean the 01' Blue Eyes
slot in a Rat-Pack tribute show. Indeed, with so many Frankophiles around,
the time has surely come for Las Vegas to host an annual convention
for them, Elvis style. A Sinatrathon.
Until then it's too early to talk about a danceband revival, but there's
something very British about obsessive young men playing quaint old
music. Remember the Trad boom?
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An Evening to Remember
A charity night in a palace with Sir Cliff Richard was an event to
remember for one Grimsby entertainer.
Gary Williams was invited to the Cliff Richard Tennis Foundation charity
auction with celebrities including Cilla Black, Ainsley Harriot and
Jasper Carrott.
Gary grew up in Grimsby, attending Immingham’s Eastfield County
Infant School. He first came to the public’s attention after appearing
with the BBC Big Band on television playing tribute to Vic Damone. Since
then he has gained more fans by appearing in London’s West End
in The Rat Pack.
After dinner, Gloria Hunniford and Virginia Wade started an auction
for the charity. Gary said: “One of the lots was dinner with Cliff
Richard, which went for £22,000 – a little out of my price
range.”
The evening, held at Hampton Palace earlier this month, culminated
in Sir Cliff singing carols accompanied by James Galway and the band
of the Queen’s Guards. Gary said: “The event was magical
from start to finish.” Gary is next in Grimsby on Mothering Sunday,
March 26, at the Roy Kemp Suite in Grimsby’s Central Hall, to
raise money for the RLNI. Joining him will be Leo Solomon.
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Michael Dores’s Christmas Celebrations
– Central Hall, Grimsby
Talented musical duo return to their roots.
Two of Grimsby’s brightest musical stars dazzled in a special
Christmas concert. Michael Dore and Gary Williams took to the stage
together for the first time at the town’s central hall on Saturday.
The relaxed and informal event showcased two local talents who have
sung in some of the biggest music venues around the world. Both put
on a polished performance and looked to be enjoying themselves in the
more intimate setting. The Leo Solomon trio were on top form and started
the night off perfectly with smooth and relaxing music.
Grimsby born Michael sung some popular Big Band numbers including Frank
Sinatra’s World on a String.
Gary who is from Immingham, was the guest singer and performed Get
Your Kicks On Route 66 as well as an alternative version – by
swappingthe glamorous American setting for the A56 in Yorkshire.
The relaxed mood worked and the evening was a lot of fun.
The second half allowed the audience to test their voices, singing along
to popular Christmas numbers, including On the Twelfth Day of Christmas.
The Barnetby Silver Band was superb, creating the perfect festive atmosphere.
Michael said; “I have been coming back to do shows in Grimsby
for 10 years and I love being back. It is always exciting. I love doing
the big venues, like the Albert Hall, but it is more exciting when there
are people in the audience you have known for a long time. It is a bit
scary as well. They have seen you grow up and you want to do a good
job. Some people have been coming every year and are really staunch
supporters, which is really fantastic.”
Gary, who will be performing in the Ross Kemp Hall at the Duncombe
Street venue on Mothering Sunday said; “I used to sing with Stage
One and there are people here who know me from that time when I was
18 – which was a long time ago.”
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Gary plays the palace!
Last Thursday night [16th June], Gary Williams had the honour of performing
at Buckingham Palace for the His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales.
The evening was a formal ‘thank you’ to the American supporters
of The Prince’s Trust charity. Celebrity guests.
Backed by John Wilson and his Orchestra, Gary sang a selection of songs
from the MGM musicals. He was joined by singer Kim Criswell for ‘Who
Wants To Be A Millionaire’ and ‘That’s Entertainment’.
Gary said, “the whole evening was a great thrill! Straight after
the concert we were introduced to Charles, Camilla and some of the guests,
including Michael Caine and Joan Rivers, who were great fun! They gave
us beautiful rooms to change in at the front of the palace – so
our view was through the gates out at the tourists on the other side
– we even had balconies, but managed to resist the temptation
to wave!”
It’s a busy time for Gary. The following day he flew to Dublin
for a sell-out Dean Martin tribute concert with the RTE Orchestra and
from there to Italy to join Crystal Cruises, then back to London for
the Royal Garden Hotel.
