The name Marsden has a dual significance.
Not only is it a beautiful area on the North East coast with miles of beaches and the remains of an old coalmine that was once home to a 1925 National winning band that claimed the title between victories for the great St Hilda Colliery, but it’s also an equally wonderful banding town in Yorkshire, that may not yet have a National title success to its name, but unlike its long defunct namesake, is certainly enjoying competitive life will into its 125th year.
Pride
The geographical links may be tenuous, but the musical ones are not; both hailing from strong working class areas that pride themselves on their commitment to hard graft and the pursuit of excellence.
That has certainly been the case in the ten years Glyn Williams has been at the Marsden helm, with solid incremental improvements seeing them become a highly competitive top flight force.
An Albert Hall appearance remains elusive, but over the last few years they have been getting close to the British Open with a brace of Senior Cup victories to their name.
Much to savour
Much then to historically savour as well as an exciting future to anticipate - and there is certainly a celebratory air permeating this well delivered CD, with the opening ‘Knight Templar’ zipping along with brisk purpose.
The original hymn ‘My Song is Love Unknown’ was written in 1664 by Samuel Crossman, but John Ireland’s, ‘Love Unknown’ is as beautifully crafted and is treated with reverence in a touching arrangement by Steve Robson.
Similarly, the reflective motet ‘O Magnum Mysterium’ gives the band ample opportunity to showcase its warm ensemble sound.
Lyrical form
Like Mr Big falling into shark infested waters, the James Bond theme to ‘Skyfall’ is the only piece on the release to fall flat; a bit of fluff that’s better off left to Adele Adkins than a brass band even in full 007 mode. Still, with this disc aimed at Joe Public, it has its place.
Of the soloists, Jason Evans is on exquisite lyrical form on ‘I Dreamed a Dream’, whilst Dan Morgan on euphonium pulls off a real crackerjack performance on Peter Meechan’s ‘Devil’s Duel’.
Dale Garner and Neil Raisbeck tackle Philip Sparke’s ‘Capriccio’ and ‘Capricorno’ with deft accomplishment, whilst Rick Blythe dashes off a quick fire ‘Helter Skelter’ at a pace that would frighten punters at Alton Towers!
Rapid changes
Commissioned from composer Andy Stevenson, the title track, ‘Revolution’ is an evocative depiction of the rapid industrial changes that engulfed the once rural Marsden village.
With clever use of mechanized sounds and motifs, it leads into a chorale-like middle section before bursting into a ‘test piece’ finale of bravura brilliance. This is music of character which Marsden tackle headlong with splendid verve.
Bible thumper
It’s also good to hear the old classic ‘Lorenzo’ once more - played with just the right balance of power and pathos. Its operatic tendencies may sound dated but are not quite ready for the scrapheap of contesting history thanks to a flowing interpretation from the MD.
To close, ‘The Kingdom Triumphant’ also gains a welcome outing. Like a sermon from a ‘Bible Thumper’ preacher of old, it’s a no-holds barred approach to Eric Ball’s masterpiece; shouting out the message of the ‘second coming’ of Christ with joyful passion.
It’s stirring stuff to bring this anniversary recording to a close for a band that will surely enjoy further success to add to its own history books in the years to come.
Steve Jack
Contents
1. Knight Templar, Geo. Allan, 4.43
2. Lorenzo, Thomas Keighley, 11.43
3. I Dreamed a Dream, Schonberg, arr. Thomas Wyss, 4.11
4. Skyfall, Adele Atkins, arr. Philip Sparke, 4.53
5. Capriccio, Phipip Sparke, 3.14
6. Love Unknown, John Ireland, arr. Steve Robson, 4.27
7. Capricorno, Philip Sparke, 7.33
8. Revolution, Andy Stevenson, 10.24
9. Devil's Duel, Peter Meechan, 8.46
10. O Magnum Mysterium, Martin Lauridsen, arr. Littlemore, 5.42
11. Helter Skelter, W.G.Lemon, arr. Ray Woodfield, 3.15
12. The Kingdom Triumphant, Eric Ball, 8.42
