The Power of Love

Russell Gray
Accompanied by Brisbane Excelsior Brass Band
Conductor: Barrie Gott
ABC Classics: 461 878-2
Total Playing Time: 54.03 mins

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Virtuoso instrumentalists are nothing new, with figures from the past such as Paganini and Liszt gathering their admirers from many lands.

What does make a difference, however, is the speed and efficiency of travel links around the world - no more days or even weeks at sea, just a few hours in
the air - assuming, that is, you don't get caught up in a baggage handlers' strike or an air traffic controllers' dispute! That being the case, it should come as no surprise to find a recording of cornet solos by Russell
Gray (Scots born but now domiciled in England) accompanied by the Brisbane Excelsior Brass Band conducted by Barrie Gott. Russell has in fact been a
regular visitor to Australia since travelling out with Black Dyke in 1988, and his wife comes from Brisbane.

The disc, entitled "The Power of love", was recorded in 1999 and presents quite a contrast with his recent recording of Arban pieces - not many pyrotechnics here, but some first class lyrical playing, in itself demanding great powers of concentration and control. The mixture of old and new, some familiar sounds and some less so, gives him ample opportunity to show what he can do, not only on cornet but also on flugel, including the opening
track, Goff Richards' arrangement of Jerome Kern's "The Folk Who Live On The Hill". Right from the outset one is struck by the smooth tone, with the various grace notes and subsidiary runs just tucked in so neatly. The accompaniment is very tidy, responsive to the conductor, unobtrusive but making the most of the scoring in the tutti passages, with some effective
playing by the percussion section. The "throwaway" tag from the soloist right at the end sounds so natural, almost as if one were running ones finger down the keys on an organ.

Whichever part of the world they come from, folk tunes tend to have an inherent, attractive simplicity, which can sometimes be lost in the hands of a clumsy arranger. Joseph Canteloube collected together a number of songs from the Auvergne region, but his arrangements avoid falling into that trap. One of tunes he chose was "Bailero (Shepherd's Song)", which some may recall in the version by Victoria de los Angeles, long available on an old Music for Pleasure lp. Transcribed for brass by Goff Richards there are no attempts at becoming too sophisticated, simply a melody allowed to flow, and one can well imagine the shepherd sitting on a rock enjoying the idyllic peace of the countryside.

Sir Arthur Sullivan was a great tunesmith, particularly when inspired by the lively wit of W. S. Gilbert. No words here, but the bright tones of "Take a pair of sparkling eyes", from The Gondoliers, as arranged by Gordon Langford. With its florid and intricate decoration this setting does seem a little out of place amongst the other tracks, but there is no doubting the skill Russell demonstrates. Those familiar with the vocal original may also feel the tempo here is a little faster than they are used to!

Neil Sedaka's "Solitaire" has been recorded by many vocalists, and has also appeared in a number of instrumental versions. Steven Corbett here allows
the music room to breathe, reflecting something of the sadness of the man, unlucky in love, having to resort to a solitary game of cards. The music then builds in intensity before the soloist draws it to a close with a beautifully clear final note.

Andrew Lloyd Webber is represented by two melodies, "Anything but lonely" from "Aspects of Love" and "Think of me" from "Phantom of the Opera", both entrusted to the skilful hands of Stephen Bulla. Here are two examples of an arranger really making the most of the materials he has to work with, although even he cannot avoid the predictable change of key at one point - there is a very amusing parody on one of BBC radio's "Now Show" recordings of a song from a West End Musical, where at one point they admit to having exhausted their material, so they decide to sing the first bit again, and where there is little in the way of modulation but several unnecessary key changes, and this strikes one as rather like that.

Jan Hadermann's "Rendezvous" is a real tour de force, not in terms of note spinning, but rather for the sustained melodic line taking the soloist up into the stratosphere, or so it appears. There are plenty of solos with a few high notes, but few with such a high tessitura as this, needing supreme control from the soloist, and Russell's playing here is definitely one of
the highlights of the disc.

Another recent composition is Philip Harper's "Beneath the Willows", with the flugel again being the chosen instrument. There is a little untidiness
in the ensemble here and the intonation also is not perfect, but the soloist brings out the atmospheric solo line most effectively, and the final sustained note seems to go on for ever. Philip has a growing reputation both as composer and arranger, with his music frequently being featured by the Flowers band, and this would be a worthy addition to any soloist's
repertoire.

Next, another Gordon Langford arrangements, but without the florid decoration this time: Dvorak is not best known as an opera composer, but "Rusalka's Song to the Moon" has certainly found a niche amongst recitalists, both vocal and instrumental. Here the accompaniment is particularly sensitive, matching each nuance of the solo line and really catching the flavour of the piece.

"The Power of Love", the song that gives the recording its title, is, in common with many songs of recent times, credited to a four-man writing team.
Barrie Gott's arrangement keeps the music constantly moving forward, helped by the percussion once again, building steadily to its climax.

Rodney Newton is well known as a brass band composer, arranger and contributor to the banding press. He is also active, however, in other areas, and "Dimitri" was taken from music written for a film depicting the love story between the son of a Greek fisherman and the daughter of Norwegian holidaymakers. Originally written for solo guitar, the melody has a rather poignant, melancholy tone, and is well suited to Russell Gray's flugel playing.

Leo Delibes, at least as far as the world of banding goes, is probably best known for two pieces: "The Entry of the Huntresses" from "Sylvia" and "The
Flower Duet" from "Lakme". This latter seemed to gain a new lease of life recently when used in an advertising campaign for British Airways, and it
certainly can make for an effective programme item, although it does call for a delicate accompaniment and two sympathetic soloists. Here all these
requirements are met as Russell is joined by Principal Cornet Rodney Everitt in a fine transcription by Philip Sparke.

Frode Alnaes is one of Norway's premier guitarists, active in the worlds of jazz and big bands both as player and composer. Since Yorkshire Building Society introduced "Vitae Lux" in their recording of that name it has become very popular with bands. Starting quietly and peacefully, yet again there is a build-up of intensity, with Russell Gray's cornet leading the way. The percussion at one stage seemed a little out of place but, on cross-checking with the YBS recording theirs is exactly the same, so it must be what was
intended after all! Despite a couple of moments where the blending of the various features in the accompaniment is not completely convincing, this
makes for a good finish to an excellent recording.

The recording is well presented, with biographical notes on soloist and conductor, a brief history of the band and a summary of the items included. The individual players are also listed, which is always good to see. All in all, then, a first class effort with a world class soloist accompanied by a first class ensemble, and although the running time is a little on the short side, it seems churlish to complain when faced with such quality. Sit back and enjoy, marvel at his supreme skill, and then either give up or go away
and practice!

Peter Bale
Copyright 4BR

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