This week's 'Time for Brass' is, in David Coleman's famous phrase, a game of two halves.
The first is for my family, some of whom are staying with us at the moment. The rest, rather more than half actually, is my thanks to some of the bands who have sent me their own privately produced albums, some of them every bit as good as their commercial counterparts.
This is by no means an understatement of the support I receive from the major recording companies, Doyen, SP&S, Egon (all under the World of Brass banner), Polyphonic, Obrasso, Kirklees and the rest. Their involvement is the life-blood of a programme like "Time for Brass" and is deeply appreciated.
But when a band sends me an album it tells me a number of important things about bands and the people who enjoy their music. First, and most importantly, they are proud of what they are doing and want to share it.
Secondly they know about 'Time for Brass' and like it enough to want their band to be a part of it.
And thirdly that, alongside Dyke and ISB, Grimethorpe and Enfield Citadel, Fodens, Fairey, Eikanger, Stavanger and all the other big hitters there is a thriving body of brass musicianship that any community could be proud of. And, as I've said many times before, any community that has a band (of whatever section or no section at all) has inaudible heartbeat and that is a pearl of very great price and something that must be cherished.
30th May:
1. Semper St. Louis
Leyland
2. Hedwig's Theme
John Williams arr. Andrew Duncan
Sellers International
3. Tubby the Tuba
Tripp/ Kleisinger arr. Andrew Duncan
Sellers International
Soloist: Gavin Woods
Narrator: Thom Meredith
4. Nellie the Elephant
Butler and Hart arr. M.Pearce
Emley Brass Band
5. Fantasy on British Sea Songs
Henry Wood arr. Denis Wright
Whitworth Vale & Healey Veterans Band
6. The Pitman
J.A. Greenwood
Wingates
7. Men of Harlech (A Celtic Suite)
Philip Sparke
Tongwynlais Temperance Band
8. Yorkshire Water Music
Darrol Barry
Clifton & Lightcliffe Band
9. It's All Right With Me
Cole Porter arr. Brevick
Nidaros Band
10. Serenade
Derek Bourgeois
Sun Life Reunion Band
11. Send in the Clowns
Sondhim arr. Alan Fernie
Boobs & Brass
Soloist: John Lee
12. Hymns of Praise
Goff Richards
Cornwall Youth Band
