Brass Band Aid

Into Africa
Brass Band Aid
Various performers
Doyen Recordings: CD 226
Total Playing Time: Approx 70 mins

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The unfortunate phenomenon that is ‘Charity Fatigue' is one that has somewhat surreptitiously crept into our society over the last few years.

The reasons are complex yet manifold; wall to wall, 24 hour media coverage of global catastrophes beamed straight into our living rooms night after night have made us somewhat immune to the almost biblical plights of destruction and poverty, that we now take them as a matter of unimportant fact.

Add to that the crisis response from western nations – well meaning but invariably disorganized, over complex and badly targeted, that it comes as little surprise that there is a ground swell opinion that many of the most badly affected areas of the world, and certain parts of Africa in particular are bottomless pits of despair allied to corruption.

Finally there is the patronizing, self serving ‘world figures' such as the execrable pop stars Bono, Bob Geldof and Madonna who preach their form of multi millionaire ‘Round Table' fund raising and charitable good causes in a way that demands little of themselves and plenty from others - the latest fad of which appears to be the Hollywood royals new found fashion of ‘adopting' African children.

The connection between what we are able to give and the reason why, has become divorced of reality. Doing something for a charitable cause now entails either dressing up in womens clothes and running a marathon, sitting in a tin of bake beans, riding across America (with media coverage all in tow to record the event) or attending a ludicrous pop concert promoted by has-beens and z list celebs, who seem to be able to ‘give' of their so called talent, but not of their well accounted, non tax paying millions (although a notable exception was racing driver Michael Schumacher, who, it was revealed, although not publicly by him or his publicists, was the single biggest private donor to the tsunami appeal fund.) 

As long as we feel good about it, then that's OK then – we don't mind giving money as long as we don't have to witness first hand what the stench of destruction smells like, what the abject misery of unimaginable poverty sounds like, or what the sight of children dying looks like because of the lack of the most basic amenities. 

This is why initiatives such as Brass Band Aid should be supported to the full. First and foremost it is small and very well run, targeted brilliantly to a very specific need, asks only what it can reasonably expected to obtain in help from those really and genuinely interested, and makes sure by going out to visit, supervise, encourage, get involved at the most basic level and maintain profile of the cause that will succeed in the long term. There is not one nagging self centered egotistical rock star with sunglasses on to be seen or heard anywhere. This is direct action – you give your money and someone makes sure that it goes straight to the cause you wish to support. 

The latest fund raising CD comprises 17 tracks written or arranged by some of the best brass band composers in the business and performed by some of the very best bands in the world. It's a great idea, supported with a genuine response by those involved.

The pieces are themselves reflections of the composers own beliefs and attitudes towards a specific cause in what is always a even greater overall crisis in a part of Africa seemingly forever blighted by disasters – both man made and natural.

It makes for one heck of an uplifting experience from the almost surreal nuttiness of Mnozil Brass to the rare beauty of Humperdink's ‘The Evening Prayer'.   All 17 tracks (including Bob Thompson recorded live at the Adet School) just fill you with a feeling that as long as there are genuine responses to genuine causes then there is hope not just for the people and children of Adet, but for us all.

Iwan Fox.

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