Reviewed by Trevor Kirk

The comment of Sir Thomas Beecham, "Brass bands are perfectly all right in their place: outside, and several miles away", is not one to which I subscribe. And when I listen to a CD such as this, I wonder why Beecham disliked them so much. There really is something quintessentially British about a brass band, whether it be Black Dyke Mills, Grimethorpe, Brighouse & Rastrick, or this highly accomplished Salvationist ensemble, who at the time of writing this review are touring the USA. The Household Troops Band was formed in 1887 and the unusual thing about them is that they don't wear the traditional Salvation Army uniforms; instead, they sport white pith helmets, red tunics and blue trousers, which makes them look at first glance like refugees from the Royal Marines. As for the music, it is very British indeed; arrangements of traditional folk melodies, hymn tunes and old-time gospel songs, along with original pieces by Salvationist composers such as Ray Steadman Allen, Norman Bearcroft and Robert Redhead, and some mainstream classical music, including William Walton's "Spitfire Prelude & Fugue", written for the Battle of Britain film The First Of The Few. The musicianship is absolutely top notch throughout, ensemble is equally excellent under the able direction of Bandmaster Major John Mott, and admirers of brass instrument virtuosity should give their shell-likes a treat by getting hold of this, because it is truly a cracking example of its kind.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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