Ghost Train

Fodens Richardson Band
Conductor: Garry Cutt
Soloists: Glyn Williams, Alan Wycherely, Mark Wilkinson, Phil Green

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Like its fellow Swiss publishing firms, Obrasso and Marcophon, mf- Publications (or Musicverlag Frank to give the company its full name) boasts a large and ever increasing catalogue of arrangements and original compositions for brass band, a large number of which are by British composers and arrangers. With names like Alan Fernie, Goff Richards, Darrol Barry and Ray Farr cropping up regularly there is no shortage of quality on offer neither.

Producing a CD that showcases the music on a "listen before you buy" basis has got to be a good move and it's a formula that has become increasingly popular amongst Swiss and Dutch publishers in particular over recent years. Add to this Foden's as the chosen band with Gary Cutt at the helm, the band still reasonably fresh from their victory in the 2004 British Open (the recording was made in May 2005) and it does of course lend the disc an added and fully intended commercial edge.

The music itself is aimed at a wide range of playing abilities and there is plenty of concert fodder on offer that will go down well with bands of all sections. That said, as is often the case with similar projects in the past, there are a couple of eye brow raisers nestling amongst the quality items as well as a couple of pleasant surprises.

Harry Lime might not have been overly impressed with his theme from 'The Third Man', arranged by Mike Sutherland in genuine Edrich Siebert um-cha style and to our ears coming across as plain corny. It may go down OK in the park on a Sunday afternoon though, especially if the crowd has been to the pub beforehand. For differing reasons the same could be said of the same arranger's transcription of Gerry Rafferty's classic, 'Baker Street'. As with so many pop song arrangements it does not quite escape the odd rhythmically wooden moment but overall it gets by with credit, Foden's giving it an enthusiastic airing.

Whilst on the subject of pop songs, how many brass band enthusiasts out there have Womack and Womack's 'Greatest Hits' in their CD collection? That many eh? Obviously more popular than we gave them credit for! The fact remains though that Jack McKenzie's arrangement of 'It's All Over Now ' is one of the more unlikely choices of music on the disc whilst turning out to be a bit of fun for all concerned. The opening boogie-woogie bass line provides the basis for a series of instrumental solo riffs that are passed around the band and results in an entertaining concert number that gives most of the "corner men" a chance to get on their feet in front of the band.

Better still is the same arranger's version of 'A La P.P.' by trumpet legend Arturo Sandoval. It's a great Latin number, rhythmically exciting, packed with percussion and likely to down well with both band and audience. Staying with the Latin theme, the castanets of Darrol Barry's arrangement of 'Hernando's Hideaway' don't really get going in the same way although Nigel Wears' swinging version of Richard Rodger's 'My Favourite Things' again features soloists from around the band and gives Rodgers' originally somewhat innocuous melody a twist of interest that brings the disc to a lively close.

Four of Foden's soloists are given a chance to shine, the first being Glyn Williams on euphonium in 'Desperado', The Eagles' song penned by Don Henley. Jack McKenzie's arrangement is effective if not attention grabbing and Glyn Williams demonstrates a warm and affectionate tone.

Next up is Alan Wycherley who gets Mozart, or more specifically an aria from 'The Marriage of Figaro', 'Che Soave Zeffiretto', in an arrangement by Tom McAllen. This is one of those disarmingly simple, yet utterly memorable melodies that only Mozart could have penned. Alan Wycherley's sublime soprano cornet sound is the perfect vehicle for Mozart's music and forms a fitting tribute to the master in the 250th anniversary year of his birth.

Mark Wilkinson is the cornet soloist in Simon Kerwin's arrangement of the lively Romanian gypsy melody 'Sirba Floricaca', whilst Phil Green, Foden's former long standing principal Eb bass player and now a member of Woolley Pritchard Sovereign, is the articulate soloist in Darrol Barry's witty and entertaining 'Spooky'.

Whilst on the subject of spooks and Darrol Barry, three further Barry originals are amongst the most attractive numbers on the disc.

'Ghost Train' evokes the journey of the fairground ride in an Adam's Family meets Salem's Lot kind of way. More effective still and demonstrating Barry's considerable versatility is 'Celtic Fire', a charming little jig that whilst being Barry's own invention manages to leave the impression that you have heard it somewhere before. 'Song and Dance' on the other hand opens gently, almost pastoral in it's folk like melody but soon transforms itself into a lively folky dance and should suit bands of varying abilities. Like so many of the host of Barry originals available this is music that is undemanding yet highly enjoyable, a mix not easy to achieve that Barry constantly takes in his stride.

All in all then a disc that is not quite as spooky as it sounds and offers something for everyone in its diverse mix of music. Foden's are in entertaining form and manage to sound enthusiastic, even in the cases where the music does not provide the greatest degree of inspiration. 

Christopher Thomas

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