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Let There be Love: A Tribute to Nat
“King” Cole
Symphony Hall, Friday 13 May 2005
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
John Wilson – conductor, Gary Williams – vocalist
A full house greeted conductor John Wilson and vocalist Gary Williams
for what was to be a magical evening bringing together the CBSO and
the American Songbook with the emphasis on the songs sung by Nat “King”
Cole.
There were 22 planned numbers including 2 instrumentals to give Gary
a short break in each half and the 20 vocals demonstrated his ability
to sing both ballads and up-tempo arrangements. We were also treated
to 2 encores “Let There Be Love” and “Route 66”
with some special lyrics changing it to “Route A56” and
providing references to places like Barnsley and Pontefract which coming
not far from them I thought very amusing. But let’s get back to
the evening proper. It is easy to see and sense when an audience is
enjoying themselves and as Gary started off with a real winner in the
up-tempo number “Let’s Face the Music and Dance” then
his first ballad of the night “On the Street Where You Live”
and quickly following it up with the classic Gordon Jenkins arrangement
of “Stardust” it was clear he had already won over the audience.
And to be honest that was the pattern that proved to be a winning combination
of the CBSO and Gary Williams. The applause was loud and long and as
Gary said it was a shame that the Controller of BBC Radio 2 could not
have been there to see a full house for “Our kind of music”.
We should hear more of this style of music on the BBC.
The CBSO with over 70 instrumentalists created a magical sound that
can be as soft as a feather or as loud as an aeroplane but always exactly
right for the song in question. John Wilson made great use of some classic
arrangements from Gordon Jenkins with for example a most beautiful reading
of “Stay As Sweet As You Are” which I believe dates back
to when Gordon Jenkins was the arranger and conductor for 6 years on
Dick Haymes, “Auto-Lite Show” in the 1940s. Gary sang this
gentle song flawlessly and every single word could be heard perfectly.
There were also plenty of swinging numbers too in arrangements by Billy
May: “Walking My Baby Back Home”; “Say It Isn’t
So”; “Just One of Those Things” and “The Song
Has Ended”. Likewise, Nelson Riddle arrangements were aplenty:
“Smile”; “Somewhere Along the Way”; the ever
popular “Mona Lisa” which again Gary performed perfectly;
“Unforgettable”; “Dance, Ballerina, Dance” and
“Nature Boy”. There were also some wonderful George Shearing
arrangements: “L.O.V.E”, “Pick Yourself Up”
and “Let There Be Love”. The material, the orchestra, the
arrangements, the soloists and the vocalist were the best and we could
not have asked for more. Even the members of the CBSO were applauding
after the 2 encores. The publicity for the show used the song title
“Unforgettable” and that is how I shall think of the evening.
Running time 2 hours 10 minutes including the interval.
Clive Fuller
“Encore Magazine”
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Perfectly Frank Magazine - 50th Anniversary
Edition
Review of ‘Alone Together’
This CD stands out as the best overall performance to date, of the
talents of the best British performer of romantic standards exhibiting
a range of talents that improves with every production.
No apology is necessary for Gary’s following in the footsteps
of other greats of the genre. There is no attempt to imitate the talents
of the “greats” because this is a stand-alone performance
by a singer at the height of his powers as far as the romantic ballads
are concerned. The roll call of composers and lyricists could not be
bettered and the CD could well have been entitled “The Best of
the Great American Songbook”.
Accompanied by the John Wilson orchestra, surely currently the musicians
who can play to the strengths of the best voices available today. Always
in sympathy with the singer and the mood of the song, the John Wilson
orchestra captures completely the subtle overtones of the music and
lyrics of the best writers there ever were. From Carmichael and Mercer
to the words and music master, Porter, the selections of numbers deserves
and demands the best performances from singers and musicians. Some years
ago now this reviewer described Gary’s live appearance at the
S.M.S. Birmingham Branch as “this 27 year old master inspired
an almost 100% standing ovation”. This now 34-year-old inspires
the same sentiments.
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Shropshire Weekend Post - Music review
by Andy Richardson
‘Alone Together’
****
Gary Williams wasn’t really born in down-at-heal Grimsby three
decades ago. In a parallel universe, the crooner was born in sun-kissed
Monterey in a golden era of smart suits, fast cars, beautiful women
and rat packs. Williams is a great interpreter of the American songbook
and has the ring of authenticity. Alone Together is an unashamed throwback
to the halcyon days of swing.
