A Musical Memo

Newbridge (Celynen) Band
Conductor: Paul Holland
Soloists: Rob Nesbitt, Nigel Thomas, Andrew Smith, Jeff Fear, Angie Thomas, Andrew Johnson
Dolce Productions: DOLCD001
Total Playing Time: Approx 1hr

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Restoration is the name of the game in the small Welsh valley town of Newbridge. In 2004 its Miners' Institute reached the final of the BBC television architecture programme of the same name, resulting in much needed publicity and hopefully extensive funding to return the historical centerpiece of the town back to its former glory. Meanwhile, much the same thing has been happening to its brass band.

Although the band has been around for over half a century, that sense of restoration has really coincided from the time that the fate of the ‘Memo', as it affectionately called, reached the public consciousness.   The return of local lad Paul Holland and the subsequent influx of experienced former Championship players to the ranks have seen a considerable rise in the band's contesting fortunes in the past two years and currently they are enjoying an unprecedented purple patch of success. Later this year they will head to Harrogate for the Second Section National Finals as one of the favourites to take the title.

This release places a musical emphasis on the achievements of both the band and its musical base (the CD was recorded in the splendid Memorial Concert Hall) and it is a well produced hour or so of lightweight entertainment from an ambitious organization.

The well chosen programme of 17 items highlights the obvious strengths of the band to the full, and whilst the more inherent structural weaknesses can be clearly heard, just like a good bit of architectural building restoration they are well enough covered up by a fresh lick of paint. 

The band does currently benefit from an experienced stable of solo players who show that even though a couple of them may be termed ‘veterans', they haven't lost the desire or the skills to impress given the chance.

Flugel player Robert Nesbitt, delivers a classy rendition of one of his old favourite solos with the aptly titled ‘The Way We Were' (which was with less grey hair, a slightly tauter midriff and the ability to read his part without the benefit of bifocal glasses). Age hasn't blunted his ability to make the most of a superb flugel tone and neat appreciation of a musical line.

Nigel Thomas also rolls back the years with a fruity rendition of ‘Softly as I leave You', which given that he is employed as a Prison Warden, could well be accompanied by the sound of a clanging prison door and a jangle of keys at lights out. Instead it is neatly backed by some sympathetic ensemble work.

Meanwhile, principal cornet Andrew Smith and bumper up Jeff Fear enjoy themselves on Peter Graham's rather meandering, ‘Quicksilver' and Angie Thomas produces an authentic bit of Judy Garland on the ever popular ‘Over the Rainbow'. Andrew Johnson also delivers a well controlled bit of trombone work on ‘Panis Angelicus'.

With a coterie of soloists of this ability it is little wonder the band is doing so well at the moment and backed by a liberal sprinkling of other well traveled performers in the ranks from other top section bands in the Principality there is evident strength in depth, which surfaces in many of the items.

Some of these do suffer with a touch of over extended enthusiasm and overblowing however, and there are times when less would definitely been more in some of the louder passages. More than a couple of times there is harshness to the tone that detracts from technically very proficient playing, whilst stylistically there are a few toe curling moments too. 

That said, there is an enjoyable mix and match approach that just about comes off, and for a Second Section band there is a great deal to admire. The finale in particular is playing that would not be out of place when compared to bands in much higher sections and the desire to try and make the most of dynamic variance elsewhere is a sign of intelligent direction and execution.

Newbridge (Celynen) is a band that sounds well drilled and rehearsed, technically competent and musically ambitious. The recording is well produced, although it would have been nice just to read a little more about their history (a biography however small should at least acknowledge the less successful years of development and struggle, not just the good times) and there are a few nasty bloopers on the sleeve notes and track listings.  

On this evidence however, it seems that both the future of the band and its Memorial Hall is currently in good hands and promises much for the years ahead. 

Iwan Fox.

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