Start of Something Big Review

Review of Start of Something Big, British Bandsman, December 2002

ROTHWELL is situated to the East of Leeds and lends its name to two respected bands, one of which, the Rothwell Temperance Band conducted by David Roberts, is featured in this highly entertaining CD.

Right from the opening number, Live and Let Die, arranged by Ray Farr, one is aware that a quality band is in evidence, with a richness of sounds matched by few other bands. The soloist in this piece is the band's soprano player, Paul Argyle, whose clear, stunning playing is a delight. This leads to the Matrin Ellerby composition, the Death of Don Quixote, which is equally well played.

The band has an excellent percussion department, with Rachel Maguire featured on xylophone in Rodney Newton's fabulous Variations for Percussion, before a complete change of mood with a beautiful arrangement of Shenandoah, showing the band's softer melodic prowess.

John Ireland's Downland Suite has been recorded by many bands over the years, but the Minuet is always a welcome inclusion on any recording and is played here with great feeling.

Tenor horn soloist, Les McCormack plays I'm Stone In Love with You, a popular tune from way back, which is given a very tuneful and stylish treatment by a super player.

Elgar's Cockaigne Overture is the CD's flagship piece which, in general, is played well with a few minor lapses of balance here and there. However, having said that, this fine arrangement by Gordon Roberts was very enjoyable.

The CD's title track, The Start of Something Big, transcribed by David Roberts, shows the band's ability to produce some good big band sounds and is a very good item in contrast to the previous track.

Embraceable You, another popular trombone solo, is given a sympathetic and stylish reading by Steven Haynes, which will be appreciated by all trombonists who listen to this performance.

We then move onto Bandance, an original composition by Ian Laidler, and a welcome inclusion on this CD, with its variation of styles in rhythmic dance music finishing up with an Irish jig.

The final item on this most enjoyable CD is an arrangement by Gordon Roberts of Stafford's The Blue Bird, a beautiful melodic piece on which to conclude a programme of 11 pieces of sheer delight. I thoroughly recommend this most musical CD for everyone's library.

Roy Sparkes

Reproduced by kind courtesy of British Bandsman.