*
banner

Iconic recordings added to Wobplay platform

Two outstanding Polyphonic releases from Grimethorpe Colliery and Williams Fairey Bands have been added to the Wobplay recording platform for brass band listeners to enjoy.

Recordings
  The outstanding recordings show bands at the peak of their form under their MDs

Two iconic brass band recordings from Grimethorpe Colliery and Williams Fairey Bands have been added to the wobplay.com recording platform.

Grimethorpe

An expert remastering of Grimethorpe's 1982 Polyphonic 'Firebird' release gives you the opportunity to revel in one of the most exciting LPs ever to be produced by the famous Yorkshire band under the baton of Ray Farr.

Not only can you enjoy his thrilling arrangement of 'Infernal Dance' of the ogre Kastche and the uplifting 'Final Hymn' from Stravinsky's famous ballet, but there are also two movements from Elgar Howarth's masterful appraisal of 'Baba Yaga' and 'Great Gate of Kiev' from Mussorgsky's 'Pictures at an Exhibition'.

All that and there are superb soloists in the form of Peter Roberts with his signature showcase 'On with the Motley', as well as Stan Lippeatt, Steve Sykes and Stan Priestly, and the fantastic concert opener, 'Midnight Sleighride'.

It's a brilliant recording topped by an album cover by award winning designer Hilary Scudder.

Two iconic brass band recordings from Grimethorpe Colliery and Williams Fairey Bands have been added to the wobplay.com recording platform4BR

Williams Fairey

The 1994 'Double Champions' recording on the Polyphonic label sees Williams Fairey Band at the peak of their powers under the baton of the legendary Major Peter Parkes.

This was the band that claimed the 1993 British Open title with stupendous performance Philip Wilby's 'Masquerade' (winning by a four-point margin), and the National Championship crown with an electrifying three-point winning rendition of 'The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea' by Derek Bourgeois.

You can hear the performances again here — the latter, the winning rendition from the Albert Hall on October 16th 1993.

All this and there some sparkling soloists in the form of David Welsh, Craig Bennett, Brett Baker and Sandy Smith.

Two fantastic recordings not to miss out on…

Find out more

Go to: https://wobplay.com/

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Presto CDs

Presto Music Collection: Six more to add to your playlist

January 1 • New and old CDs from David Childs and John Wilson to Black Dyke and Williams Fairey.


Richard Marshall

Marshall makes Riverside connection with baton

January 1 • Richard Marshall becomes part of the conducting team spearheading NASUWT Riverside in 2026.


RWCMD

New Year financial boost for RWCM&D

January 1 • The Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama gains nearly two million pounds in funding to help provide its core delivery of performance based music and drama.


Presidential role for Dame Errollyn Wallen CBE

January 1 • The critically acclaimed composer has become the new President of The Royal Society of Musicians.


Newstead Brass - Brett Baker

Saturday 17 January • St Wilfrid's Church, . Kirkby-in-Ashfield NG17 8LA


The Hepworth Band - New Year Concert

Sunday 25 January • Christ Church, New Mill, Holmfirth HD9 7ER


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Friday 6 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Saturday 7 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: London & Southern Counties Regional Championships

Saturday 21 March • Arts & Leisure Centre, Lytton Way, Stevenage SG1 1LZ


Tintwistle Band

January 1 • We have a vacancy for an Eb bass player to complete our bass section.. We are looking forward to competing in the 2nd section Midlands area contest in March 2026.. We rehearse Monday&Thursday 8-10pm in our own bandroom under the baton of our MD Jim Henson.


Croy Silver Band

January 1 • Croy Silver Band currently has contest vacancies on Cornet and Percussion, but is always happy to accommodate enthusiastic new players in any section of the band.


Welwyn Garden City Band

December 30 • We are a friendly & sociable Second Section Band with an eye on the 2026 Areas. We have vacancies for a FRONT ROW CORNET player and PERCUSSIONISTS.. Our MD is Will Douglas and we rehearse in Welwyn Garden City on Sunday evenings from 7.00-9.00pm.


Ian Porthouse


Cornet soloist, clinician, conductor and adjudicator


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd