*
banner

CD review: Bandstand

Lofthouse 2000 Brass Band
Conductor: Andrew Whitaker
KMJ Recordings: LOFTCD002

Lofthouse
stars
Lofthouse 2000 is a fine example of community band built on strong, sustainable foundations.

Ambition is tempered by Yorkshire realism, commitment and dedication.  The results achieved since their formation in 1999 correlate to solid incremental progression based on musical common sense, determined application and a fine MD at the helm.

Serve well

This celebratory CD of easy listening repertoire should therefore serve them well for the future (as did their first release ‘Trailblaze’ from 2011); with four classy soloists backed up by a variety of neatly picked tracks played by a balanced, warmly toned ensemble extended to the right side of its collective skill sets.

The sensible approach is heard from the off with the tempered approach to the march, ‘Round the Town’, the comedic spirit of ‘Caliph of Bagdad’ and the reflective tenderness of ‘Guardian of My Soul’.  

ELO’s classic ‘Mr Blue Sky’, Michael Buble’s ‘Haven’t Met You Yet’ and Mark Knopfler’s ‘Going Home’ show that great pop music can work very effectively for a brass band given the talents of understanding arrangers and a fair dollop of stylish playing intent, whilst ‘Albion Treasures’, ‘Band of Brothers’ and ‘Happy Birthday Rock’ make for distinctive contrasts. 

Hats off to the quartet of James Whitaker, Emily Fawthrop, Bob Blackburn and Mark Moorhouse, who each give solo performances of notable quality. 

Hats off

Hats off to the quartet of James Whitaker, Emily Fawthrop, Bob Blackburn and Mark Moorhouse, who each give solo performances of notable quality. 

All that and the neat inclusion of the hymn tune ‘Lofthouse’ and the quirky ‘Super Sam’ march (named after a brewery band with well known Yorkshire songs somewhat alcoholically weaved into the staves) will also make it easy to shift the CD for a price that won’t pinch too hard at the well known sensitivities of local Yorkshire pockets. 

And that’s another fine example of how to build on a strong, sustainable banding foundation.

Iwan Fox 


To purchase: https://www.lofthousebrassband.org.uk/product/bandstand/

Play list:

1. Round the Town (J.A. Greenwood)
2. Caliph of Bagdad (Boieldiu arr. W. Rimmer)
3. La Belle Americaine (J. Hartmann)
Cornet soloist: James Whitaker
4. Guardian of my Soul (Darren Shaw)
5. Mr Blue Sky (Jeff Lynne arr. C. Wormald)
6. Silver Threads Among the Gold (W.A. Allison)
Tenor Horn soloist: Emily Fawthrop
7. Haven’t Met You Yet (Buble, Chang and Foster arr. G. Somerset)
8. Going Home  (Knopfler arr. A. Fernie)
9. Band of Brothers (Kamen arr. Rieks van der Velde)
10. The Way We Were (Hamlisch arr. D. Barry)
Euphonium soloist: Bob Blackburn
11. Albion Treasures (Traditional arr. Gavin Somerset)
12. Esha Ness (Ben Hollings)
Soprano Cornet soloist: Mark Moorhouse
13. Lofthouse (Emily Fawthrop)
14. Super Sam (Clive Barraclough)
15. Happy Birthday Rock (arr. Bruce Jackson)

Support us for less than a cup of coffee...

4BR wants to ensure that the brass band movement remains vibrant and relevant. We also want to be able to question, challenge and critically examine those who run and play in it, producing high quality journalism that informs as well as entertains our readers.

So if like us you value a strong, independent perspective on the brass band world - then why not consider becoming a supporter and help make our future and that of a burgeoning brass band movement more secure.

So one less cappuccino then?

Support us    



Contest: Lower Sections 1-4 National Finals

Saturday 13 September • Cheltenham Racecourse, Evesham Road, Cheltenham GL50 4SH


Contest: Lower Sections 1-4 National Finals

Sunday 14 September • Cheltenham Racecourse, Evesham Road, Cheltenham. . *Please note as of 24th August 2023 the date is provisional according to Kapitol Promotions website GL50 4SH


Petworth Town Band - Petworth Town Band at Petworth Heritage weekend

Saturday 20 September • Centre of Petworth Town GU28 OAH


Cheltenham Silver Band - Holst Birthday Concert

Saturday 20 September • All Saints Church, All Saints Road, Pittville, Cheltenham GL52 2HG


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Grenadier Guards Big Band

Friday 26 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Chinnor Silver

September 11 • Our COMMUNITY BAND are meeting again on Monday (15th) and we would welcome any players who fancy joining us for a relaxed and friendly blow.. All abilities are welcome and meeting with us has no impact on your main band.. Cake and coffee included FREE


Epping Forest Band

September 11 • We have a solo horn vacancy to join our friendly 3rd section band. We have a sensible calendar of contests and concerts.. Situated with close links to the M11/M25 and Central line tube station, with our own band room.. Rehearsals Monday night 8-10pm.


Delph Band

September 9 • We are a friendly, hardworking North West 2nd Section band based in Saddleworth. Rehearsal nights are Mondays and Wednesdays, 8-10pm at Delph Band Club. We are currently looking to fill the following positions; Tutti Cornet, Percussion and Eb Bass.


Andy Wareham

BMus (Hons), MMus (Hons)
Conductor, Composer, Brass Tutor, Musicologist


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd