The International Staff Band of the Salvation Army
Conductor: Staff Bandmaster Dr Stephen Cobb
SPS Recordings: SPS 449 CD

For over 30 years as Bandmaster of the International Staff Band of the Salvation Army, Dr Stephen Cobb has been an enlightened curator of its rich library of banding repertoire.

For this latest release he brings together old and new compositional voices in a blended programme of inspirations; some bold and modern, others reflective and traditional. 

Informed inspiration

It makes for an informed thread of inspiration – from homage to explorative, all presented with a cultured appreciation by the conductor and rich tonality by his ensemble. 

Works then from imposing SA figures such as Ray Steadman-Allen, Leslie Condon, William Himes and Brian Bowen, to lesser known figures (to this reviewer) such as Thomas Rive, the current generation of Paul Sharman and Kevin Larsson and those whose Salvationist roots are now less directedly connected, such as Edward Gregson and Peter Graham.

A touch of the unexpected also with Steadman-Allen’s remarkable discourse on ‘Kum ba Yah’ – which is as far from a happy clappy sing-along round a scouting campfire than you could ever imagine.

Bowen’s ‘The Southern Cross’  sets out the pathway; a quirky festival march with an upbeat connective pulse between musical hemispheres. A touch of the unexpected also with Steadman-Allen’s remarkable discourse on ‘Kum ba yah’ – which is as far from a happy clappy sing-along round a scouting campfire than you could ever imagine.

Imaginative series

Leslie Condon’s ‘Fairfield Fantasia’  is a boldy imaginative series of episodes expertly developed from the source of the ‘Old Hundredth’  – a flourish of intriguing detours, in part dramatic and joyful, before tender and zippily triumphant to close. 

Elsewhere, William Himes provides a flowing processional that builds in intensity and evangelical backbeat passion with ‘Faith Walk’,  whilst Thomas Rive’s ‘I Know a Fount’  is an extended study in traditional compositional craftsmanship, serious and symphonic in tone and scope.    

Thomas Rive’s ‘I Know a Fount’ is an extended study in traditional compositional craftsmanship, serious and symphonic in tone and scope.    

Paul Sharman provides a brace of ‘on trend’ works with ‘Fanfare and Prelude on Denmark Hill’  (named after the area around the SA’s UK Training College) and ‘Living Word’,  which neatly blends a trio of settings of the hymn tune ‘Lathbury’.  The immediacy and sprightly rhythmic energy of ‘Called to Serve’  by Kevin Larsson is also very much of the here and now in structure and effect.

Two cross over works also add to the inclusive nature of the release: Edward Gregson's ‘A Song for Bram’  first heard at the RNCM Brass Band Festival in 2023 and ‘Triquetra’,  premiered and recorded by Black Dyke in 2023, which rounds off a thoroughly engaging and quality produced release.

Iwan Fox

To purchase:

CD: https://www.worldofbrass.com/102156

Download: https://www.worldofbrass.com/102156-download

Wobplay: http://www.wobplay.com

Play list:

1. The Southern Cross (Brian Bowen)
2. Living Word (Pail Sharman)
3. Fanfare and Prelude on Denmark Hill (Paul Sharman)

4. Called to Serve (Kevin Larsson)
5. A Song for Bram (Edward Gregson)
6. I Know a Fount (Thomas Rive)

7. Faith Walk (William Himes)
8. Fairfield Fantasia (Leslie Condon)
9. Kum ba yah (Ray Steadman-Allen)

10. Triquetra (Peter Graham)