The circumstances surrounding a horrific car accident isn’t the usual inspiration for a brass band CD release - but in the case of Keith Muggeridge it is.

His life was saved on an icy morning in February 2015 both by luck and the skilled interventions of a medical professional and the Thames Valley Air Ambulance Service. Without them, this could well have been a memorial CD, rather than a celebratory fundraising one.

Determination

His long road to recovery has been aided by further superb medical treatment, the love and support of family and friends and a deep seated determination to thank those that saved him, in a very personal way. Almost three years to the day of that life changing moment, Keith recorded this CD.

The musical choices reflect not only his love of lyrical musicality, but also his generosity - sharing the spotlight with friends such as Paul Haigh, Steven Mead, Sheona White and Peter Christian - who all contribute splendidly both individually and collectively to the release.

Mark Peacock leads an all star band of friends with a sympathetic ear for texture and balance, drawing out a sense of passion in the music making from all concerned - especially Keith, who has worked his socks off for his individual items, including a super rendition of Philip Wilby’s daunting ‘Flight’ - an appropriate opening tribute of thanks as ever there was one.

Mark Peacock leads an all star band of friends with a sympathetic ear for texture and balance, drawing out a sense of passion in the music making from all concerned - especially Keith, who has worked his socks off for his individual items, including a super rendition of Philip Wilby’s daunting ‘Flight’ - an appropriate opening tribute of thanks as ever there was one.

Satanic impishness

Elsewhere, there are touching renditions of old favourites such as ‘Share My Yoke’, funky satanic impishness alongside Steven Mead for ‘Devil Theory’ and a tasty dollop of Neapolitan ornamentation with ‘Napoli’.

It’s all rounded off with Keith’s joyful rendition of ‘Carrickfergus’, which perfectly sums up the remarkable journey a fine musician and super bloke has come from the darkest of day in his life.

Iwan Fox

To Purchase: http://keithmuggeridge.com/

Playlist:

1. Flight (Philip Wilby)
2. Don't Doubt Him Now (Leonard Ballantine arr. Craig Woodland)
3. Devil Theory (Simon Dobson)
4. Swedish Folk Song (Traditional arr. Peter Graham)
5. Meiso (John Golland)
6. Napoli (Bellstedt arr. Andrew Owenson)
7. With Wings like Eagles (Rodney Newton)
8. Ave Verum Corpus (Mozart arr. Philip Sparke)
9. Beautiful Colorado (De Luca arr. Stanley Boddington)
10. My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose (Traditional arr. Stanley Boddington)
11. Streamline Peaks (Paul Lovatt-Cooper)
12. Share My Yoke (Joy Webb arr. Ivor Bosanko)
13. Carrickfergus (Traditional arr. Stephen Roberts)