Reviewed by Stella Redburn The 13 mostly instrumental tracks reflect a variety of moods, from the traditional opening march "The Defenders" to quieter numbers, like "Coming Home", which features the hymn "Softly And Tenderly Jesus Is Calling". All the pieces are beautifully played, many featuring soloists from the band, like "The Call Of Christ", where cornet soloist Craig Snell captures just the right unselfconscious, gracious feel of the music. I also loved the velvety euphonium solo from John Starkes in "The Ransomed Host", which then launches into an astonishing fast section. The album was released to celebrate Boscombe Band's 125th year, and bandmaster Howard J Evans has written a new piece for the anniversary called "Joy Through The Ages", which includes the song "How Wonderful, How Marvellous". A more extended piece is "Lord Of The Sea" by Ray Steadman-Allen, with its three movements. Also included is "The Eternal Presence" by Eric Ball, an English composer who wrote exclusively for brass bands. The CD continues the grand tradition of wonderful Salvation Army music, with the stirring side-by-side with sensitive tracks.
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