Tidings of Great Joy
Brighouse & Rastrick Band
Conductor: Derek Broadbent 
Producer: John Briley
Transatlantic/Logo: GO (E) 332

The respected conductor, arranger and adjudicator, Derek Broadbent recently discussed his long and varied musical career on the Smith & Grezzy ‘Big Chat Brass’ podcast. 

His is an autobiography of a different era, although not one recalled through the rose-tinted lens of mythologised nostalgia. His opinions on what ails the present banding generation were pertinent and crystal clear.

What remained a constant theme however was his insistence on excellence (from rehearsals to performance), as well as his opinion that bands have to continue to look outwards in their musical communication.

A small example of what he talked about is this festive release from 1978.

Tick-box EP

On the face of it ‘Tidings of Great Joy’  is a traditional brass band tick-box EP (even the sleeve image), released at a time when the West Riding outfit was still enjoying widespread media coverage in the wake of the ‘The Floral Dance’  pop-chart single, which in late 1977 was only kept off the Number 1 spot by Paul McCartney. 

‘The Floral Dance’ LP was released in January 1978. It meant that Brighouse was in demand performing in concerts, promotional events and appearing on television, to the extent that in the February they withdrew from the Yorkshire Area Championships.

‘The Floral Dance’  LP was released in January 1978. It meant that Brighouse was in demand performing in concerts, promotional events and appearing on television, to the extent that in the February they withdrew from the Yorkshire Area Championships.  They also spent time returning to the recording studio with the LP ‘Love You a Little Bit More’  released in the September.

All featured Derek Broadbent’s clever arrangements, hallmarked by a musician whose career skill-set enabled him to structure and style a simple tune into a coherent bite-sized whole – from the iconic pop hit to little gems such as ‘The Girl with the Flaxen Hair’,  ‘The Lincolnshire Poacher’,  ‘Strawberry Fair’  and many more.

High standards

‘Tidings of Great Joy’  continued to ride the remaining wave of interest into the lucrative Christmas market for novelty records that still made a mark on the buying public at the time.  It was no cheaply produced rush job though, and with the band having been crowned British Open Champion in the September, playing and production standards were high. 

It is unashamedly traditional in one sense, but also bang on the money in commercial terms too – expertly maintaining the band’s profile with music that all the family can enjoy together.  

The gatefold releases featured four traditional carols (two on each side): ‘O Come All Ye Faithful’,  ‘It Came Upon A Midnight Clear’,  ‘The Rocking Carol’ and ‘Silent Night’.   The words were printed on the cover to ensure people could sing along to Derek’s warm, melodic arrangements, with just the right amount of joyful ear-catching sparkle. 

It is unashamedly traditional in one sense, but also bang on the money in commercial terms too (with a 'To' and 'From' Xmas present message insert)  – expertly maintaining the band’s profile with music that all the family can enjoy together.  

Nearly half a century after it was released, and thanks to Derek Broadbent’s quality as an arranger, it’s a timely reminder that brass bands can still make a mark with the general public.

Malcolm Wood 

Tracks:
O Come All Ye Faithful
It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
The Rocking Carol
Silent Night

To enjoy Derek Broadbent in conversation with Sandy Smith and Simon Gresswell:
Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ia46zfXEIc
Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=FdpiZI0y8ys