Christmas with Black Dyke
6-Dec-2007
Conductor: Dr Nicholas J Childs
Soloists: David Thornton, Brett Baker, Richard Marshall, Joseph Cook
Obrasso CD 925
Total Playing Time: 51'40
It just wouldn’t be Christmas would it without at least one band tempting you with a seasonal CD of favourites - and that’s the case with this latest offering from Black Dyke and Dr Nicholas Childs.
Obrasso has teamed up with Black Dyke to present a release of eighteen tracks arranged for band by Darrol Barry, Alan Fernie and Howard Lorriman.
Recorded back in April this year in Morley Town Hall, the selection mostly favour the more familiar carols, but includes some lesser known gems, as well as the triumphant one and only ‘O Come all Ye Faithful’.
There’s also the odd track that’s since become an annoying classic of is genre in the pop charts, most notably, ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’, (which should surely now come with the by line – ‘Yes they flipping well do, because a bunch of overpaid, over rated, self obsessed, talentless nobodies keep bleating on about it), whilst well worn Christmas nuggets such as ‘O Holy Night’ and ‘When a Child is Born’ are both totally angelic and benefiting from some fine soloists, David Thornton and Brett Baker respectively.
In addition, Richard Marshall is featured in ‘Rocking Carol’ and then there’s Joseph Cook playing ‘Jingle Bells’ as you’ll have never heard it before.
Twelve of the tracks come from Alan Fernie, four from Darrol Barry and two from Howard Lorriman, but none of the tracks are in-depth interpretation’s during the 51 minutes (in fact David Thornton’s ‘O Holy Night’ is the longest piece on the disc at 4’23), but there is certainly something on this recording for everybody ranging from ‘White Christmas’ through to ‘The Little Drummer Boy’. Good old Bing!
The playing from the band is excellent throughout with each track being a reminder that the Christmas season is very much upon us once again.
In addition to the eighteen tracks, Howard Lorriman has produced some excellent sleeve notes giving background to each piece and considering that 4BR has been critical of Obrasso’s productions in the past, it’s good to read information on the repertoire featured regardless of how familiar it may be.
The various arrangements from Messrs, Barry, Fernie and Lorriman also give bands and conductors the opportunity to play some old favourites in a different guise.
Overall though, this is a release that will provide the listener with a varied mix of the seasonal favourites. Nothing on the recording is heavy going so it’s the sort of CD that you could happily play in the background as all your preparations continue for Christmas.
Malcolm Wood
What's on this CD?
1. Joy To The World, Traditional arr. Darrol Barry, 2.02
2. Do They Know It's Christmas, Bob Geldof & Midge Ure arr. Alan Fernie, 3.34
3. O Holy Night — Euphonium Solo, Adolphe Adam arr. Darrol Barry, 4.23
4. Winter Wonderland, F. Bernard & R.B. Smith arr. Alan Fernie, 2.01
5. Gaudete, Traditional arr. Alan Fernie, 1.30
6. Rocking Carol — Cornet Solo, Traditional Czech arr. Alan Fernie, 3.35
7. O Du Fröhliche, Traditional arr. Howard Lorriman, 3.00
8. Frosty, The Snowman, St. Nelson & J. Rollins arr. Alan Fernie, 2.30
9. Jingle Bells — Eb Bass Solo, James Lord Pierpont arr. Alan Fernie, 2.33
10. Rocking Around The Christmas Tree, Traditional arr. Alan Fernie, 1.43
11. Adeste Fideles — O Come All Ye Faithfull, John F. Wade arr. Alan Fernie 3.43
12. Troika Sergeij, Prokofiev arr. Alan Fernie, 2.02
13. When A Child Is Born — Trombone Solo, Fred Jay & Zacar arr. Darrol Barry, 2.40
14. White Christmas, Irving Berlin arr. Alan Fernie, 3.12
15. Sleighride, Leroy Anderson arr. Alan Fernie, 2.51
16. The Carol Of The Drum, Davis, Onorati & Simeone arr. Alan Fernie, 3.10
17. Coventry Carol, Traditional arr. Howard Lorriman, 3.27
18. Silent Night, Franz Xaver Gruber arr. Darrol Barry, 3.42
Total playing time 51.40
