Simple Gifts

Yorkshire Building Society Band
Professor David King
Egon SFZ 118
Total running time: 66.33

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The names in sport of Paul Gascoigne, Paula Radcliffe, Wayne Rooney, Ronnie O'Sullivan, Jimmy White, & Jonny Wilkinson all have one thing in common. They are all naturally talented and make the hardest things in their profession look simple. That said, a lot hard work goes in to getting them where they are today. Another way of describing ‘natural talent' is ‘simply gifted', and when you see a title of disc entitled, Simple Gifts' it's no wonder those two words come to mind having heard the latest release from the European & British Open Champions, Yorkshire Building Society.

Within YBS, there are an awful lot of talented musicians, who quite literally have that ‘gift' of making everything sound so easy. For the second time this year, (Bourgeois in Brass is the other) YBS & Professor David King have quite literally produced a recording that at times just leaves you scratching your head wondering just how the level of performance is achieved.

If you are reading this and saying ‘I can't buy another CD this year can I?' Yes, you can. It's simple, this a disc that is too good not to invest in, whether its a gift for someone, or a touch of self indulgence for yourself. All members of the band (including deps) really do excel. Some of the ensemble playing at times has to be heard to believed, and don't be surprised if you repeat a track because you want to convince yourself, you really did hear what you thought you'd heard. Yes, it really is that impressive.

The marketing guru's have of course been making sure that Christmas is on people's minds for some time, but normally the arrival of Advent, the turning on of the Christmas lights in towns and cities, is when people really begin to get that Christmas feeling.

A big part of Christmas is of course the music that is associated with it. Every musical organisation in the world will do a number of concerts featuring seasonal music. Every year a number of recordings get released for the festive seasons. Someone will have produced another ‘Nations favourite Carols', yet another recording (or even re-release) of The Messiah.

The brass band idiom is no different at this time of year, whether it is carols in the street or at concerts. All the music is familiar. For example, Sleigh Ride, White Christmas and Anderson's Christmas Festival Overture are just three timeless classics that are performed on this disc, but given that real touch of panache by David King that make seasonal discs stand out.

In addition to YBS, the recording features the talents of the BBC's Choirboy of the Year, James Eager, Llandaff Cathedral Choir, and the World Champion Whistler, David Morris. James and the choir feature in the beautiful ‘Song of Peace' and the classic, ‘In the Bleak Midwinter'. The young man's diction and delivery is impressive, and the balance between soloist, choir and band is first class. Ray Farr's arrangement of Troika will just not be the same again, courtesy of David Morris.

For many, "Away in a Manger" is the seasonal favourite, and here performed by a top notch ‘voice' of the flugel horn, Iwan Williams, superb phrasing and a great tone.

Other featured soloists include Stuart Lingard in Goff Richards arrangement of "The Shepherd's Song", Chris Jeans presents the Barrie Gott version of "Silent Night", and Toby Bannan does what all bass trombonists' do at this time of the year, have some fun with "Frosty the Snowman".

And before you ask, ‘What about a certain Peter Roberts?' In short, no solo, but Peter is just Peter on this disc, sheer class, from start to finish, adding those subtle touches and nuances that the man can do without any effort whatsoever – just listen to "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town".

Other seasonal favourites that appear include Ray Farr's version of "Troika", "Jingle Bells", and "Caribbean Christmas", all presented with the band just having a ball. The disc does have something on it for everyone, young or old, but if you want hear ensemble playing of the highest order, look no further than "Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming" from Stephen Bulla's, "Christmas Suite".

Salvationist Peter Graham's march, "The Shining Star", is clinically performed, and the disc opens with the title track, "Simple Gifts". Simple Gifts is otherwise known as "Lord of the Dance", and Goff has produced another cracker of an arrangement, where the melody is at the forefront of the piece.

Congratulations to YBS, David King, the choir and James Eager for contributing to an outstanding disc. The comprehensive programme notes begin by stating ‘Often the most cherished things in life are Simple Things'. This recording reaffirms that simple melodies are truly wonderful when played by natural talented musicians. Wherever you are in the world, treat yourself to something quite wonderful, in the form of ‘Simple Gifts'

Malcolm Wood

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