Brion / Royal Artillery Band
Music For Wind Band Vol.6

Arguably the most diverse in the Music For Wind Band series with examples of many types of his works. The disc opens with the jolly and sprightly ragtime piece "Easter Monday on the White House Lawn" which replaced the previous finale of "Tales of a Traveller" found on vol 4 and is immediately followed by a rare Funeral march that is so powerful as to make the dead come to life and march to his music. The suite "Three Quotations has wonderful rhythmic cadences with the syncopatic finale ggiving the impression that one is iin darkest Africa. There are three other standout tracks the first being the arrangement of "The Liberty Bell" featured here with its bell solo and better use of light and shade breathing new life into this classic.Also featured is another of his stand alone waltzes - this time titled "La Reine de la Mer" dedicated to his wife - queen of the sea and finally "The Chariot Race" whereby one can actually visualise Roman Chariots racing each other. Difficult to pick the best tracks as there are so many of them and some are of the equal of others but perhaps my selections may give yuo ann ides oof this disc''s quality. 1. march "The Lberty Bell; 2. march "The Golden Star; 3. "The Chariot Race", 4. "Three Quotations", 5. "The Federal March". John McMullen