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That's Entertainment from the BBBC
These two fine releases by one of the world’s most remarkable brass combinations are a perfect indication of the levels of virtuosity and versatility possessed by the Brass Band of Battle Creek.
Both discs contain eclectic programs, ranging from Wagner to Philip Sparke, Tchaikovsky to Irving Berlin, with a good helping of lighter repertoire and some of the most incredible solo playing you could ever hope to hear thrown in for good measure.
Live 1 comprises recordings from concerts between 1994 and 2002, during which personnel changes in the band would have been numerous. Although fabulous technique is displayed throughout the performances, the sound produced has, naturally, American characteristics, with a fairly bright trumpet tone predominant in the upper band. Needless to say, this is balanced by powerful and incisive trombones and tubas, which, when mixed with the traditionally “British” sounding saxhorns, results in an overall band sound that tis truly unique. In Shostakovich’s Festive Overture and Tchaikovsky’s March from the “Pathetique Symphony”, these characteristics contribute greatly to two remarkable displays.
Year of the Dragon receives an accomplished performance, in which the excellent solo work is matched by near flawless ensemble. The real highlights of this collection, however, lie in the solos. Peter Roberts contributes an outstanding On With The Motley, Woody English is in reflective mood in I’d Rather Have Jesus and we hear some pretty amazing jazz playing from Chris Jaudes, Danny Barber and Andy Tichenor in Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy from Company BBBC!
Despite all the quality on display, the disc is actually worth the purchase price for one piece alone, Lover Man by Ramirez, performed by the legendary Wycliffe Gordon. With apparent ease, he makes his trombone speak, sing, laugh and cry, and the listener gets the impression that he could do whatever he wanted with it. Truly incredible!
Live 2 was recorded at the NABBA Gala Concert in 2002 and it opens with Olympic Fanfare by John Williams. We hear another accomplished performance from Philip Sparke’s collection in Harmony Music, in which it is interesting to hear the contrast between the styles of the American and British soloists, especially in the cadenza section, but the band handles the technicalities of the music very well in an energetic performance under Howard Snell.
There’s more dazzling solo work on this disc, with more of the same from Danny Barber and Chris Jaudes in Well, Get It, Steven Mead showing us how easy Napoli can sound, Alain Trudel doing likewise with Arthur Pryor’s Blue Bells of Scotland and Tim Morrison at his lyrical best in Concierto de Aranjuez, all of whom are once again put in the shade by the inevitable demonstration of genius by Wycliffe Gordon in Duke Ellington’s Black and Tan Fantasy.
If you haven’t heard this band before, take these opportunities to do so. You will hear a truly unique brass band playing a captivating program of music, some of which is very familiar to us and some that suspends belief. |
