Grimethorpe Entertain

CD of the Month: Simon Cowen, Principal Trombone Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, reviews the latest release from the British Open Champions

Grimethorpe Entertain
Grimethorpe Colliery Band
Conductor: Robert Childs
Prima Vista Musikk PVM001

Every once in an extended while, a brass band recording that is about far more than just the band itself comes along. Here we have a new release that has depth of meaning beyond sound, fanfares, soloistic acrobatics and self-promotion.

Grimethorpe Entertain is a very thoughtful mixture of compassionately arranged works - many paying tribute to the men and women who dedicated their lives during both World wars - plus a selection of new and resplendent compositions written by a pedigree of brilliant young composers on the scene right now. To whet our appetites, Grimethorpe serves up a scintillating rendition of Karl King's The Melody Shop and this Goliath of a band proves its reputation for brilliance with a balanced body of monumental sound and sheer excitement. Meanwhile Lest We Forget, Christopher Bond's beautifully poignant commemoration of the centenary of World War I, delivers a haunting and melancholic portrayal of life during these despairing years.

There's always a slight concern when a classically trained musician turns their hand to the prodigious world of jazz, yet in the hands of solo trombone, Chris Gomersall, these concerns are instantaneously buried as the soloist establishes his understanding of this genre with a magnificent rendition of Chaplin's Smile, in which he enriches with his melodious brilliance and wondrous sound.

Karl Jenkins receives a wonderful dedication on this new release with two stunning performances
- his reflective masterpiece, For The Fallen and the magnificent Suite from Gloria, both thoughtfully and beautifully arranged by the band's conductor, Robert Childs.

Next up a refreshing and flamboyant tribute to the big band era, although perhaps an over-egged use of 'cornet rips' detracts somewhat on this occasion.

There is so much to admire and relish on Grimethorpe’s new release. Michael Dodd, Kevin Crockford and Michael Cavanagh all mesmerise with their mellifluous ingenuity, and there are no fewer than eight original and alluring compositions. A real gem amongst these is Ben Hollings's The Spirit Within - a unique and bewitching composition that extracts the very best out of the brass band with undeniably exquisite sonority and the richest of harmonies.

Grimethorpe Entertain is a fresh and ingenious première recording from Prima
Vista Musikk. This world-famous band delivers everything and more to keep us gripped
and utterly spellbound. A triumph of sheer magnitude with a heartfelt bow to the heroes lost.

Programme 5/5
Performance 5/5
Recording 5/5
Presentation 5/5