CD Review: The King's Crusader by The International Staff Band of The Salvation Army
It's been a while since I've reviewed a CD I'd forgotten I owned for this, my ever-snappy series 'CD's I forgot I'd got'. In some ways it's quite a difficult label to assign because, one way or another, I listen to most of my recordings most days. I also have the kind of memory that doesn't retain anything important but does hold on to stacks of utterly useless information - just like the CDs I've bought over the years and when and where I purchased them. On reflection, then, I've set myself up for failure.
On this occasion however, it was an easy label to assign. I don't remember how I came to possess The King's Crusader. I found it when sorting and moving my music cupboard recently. I know who the original owner was, as their name is written on the inside, and that gives some indication as to the circumstances in which it came to be in my collection but beyond that, I was going into this one completely blind. I didn't recognise it, I've never listened to it, and I didn't know any of the pieces on it. Still, I'm glad I found this CD though, and decided to review it. Reviewing it meant I had to listen to it. And by listening to it I discovered that it is, to use the technical term, an absolute belter.
First Impressions
First impressions are everything and the cover is a little dated now which is understandable for a recording that's 36 years old. The colour tone and picture itself, which features decidedly 80’s-looking cars behind the band, add to this effect. It's very similar to the covers on vinyl recordings and perhaps that’s not surprising considering it was released in 1989. With the first CD being created in 1983, and the popularity of the format growing through the decade I wonder whether this was originally to be released on vinyl, but then changed to CD. You can't deny though that the cover 'does what it says on the tin' and you know that it is a Salvation Army band playing the music of Ray Bowes.
The Track List
Rather unconventionally the track list begins with a solo, Rhapsody for Cornet and Band, performed by David Daws. It’s a beautiful way to start and this melancholic, reflective work, built around the carol ‘A Christmas Lullaby’, sets the tone for the whole album and perfectly showcases the sublime talents of the soloist. We then move into an Air Varie, Joyous Song. A mysterious opening passage opens up into bold brass playing, with snippets of half familiar tunes which conjure images in the mind of sweeping plains and cityscapes. There are shades of Dvořák and Beethoven in this quite stunning composition. We then take another change of mood, relaxing into Jesus Loves Me. Released for sale by SP&S in 1990 and so presumably unpublished at the time of recording this is a simple tune woven into an incredibly evocative arrangement. There’s nothing earth shattering in Bowes’ approach here, it is just really well scored music that never stops moving and maintains a sense of hope and purpose. It’s going somewhere and has a reason for doing so. This sense of reflection is then bowled out of the way by the big, bold and bright opening of Winterthur Centenary. Featuring references to the tune ‘Salvation, O the joyful sound’, this is an unashamedly classic march that, while bouncing along like a good march should, is once again extremely descriptive under the surface. It also allows the bottom end of the ISB to open up in a really fruity way which I, personally, love.
We then arrive at the main event, the title track, The King’s Crusader. It starts with a big and bold opening, and as it progresses allows the band to demonstrate once more its exceptional technical playing but, perhaps more impressively, its control, poise and restraint in the quieter passages. It contains sweeping storytelling interspersed with pops of colour from exquisite solo playing and snippets of half familiar hymn tunes. I love the way Ray Bowes weaves these in, you just begin to recognise them, and then they disappear again. The one recognisable tune is ‘Rachie’ in the final movement where again, you think “this is how the piece is going to finish” before, once more, being swept off in a totally different direction. This is exceptional writing and, I think, would make a brilliant test piece. The Invincibles is a tidy little number, opening with fanfare that is theatrical and bright before giving way to quite a steady road march. Again there’s a misdirect when the bass solo doesn’t go where you think it should. I don’t think it’s one you could march to, but I think that’s probably the point. We then have a mood change from Youth’s Ambition. A bright, hoe-down style opening sets the tone for an upbeat and bouncy piece. Built around the Salvation Army choruses 'I want to live right that God may use me', 'Make me a blessing to someone today' and 'I want to tell you what the Lord has done’ it makes for a rousing singalong. Next up is the cornet solo Lord Show Me What I Need featuring current ISB Bandmaster, Dr Stephen Cobb. His sound and style is brighter than David Daws’, but no less sweet or elegant. I’m too young to know but I can imagine these two players dovetailing beautifully together within a cornet section. The solo again has a sense of melancholy or uncertainty to it. It’s short, it’s sweet and it’s absolutely stunning.
Crown of Gold opens brightly, bouncing into a first movement, full of swagger and snippets of the hymn tune ‘Marching on in the Light of God’ before dissolving away into a, now familiar, reflective, melancholic second movement featuring beautiful working of ‘There is a Happy Land’. It utilises a constant sense of forward motion, not unlike ‘The Swan’ from The Carnival of The Animals. The third movement bursts into life with a drum roll and bright fanfare, layered with intricate background writing, leading into a minor-key section that features ‘Miles Lane’ and a quite magnificent demonstration of trombone sectional playing. Just when a bold, brassy finish seems inevitable, Bowes yet again swerves away briefly before returning again to ‘Miles Lane' and a powerful, chordal conclusion; clever and masterful writing. We then move nicely into A Light Came out of Darkness which is typical of Ray Bowes as I now know him to be. This arrangement of ‘The Crimson Stream’ is moody, melancholic, and reflective. It’s quite challenging and really makes you think. It allowed the ISB to once again put on a stunning display of controlled playing, before gently resolving into the final chord. The final solo item of the recording, Song of Triumph features the inimitable Derick Kane on euphonium. The solo begins in bold and brassy fashion before the main theme ‘Oh my Jesus, my Jesus, how charming is thy name’ begins. The solo flows through multiple, detailed and intricate variations, showing off the soloist at his elegant and technically brilliant best. It’s straight up virtuosic playing. I used to love watching Derick Kane perform, his style always seemed to me to demonstrate ‘restrained flamboyance’. It always felt like he was having a great time and being totally comfortable in his surroundings but always let the music come first. A simply fabulous soloist. The CD closes with Sunshine Mountain, an air varie featuring a simple chorus ‘Climb, climb up sunshine mountain’. This is, I think, a fairly familiar tune to listeners but regardless Bowe’s treatment of it is sublime, taking a simple melody and weaving it into something pretty magical. To me the structure of the piece feels like a journey by ship, starting with the opening and first variation with bright, flowing writing with fanfare-like passages, giving way into more uncertain second variation which builds and moves like a rough sea. The third movement brings a sense of reassurance and concludes with triumphant trombone sounds. The piece provides a fine, fine ending to a brilliant musical journey across the recording.
Conclusion
This review is much longer than I’d usually write for a CD, but I’ve been so moved by this recording that I couldn’t help myself. I make no apologies however for waxing lyrical about the talents of Ray Bowes, and indeed the ISB under his baton. What might seem at first glance like a rather plain and unassuming Salvation Army release turns out to be anything but. The music is bold, rich, and emotionally complex and is perhaps the best ISB recording I’ve ever listened to.
Bowe’s music feels refreshingly modern while deeply rooted in tradition. His writing is distinctive, colourful, and at times cinematic featuring sweeping chords, Wagner-esque drama, hints of Beethoven and Dvořák, and an unmistakable emotional depth. There’s even, I think, a subtle echo of Christmas music threading its way through several of his works. Whether intentional or not, it adds to the sense that there is something deeply personal and searching at the heart of his music; a kind of spiritual melancholy or yearning.
The band themselves rise to the challenge magnificently. The music demands clarity, warmth, boldness, restraint, and a full palette of emotion and they deliver on every front. As with all Salvation Army music, every piece is built on a foundation of hymn tunes and words, and while some of those may be unfamiliar, that doesn’t diminish the experience in the slightest. In fact, it enhances it. There’s a richness and mystery to this music that invites close, reflective listening.
It’s music with a story, with purpose, with soul. Bowes is a tremendous musical picture-painter and it is easy to imagine much of this being set to film. If you could turn a Bob Ross painting into music, this might be what it sounds like.
There’s a real case to be made that this recording contains a serious contender for a future test piece, and perhaps even a wider study into Bowes himself; his motivations, his musical influences, and how his Christian faith shaped his work. For now, I’ll simply say: don’t be fooled by the CD’s modest packaging. This is stunning, surprising, and deeply moving music. I wholeheartedly encourage everyone to listen.
Current Availability
The recording is, seemingly, now unavailable to buy as a hard copy CD, but is available to download from Salvationist Publishing and Supplies for just £4.99. Trust me, it is absolutely worth every penny.
Full Track Listing
- Rhapsody for Cornet and Band (Cornet Soloist David Daws)
- Joyous Song
- Jesus Loves Me
- Winterthur Centenary
- The King's Crusader
- The Invincibles
- Youth's Ambition
- Lord Show Me What I Need (Cornet Soloist Stephen Cobb)
- Crown of Gold
- A Light Came Out of Darkness
- Song of Triumph (Euphonium Soloist Derick Kane)
- Sunshine Mountain
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