Victory

The Whitburn Band
Conductors: Phillip McCann and Gavin Lindsay
WBC Recordings: CD001
Playing Time: 62 mins approx.

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Guest Performers:
Mezzo Soprano and Narrator, Ann Hetherington. Fiddle, John Martin. Members of the Shotts and Dykehead Caledonia Pipe Band

The last couple of years the Whitburn Band has once again risen to prominence in the UK banding scene with a number of top class performances at both the National, British Open and European Championships. Not that they have ever been in recent years anything other than a fine solid outfit, but since 1999, when this recording was made they have risen to become one of the top ten bands in the country and more importantly for them, become perhaps the leading band in Scotland.

Formed as far back as 1870, they were for the vast part of their existence a lower section band of limited success, but since 1968 they have become Scottish Champions on numerous occasions, come runners up at the European Championships, win the Grand Shield and come in the prize list at the Open and Nationals. They are a Premier League team without doubt and with fine solo players and a top rate MD at the helm, they will surely continue to be so for some time.

This release was made just after they won the Scottish Championships in 1999 and you can hear that they are a tight, well-balanced, fine toned band right from the outset. Interestingly they have chosen a very eclectic mix that moves away from the norm you get to hear on most releases and they employ pipers, mezzo soprano voice, narration and even a fiddle player to add colour and interest to an intelligent programme of 8 pieces.

Peter Graham's "Cry of the Celts" has had more outings than Julian Clary at a sailor's refuge, but this is one of the best, and with the added singing of Ann Hetherington in "Suil a Ruin" and John Martin fiddling away better than Jeffrey Archer, it sounds fresh and uplifting. It can sound a bit stereotypical fiddledy diddledy ‘oirish in the wrong hands, but this is a little bit of a revelation. Phillip McCann directs with good sense and the fiddle lines and vocal parts are never swamped. Good stuff.

"The Bells of Dunblane" was written in response to the terrible tragedy that happened in the small town in March 1996. There are many pieces that which are written by composers with fine intentions in response to such events, but nearly all sound mawkish and over sentimental, but this not one of them, and is a superbly realised arrangement that really does capture the sadness of the time. The use of the pipers and the tolling of the bells really do convey the sense of loss and depth of sadness of an unimaginable horror.

As far as we know, there isn't a Scottish March King – a Sousa, Rimmer or TJ Powell, and given the content of Alan Fernie's "Rhapsody on Scottish Marches" you can see why. It must be said, that it's pretty tongue in cheek stuff, but "Old Lang Syne" as a march? It's light and bubbly though and enjoyable enough, but we want to know why no inclusion of "Ally's Army" – sung with great vigour by a host of Scottish supporters during their comically ill fated attempt to win the World Cup in Argentina in 1978. Remember, "We're all off with Ally's Army………. Willy Johnstone's drug shame and Archie Gemmell's great goal against Holland? This should be given true recognition.

Back to proper things, and there is a fine reading of the ubiquitous, "Irish Blessing" – no nonsense and very neatly performed, and a superb bit of playing in Andrew Duncan's arrangement of "Finale from Swan Lake". Both offer plenty of evidence of quality musicianship, tight ensemble and secure technique and both are well presented.

"Highland Cathedral" is a pipe tune that has been transcribed to include Whitburn, but is essentially a vehicle for the impressive Shoots and Dykehead Caledonia Pipe Band (why have all the best got the word Dyke in the title eh?). It's certainly different and a very welcome insert that stirs the loins in the way the Scots love and cherish.

The highlight for us though comes in the last two items. Who would have thought that 4BR would say that of a piece re-telling the "Ugly Duckling" story of "Tubby the Tuba", but this is a delight. 13 minutes long and every one of them puts a smile on the face – some intentionally, some not. Ann Hetherington narrates the story in fine style, and even if some of her attempts at mimicking a Yorkshire accent make you recall the efforts of Dyke Van Dyke trying to sound like a cockney chimney sweep in "Mary Poppins" – odd to say the least - it is still an inspired inclusion on the CD.

The band enter into the spirit of things and this would be a fantastic concert item to attract families with young children to the joys of the brass band. Part "Fireworks", part fairey story, it's a fable that gladdens the heart and gives hope to all those plump lads on the bass end. One day your Prince (or frog in this case) will come….

Finally, some seriously good playing on Andy Duncan's arrangement of Malcolm Arnold's "Peterloo Overture" which is a top class bit of work from arranger, MD and players and really gives a stirring and poignant account of the horrors that took place close to the Free Trade Hall in 1819 - and we aren't talking about the British Open either. It ends a very impressive concert programme that is more than a little different and very well performed, and who's intentions and musical objectives are met in full.

Well done Whitburn, Mr McCann and the rest of the team.

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