*
banner

Iconic recordings added to Wobplay platform

Two outstanding Polyphonic releases from Grimethorpe Colliery and Williams Fairey Bands have been added to the Wobplay recording platform for brass band listeners to enjoy.

Recordings
  The outstanding recordings show bands at the peak of their form under their MDs

Two iconic brass band recordings from Grimethorpe Colliery and Williams Fairey Bands have been added to the wobplay.com recording platform.

Grimethorpe

An expert remastering of Grimethorpe's 1982 Polyphonic 'Firebird' release gives you the opportunity to revel in one of the most exciting LPs ever to be produced by the famous Yorkshire band under the baton of Ray Farr.

Not only can you enjoy his thrilling arrangement of 'Infernal Dance' of the ogre Kastche and the uplifting 'Final Hymn' from Stravinsky's famous ballet, but there are also two movements from Elgar Howarth's masterful appraisal of 'Baba Yaga' and 'Great Gate of Kiev' from Mussorgsky's 'Pictures at an Exhibition'.

All that and there are superb soloists in the form of Peter Roberts with his signature showcase 'On with the Motley', as well as Stan Lippeatt, Steve Sykes and Stan Priestly, and the fantastic concert opener, 'Midnight Sleighride'.

It's a brilliant recording topped by an album cover by award winning designer Hilary Scudder.

Two iconic brass band recordings from Grimethorpe Colliery and Williams Fairey Bands have been added to the wobplay.com recording platform4BR

Williams Fairey

The 1994 'Double Champions' recording on the Polyphonic label sees Williams Fairey Band at the peak of their powers under the baton of the legendary Major Peter Parkes.

This was the band that claimed the 1993 British Open title with stupendous performance Philip Wilby's 'Masquerade' (winning by a four-point margin), and the National Championship crown with an electrifying three-point winning rendition of 'The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea' by Derek Bourgeois.

You can hear the performances again here — the latter, the winning rendition from the Albert Hall on October 16th 1993.

All this and there some sparkling soloists in the form of David Welsh, Craig Bennett, Brett Baker and Sandy Smith.

Two fantastic recordings not to miss out on…

Find out more

Go to: https://wobplay.com/

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Yorkshire

Yorkshire Committee issues Third Section statement

March 8 • The Yorkshire Regional Championship Committee has clarified the reason behind the delay in the announcement of the Third Section results in Huddersfield.


Market Rasen

Results: 2026 Midlands Regional Championships

March 7 • Area title success for GUS, Rushden Town, Market Rasen and Cubbington Silver Band in Bedworth.


Perth

Results: 2026 Scottish Championships

March 7 • Whitburn claim the domestic honours as Kirkintilloch Kelvin, Johnstone, Selkirk Silver and Bon-Accord B take section titles in Perth.


South Yorkshire Police

Results: 2026 Yorkshire Regional Championships

March 7 • Area title success for Hepworth, South Yorkshire Police, Hatfield & Askern Colliery, Drighlington and Queensbury Music Centre in Huddersfield.


Regent Hall Concerts - London Central Fellowship Band

Saturday 7 March • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Regent Hall Band of the Salvation Army

Tuesday 10 March • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Queen Victorias Consort

Friday 13 March • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Slide Effect Trombone Quartet

Friday 20 March • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London. . W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Welsh Guards Band Septet

Friday 20 March • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Rushden Town Band

March 8 • 2nd Trombone for Midlands Area First Section Champions 2026.


Glossop Old Band

March 7 • Our friendly second section band are looking for a principal cornet player to join us for contests, concerts and exciting new projects. Glossop Old Band is situated between Manchester and Sheffield and rich in history.


Waltham St. Lawrence Silver Band

March 6 • Our non-contesting community band, based near Maidenhead, Bracknell and Reading, seeks:. . Solo Euphonium . 1st Horn . 2nd Baritone .


David Hirst

MA, B.Ed (Hons), LTCL
Conductor, adjudicator and arranger


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd