Travelling Light
10-Oct-2001
Travelsphere Holidays Band
Conductor: Richard Evans
B&H Recordings – THB 001
Playing Time: approx 66mins
In many ways, "Travelling Light" is much the same thing as "Frankly Speaking" in that it's a CD issued to help the profile of the company as well the band. This isn't a bad thing in this case, as Travelsphere "The Band" do a very good job for Travelsphere "The Company". If you intend sending your mother in law off to China, India or Nepal (as the blurb tells us the company caters for) as a birthday present then you won't do wrong by packing this CD in with her to while away the hours.
15 lightweight tracks are very well performed under the baton of Richard Evans, who brings his usual touch of excitement and finesse to make some pretty staid numbers come to life. The band isn't stretched, but it's again obvious that they have put some serious work into the preparation and execution of the tracks on offer.
It's the usual mix of solos, medleys and upbeat arrangements that don't jar the ear and are just long enough in length to keep the interest and it makes for pleasant rather than concentrated listening – a bit like Radio 2 if you know what we mean.
The four soloists on offer do very professional jobs on their solo spots, and the horn player Simon Smith in particular does a top-notch bit of work on "Somewhere Over Rainbow" – a fine effort on a solo that's been flogged to death over the years. Alan Morrison (as expected), Robin Norman and Robert Woods also give notice that the band has a fine set of cornermen and there's also some neat work off the soprano throughout.
It's nice to hear a couple of Gordon Langford arrangements again, as it shows how clever he was at doing his trade, and how bloody awful most of his imitators are, and the rest of the stuff will give your mother in law the chance to dip in and out to find her favourites whilst still being able to do her knitting and suck on a boiled sweet.
The standard of the recording is impressive, and again we have to congratulate the sound engineer (or it may have been the players themselves) for keeping the percussion, and the drum kit in particular at a level that doesn't over dominate the proceedings.
There's a very well produced insert which gives all the details you need to know about the band and how to book your holidays, but are only gripe is the cover itself, which is as interesting as a pensioner talking about their grandchildren. A photo of 25 smiling bandsmen doesn't conjure up images of far-flung exotic holidays sipping rum punch and having coconut oil rubbed into your back by a dusky maiden does it?
Still, good stuff from a good band on form and a chance to ship off your mother in law to Nepal for a bit of mountain climbing with a brass band CD to keep her company. Not a bad package eh?
For further details, please contact:
Jan Smith on 01908 521171
or visit the website:
www.justselect.co.uk/travelsphereband
What's on this CD?
1. Olympic Fanfare and Theme, Williams, 2.32
2. Scarborough Fair, arr. Graham, 3.55
3. And the Band Played On, Ward/Palmer, 4.34
4. Georgia on my Mind, Carmichael, Soloist—Alan Morrison, 4.02
5. A Sullivan Fantasy, arr. Langford, 7.01
6. Greensleeves, arr. Langford, 2.44
7. The Teddy Bear’s Picnic, Bratton, Soloist—Robin Norman, 3.38
8. Toccata in D Minor, arr. Farr, 3.34
9. Somewhere over the Rainbow, Arlen, Soloist—Simon Smith, 4.10
10. Let’s Face the Music and Dance, arr. Richards, 4.10
11. Be My Love, Brodsky, Soloist—Robert Woods, 3.24
12. Strike up the Band, Gershwin, 3.07
13. Dear Lord and Father, arr. Green, 4.06
14. The Star’s and Strips Forever, Sousa, 3.39
15. Disney Fantasy, arr. Richards, 9.17
Total Playing Time: Approx 68 mins
