The golden era of bandstand concert seasons may have gone forever, but thanks to groups of dedicated volunteers and more enlightened formal bodies, some of the most picturesque and famous public parks around the country still host popular summer events.
One such organisation is the ‘Friends of Hyde Park & Kensington Gardens’, who have revived the sound of brass bands (not military) for the first time since the 1970s.
Excellent entertainment
The honour fell to renew an almost long forgotten attraction fell to Snowdown Colliery Band from Kent who provided the excellent entertainment on a slightly murky day in the capital - but one that still attracted a fine crowd of passersby and hardy listeners.
Being in the heart of one of London’s most famous parks, the cosmopolitan audience loved it – with people dancing on the grass to the sounds of hits from ABBA and the musical ‘Grease’ that concluded the first and second halves.
Alan Fernie’s ‘Prismatic Light’ made an immediate impression to open, whilst classic ‘park job’ items such as the overture ‘Nabucco’, Gordon Langford’s ‘All Through The Night’ and ‘Under the Boardwalk’, played with sauve nonchalance by Keith Davies on flugel, followed.
American cheers
Principal cornet Keith Pritchard expertly dusted off ‘My Old Kentucky Home’ before a touch of Gershwin with ‘Someone to watch over Me’ brought a cheer from more than a few American listeners.
With delighted organisers and a thoroughly entertained worldwide audience, the golden age of the park bandstand concert in this part of the world may well be making a long overdue and very successful comeback.
It was well-chosen easy-listening fayre that brought warm applause; with ‘The Floral Dance’, and the ABBA hits getting people on their dancing queen feet just in time for the arrival of the Hyde Park ice-cream van before the half-time break.
Kenneth Alford’s march, ‘The Thin Red Line’ got everyone back in line for a second half which contained neatly delivered works such as ‘Softly, As I Leave You’ featuring Mick Sole and Ritchie Fraser, EEb tuba player, Roger Carr putting smiles on everyone’s faces with ‘Nelly the Elephant’ and ‘Frolic For Trombones’ adding to the fun.
Pharrell Williams’ ‘Happy’ was the perfect lollipop before ‘Highland Cathedral’ and the hits from ‘Grease’ gained the Kent ensemble a deserved standing ovation.
With delighted organisers and a thoroughly entertained worldwide audience, the golden age of the park bandstand concert in this part of the world may well be making a long overdue and very successful comeback.
