Various bands and artists
World of Brass Recordings: WOB 147 CD
Total Playing Time: Approx 2 hours

The annual double CD highlights package from World of Brass continues to be something of an enjoyable curiosity – although whether or not it represents real value for money for the brass band aficionado in these days of selection box downloads is a bit of a moot point. 

Volume 8 covers 2009 – 2010, with 22 tracks from bands as diverse as Fountain City Brass and Black Dyke, to the ISB and The Household Troops: Something for everyone then, in what is a essentially a marketing tool to give a taster of what is on offer on the Doyen, Egon and SP&S in-house labels.

On the tin

Like the seven other versions that preceded it, Volume 8 does what it says on the tin – nothing more, nothing less. It’s a bit like one of those Christmas selection boxes of fancy biscuits – with the tasty Bourbons mixed in with the plain old run of the mill tea dunkers.

It’s a varied mixture then, (like the biscuits, it’s a matter of taste whether you like them all of course) but there are just enough treats on offer to tempt you into parting with a bit of extra dosh to purchase one of the original 18 CDs the selections come from.

Car journey

The release perhaps works best as in-car entertainment on a long journey, with its eclectic diversions, changes of pace and style. It will make the monotony of motorway driving a little less tedious that’s for sure. 

One minute you have Black Dyke or Oberosterreich pumping out test piece crackers, the next, David Childs whizzing through a bit of lollipop Paganini or the ISB tugging at the heartstrings. It will make the time between your next Costa Coffee stop on the M6 fly by.

Replay or skip over

There’s Grimethorpe and Hendon, Foden’s, and Cory, Sandy Smith, Les Neish and Philip Cobb: Some tracks to replay and others to skip over.

And that’s it – no real pretence at anything else. 

Cheapish and cheerful, and worthy of its place in the glove compartment of your car.

Iwan Fox

Contents

Disc 1.
1. Roar, Foden's Band, 3.00
2. Moto Perpetuo, David Childs with Cory Band, 2.05
3. The Torchbearer, Black Dyke, 14.32
4. Tribute to Glenn Miller, Cory Band, 3.49
5. Living in the Fast Lane, Foden's Band, 6.21
6. Praise, The International Staff Band, 3.00
7. Flourish, Phillip Cobb with the Hendon Band, 4.36
8. Hallelujah Chorus, Enfield Citadel Band, 3.55
9. Polovtsian Dances, Foden's Band, 8.28
10. The Joy of Loving Hearts, The International Staff Band, 4.53
11. Malaguena, Fountain City Brass Band, 7.09

Disc 2.
1. Amparito Roca, Grimethorpe Colliery Band, 2.28
2. Salt of the Earth 2nd Movt, Les Neish with Foden's Band, 4.36
3. Last Call, Brass Band Oberosterreich, 4.54
4. Titan's Progress, Cory Band, 16.57
5. Fujiko, Foden's Band, 5.02
6. Truth Aflame, The Household Troops Band, 8.30
7. Indomitable, Black Dyke Band, 2.56
8. Autumn Leaves, Sandy Smith with Black Dyke Band, 4.53
9. Dance to Thi'Daddy, Grimethorpe Colliery Band, 4.34
10. Wondrous Cross, Black Dyke Band, 4.00
11. The Last Amen, The International Staff Band