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Clive Davies reviews Alone Together
for the Sunday Times
Michael Buble is the not only singer keeping the Sinatra flame alive.
Britain's Gary Williams has, in fact, been working this side of the
saloon for quite some time. His model this time is not so much the insouciant
playboy of Songs for Swingin' Lovers as the pure romantic of In the
Wee Small Hours. Williams could not have asked for a better companion
on the journey than the conductor John Wilson, the Geordie arranger
responsible for the lush sound of Kevin Spacey's film tribute to Bobby
Darin. If Williams's voice is a little on the light side, Wilson's orchestra
is always on hand to supply a velvet backdrop. Nelson Riddle and Gordon
Jenkins would surely have approved.
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Review of Alone Together from Jazz
Views
Issue 034 - January 2005
Artist Gary Williams
Title Alone Together
Label Vocalion CDSA6809
Gary Williams (vocal) with the John Wilson Orchestra
recorded June & August 2004
Although not a household name Gary Williams has certainly paid his
dues. He became the regular singer with th BBC Big Band and has also
sung and recorded with the Syd Lawrence Orchestra. He has toured the
UK with a number of shows including, The Magic of Bacharach, The Les
Dennis Laughter Show, Swingin' on Broadway and The Legend of Sinatra.
He is currently playing the role of Frank Sinatra in The Rat Pack Live
From Las Vegas which opened in the West End of London and is now touring
with the show in Europe. He has a close working relationship with conductor
and arranger John Wilson and he is with John Wilson on this album.
For this album Gary Wilson has chosen a programme of quality standards
but apart from "My Buddy" and "The End of a Love Affair"
nothing too adventurous but he does tend to include the verses to the
songs. He has a very pleasant singing voice but doesn't appear to have
any personal characteristics to distinguish him from many other singers.
The orchestra and arrangements by John Wilson are first rate and provide
a very nice setting.
It has taken me many years to be able to listen to "I Remember
You" without hearing the awful Frank Ifield version in the background,
but this reading by Gary Williams certainly helps, complete with verse
and some lovely trombone by Andy Wood. I liked the slowed down version
of "If I Had You" which has Gary Williams voice floating on
a bed of strings plus some moody tenor playing by Luke Annesley. John
Wilson's arrangement for Cole Porter's "You're Sensational"
is inspired full of strings and woodwinds and provides the perfect accompaniment
for Gary Williams' pleasant vocal. Gary's reading of Alec Wilder's "I'll
Be Around" is probably the best I have heard since Sinatra's version
on his "Wee Small Hours" album and the beautiful alto playing
is the icing on the cake. Gary Williams' reading of the verse of "The
End of a Love Affair" really sets the song up and he sings it at
just the right tempo. The album closes with the title track by Howard
Dietz and Arthur Sshwartz, "Alone Together" which builds to
a dramatic conclusion.
The more I play this album the more I appreciate it, Gary Williams'
singing has a quality which makes you feel relaxed and some of John
Wilson's arrangements are nothing short of brilliant. If you enjoy quality
singing and good arrangements this may well be the album for you, it
will save you buying those relaxation tapes.
Reviewed by Roy Booth
To visit their web site, click
here.
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Malcolm Laycock's Review of 'Alone
Together' for 'Big Band World' magazine
Gary Williams / John Wilson Orchestra*****
Alone Together
15 tracks. Playing time 54’ 07”. Vocalion CDSA 6809
A collection of gentle ballads from the great American songbook, stunningly
sung by Gary and perfectly accompanied by John Wilson. The fresh arrangements
by Andrew Cottee are simply beautiful. I’ll stick my neck out
and say I think this is the finest vocal record of its kind to emerge
from Britain since the days of Matt Monro. It is rare for me to be able
to listen right through a whole CD without getting restless, but not
so with this. Not only that, Mike Dutton’s sound engineering (recorded
at EMI’s Abbey Road studios) reminds me of the halcyon days of
Capitol Records. As I said on Radio 2, “Just when you thought
that record companies were not making such records anymore, up pops
Alone Together. A great team of young talents which bodes well for the
future.”
