Poles Apart

Riki McDonnell and Alexandra Kerwin
Kiwi All Stars and Brass Ensemble: Lee Farley (piano); Kath Moseley (percussion)
Conductors: Howard Taylor and Simon Kerwin
Doyen Recordings: CD222
Total Playing Time: 72.32

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'Poles Apart' is an apt title for this enjoyable release, as the North and South Poles are perhaps the only parts of the world in which these fine exponents of the brass playing art haven't played a concert or contest.

Riki McDonnell has worn more band jackets than Tommy Docherty has had football clubs to manage, whilst Alexandra Kerwin must have a diamond encrusted platinum air miles card, given the number of times she has flown all over the world. Both are wonderful players, and currently they are to be found enjoying life and banding in New Zealand, although that tends to be more of a base camp for their world wide brass playing expeditions.

Their latest venture saw them perform with the Brisbane Excelsior Band at the All England Masters International Championships in Cambridge earlier this year, although Riki was also seen wearing the three feathers of Wales at the European Championships in Belfast with the BAYV Band, and not so long ago Alex was proudly wearing the black, red and gold of Black Dyke at the British Open and National Championships of Great Britain. Their diaries for band practice must make for interesting reading.

Both have also released well received solo CDs in the past couple of years and so it was appropriate that when they eventually had the time to bump into each other they should release a joint venture. The result is a warm and enjoyable series of solos and duets that make for relaxed listening. 

Accompanied ably by an assembled cast of star players from the Southern hemisphere under the title of the Kiwi All Stars (although there are some green and gold wearers amongst them) and conducted by the talented Anglo/Aussie, Howard Taylor, the 16 tracks give ample opportunity for both players to display their wares to the full. They do not disappoint.

The selection of works chosen are something old, something new and even something slightly bluesy and all are delivered with a highly professional sheen of classiness.

The mix of the featured items is excellent with Alex giving us plenty of pyrotechnics as well as more stylistic items and Riki once again delivering some lovely understated lyrical playing. He can twiddle his fingers in a pronto manner too though. 

Alex opens with a tub thumping Magyar inspired goulash of a performance of ‘Hungarian Melodies' before she opts for a bit of downright dirty playing on ‘Feelin' Good' on the flugel. Added to this is classy work on items from Sparke, Strauss, Caccini and Clarke as well as a cracking bit of soprano playing on ‘Song of Hope' by Barrie Gott. Whatever instrument she plays, this is a performer who can make a truly wonderful sound.

Riki meanwhile delivers lyrical playing by the bucketful and it pours over you like double cream. What stands him out as a performer is the ability to understand the line of the music – especially those that are taken from vocal solos.  His phrasing is impeccable. Each of his individual contributions shows this in full with fine performances of original works and arrangements by Simon Kerwin, Mendelssohn, Caravelli, Malotte and Catherwood.

The duets are decent enough as well, with Riki teaming up with old Fodens and Fairey's euph Ken Cant for a nice full blooded ‘Softly As I Leave You' and with Ashley Gittins on ‘Timepiece' by Norman Bearcroft.

The signature tune ‘Poles Apart' is neat bit of fun, as cheesy as they come it must be said, with the battle to find possibly the worse (as well as the best tunes) in each of the two hemispheres - but it is all done with tongues firmly placed in the cheeks.

All through the accompaniment is well delivered by the band as well as the talented piano work of Lee Farley and percussionist Kath Moseley. They band is very well drilled indeed, although why on earth it was felt necessary to include an extra ‘hidden' track with them playing a pretty pointless march is beyond us. It's been done before and it didn't work well then either. 

That said, a very enjoyable release from two very accomplished performers backed with good production values and presentation. All you have to do is decide where you might see them next. Is Timbuktu due to host a brass band contest?

Iwan Fox.

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