March 2005Indie Cds.com review by Ian Paulin"From the first bar Tyrone Noonan enforces his right to be considered one of Australia's most talented jazz practitioners. Palimpsest is riveting - positive and well-constructed arrangements are lead from the front by the gripping, thoughtful vocals. This set is alive and kicking even in its tender moments. Features that make this CD stand out from the crowd, apart from the obvious talent of Noonan and his players, are the choices in arrangements made by Noonan, which render challenging material in a way that seems effortless. Jazz is a tricky medium to get right. Often virtuosity overpowers a sense of aesthetic wholeness. Noonan has got the balance just right. He's not out to make an impression. He's out to make an experience. And it works! There's no doubt the songs are of great quality. They showcase a breadth of musical taste from significant Australian jazz creators like Vince Jones to surprising and pleasing versions of Bowie and McCartney pieces. There's no doubt Noonan and his musicians are world class. But the added bonus is that everyone performing this distinctive set has real empathy with the story they are unfolding in the songs. Noonan delivers the lyric with intention and insight rather than relying on singing gimmicks and tricks. The scat singing is there. But it's meaningful when it arrives. Solos from players never obstruct the thoughtful progress of the song. This is a significant CD for Australian jazz and probably well beyond. Highlight tracks: - (5) Beauty of All Things, (8) Junk, (1) Lullaby of Birdland and (13) I'll Bet You Thought I'd Never Find You really cooks after the rather long intro."

The Courier-Mail Sat Dec 4 2004Jazz Inspires Change Of TunePalimpsest, Palimpsest(Shock) 3 1/2 starsAlbum of the Week Review by Noel MengleJamie Cullum interprets jazz standards and a Radiohead tune (with serious marketing budget) and sells millions. Tyrone Noonan from george does down a similarly eclectic path, makes a better record, plays some great shows around the country and has to fight to register o­n the mainstream radar. Australia, you sometimes want to shout, have a look under your nose!Noonan has maintained this extracurricular band for some years, and recruited some of the country’s rising jazz talents to take part in this recording, including the dazzling piano work of New York-based Anthony Romaniuk.The song selection is a suitably audacious mix of evergreen and modern, opening with a swinging reading of the standard Lullaby of Birdland, showing the inspiration of Mel Torme. But this album isn’t about nostalgia: it’s about what every musician discovers, that the great songs are written in every era, and that these remain contemporary as long as they are interpreted with emotion and passion.Thus Noonan works his way through material ranging from a Brazilian-flavoured version of Bowie’s Ashes to Ashes to the acoustic guitar and bass employed o­n Paul McCartney’s Junk (from his first and best solo album) and the traditional folk ballad Black is the Colour of My True Love’s Hair. Several Noonan compositions are included, most notably Not Me, Not You with its elegant, mysterious flavour emphasised by Shenton Gregory’s shimmering violin. And Radiohead played by a jazz band? Makes perfect sense, especially if you have heard Radiohead’s Charles Mingus-inspired Pyramid Song. One of the highlights here is a passionate workout o­n the English art-rock band’s Exit Music (For a Film). The Palimpsest version, film directors take note, seems even more perfectly suited to the suggestion of the title than the original. Film-scoring is something that would suit Palimpsest, but another direction that demands further exploration is their Latin influence, given free rein o­n Vince Jones’s America, Les McCann’s I’ll Bet You Thought I’d Never Find You and two classics from the pen of Brazilian great Antonio Carlos Jobim, How Insensitive and Agua de Beber. Noonan might be best known as the singer and writer of rock tunes like Bastard Son, but his feel for the nuances of Jobim’s romantic music reveals another side to his talent with appeal across the generations. Just the thing for playing with a cooling drink o­n the deck this summer.

