Brass in Concert Live!

Highlights of The 2003 Brass in Concert Champions
Various Bands
DOY CD172
Total playing time: 61.18

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It has been a long time coming. The banding world is used to having CD's of live events such as The European, numerous Gala Concerts and now for the first time, highlights of Brass in Concert.

For a number of years, the annual event has been Britain's premier entertainment competition, and in just over sixty minutes, the disc gives you a sample of why tickets for this event are like gold dust. Anything goes here, and year in, year out, bands become more adventurous in their bid to win the overall title and the various individual prizes on offer.

The emphasis is on musical content and entertainment, and this disc has every ingredient of why it has become the contest it is. Marches, solos, new compositions and some great playing are all included. Producer's Trevor Caffull and Al Booth have been very clever as they have put together a mini concert within the disc; each item is bridged by applause and before you know it, the next number is up and running. The acoustic on the stage isn't the best with heavy duty curtains affecting the overall sound, but you'd never know it as World of Brass have pulled out all the stops on this recording.

Each band competing on the day is heard playing at least one item (Although Flowers may be a bit miffed at not getting a mention on the back cover notes) and throughout the eighteen tracks, there is plenty of enjoyment to be had.

Grimethorpe and Garry Cutt retained their title in Spennymoor and they feature twice (Although the absence of two of their other items - "Comedy Tonight" and "If I was Rich Man" is puzzling as they did appear on the preview copy of the CD sent to 4BR)

Firstly, some elegant flugel playing from Ian Shires in an arrangement of the 30s hit, Body and Soul. Galaxies written by Carl Davis and arranged by Ray Farr follows this. The quality of playing really is top notch in both items, but in Galaxies, just sit back and listen to that ‘Grimethorpe sound'. One of the best entertainment musical ensembles anywhere, is going at full tilt.

Everybody was on form that day from Richard Marshall and Nigel Fielding through to Sandy Smith and Mark Frost, and the producers could have chosen any number of Grimey's programme, but Galaxies was a terrific performance, and the South Yorkshire band made it a hat trick of wins with a little bit of ease.

Runners up to Grimethorpe were Sellers International under Philip McCann. Sellers made a huge impact on the day with an American-themed programme, and two items are included. The ‘March' prize is always hotly contested, but Sellers took it hands down with a rip-roaring performance of The Waltonian. It is so clean, tight and precise, and if you want to hear how the march should be played, you won't hear many better performances than on this disc.

Sellers have recently released ‘American Landscapes' – music from the length and breadth of America. Included is a Goff Richard's arrangement especially for the release of American Trilogy; a mix of three classic tunes; ‘I Wish I was in Dixie', ‘Hush Little Baby' and the familiar ‘Battle Hymn of the Republic'. Commencing with the lyrical sound of euphonium player, Mark Bouise, this performance has that sense of aura about it. It commences so calmly, but through the music, builds to a stunning climax. Some of the ensemble playing really is top notch, and on the day, the Huddersfield-based band, pushed Grimethorpe close.

Leyland under Richard Evans made themselves one of the best entertainment bands in the business. Things have moved on, but some things never change, and under Steve Sykes, the band is featured in three items. Firstly, the French March Lorraine. One of the real delights of the day for compere, Frank Renton was to hear the music of Edrich Siebert again. Here, Bees-a-Buzzin will revive a few memories of this golden oldie. Leyland bring the disc to a close with the finale of Tchaikovsky's Little Russian Symphony - one of the highlights of their programme.

Scottish Co-op made the journey from Glasgow and commenced its programme with the Olympic Fanfare and Theme by John Williams. The solo prize is another individual award that players do battle with and Alexandra Kerwin made it a November to remember.

Firstly, winning the British Open Solo prize and at the end of the month competing with Scottish Co-op at the inaugural Scottish Open. In the middle, Alexandra took the solo prize judged on the day, by Morgan Griffiths. Playing soprano, the young lady brought the house down for her interpretation of Gethsemane from Jesus Christ Superstar.

Flowers made sure the journey from Gloucester was worth it with MD Philip Harper taking home the prize for best composition with the reflective Queen Isobel's Prayer. Mr Harper had a huge influence on his band's programme with a number of his arrangements, and the theme from The Muppet Show wrapped up their programme in great fashion. It's certainly worth listening too for the cornet playing of former Sun Life man, Kevin Robbins.

Yorkshire Imperial is featured with their contributions to the March and solo competition. The rarely heard ‘Blaze Away' is played at a good military tempo, and Nick Hudson shines in the Rodney Newton arrangement of ‘Dick Turpin's Ride to York'.

JAG Mount Charles Band and Russell Gray performed one of the most unusual programmes of the whole competition. Part of it was ‘Unisons' a movement from a suite by Bulgarian composer, Mikhail Alperin. It paid dividends, as the band took fourth place overall.

Kirkintilloch and Craig Anderson showcased its programme with music arranged by Stephen Rockey. The finale was the powerful ‘Independence Day', and in one piece, easy to hear why the quality of music shone through them on the day, as they came fourth in the music category.

The highlight of Carlton Main's programme was the traditional ‘Pokarekare Ana' featuring the lovely tone of cornet player, Kirsty Abbotts.

Ransome didn't have the best day at Brass in Concert in 2003, but they came very close to taking the march prize with Clive Barraclough's rarely heard ‘Simoraine', and rightly so, it is one of four marches included.

Finally, Ever Ready is the only band to have competed in every single Brass in Concert, and they commenced their programme with Sabre Dance. Players in different parts of the stage, and a great sound, but the effect worked, as the band took the entertainment prize on the day.

The comprehensive programme notes by Dr Roy Newsome who is the musical advisor for the competition, make for great reading, as you can sit back, relax, and have some great entertainment in this live release.

Malcolm Wood

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