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Radio 2's David Jacobs Talks About 'Alone
Together'
"Just over a year ago I was constantly telling you where we could
meet up around the country when I was appearing with Gary Williams in
the Legend of Sinatra show. We had such a very happy time working together,
and there’s news of perhaps more to come. Gary is a splendid artist
and although he has made several albums in the past they lacked the
big orchestral backing which his talent deserves. This has all changed
as at last he’s been in the studio with that British orchestra
or orchestras led by John Wilson. Gary’s new CD on the Vocalion
label is called quite simply ‘Alone Together’ and it’s
a shear joy from start to finish."
December 5th 2004
To listen to this radio clip, click
here>>
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A Song for Our Dear Friend Mark
One of Immingham's most famous sons returned to his musical roots
to help raise money in memory of an old school friend.
Gary Williams, one of the Grimsby area's greatest singing sensations,
joined up with Immingham's Pelham Singers for a Christmas concert of
Yuletide melodies at St Andrew's Church. Gary was born in Brewster Avenue,
Immingham, and went to school with Mark Hole.
Mark (31), from Habrough, died from meningitis two years ago. His mother,
Elaine Hole (59), of Cotham Gardens, Keelby, is a member of the Pelham
Singers ladies' choir. She invited Gary to join them for a benefit concert.
After an initial postponement, he joined the choir at St Andrew's Church,
Immingham, for a resounding concert for Christmas.
Gary has finished his European tour with The Rat Pack, a tribute to
Frank Sinatra and his contemporaries, which he is due to restart in
February. He said: "Mark was my best friend at school. Even when
we left school and got our first jobs we hung out together. "It
was a terrible shock when I was told he had died. I did not know much
about meningitis, but when you know someone who has had it you pay more
attention. Mark was a good friend and a very sincere guy. He was ambitious
and a great friend to have. He was so young when it happened - it is
wrong. Things like that are not meant to happen. It does not make sense."
The singer said he hoped the concert would raise more awareness about
the risks of meningitis. Gary, who has performed all over the world,
joined Grimsby's Stage One when he left Immingham School, where both
he and Mark were educated. Gary said: "I still see some of the
old teachers around town and it is good to meet them after all those
years.
"And I was blown away by the sound the choir makes. They have
a lot of enthusiasm and energy. The concert is in memory of Mark, but
it was not a sad occasion - it was a positive thing." Mark died
in Aberdeen while he was working for BP. He contracted the virulent
form of meningitis and died within days. Mrs Hole said her son's ashes
were scattered over the course at Immingham Golf Club, where he and
Gary played. The concert, at St Andrew's Church last Friday, raised
funds for the special care baby unit at Grimsby's Diana, Princess Of
Wales Hospital. The choir is now looking forward to putting on another
concert on July 8 to raise cash for Meningitis Research.
Peter Craig, Grimsby Evening Telegraph - 06 December 2004
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Songbirds List
Mention of British singer Gary Williams was made on the list a few
months back. His new CD, "Alone Together," is now out and
I just
received my copy from amazon.uk. On this disc, Gary sings with the
John Wilson Orchestra, with orchestrations by Andrew Cottee.
This is a beautiful recording, lush and warm and sensuous. Gary has
a gorgeous, unaffected, natural voice and delivers the lyrics of
each song with great sensitivity and depth. Although the selection
of tunes may be a bit pedestrian for the informed Songbirders among
us, I think Gary breaths new life into some of these old standards.
His renditions of "I Get Along Without You Very Well" and
"Why
Shouldn't I?" are knockouts.
Highly recommended.
Kevin Lemoine, Austin, Texas
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Radio 2's Malcolm Laycock
plugs 'Alone Together'
Mike Dutton at Vocalion has been busy on other fronts. This summer
he put singer Gary Williams with the John Wilson Orchestra into studio
2 at EMI’s Abbey Road. I have to say that Gary Williams is outstanding
through every single number, the best I’ve ever heard him. So
just when you thought that record companies were not making such records
anymore, up pops “Alone Together” – that’s the
album’s title.
Plays "They Can’t Take That Away from Me"
Wonderful! The Gershwin’s “They Can’t Take That Away
From Me”. And I must congratulate Gary Williams for his performance
throughout, Mike Dutton for his superb sound balancing, John Wilson
and his orchestra for their beautiful playing, and Andrew Cottee for
writing such classy arrangements. A great young team of talents which
bodes well for the future! And “Alone Together” is on Vocalion
CDSA 6809. That’s CDSA 6809.
