CD Review: And The Band Played On, The Music of Goff Richards (Volume Two) by Fodens Band
For the latest review of a 'CD I found at the back of the shelf' I turn to one which, when I was younger, I nearly wore out through excessive usage, but thought I’d lost a long time ago. Combining the talents of two of banding’s giants “And the Band Played On” features Foden’s Band, under the baton of Garry Cutt, playing the music of the legendary Goff Richards.
Released in 2005 as Volume Two of the music of Goff Richards, the tracklist showcases the composers’ range of styles and, whilst it features some of his most well known pieces, what I love is that it also features several pieces I’ve never heard played anywhere else. It’s probably also worth confessing that despite owning this CD for years, it was only when I started writing this review that I realised it was ‘Volume Two’ - rest assured I will be locating and listening to Volume One (recorded by the late, great Richard Evans and the then BNFL Band) as soon as possible.
Behold the Power of Goff
Northern Festival is a ‘typical Goff’ arrangement, melding together several folk songs from the North of England. Whether it’s because this reminds me of summer holidays as a child, singing these songs in the back of my Grandparents car (both of whom were from Yorkshire) or if it's simply because it’s catchy, this is my personal favourite track. Including Blaydon Races, Scarborough Fair, Hail Smiling Morn and Ilkley Moor Baht ’at, the arrangement is light, bright, brisk and knitted together beautifully.
Another evocative number, Mythic Trevithick, is a musical telling of the story of Cornish engineer Richard Trevithick and the first journey of his road steam locomotive ‘Puffing Devil’ in 1801. Utilising a variety of musical techniques, the composer is able to create a clear narrative of the locomotive travelling up Camborne Hill.
The Aeronauts, a classic of the contest circuit, is presented with the vim and vigour befitting such an energetic piece and is, in this writer’s opinion, the composer’s best. It allows the band to demonstrate its technical ability, whilst utilising gorgeous melodic lines as a tool for storytelling. A Special Place, written for the Children’s Hospice South West presents Mark Wilkinson the perfect platform to showcase effortless, lyrical playing as well as being a platform for fundraising for the Hospice. Hymns of Praise cleverly weaves together a number of church favourites and always gets me singing along. The pizzicato bass line in Blaenwern is one of my favourite things in any band piece and the whole thing again just brings back memories of my childhood.
Mozart’s Elvira Madigan Theme is thoughtfully arranged here as a tenor horn feature and neatly showcases the mellifluous voice of the tenor horn. Buffalo Bill Bonanza is certainly exciting, evoking images of the ‘Old West’, but does contain one particular passage which, I suspect, would need to be cut if it were to feature on a programme in the 21st Century. Bill Bailey (no, not that one) Won’t You Please Come Home is a rip-roaring arrangement of a Dixieland Standard and I love the two handbrake turns into ¾ time, as well as the hints of ‘show me the way to go home’ in the closing bars.
A more reflective mood can be found in the form of an evocative rendition of Cantabile, performed beautifully by Glyn Williams, and an equally gorgeous Largo, by Handel. The arrangements of Marching Through Georgia and And The Band Played On are stylistic takes on two famous tunes whilst Dark Haired Marie, does likewise for a less well known song and provides another platform for Mark Wilkinson to showcase his talents.
Of course a band CD wouldn’t be complete without a classic march, and Camberley, with a dash of swagger and a pinch of Punchinello more than fulfils that brief. Marchamba does exactly what it says on the tin. One minute a standard march item on a proms concert, with snippets of famous British naval tunes, the next it’s sipping piña coladas in The Caribbean. It's absolute genius.
All about balance
When doing a review, it’s important to offer a balanced opinion. You shouldn’t be negative for the sake of it and equally you shouldn’t be too effusive. But this is the music of Goff Richards, a man who, as far as I’m concerned, wrote no bad music. This is a fun, technical, well balanced CD programme showcasing him at his very best through an impeccable performance by Fodens. I appreciate that such things come down to personal taste and that not everyone will like everything. On this occasion though? I really do.
Current Availability
This CD is still available to purchase from several online suppliers and is best priced on World of Brass for the of £13.95.
- Camberley - Goff Richards
- Mythic Trevithick - Goff Richards
- Elvira Madigan Theme (Tenor Horn Feature) - Mozart arr. Goff Richards
- And The Band Played On - Richard Thompson arr. Goff Richards
- Cantabile - Paganini arr. Goff Richards
- Bill Bailey Won't You Please Come Home - Hughie Cannon arr. Goff Richards
- The Aeronauts - Goff Richards
- A Special Place - Goff Richards
- A Buffalo Bill Bonanza - Goff Richards
- Hymns Of Praise - Goff Richards
- Northern Festival - Goff Richards
- Dark-Haired Marie (Dark Haired Marie) - arr. Goff Richards
- Marching Through Georgia - Henry Clay Work arr. Goff Richards
- Largo - Handel arr. Goff Richards
- Marchamba - Goff Richards
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