Great and Glorious

The Household Troops Band of the Salvation Army
Major John Mott
SPS Recordings: 181 CD
Total Playing Time: 74'00

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The Household Troops Band of the Salvation Army dates back to 1887, but was reformed in 1985 by Major John Mott to revive the spirit of the original band.  In short, it is a band that comprises of players from Salvation Army Centres across the UK, and whom, meet up every summer to do a mini-tour, playing in towns and centres, and celebrating their belief in the message of God in the best way they can - by making music.

I have been fortunate to hear the band in the past (at the prestigious Great Northern Brass Arts Festival, where they will appear again in September 2004), and this recording is testament to the quality of their music making.  Impressive is an understatement.

The recording is a mix of popular mainstream items, coupled with more thoughtful music. Kenneth Downie, Barrie Gott, Goff Richards and Ray Steadman-Allen are all familiar names in the banding world and all of them are featured on this recording. 

The disc opens with the joyful march, Salvation Army South Africa 120, by Norman Bearcroft.  The 120 acknowledging the number of years the work of the Salvation Army has been in existence in South Africa. 

George Marshall will always be held in high-esteem in Salvation Army circles, and is the composer of the title track, Great and Glorious.  The inspiration came from a trip to the top of the Grampian Mountains, one Easter Sunday.  Such was inspiration that he composed this work, a reflective yet joyful offering that was completed within two weeks of leaving the mountain top; it made that much of an impression and the music he wrote confirms it - it is wonderful stuff.

The one thing that certainly comes across in this recording is the real sense of joy the musicians have in performing music that clearly means so much to them. For example, the hymn tune, Cwm Rhondda is awash with emotion in this arrangement by Kenneth Downie.  The same can also be said for Trombone Vespers, an arrangement by Ray Steadman-Allen for the trombone section that is a little delight.  The other Downie contributions are The Joy-Bringer, a march fantasy that was the first of a number of compositions to be published in the Festival series.  Within the march are two Downie songs, A Sunbeam and O Wash Me Now. 

Spirit of Celebration was composed for the Yorkshire Building Society Band and David King as a signature tune when Kenneth Downie was appointed Composer-in-Residence in 1998.  The popularity of Downie's music is such, that, other ensembles perform this piece nowadays.  This performance is certainly note worthy, with that real feeling of happiness about it.  The tempos remain upbeat and there is some very good playing around the band, especially from Ben Bewers on soprano.

The solos on the album will be familiar to all banders.  Keith Loxley, the band's principal euphonium player is at ease in the traditional love song, The Lark in The Clear Air, whereas, Andrew Mercer brings a refreshing feel to Over the Rainbow, a popular solo amongst flugel horn players ever since Judy Garland tapped he red shoes together. 

Camille Saint-Saens' popular French Military March gets the Household Troops treatment, and Barrie Gott takes the youth song Dare To Be a Daniel and transforms it into one of those toe-tapping numbers.

The release concludes with the Ray Steadman-Allen arrangement of Evening Hymn.  Once again, the music is not short of emotion and feeling.  If you are familiar with the Household Troops Band, you'll certainly want a copy of this recording, and for those that are unfamiliar, but enjoy popular mainstream music, coupled with thoughtful repertoire this is a CD to certainly add to the collection. They will not be disappointed.

Malcolm Wood

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