Reviewed by Ian Hayter

With a vaguely Christmassy air (several of the tunes are seasonal favourites) this CD has a dozen tracks composed by several of the Salvation Army's best composers and arrangers (Joy Webb, Ivor Bosanko, Leslie Condon et al) and played by the magnificent Band Of The Coldstream Guards. Although Salvation Army bands are "pure" brass bands and military bands usually use woodwind as well, the performance brilliantly captures the sound of the Sally Army. Kicking off with Henry Goffin's 1928 march "The Red Shield" (referring to the badge of the SA), there is a good selection of marches and other arrangements. The American Stephen Bulla's "The Proclamation Of Christmas" has an uplifting jazz feel to it with several carols woven into the music, and perennial children's favourite "A Starry Night" by The Joystrings' founder Joy Webb also makes a welcome appearance. The set closes with "Time To Shine", Australian Andrew Mackereth's Busby Berkeley-style arrangement of "Jesus Bids Us Shine" (with a couple of witty quotes from the Neighbours theme tune and "Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport"). Basically, what you've got here is the best bandsmen playing the best compositions, and you can't go wrong with that.

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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