A Walk on the Light Side

Hendon Band of the Salvation Army
Conductor: Bandmaster Stephen Cobb
Soloists: David Daws, Matthew Cobb, Paul Hopkins
SP&S Recordings: CDSPS194
Total Playing Time: 62.15

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This new release by the Hendon Band of the Salvation Army, for many years one of the crack outfits of the Salvationist band world, explores, as the title implies, the lighter side of the band's concert repertoire. The music ranges between originals and arrangements, the familiar and not so familiar, including folk song arrangements, jazz numbers and several pieces by Salvationist composers carrying a Christian message.

With such a variety of music, most of the pieces being no more than a couple of minutes in duration, it is perhaps no surprise that the overall consistency of the disc in terms of the music itself is somewhat erratic. For the outset, things get off to a cracking start with Stephen Bulla's march, ‘Montclair Citadel', a lively, sparkling opening number that metamorphosis's itself part way through into ‘Onward Christian Soldiers'! In the hands of a less able talent than Bulla the result could have sounded contrived yet Bulla manages to avoid the potential pitfalls with aplomb.

Several other well known Salvationists figure in the programming: Ray Steadman- Allen (whatever happened to ‘Seascapes' and ‘The Beacons'?) is represented by a rather trite arrangement of ‘Simple Gifts' not representing his talents at their best, whilst Norman Bearcroft's touching little transcription of the spiritual, ‘Every Time I Feel the Spirit', is considerably more successful.

Peter Graham provides two arrangements of traditional folk songs, the attractive Maori melody ‘Hine e Hine' and less successful melodically for my money, the simply titled ‘Swedish Folk Song' that closes the disc in suitably rousing style. Both receive typically skilful Peter Graham treatment in respect of the scoring. Whilst on the folk theme Shostakovitch's ‘Folk Festival', for many years now a familiar concert favourite in Howard Snell's arrangement, here sees an alternative arrangement by Martin Cordner, every bit as effective and played with verve.  

In between the highlights I have to say that I found my attention wandering somewhat. ‘The Wonder of it all', ‘All to Jesus' and ‘Since Jesus' are pleasant enough but say little that lingers in the memory, whilst much the same can be said for ‘Knowing You' by Trevor Davis.

Of greater consistency however is the playing of the band itself. Don't expect a massive sound, BAYV or YBS they are not, but there are some lovely relaxed, restrained sounds in the slower numbers and an admirable contribution from the soloists. David Daws and Matthew Cobb share the honours as cornet soloists in ‘Carnival of Venice' and ‘David of the White Rock', respectively with both players amply demonstrating their abilities in stylistically contrasting pieces. Trombonist Paul Hopkins features in ‘Joshua', one of the more substantial offerings on the disc in which he shows both an impressive range and considerable technical control.

A nice touch in the accompanying booklet is a brief personal introduction to each of the pieces by individual members of the band although it is a shame that there is no information provided on the history of the band. There is however an address for their own website although this was unavailable when I attempted to access it.  

All in all then a bit of a mixed bag but despite the shortcomings of some of the music there is much to enjoy in the playing of the band and soloists.  

Chris Thomas

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