Momentum

The Friary Guildford Brass Band
Conductor: Keith Maxwell
Soloists: Richard Straker, Nigel Stevens, Dawn Culver, Roland Wri, Ian Stewart, Adam Gregory
Amadeus Recordings: AMS095
Total Playing Time: 71.42

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The story of the Friary Guildford Band is an inspiring one, despite their position as relative youngsters of the brass band world. Formed in 1983 with the aim of bringing brass banding back to Guildford after a long absence, the band first achieved championship status in 1991. Although slipping back down to the First Section for a time, their appearance at the 2003 National Finals subsequently saw them back in the top flight once again.

Many of us will remember the band's early days as the Friary Meux (Guildford) Band, although since the sponsorship from the local brewery ceased in 1993 they have been known simply as the Friary Guildford Band. The band's Belfast born Musical Director Keith Maxwell, took up his position in 1999 after playing solo trombone with them for a time (he also had a stint on trombone with Aveley and Newham) and has played a significant part in guiding the band back to the Championship Section.

At over seventy one minutes in length this CD is generous indeed in its content, with no less than seventeen tracks, all of which are drawn from the lighter, concert repertoire of the band. Both band and conductor have clearly put considerable thought into the choice of music, which contains a wealth of variety as well as a sensibly planned running order.

The balance of modern against traditional is prevalent throughout and it's Eric Ball's sparkling march Star Lake that gets proceedings off to a lively start. The names of Peter Graham and Goff Richards figure prominently, Peter Graham initially coming to the fore with his brief but effective Prelude on "Tallis". The band responds with good clarity of ensemble and in this respect does not let itself down throughout the entire disc although there is just a hint of tiredness about Peter Graham's Shine as the Light that concludes matters. The other contribution from the Graham catalogue is A Time for Peace, the tenor horn solo drawn from The Essence of Time. Soloist Nigel Stevens turns in a musical account if lacking slightly in intensity and faltering briefly at the central climax.

There was a time when Goff Richards' arrangement of the Shepherd's Song from Canteloube's Songs of the Auvergne was in the concert pad of just about every band in the country. Richards' original composition Country Scene enjoyed almost as much success when it was first heard although it is good to hear it back here after less exposure in recent years. This is what Richards does best; attractive melodies that linger in the memory, delivered with a fine ear for the subtleties and sonorities of brass band instrumentation. The band gives a sensitive interpretation, with the soloists in particular acquitting themselves well. Also from the arranging pen of Goff Richards comes Breezin' Down Broadway, in an appropriately breezy performance although Hymns of Praise, another Richards number, is just a wee bit cloying for our taste.

Elsewhere, Bill Geldard's arrangement of Cy Oliver's Opus One rolls along reasonably happily if suffering from the age old brass band problem of never truly swinging. Philip Wilby's strangely "Florally Dance" style arrangement of Lord of the Dance is given a lively performance, as is Sandy Smith's arrangement of Valero, definitely one of the arrangements of the moment having also featured on recent discs by Grimethorpe and Brighouse. Barry Forgie's treatment of Chicago (That Toddlin' Town) is imaginatively done with the band clearly enjoying itself. Of the slower numbers Joseph Turrin's Hymn for Diana is given a committed performance although a little more strength of sound from the middle of the band would have aided the warmth of the music. Alan Fernie's effective arrangement of Moon River fares better in this respect with the band also showing that they can play with both atmosphere and lyricism when needed.                   

It would be unfair to conclude without mention of the featured soloists, all of whom turn in creditable performances of their chosen pieces. Richard Straker demonstrates a lovely open cornet sound in Philip Doe's charming and gentle The Bells of Peover with Dawn Culver on euphonium resurrecting the old warhorse Grandfather's Clock. It may have to be dusted off these days but it's still a classic solo and Dawn Culver delivers an unforced performance that is notable for its attention to clarity of articulation rather than volume. On a collective soloist's note the trombone section of Roland Knight, Ian Stewart and Adam Gregory deliver a relaxed and bluesy airing of Alan Fernie's Sad and Blue.          

Recorded at a local school in Guilford itself, our one criticism of the recording is its dryness. Possibly as a result, it tends to the top heavy and a little more warmth coming through from the bass end of the band would have made a considerable difference to the ambience of the music. Nonetheless the disc represents a good effort from all concerned and the band will surely be hoping that they can maintain the "momentum" for a good result at the forthcoming 2006 round of area championships.

Christopher Thomas

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