BBC Radio 2 - Sunday 28th November 2004
To listen to this clip, click
here.
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“Packing them in”
Michael Darvell meets Gary Williams, one of the company of ‘The
Rat Pack’
The astonishing worldwide success of The Rat Pack is really about the
music. The fact that there are three gentlemen on stage at the Strand
Theatre, recreating the performance styles of Sinatra, Dean Martin And
Sammy Davis Jr also has something to do with it, but it’s the
material – songs such as ‘Fly me to the Moon’, ‘Come
Fly With Me’, ‘Volare’, ‘My Way’, ‘Once
In a Lifetime’ – that audiences love to hear. Of course,
much pleasure is also derived from the actual performances of the artists
who amazingly recreate the singing stars who were part of the ‘Rat
Pack’.
Gary Williams is a young singer who, on and off, has been appearing
in the Rat Pack at the Strand Theatre, taking over the role of Sinatra
when Stephen Triffitt or Chris Mann have been in the Canadian production
of the show. He is currently playing the part in Munich, but will no
doubt be returning to London. Gary had just released a new CD when I
met him. It’s called Alone Together and has some of the best songs
ever written: ‘More Than You Know’, ‘Where or When’,
‘I Remember You’, ‘Just One of Those Things’,
‘Time After Time’ etc. he hopes to go on making albums like
this as long as there is an audience to buy them. Judging by the reception
at the Strand Theatre, Gary has a captive audience on tap. Next year
he has a new touring show called Music to Watch Girls By, based on the
songs of Andy Williams, Bobby Darin, Eddie Fisher and Matt Monroe –
his kind of music.
“I love this style of entertainment and there are a lot of people
out there who love it too. I know it’s a cliché to say
it, but there is a resurgence of interest in this kind of music because
it is great music. I like coming in to this show when they need me and
that’s perfect for me because I like the variety of the work.
I think its good fun, healthy entertainment. There’s a new audience
of older and younger people coming to see it. Last night there were
loads of young people in – it was like a sea of young people out
there, which was great. There are a lot of people would come to see
Frank, Dean and Sammy but who wouldn’t necessarily go to see,
say, Les Misérables.
What’s also great about this show is the big band which people
just love to see. As well as getting people back into the theatre, The
Rat Pack has got people seeing this sort of music live. They might not
go and hear something like the Syd Lawrence Band because they consider
themselves Dean Martin or Frank Sinatra fans rather than big band fans,
but they come here and really enjoy that big band sound.”
London What's On - November 15th 2004
Click
here to view a PDF of this article.
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Preview of 'Alone Together' for Journal
Into Melody magazine
This CD arrived just as we were going to press, so it has been slotted
in to this feature literally at the last minute. This means that space
is limited, so the following comments should be regarded as a ‘teaser’
to a feature on Gary that will appear in our next issue. RFS members
who saw him with the magnificent John Wilson Orchestra at the Royal
Festival Hall in the Spring of 2003 will know that he certainly understands
how to handle a song. Other readers will have seen him in various concerts
around Britain and there is no doubt that he is building a strong following
of loyal fans.
Although Gary often sings songs that are associated with the great
stars of the past half century, he doesn’t try to copy them note
for note. Sensibly he is developing his own style, and this new CD must
surely be the very best thing he has done to date. He can handle the
ballads and swing numbers with the same gentle ease and it all seams
so effortless. Yet in the background there is the strong impression
that you are listening to a fine young singer who has worked hard at
his craft, and who has a great future ahead of him.
His choice of material includes several titles that are lesser known
(full marks for that) and it is so pleasing to hear some unfamiliar
verses. The CD booklet informs us that the lush orchestrations are by
Andrew Cottee – we must find out some more about him. The John
Wilson Orchestra perform as brilliantly as always, and this is a superior
quality product from start to finish. It should be in the Christmas
stocking of everyone who appreciates the finest popular music that is
around in 2004.