Rhythms Magazine AustraliaNovember 2004Palimpsest, Palimpsest(Shock)Review By Tony HillierIt was o­nly a matter of time before the talented Noonan siblings, of rock and george fame, turned their attention to jazz. Katie Noonan is already running jazz concerts and singing at jams in Brisbane, and Palimpsest sees her singer-songwriter brother Tyrone step into the jazz arena o­n his debut solo project.Tyrone’s soaring vocals and impressive octave range, like his sister’s, are tailor-made for jazz. With some of the country most promising young instrumentalists providing the platform, most notably the Romaniuk brothers, Anthony o­n piano and Eugene o­n double bass, and guitarist Jamie Clark, young Noonan sails through an interesting selection of standards, originals and pop covers.It is a glowing tribute to the quality of his own composing skills that Noonan’s ethereal ballad “Beauty Of All Things” by no means pales in comparison to the established pieces. These include Vince Jones’ excellent “America”, which Tyrone starts with impressive falsetto, David Bowie’s classic “Ashes To Ashes”, which features an intriguing overlaid outro, Paul McCartney’s “Junk”, with just acoustic guitar and fiddle in support, and Radiohead’s “Exit Music”, which starts off quietly but builds to an impressive crescendo.Tyrone Noonan also shows a real flair for Brazilian cool via Antonio Carlos Jobim’s Bossa benchmark “How Insensitive” and scat in the more up-tempo “Agua De Beber”.His phrasing o­n the swing standard “Lullaby of Birdland” would do credit to a veteran. His reading of the Scottish folk song “Black Is The Colour of My True Love’s Hair” is exquisite.It’s no surprise to hear that Noonan and his compadres, who will be at Melbourne’s Bennett’s Lane club o­n November 18 and Richmond’s Corner Hotel o­n the 24<SUP>th</SUP>, take their inspiration from New York pianist Brad Mehldau.By the way, in case you were wondering, the dictionary definition of Palimpsest is: a parchment, or the like, from which writing has been partially or completely erased to make room for new text.Time Off MagazineOct 13 2004Palimpsest, Self-titled(Frontal Lobe Productions/Shock)Four StarsAlbum review by Megan YarrowPalimpsest is a cohesive and lyrical album of seriously smooth and sexy sounds – a fusion of originals, jazz standards, Brazilian samba rhythm and intelligently reworked Bowie, McCartney and Vince Jones classics.Standards like “How Insensitive” highlight the band’s flawless musicianship – a mandolin adds drama in “Black Is The Colour Of My true Love’s Hair”.“Beauty Of Al Things” reflects an almost religious positivity and showcases Noonan’s exquisite prose and mellow vocals.The leisurely pace of the CD is layered with suitably upbeat tracks. “I’ll Bet You Thought I’d Never Find you” is exceptional, especially the remixed reprisal which is bolstered by electronic wizardry – a nice counterpoint to the previous track, a stirring rendition of Radiohead’s “Exit Music (for a film)”.Noonan’s original love songs and subtle political commentary make the CD a meaningful, as well as enjoyable, listening experience.The Northern StarOct 29 2004Music News Sound Bites ReviewTyrone Noonan’s album Palimpsest offers an entirely excellent repertoire of contemporary jazz sounds and textures.In particular, a jazz brush is waved over Bowie’s “Ashes to Ashes” with delicious effect.Noonan’s vocals are fabulous and easily comparable with Vince Jones; rich, golden, funky and full of emotion.

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CokeBuddy.com.auMusic: CD ReviewsPalimpsest: Palimpsest Tyrone Noonan from George has followed his sister and band mate into the wonderful land of side projects. Unlike Katie’s other band Elixir, Palimpsest (presumably named due to most of the album being covers), can get through to anyone who just wants some cool music to play in the background at dinner parties. While o­n o­ne hand, the state of the Australian jazz scene is dismally diminished into a sticker proclaiming this album features Tyrone from George and ‘top Oz jazz musos’, listening to the album shows that we have some top players in this big brown land. Combined with Tyrone’s great vocal, they make Bowie’s ‘Ashes to Ashes’, Wings’ ‘Junk’ and Radiohead’s ‘Exit Music (For A Film)’ their own.Tyrone’s own song writing doesn’t sound quite as dark as some of the covers chosen. ‘Not Me, Not You’ (a co-write), ‘Beauty of All Things’ and ‘She Smiles’ (also a co-write) each have that glimmer of passion that turned people o­nto Jeff Buckley in their droves.Palimpsest isn’t just a commercially marketed album crying “jazz” because it’s cool, this is the real deal… and if you can get past the ‘top oz jazz musos’ sticker o­n the front without cringing, you might just find yourself listening to some of ‘oz’s’ top jazz musos in no time.

The Drum MediaNov 22 2004Palimpsest; Self-titled(Shock)CD Review by Dave HayesI first listened to this debut a week ago, but my patience didn’t make it beyond the first track. I somehow dismissed it as just another side project for Brisbane band george (Palimpsest is a jazz incarnation of the five-piece’s Tyrone Noonan).But armed with a little more tolerance, I’m discovering something quite compelling about the album.Whilst it is essentially an album of covers (only three of the 13 tracks are original), you’ll (at least) find yourself challenged by the self-titled release.Take Noonan’s stab at Radiohead’s Exit Music (for a film). Admittedly, Thom Yorke, the apparent king of art rock, is hardly a fair match up with little Tyrone Noonan, a boy from humble suburban Brisbane. Unfortunately the attempt does tend to show Noonan up. Whilst with Radiohead, Yorke’s vocals feels so close and intimate you could grab him, Noonan’s sounds and feels isolated. And even though Noonan seeks out those massive Radiohead crescendos, it really isn’t until the last minute that he nails it.This said, there’s plenty of diversity elsewhere o­n this album. The second track, a cover of Australian jazz great Vince Jones’ America, is an absolute corker.It blends ironically feel-good jazz with a distinctly Anti-American sentiment. The song was originally written with Cuba in mind but the themes are increasingly universal): “America, we needed you. America, we trusted you. America, I tried to look just like you.” There’s also Bowie’s Ashes to Ashes (delivered as Brazilian swing-funk) and McCartney’s Junk.Closing this eclectic record is Japanese DJ Chikashi’s “Nu-Latin” take o­n Pacifica’s I’ll Bet You Thought I’d Never Find You. Incorporating Noonan’s vocals along with original samples, it’s remarkably catchy through its fast, vibrant dance floor rhythms.In all, this debut album from Palimpsest is worthy of a listen. Whilst may of the songs here (particularly the original o­nes) don’t sound all that removed from the material Noonan creates as part of george (in fact, Beauty of All Things is a george song), Palimpsest is still dynamic and fresh.

  

Posted by: padmin on Thursday, February 24, 2005 - 03:07 PM