Brass A – Peel

Brass Band of Central Florida
Principal Conductor: Michael J. Garasi
Soloists: Dee McAfee, Dean Psarakis, Kevin Cramer and Gail Robertson
Full Sail Studio Recordings: BBCF 1
Total Playing Time: 60 mins 11 secs

~ Buy with 4barsrest shopping

Florida is famous for many things; Disneyland, Cape Canaveral, the Miami Dolphins, Jed Bush and the results of the last Presidential Election to name but a few - but the one thing above all else it leads the World in, is oranges. Lots and lots and lots of oranges.

Those who remember the film "Trading Places" with that great Shakespearean thespian Eddie Murphy, will recall that the dénouement was all about the price of frozen orange juice and how the crusty millionaires Randolph and Montgomery had their comeuppance by our laid back hero and his companions - which included the lusciously pneumatically enhanced Jamie Lee Curtis. Oranges it seems are big, big business in Florida and this CD is one hour of really enjoyable entertainment (which is about an hour more than Eddie Murphy's film).

It therefore comes as no surprise that the debut CD of the Central Band of Florida therefore takes its inspiration from the wonderful fruit - what with the actual title, the CD itself made to look like a cut in half Outspan and the cover featuring a photo of a 1950's Eisenhower babe in a "squeeze me" pose in an Everglades orange grove.

Some girl this. She seems to have only three fingers (just like Madge Simpson) and an extra toe (a little like Anne Boleyn in reverse), is wearing a pair of hot pants the "Cheeky Girls" would have difficulty fitting into and a brassiere that seems to be holding in check the R101 and Hindenberg zeppelins. Were girls really like this in the 1950's? And can anyone actually peel an orange in one go like that nowadays. Blimey!

Whatever the reasoning behind it, this is still one of the most refreshing releases we have heard for some time. The playing isn't the greatest, the repertoire featured not the most challenging, but the zestful exuberance, pithy execution and the overall tangy approach to the recording make this a real joy. This is exactly like that those Tango adverts on the television at the moment – irreverent and fun and guaranteed to put a smile on your face. This is a band and MD enjoying themselves in their own inimitable way. Black Dyke or YBS it ‘ain't – but after an hour of happy music making – who cares?

Formed in 1999 the Central Band of Florida's mission is to promote and educate others in the traditional genre of music making that is the brass band. Given that the nearest most Floridians get to hearing brass music is when those amazing marching bands start strutting their stuff in the interminable intervals between play in a American Football game, they should congratulated wholeheartedly for their magnificent efforts. Getting the average American to sit on their ample posteriors and listen to some serious music making is one hell of a task, but we think (and hope) that Michael J. Garasi and his charges are giving it one heck of a go.

We can't fault the approach at all – there are plenty of blips and blobs and the timbre (especially of the cornets) is a tad wind band rather than old fashioned brass band, but they get to grips with the music in a no nonsense approach that suits them to a tee. Technically they seem to be on a par with a good British Second Section band but many of the individual players (especially the soloists) are classy and competent.

It's the balance that is the main giveaway though – things are a touch top heavy (a bit like our girl on the cover) although the bass end makes a grand sound and adds plenty of bottom when required (also like our lass in the orange grove). It could do with more rubato and plenty more vibrato, but that will surely come in time and with more exposure to hearing good traditional brass bands "live". The verve and freshness though is something else and congratulations especially to the sop player Dee McAfee for a fine effort on "Summertime", Kevin Cramer on "Over the Rainbow" and the duo of Dean Psarakis and Gail Robertson on "Gaelforce".

The rest of the band also tackle items such as "Miller Magic" and the Allegro from Handel's "Water Music" with enthusiasm an no little skill, whilst there is perhaps the first recording for over 25 years of the "Floral Dance" and a sterling effort on Malcom Arnold's "Little Suite for Brass", which just needed a little more sympathy in the lovely "Siciliano".

The American anthems of the "Star Spangled Banner" and "Stars and Stripes" are really up the bands street whilst the "Irish tune form County Derry" and "Amazing Grace" are well directed and played. It is the famous old "French Military March" though that really put a smile on our faces. Given that the Americans are currently calling French Fries "Freedom Fries" this is a rendition that musically portrays the French in all their boastful pomp, bluster and regal idiocy.

The French of course had glorious marches for every occasion, (even for going to the shops we wouldn't wonder) and somehow you can just imagine them on their horses, cockerel plumes proudly erect and breastplates gleaming in the sun as they march down the Champs Elyesees after yet another victory over England at rugby or wine tasting. Great stuff.

We really liked this CD right from the off. It has no pretensions to be the best brass band recording ever made and the playing has a raw quality that purists may just wince at times – but the enthusiasm and the genuine love for a British institution of music making comes shining through in every note. Congratulations to the Central Band of Florida and every one of its members (including the founder Mark Griffin who it transpires hails from Haverfordwest in Wales and who's Gran still lives there!). We thoroughly enjoyed this first release – and we hope there are many more to come. Take a slice of Florida's best.

Iwan Fox

~ Buy with 4barsrest shopping

^back to top