David Ades - Journal Into Melody - November 2004
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Review of 'Alone Together' for 'In Tune' Magazine
In his liner note for the album Gary says “ I want to record
an album of great songs with the best arranger, best producer and the
best orchestra possible” I have to agree with him when he says
“This CD is that ambition realised…”
I cannot think of any other recent album of great songs that has sent
a shiver up my spine not once but several times during listening. The
last time this happened to me was when I first heard Dick Haymes sing
‘Where or When’ on his now classic 1955 LP ‘Rain or
Shine’ and here we have Gary singing that very same song. To achieve
the happy marriage that occurs on this CD song after song must tell
the listener something good. I hate comparisons and always try to avoid
them but this album brought back the atmosphere created at many a Capitol
session. The combination of the John Wilson orchestra, his superb soloists
and Gary is a winning formula and one, which has been built through
working together for many concerts. The sheer size and excellence of
the orchestra assembled explains how and why so magical a sound has
been created.
Gary Williams should now be well known to every music lover in the
country for it is his interpretation and ability to sing ballads and
up-tempo songs combined with faultless orchestrations and playing that
creates this magic. It is refreshing to hear Alec Wilder’s “I’ll
Be Around” given a definitive performance and new life being brought
to Johnny Mercer’s “I Remember You”. And in the year
of great interest in all things Cole Porter, Gary comes in with 3 classics
“Why Shouldn’t I?” “Just One of Those Things”
and the aptly titled “You’re Sensational”. The songs
here make up a who’s who of composers and I can hear this CD being
played on many a retrospective of their work both now and in years to
come.
In his liner notes BBC Radio 2 broadcaster Russell Davies remarks upon
the availability of a full orchestra listing. It is rare to find such
dedication on all fronts as so many labels cut corners but not here.
A special mention must go to the sound engineers, Chris Bolster and
Mike Dutton without whose ability we might not have the audible feast
on offer. Overall, this is a must for anyone interested in the art of
vocal expression.
Clive Fuller - ‘In Tune’ Magazine - December 2004
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The Rat Pack Live From Las Vegas, Bradford
Alhambra
Leaving the Bradford Alhambra following a performance of The Rat Pack
Live from Las Vegas, one can’t help but feel a deep sense of disappointment.
Disappointment that we will never see the likes of Frank, Dino and Sammy
again. If they were anything like these three men who brought there
spirits to life on stage of the Bradford theatre, they really must have
been something.
The Rat Pack Live from Las Vegas takes the audience to one of the nights
that Sinatra, Martin and Davis Jr performed at the Copa Room of the
Sands Hotel in Las Vegas. In 1960, Sinatra gathered his buddies together
to make the movie Ocean’s Eleven. They would film during the day
and put on their show in the evenings.
Gary Williams, Timothy Sell and E Clayton Cornelious, playing Sinatra,
Martin and Davis Jr, evoke the spirits of the three men in a way that
is so spot-on it’s spooky.
Ol’ Blue Eyes opens up with the night with pitch perfect renditions
of songs including I’ve Got You Under My Skin and The Lady Is
A Tramp. It is amazing to see the essence of Sinatra live once again.
When he is joined on stage by Sell and Cornelious, the show and the
effect is jaw-dropping.
No-one will ever be as talented as Frank, Dino and Sammy, but the three
come together to create something greater than the sum of their parts
and a show that is staggeringly wonderful. Cornelious slips in to the
soft shoes of Davis Jr effortlessly – his performance of Mr Bojangles
is spine-tingling – and bear of a man Timothy Sell charms the
audience with a smile brighter than any of the stage’s spotlights.
A set that provides a simple, yet effective backdrop creates a home
for an incredibly talented band which has their moment in the spotlight.
Evocative, amazing, wonderful. Makes you disappointed that we’ll
never see the the real thing again, but optimistic that their spirits
live on.
Review by Nick Ahad, Yorkshire Post 2nd June 2004
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Sinatra Tribute Night, Philharmonic Hall,
Liverpool
It isn't every day that a vocalist gets a gig with the Royal Liverpool
Philharmonic Orchestra, complete with conductor John Wilson, as his
backing group.
It happened to singer Gary Williams on Saturday and he rose to the
occasion magnificently and put on a memorable show recalling the music
of arguably the greatest entertainer of all time, Francis Albert Sinatra.
But this was not another booze and broads Rat Pack show built around
the on-and-off stage shenanigans of Messrs Sinatra, Dean Martin and
Sammy Davis Jnr in the Las Vegas of the 1950s and 1960s.
