Reel Brass
11-Sep-2008
Strata Brass aim to be the reel thing on their latest release.
Strata Brass
Conductor: David Hirst
Soloists: Julie Thomas, David Hill, Martin Battersby, Geoffrey Merkin
BH Recordings: CDBHS0553
Total Playing Time: Approx 70 mins
Under the experienced direction of David Hirst, Strata Brass has been one of the most consistent Second Section bands around the Yorkshire area for some years now, narrowly missing out on the promotion places in the 2007 and 2008 Area’s with third and fourth positions respectively.
Arguably though, it is in the field of the entertainment contest that the band has achieved its greatest successes of late, with a string of first and second place finishes in contests such as Lakeside, Bolsover and Rufford.
No strangers
Perhaps not surprisingly for a band keen on its entertainment element then, Strata is no stranger to recording and this latest release by the band, Reel Brass, is the fifth recording the band has released with a sixth already planned; all in all it’s quite an achievement.
Variety
As the title implies it is the cinema that has inspired the choice of music for the disc, with a variety of blockbusting themes ranging from what could be considered the “standards” of 'The Magnificent Seven', '633 Squadron' and 'The Great Escape' to more recent fare such as 'Gladiator', 'Circle of Life' and 'Pirates of the Caribbean'.
The arrangements vary from familiar names such as Martin Ellerby and Alan Fernie including those drawn from the vast Obrasso catalogue, to two by the band’s own principal cornet player, Martin Battersby in the shape of 'For Your Eyes Only' and 'Everything I Do' from Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves.
More succesful than others
On a disc that extends to around sixty seven minutes in length with no less than sixteen tracks, it is inevitable that some contributions are likely to prove more successful more than others; and so proves to be the case here.
On the whole though, the band maintains a creditably consistent standard with 'The Magnificent Seven' making for a stirring opener and Strata immediately showing itself to possess a warm, rounded sound well captured by B & H Sound Services in the recording venue of Milton Hall, Elsecar.
Ambitious
Of the more ambitious inclusions, John Williams’ 'Hymn to the Fallen' features playing of impressive dynamic control, whilst at over seven minutes Roger Thorne’s selection from the soundtrack of 'Zulu' is played well enough by the band but is possibly a touch over long. Martin Ellerby’s arrangement of Elmer Bernstein’s legendary March from 'The Great Escape' gets a lively treatment from the band although the transcription of '633 Squadron' (erroneously attributed to Martin Ellerby - the true arranger isn't known as yet) lacks a degree of rhythmic drive and consequently suffers in the excitement stakes.
John Barry’s glorious theme from 'Dances with Wolves' gets a suitably warm hearted treatment, as does 'For the Love of a Princess', James Horner’s love theme from 'Braveheart', arranged somewhat appropriately given its Scots subject by Andy Duncan. 'Gladiator' and 'Pirates of the Caribbean' are both given rousing performances with the latter in particular making for a stirring and no doubt popular way to round off the disc.
Soloists
Four soloists take centre stage, the most surprising of which is the sudden appearance of a vocalist, soprano Julie Thomas in Ennio Morriconi’s 'Gabriel’s Oboe' (could this be the same Julie Thomas listed as a member of the band’s percussion section on its website!?).
David Hill demonstrates a relaxed style and warm flugel tone in Kevin Bolton’s familiar arrangement of the 'Adagio from Rodrigo’s “Aranjuez” Concerto', whilst Geoffrey Merkin is the euphonium soloist one of the more unusual inclusions, 'Smile' by Charlie Chaplin. Martin Battersby’s arrangement of 'For Your Eyes Only' also features the arranger as cornet soloist, whilst allowing himself to put his own slant on some of the harmony as well as the opportunity to embellish the solo melodic line to suit his own lyrically attractive tone.
Credit
It is to the band and David Hirst’s credit that in repertoire which it is all too easy to bludgeon the way through, the players respond with playing of control and dynamic awareness throughout.
Rarely, if at all is there any resort to over blowing and although issues of intonation do pose occasional problems, they are not serious enough to greatly detract from what is an ambitious and progressive second section band playing music that it clearly enjoys.
Christopher Thomas
What's on this CD?
1. The Magnificent 7, Bernstein arr. Fernie, 2.26
2. For Your Eyes Only, Conti arr. Battersby, 3.36
3. Gladiator, Zimmer/Gerrard arr. Bernaerts, 4.12
4. Hymn To The Fallen, Williams arr. van der Woude, 5.40
5. Circle Of Life, john/Rice arr. Bernaerts, 5.32
6. Zulu, Barry arr. Thorne, 7.09
7. Smile, Chaplin arr. Ackford, 3.40
8. 633 Squadron, Goodwin arr. Ellerby, 3.01
9. Gabriel's Oboe, Morricone arr. Bertie, 3.11
10. Dances With Wolves, barry arr. Fernie, 3.45
11. March From ' The Great Escape', Bernstein arr. Ellerby, 2.13
12. Adagio From 'Aranjuez', Rodrigo arr. Bolton, 4.58
13. Zorba's Dance, Theodorakis arr. Lecheler, 3.22
14. For The Love Of A Princess, Horner arr. Duncan, 3.46
15. Everything I Do, Adams arr. Battersby, 4.17
16. Pirates Of The Caribbean, Bedelt arr. Blanken, 5.08
