All Brass Radio: December 2017:

As the New Year is upon us, there are some things to note about the Top 20 list — and it's all about quality!

Over the last few months we have noticed that to get in the Top 20, featured bands and soloists need to have a score close to a perfect 5. The increased popularity of the broadcasts means more music is being played and standards have risen accordingly.

Outstanding soloists

Tracks featuring outstanding soloists are now very much appreciated — with the likes of Kirsty Abbotts still at the very top because she is a quite fantastic player.

Another trend as the station grows has been the variety of music that is now featured in the Top 20 — with traditional band repertoire now being replaced somewhat by 'crossover' items such as the wonderful 'Benedictus from the Armed Man' and 'Procession to the Covenant'.

Commercial free

ABBR is a commercial-free All Brass Band Internet Radio station free to the public due to the fantastic generosity of the donors.

You can listen on the main web page or download both iOS and Android apps to listen from a smart phone or tablet. Join us and listen in and vote. If you like what you hear, consider being a donor.

All Brass Radio presently plays 557 brass band tracks 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is completely run by donors and is therefore free to listen to from any internet connected device.

Unique approach

What makes All Brass Radio unique is that the listeners can vote on each and every track that plays. The tracks with the highest votes are placed into a Top 20 list.

If a track gets several low votes, the track is removed from the playlist. The listeners actually control what is played on the station. All Brass Band Radio (ABBR) buys the latest CDs on the market and accepts donations of CDs from bands that may not have their CDs sold via normal marketplace channels.

ABBR also has CDs going back several decades and some tracks are favourites through the years. Listeners votes from 1 to 5 stars on each track if they choose.

Tracks featuring outstanding soloists are now very much appreciated — with the likes of Kirsty Abbotts still at the very top because she is a quite fantastic playerAll Brass Band Radio

Play List: December 2017

1. You Raise Me Up (Soloist: Kirsty Abbotts) — Carlton Main Frickley Colliery
2. Fire in the Blood (International Staff Band)
3. Army of the Nile (Woolston Brass)
4. Benedictus From The Armed Man (Polysteel Band)
5. Summon The Heroes (Kirkintilloch Band)
6. A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square (Soloist: Mike Thorn) — (Hitchin Band)
7. Highland Cathedral (Black Dyke)
8. Day of the Dragon Special (Cory)
9. Dundonnell (Yorkshire Building Society)
10. Linus & Lucy (Spiritual To The 'Bone)

11. Shine Down (Norridge Citadel Band)
12. Hymn to the Fallen (Saving Private Ryan) — (Kirkintilloch)
13. Procession to Covenant (Canadian Staff Band)
14. Best of Ennio Morricone (Black Dyke Mills)
15. Birdland (British Army Brass Band)
16. The Flying Doctors (Brass Band de Waldsang)
17. Barnacle Bill (Pikes Peak Brass Band)
18. Because (Soloist: Sarah Gibbons) — (Hitchin Band)
19. Themes from Silverado (Virtuosi GUS)
20. Main Theme from Fireball Xl5 Zero G (Brighouse & Rastrick)