The Rat Pack series also featured some great music but John Wilson
and Gary Williams have taken it a stage further and stripped away everything
except the music which the pair have elevated to concert hall status.
With those famous scores by Nelson Riddle, Billy May and others meticulously
transcribed from the original recordings, Gary Williams and the orchestra
turned in superb performances of smooth ballads and energetic swingers.
For this concert the RLPO was augmented by a jazz rhythm section led
by pianist James Pearson with Matthew Skelton at the drums and this
provided the vital spark that fired up these challenging charts.
The orchestra was also heard in its own right on some pieces, one of
which was Without a Song. This was a fine example of Nelson Riddle's
writing talents which created a kaleidoscope of musical moods and textures.
Gary Williams performed so many great songs that it would be difficult
to pick out the best but his version of All The Way was particularly
outstanding.
It was a truly memorable concert and a fitting tribute to Frank Sinatra
and the composers, arrangers and musicians who served him so well.
By Stan Woolley, Daily Post. Mar 15 2004
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The
Legend of Sinatra Gala Performance, Symphony Hall Birmingham
 'I
always think that if the audience will not let a performer leave the
stage after an encore then this is proof that he has entertained them
exceptionally. That is what happened last night at Symphony Hall when
vocalist Garry Williams treated us to 2 hours of brilliant singing.
Having read the flyer I was expecting a very good 17-piece orchestra
conducted by John Wilson and so you can imagine my surprise and pleasure
to find a 30-piece concert orchestra on stage.
The capacity audience were treated to a sound that only an orchestra
of this size can produce and song after song it confirmed that this
is what people want to hear. The Legend of Sinatra features many classic
Sinatra hits but please, Gary is not a Sinatra impersonator, he is far
too good for that. The songs are given his own treatment and I counted
24 in all including ‘Lets face the music and dance’, ‘Come
Fly With Me’, ‘Witchcraft’, ‘Mack the knife’,
‘Luck be a lady’, ‘My Kinda Town’, ‘New
York, New York’ and many more. Gary is an excellent vocalist with
considerable range and the ability to sing both ballads and up tempo
songs equally as well.
The John Wilson orchestra was superb throughout and the concert orchestra
sounded so good in the renowned Symphony Hall a venue of which Henry
Mancini once said ‘This is the finest concert hall I have ever
played and I’ve done them all’. It was wonderful to hear
the string section, several of them at least and they were at their
sweetest for ‘Put your dreams away’ and the soloists for
the big band numbers such as Mike Lovett (trumpet) on Harry James ‘I’m
confessin’ were outstanding.
The ever-popular David Jacobs a man who has by his own admission been
doing it for years’ joined Gary and gave his own personal insight
into Frank Sinatra's amazing story, recounting their many meetings over
the years. The rapport between Gary and David is unmistakable something
they developed during a long and successful tour last year of this show.
This concert was a one-off put together for the night and what a memorable
occasion it was. Let’s hope they are back again and soon.'
Clive Fuller - Encore Magazine, 31 October 2003
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A Celebration of Frank Sinatra with John
Wilson and the Hallé Orchestra
If, like me, you were around in the 50’s you’ll recall
how a new Frank Sinatra LP was a great event. You played them over and
over, not just for Frank’s flawless singing but to marvel at those
wonderful arrangements of rhythmic invention penned by Nelson Riddle
and Billy May etc. Did American Popular Music ever get any better than
this? On the 15th June at Manchester’s splendid Bridgewater Hall
a minor miracle happened, yet again performed by the one and only John
Wilson who was conducting the Hallé Orchestra in an evening of
Sinatra classic arrangements.
As John told the capacity audience, many people think you can just
go into a music store and buy the arrangements. They only exist on recordings,
and it is a long tedious G-awful job recreating the orchestral parts
for performance. John and Andrew Cottee, who also played keyboards,
did all the transcriptions. I don’t know what the audience expected
of the evening: would the Hallé understand the music?; would
they be stiff?; would they swing? All these fears fell away at the end
of the first number, Billy May’s punchy arrangement of “Let’s
Face the Music and Dance” when the audience’s applause and
cheers exploded in realisation of what a treat we were all in for.
