The Mossley Band enjoys a long and illustrious history - stretching back further than the first ever British Open Championship in 1853, which they won.
Nestling in the heart of the Pennines, they have survived the good (claiming a second Open title in 1897) and bad times ever since (disbanded in the early 1950s) - with occasional periods of success interspersed by extended lulls in contesting form.
Beating heart
However, its beating heart has never been extinguished, and since 2006 under the baton of Duncan Byers, sporadic elation has been replaced by long term incremental improvement.
The results have seen the band move purposefully through the sections, claiming trophies and titles along the way - including no less than four successive Butlins Mineworkers victories and this year, adding the long sought after North West Area Second Section crown.
Compact and purposeful
This recording certainly shows that the MD has shaped a compact, purposeful band - very much the sum of its hard working parts - and one that seems ideally placed to make the step up in class following their forthcoming Cheltenham National Finals appearance.
There is little doubt this enjoyable CD will certainly help them raise the funds to get there and beyond: It’s a selection box of showcase items, solos and features that has been neatly conceived, well prepared in rehearsal and impressively delivered in the recording studio: It deserves to be bought by the bucketful at concerts and events.
Sets the tone
The title track is a bold march, 'High Command' which sets the tone for the confident, well balanced ensemble work that follows through easy listening concert fayre such as ‘A Disney Fantasy’, ‘Battle of the Planets’, ‘Jurassic Park’, ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ and ‘Skyfall’.
Considered
It’s also good to hear a considered sense of musicality with the more reflective items - played with flow and warmth, whilst the classy soloists are all on polished form; with notable contributions from Nicky Longden on a cultured 'Rusalka's Song to the Moon', young repiano player Adam Nield (who since the release has joined Hepworth) giving a spirited ‘Buster Strikes Back', Tom Gibb eliciting a stylish, ‘So Glad’, and Mike McLean pumping out a fine ‘Memory’.
Value
With the euph duet and horn trio also adding their neat touches and the band maintaining its quality even when a bit of tiredness does creep into the sound, it all adds up to recording of notable musical and commercial value - elements that should keep this hard working band on the road to success for many more years to come.
Malcolm Wood
Contents
1. High Command, 4.40
2. A Disney Fantasy, 9.13
3. Buster Strikes Back, 2.33
4. Pastorale, 4.15
5. Me and My Shadow, 3.07
6. Battle of the Planets, 1.58
7. Hey Jude, 3.50
8. For the Love of a Princess, 3.37
9. Pirates of the Caribbean, 5.06
10. Memory, 4.10
11. Jurassic Park, 3.06
12. Rusalka's Song to the Moon, 5.15
13. Erin Shore, 4.36
14. So Glad, 3.24
15. Skyfall, 4.40
