CD: Musicals

BBW Editor David Childs reviews the latest release from The Household Troops Band of The Salvation Army

Since the early 20th Century, musical theatre has been a hugely popular genre of music. From the groundbreaking Show Boat (1927) to the more recent Wicked and Frozen (slated to join Broadway in 2018), ‘musicals’ successfully capture the imagination of the masses. So on the face of it, a great concept for a commercial disc.

The Household Troops Band is different from its SA counterparts in that it does not hold regular rehearsals and operates from a large pool of players. Despite this, under Bandmaster Carl Saunders the ensemble’s performance throughout the recording is of a reasonably high standard.

Jesus Christ Superstar opens the disc with great intensity before making way for Peter Graham’s popular arrangement, Aspects of Andrew Lloyd Webber, during which the lyrical solo cornet playing of Dan Robson is a particular highlight. Selections from Godspell, and When I Grow Up from Matilda expose an unconvincing swing style and, at times, insecure intonation, but nevertheless the toe-tapping melodic lines kept this listener’s attention.

Less successful is Symphonic Highlights from Frozen, which fails to effectively ‘highlight’ the Oscar-winning Let it go, whilst the less attractive Do You Want to Build a Snowman takes centre stage with a rather surreal tuba lead. The real highlights of the disc come in the form of Bring Him Home, sang with authenticity by vocal soloist, James Morley, and the fantastic arrangement of Breezin’ Down Broadway by the late Goff Richards.

The euphonium playing of David Taylor shines in Any Dream Will Do, and three ‘musical’ tracks from John Larsson bring something quite different to the table to complete a concept disc that, like many others, benefits from World of Sound’s high production values.

This CD is available to purchase online from World of Brass

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