Twenty-one songs followed and included “Swinging Down The Lane”,
“Nancy”, “I’ve Got The World on a String”,
“From this Moment on”, “You Make Me feel so Young”,
“Lady is a Tramp”, “Cheek to Cheek”, “I
Have Dreamed” etc …simply the best Nelson Riddle and Billy
May charts. For me (and enough to make any society member green with
envy), the highlight of the evening had to be the four numbers arranged
by Bob Farnon – “London by Night”, “A Garden
in the Rain”, “I’ll Follow my Secret Heart”,
and “A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square”. Hearing them
“live” brings it home to you just how beautiful they are.
What a treat.
The vocalist, stepping into Sinatra’s shoes for the evening,
was Gary Williams. He made no attempt at impersonation but followed
Frank’s vocal line with perfection and phrasing; even Ol’
Blue Eyes would have been pleased with him!
One other treat that evening was the inclusion of five orchestral pieces.
The brass section got a thorough work-out on Billy May’s “Brassman’s
Holiday” (John was seen to cross himself before the start of this
piece), “Solving the Riddle” and Bronislau Kaper’s
“Invitation”. The full orchestra played the “High
Society-Overture”, “Mind if I Make Love to You”, and
“You’re Sensational” with Conrad Salinger contributing
to all the arrangements.
This was a wonderful evening of music I thought I’d never hear
live. A big ‘thank you’ must again go to John Wilson for
making this happen. So much time and effort obviously has gone into
bringing this music to life, and it is to be hoped that other concerts
will follow in the South (what a nice position for us northerners to
be in, for a change!).
Reviewed by Malcolm Frazer - Journey Into Melody Magazine,
Autumn 2002
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Now Cliff’s A Fan Of Gary’s!
'Gary Williams, who opens in his Swingin’ On Broadway Show at
the Bournemouth Pier Theatre on Sunday, is proving a favourite entertainer
with the stars himself. The popular vocalist, who is also due to appear
to on Gloria Hunniford’s Channel 5 daily magazine set programme
Open House tomorrow, was invited to perform at her husband’s birthday
party recently and quite an audience was there!
 Among
the 60 or so guests at the afternoon tea party at her house were Sir
Cliff Richard, James Galway, Richard and Judy, Brian Conley and Bobby
Davro. Gary performed songs by Frank Sinatra along with showstoppers
from the great musicals – giving a sneak preview of what he has
lined up for his Bournemouth audiences.
Cliff Richard entered into the party spirit, too, by giving an impromptu
set of rock and foil music in the back garden and was full of praise
for Gary. Gary said: “The following evening I was at home watching
the Jubilee party at the palace and Cliff was there singing the same
songs he had done for us in front of a TV audience of millions –
it was quite surreal! He was lovely and charming and very complimentary
to me.”
Gary will be starring in his own show each Sunday until September 8
along with Australian singer Sally Bourne, who has performed in Jesus
Christ Superstar and Les Miserables and played Madonna’s maid
in the film Evita.'
Bournemouth Echo, Summer 2002
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Swingin' On Broadway Preview
'Gary Williams, who opens in his Swingin’ On Broadway Show at
the Bournemouth Pier Theatre on Sunday, is proving a favourite entertainer
with the stars himself. The popular vocalist, who is also due to appear
to on Gloria Hunniford’s Channel 5 daily magazine set programme
Open House tomorrow, was invited to perform at her husband’s birthday
party recently and quite an audience was there!
 Among
the 60 or so guests at the afternoon tea party at her house were Sir
Cliff Richard, James Galway, Richard and Judy, Brian Conley and Bobby
Davro. Gary performed songs by Frank Sinatra along| with showstoppers
from the great musicals – giving a sneak preview of what he has
lined up for his Bournemouth audiences.
Cliff Richard entered into the party spirit, too, by giving an impromptu
set of rock and foil music in the back garden and was full of praise
for Gary. Gary said: “The following evening I was at home watching
the Jubilee party at the palace and Cliff was there singing the same
songs he had done for us in front of a TV audience of millions –
it was quite surreal! He was lovely and charming and very complimentary
to me.”
Gary will be starring in his own show each Sunday until September 8
along with Australian singer Sally Bourne, who has performed in Jesus
Christ Superstar and Les Miserables and played Madonna’s maid
in the film Evita.'
Bournemouth Echo, Summer 2002</ | 