2005 Whit Friday Marches
3-Oct-2005
Highlights from Delph March Contest 2005
Various Bands
Dyen Recordings: DOYCD199
Total Playing Time: 75.22
The popularity of this release over the past couple of years led to plenty of intrigue as to who and who wouldn't appear on the recording from May 20th live in Delph.
With seventy five bands performing on the night in Delph, there was no shortage of bands to choose from and fortunately for the production team, they also got a wide variety of marches that, as a result, could feature on the disc.
This it seems is the theme of this year's recording; the opportunity to hear marches that might not be as familiar as the ‘Knight Templar's' and ‘Ravenswood's' that are heard on the night but are nevertheless, just as enjoyable. The disc also features a brand new march as well, of which more in a moment.
Hence, this is a thoroughly enjoyable recording with a selection of marches that are not first choice when bands construct their concert programmes. George Allen's ‘Belmont', Rimmer's ‘Arabian' and ‘Viva Pettee' performed by Kikbymoorside, Harrogate and Brindle respectively are different in their respective standards of playing but that pleasurable feeling a march brings isn't lost.
In addition, recent popular attendees on the night, Salvo Brass are included for their performance of ‘Rosehill', whilst Andrea Crossley's ‘Spirit of Victory' is reproduced courtesy of Warwick University Brass Band. One of the bands that travelled furthest on the night was Dungannon Silver from Ireland who performed ‘Carsharlton' by Hawkins.
Whit Friday wouldn't be what it is though without players getting together for the night to perform as a band and enjoy the fun of the occassion. This was done by our friends from ‘themouthpiece.com' directed by Roger Thorne with a new march by Darrol Barry that takes its title from the site itself. It's a great little cracker, and one that through appearing on this disc is bound to be heard in the future.
Whilst some of the more unfamiliar marches are featured, the good news as well is that performances of some old favourites are given by bands that featured in the prizes.
Sellers Youth with Mark Bousie at the helm, took the best youth prize at Delph courtesy of fine performance of that great Welsh march ‘Castell Coch', and with the march having not featured on the previous two discs, it takes its place here with aplomb.
YBS were the first big name band to appear at Delph on the day and they were in front until late into the night, courtesy of their performance of ‘Mephistopheles'. Conducted by Prof. David King, they had to settle for fifth place, but it's a performance that will have them pressing that repeat button for sure.
The boisterous atmosphere of the night is captured in the performances of Marsden, Black Dyke and the eventual winners Fodens Richardson. Marsden's performance of ‘Honest Toil' under Geoff Whitham found favour not just with the adjudicator but with the large contingent in attendance, narrowly beating YBS into fourth place. It's a performance that reeks of Whitham's sense of ‘honest' style – no frippery or trickery here – just good old brass band playing.
Black Dyke's cracking performance of ‘Knight Templar' on the night meant that they were crowned Saddleworth Champions for 2005. In Delph though, they were decreed in third place, but you get the chance to sample why they had the success they had on the circuit on the night.
It's a little disappointing that the runners-up, Hepworth weren't included for their interpretation of ‘The Wizard', but having featured in 2003/4 and by including some unfamiliar marches as suggested earlier it's left to the overall winners at Delph, Fodens to conclude the disc with a demonstration of why they took the Tameside Championships on the night, courtesy of ‘The President'. It is a cracking performance full of great ensemble and individual work and some lovely touches from Alan Wycherley on soprano.
At the outset, I mentioned that the popularity of previous recordings from this event led to plenty of intrigue as to who would and wouldn't feature in 2005. The release brings a flavour of the night to the listener and with it, a chance to listen to a variety of bands of varying standards performing some familiar and unfamiliar marches – a blend that keeps you entertained and interested all the way through. And for that reason alone, it is worth investing in.
Malcolm Wood
What's on this CD?
1. Standard of St. George (Alford); Kirkby Colliery
2. Mephistopheles, The YBS Band, conductor Dr David King, Shipley Douglas, 5.34
3. Castell Coch, Sellers Youth Band, conductor Mark Bousie, T. J. Powell, 5.05
4. Pendragon, Vernon Building Society (Poynton) Band, conductor Alan Lawton, George Allan, 6.04
5. The Mouthpiece, The Mouthpiece.com, conductor Roger Thorne, Darrol Barry, 4.49
6. Rosehill, Salvo Brass, conductor John Broadhurst, Albert H. Jakeway, 4.37
7. Arabian, Harrogate Band, conductor David Lancaster, William Rimmer, 4.38
8. Belmont, Kirkbymoorside Band, conductor John Woodward, George Allan, 4.46
9. Spirit of Victory, Warwick University Brass Band, conductor Paul McGrath, Andrea Crossley, 3.40
10. Carsharlton, Dungannon Silver, conductor Kenneth McAree, Geo Hawkins, 4.18
11. Honest Toil, Marsden Riverhead Brewery Band, conductor Geoff Whitham, William Rimmer, 4.54
12. Cornish Cavalier, Darley Dale Band, conductor Adam Rutter, W. E. Moyle, 4.31
13. Knight Templar, Black Dyke Band, conductor Dr Nicholas J. Childs, George Allan, 4.45
14. ORB, Besses 'o the Barn Band, conductor Jim Cant, Charles Anderson, 4.45
15. Viva Pettee, Brindle Band, conductor David Mee, William Rimmer, 4.46
16. The President, Foden's Richardson Band, conductor Gary Cutt William German, 4.31
Total CD playing time 75.22
