The Burbage Band (Buxton) has a long and proud history, and even though it cannot boast a CV of contesting achievements to match the most famous bands in the world, it has notched up quite a few successes along its way since 1861. 

In the last few years under MD Steve Critchlow they have risen from the depths of the Midlands Area Fourth Section to become a highly competitive First Section outfit - claiming a brace of Area titles and promotions along the way.

Enjoyable showcase

This 2018 recording is an enjoyable showcase based on a strong thematic line that does what it says on the tin and which will have surely have sold well at concerts throughout the year.

Neatly produced and performed there is something for everyone to enjoy - from the opening ‘633 Squadron’ to the closing ‘Lord of the Dance’.    

In between we get a wide variety of filmatic inspiration; from the rousing ‘Battle of Rorke’s Drift’ from the classic film ‘Zulu’ to the delicacy of ‘One Fine Day’ from Puccini’s ‘Madame Butterfly’ played with tenderness by soprano cornet Nathan Gratton.

​Neatly produced and performed there is something for everyone to enjoy - from the opening ‘633 Squadron’ to the closing ‘Lord of the Dance’.    

Lyrical leads

The familiar modern day catchiness of the likes of ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’, ‘Happy’ and ‘Alice in Wonderland’ are lively and fun, whilst Carl Gartside and Laura Critchlow are fine lyrical leads with their solo spots on ‘Nessun Dorma’ and ‘On My Own’.

From ‘The Deer Hunter’ to ‘Skyfall’, ‘Mama Mia’ to ‘Forest Gump’ with plenty of popcorn fun in-between, the band plays with purposeful determination and a great deal of stylish intent.  

Dr. Jim Fox

Playlist:

To purchase: http://www.burbageband.co.uk/new-cd/

1. 633 Squadron (Goodman arr. by D. Barry)
2. Pirates of the Caribbean (Badelt & Zimmer arr. by D. Barry)
3. One Fine Day (Puccini arr. by G. Richards)
Soloist: Nathan Gratton
4. Alice in Wonderland (Elfman arr. by F. Bernaerts)
5. Nessun Dorma (Puccini arr. H. Snell)
Soloist: Carl Gartside
6. The Battle or Rorke’s Drift (Berry arr. R. Thorne)
7. Cavatina (Myers arr. D. Broadbent)
8. Happy (P. Williams arr. M. Brown)
9. On My Own (Schonberg arr. D. Barry)
Soloist: Laura Critchlow
10. Mamma Mia Soundtrack (Anderson & Ulvaeus arr. F. Bernaerts)
11. Memory from ‘Cats’ (Lloyd Webber arr. G. Richards)
12. Skyfall (Arkins arr. P. Sparke)
13. Feather Theme (Silvestri arr. by S. Smith)
14. Lord of the Dance (Hardiman arr. G. Somerset)