Grimethorpe Colliery Band
Conductor: James Gourlay
Doyen: DOY CD 275
Total playing time: 72.26

Hymn tunes played by a brass band have always been popular, as witnessed by the various reincarnations of Grimethorpe’s own recording 'The Rugged Cross'.

In the LP era, running time was limited, and earlier offerings tended to consist of straightforward performances of two or three verses of a hymn.

Salvation Army repertoire

This latest release from Grimethorpe under the baton of James Gourlay draws exclusively from Salvation Army repertoire, with a combination of arrangements designed for congregational use and settings intended for performance by the band as part of its contribution to worship services.

Although the words are not included, the extensive notes by Paul Hindmarsh help to put each item in context.

Old wine in new bottles

Several of the arrangements are taken from an ongoing series combining accompaniments for more recent songs together with fresh settings of long-established favourites.

Whilst these can revitalise a hymn that may be at risk of becoming a little stale, there will no doubt be some who would prefer a more traditional setting, with the familiar harmonies or counter-melodies, and without the accompanying drum kit, as may be the case with both 'Who is on the Lord’s side?' and 'Cwm Rhondda'.

Adapting modern worship songs

It has to be said that some of the more modern worship songs are not particularly conducive to a brass band treatment, a lot depending on the skill of the arranger, together with the flexibility of the performers, to bring it off successfully.

On the whole such selections included here come off quite well, despite some reservations over the suitability of such an intimate song as Matt Redman’s 'When the Music Fades'.

From choral to congregational

William Booth, the founder of The Salvation Army, was very suspicious of choirs, and the formation of Songster Brigades trailed some way after the bands.

One thing he was keen on, though, was that a key role of the new brigades was to introduce new music to the congregation, and many of The Salvation Army’s most popular congregational songs were originally published for songster brigades.

Falling into this category are such varied songs as 'His Provision', 'Share my Yoke' and 'To God be the Glory'.

The former is presented in Ivor Bosanko’s own setting, with demanding parts for both solo cornet and euphonium, which benefit from the sensitive touch of Rob Westacott and Michael Dodd respectively.

Rob is also featured as sympathetic soloist in both 'Share my Yoke' and 'Someone Cares'.

Gems from the past

There are a number of older works included, and it is particularly good to have Wilfred Heaton’s early setting of  'Martyn', Charles Skinner’s 'Penlan' and Keith Griffin’s refined version of 'St Columba'.

Committed performances

The band is in good form throughout, and it is good to have such committed and perceptive readings of this varied repertoire.

With melody in abundance, there are ample opportunities for the band to shine, and they produce a full, rounded sound, right up to the majestic closing bars of 'Jerusalem' (arr Jakeway).

Whilst the variety of arrangements and settings does make for a listenable programme, it may well be that the listener will prefer to select a few tracks at a time, rather than listen to the disc straight through.

Either way, there is much enjoyment to be had here.

Peter Bale

Contents

1. Who is on the Lord's Side? (Rachie), Caradog Roberts, arr. Richard Phillips, 2.34
2. His Provision, Ivor Bosanko, 4.30
3. I Vow to Thee, My Country (Thaxted), Gustav Holst, arr. Ray Steadman-Allen, 2.20
4. There is a Redeemer, Melody Green, arr. Leonard Ballantine, 2.20
5. A Gaelic Blessing, John Rutter, arr. Ray Steadman-Allen, 1.51����� �����
6. Someone Cares, John Larsson, arr. Ray Steadman-Allen, Rob Westacott (Cornet), 3.32
7. Martyn, Wilfred Heaton, 3.04
8. Cwm Rhondda, John Hughes, arr. Richard Phillips, 1.50
9. The Potter's Hand, Darlene Zschech, arr. Trevor Davis, 4.20�����
10. Penlan, Charles Skinner, 4.01�����
11. King of Kings, Majesty, Jarrod Cooper, arr. Dean Jones, 2.37
12. Mid all the Traffic (Shenandoah), Leonard Ballantine, 2.58
13. In Christ Alone, Keith Getty and Stuart Townend, arr. Dean Jones, 3.53
14. St. Columba, Keith Griffin, 3.32
15. The Power of Your Love, Geoff Bullock, arr. Richard Phillips, 3.24
16. To God be the Glory, Chris Mallett, arr. Howard Evans, 3.03
17. Share My Yoke, Joy Webb, arr. Ivor Bosanko, Rob Westacott (Cornet), 3.47
18. When the Music Fades (The Heart of Worship), Matt Redman, arr. Leonard Ballantine, 3.29
19. Consecration Hymn, W H Jude, arr. Ray Steadman-Allen, 2.51
20. Light of the World (Here I am to Worship), Tim Hughes, arr. Nicholas Samuel, 3.14
21. Margaret, Peter Graham, 2.55
22. Jerusalem, Hubert H. Parry, arr. Albert Jakeway, 2.47