Brassed Off - Original Soundtrack

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Not applicable
Quality and consistency of tracks	Flawless
Value for Money	Excellent

Advantages:	Great patriotic tracks
Disadvantages:	none

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

I'm sure many of you out there remember the release of the film Brassed Off in 1996, which reminded many people of the strife of a miner, and sparked in the UK a new interest in brass bands. For those who never saw Brassed Off (with the lovely Ewan McGregor :o) ), it follows the life of the Grimethorpe Colliery Band, made up of members of the Grimethorpe Colliery (that's miners to you and me!). Watch the band (featuring McGregor, Pete Postlethwaite, Tara Fitzgerald) as they try and work their way to the National Brass Band Finals- do they make it?

The original film soundtrack was released in 1996, and when listening to it, it's easy to understand why it sold 50,000 copies and got the UK into brass band music! I think there's something quintessentially British about brass bands, and spark a patriotic pride in all of us. Plus, with tracks like Jerusalem and Danny Boy, they can't fail to stir something! The soundtrack mainly has tracks recorded by the Grimethorpe Colliery Band itself, which can be heard in the film when you see the band practising and playing in competitions etc, and there are also tracks that are background to the film at crucial moments. These are composed by Trevor Jones, and don't feature the brass band.

Track 1: Death or Glory
A favourite piece for events like The Royal Tournament! It's a cheerful marching band piece and is easily recognisable. Definitely one of the patriotic pieces, it's a great, upbeat start to the CD.

Track 2: A Sad Old Day
This is the first of Trevor Jones' compositions for the soundtrack, and I won't ruin the film for you if you want to see it, but it features at quite a poignant moment in the film and is slow and sad, with a solo cornet. It's not even 50 seconds long- the disadvantage of film scores!

Track 3: Floral Dance
This probably is my favourite tracks, and is another typically British tune! It's very cheerful and uplifting, especially since you can hear the drum kit quite well- it would be quite a fun tune to bob around to and definitely could cheer you up! You can hear the skill of the brass band here, because you don't associate a beefy, strong brass band with all things 'floral'. But throughout the CD, the band shows just how well it can adapt itself to the contexts of the different tunes. Praise also has to go the solo trumpeters, which feature throughout- these guys, are good!

Track 4: Aforementioned Essential Items
Another snippet by Trevor Jones which is taken from the film- it's 32 seconds long, and is very similar to track 2. There are quite a few poignant moments in the film; definitely gets my emotions going.

Track 5: En Aranjuez Con Tu Amor
A contrast from the brass band now- a slow and melancholy track! It's a classical tune which has been arranged for brass band, and features an impressive and emotional flugelhorn solo. This also gets my emotions going. Brr, got shivers from listening to it!

Track 6: Years of Coal
This is the 3rd snippet from the film, this time it features a harp! Just over half a minute long, it's once again, very similar to the other 2 of Jones' tracks.

Track 7: March of the Cobblers
Ahhh, bring on the British feel! This is one of the bands best pieces, and you can hear how it's well suited to playing the marching band classics. It's a cheeky and fun piece, and demonstrates the band's versatility and changing moods throughout the piece.

Track 8: There's More Important Things in Life
This comes from another emotional part in the film, and has a sad and beautiful tune. Once again, it's just a snippet, but the main tune is very simple, and therefore very effective in conveying the slow mood in the film. Reach for the tissues!

Track 9: Cross of Honour
Right, time for a pick me up after that slow track! I don't recognise this tune, but it's similar in feel to Death or Glory, in that it's got a fast-paced marching feel and has a patriotic major tune. Why is it that brass bands just ooze British patriotism? You can also hear lots of little solo features.

Track 10: Jerusalem
If you don't know this, and if this doesn't move you emotionally- leave the room!! This brass band arrangement stays true to the tune and background harmonies, so it's exactly the same as the orchestral version, which is an integral part of music events like Last Night of the Proms. The band plays gently and sensitively; so don't feel ashamed to shed a proud tear at this! Oooh, this one gave me shivers too!

Track 11: Florentine March
This is one of the more fun pieces on the CD, with the playful exchanges between the trumpets and then tubas. Once you've heard it, you'll get what I'm on about! It's also a challenging piece, so when I listen to it, my respect for the band builds! They've obviously done their practising! The piece is energetic and once has that quintessential British feel- I bet it's played at the Royal Tournament. IT also has contrasting sections with more little solos.

Track 12: Danny Boy
Another bit of patriotism here; it's definitely one of the more moving tracks featured. The band really displays its versatility here. Even though the band is about 30 members strong, they play so tightly together and are so sensitive to the piece, you could be listening to a solo piano. I think it's also a rather lovely arrangement, with a very moving climax.

Track 13: We'll Find a Way
Another one from Trevor Jones here- they're getting a bit longer each time! The tune is the same as track 8, so it's going to be easy to spot the recurring theme here. The mood does change a bit in this track, taking you through different emotions which are obviously meant to reflect what you're seeing in the film. It's still slow and sad, but the tune gets altered and played around with. It also goes optimistic at the end…

Track 14: Clog Dance
One of my favourite tracks here! This is because it has such a positive, strong and uplifting feel to it. You can still sense all the emotion that you're meant to. All the changing moods flow seamlessly together and really throw as many positive emotions as possible at you! There's also that British flavour again, which makes it even more likable :o)

Track 15: Colonel Bogey
This tune is more commonly known as the one that accompanies the famous song that begins "Hitler has only got one ball!" So bring on the British feel here! It's obviously a well established marching band tune which has a contrasting minor mid-section, before launching back in to the all too familiar tune…

Track 16: All Things Bright and Beautiful
This tune again allows the band to show its sensitive side, and the ability to make 30 strong instruments blend together to sound like one. It flows really easily, and again features more little solos, and has the best cheesy key change at the end!

Track 17: William Tell Overture
Best track ever! If this doesn't have you bouncing in your seat, pretending to race a horse, then I don't know what will. The band's solidity and tightness is really challenged with this piece, but they manage it flawlessly. There is also a rather impressive solo cornet half way through. This track needs to be played LOUD! The tempo is great and the energy just hits you and carries you along with it.

Track 18: Honest Decent Human Beings
This is the last of the excerpts from the film, and by this point on the CD, it serves as an interlude between the tracks with more presence. Don't get me wrong, it's still a good snippet, but it's the same tune again! This track needs to be earlier on, because I think it's the nicest arrangement of the tune, and the beauty of it is lost because of its positioning.

Track 19: Pomp and Circumstance
Ahh, the perfect track to finish on! The most British track (apart from the National Anthem)- it's more commonly known as Land of Hope and Glory. It's played really well in such a way that when the tune is first played, it's done nicely and sensitively, then it gradually builds to a triumphant climax. Not one of the more upbeat tracks, but works perfectly nonetheless.

The RRP for the CD is around £7.99 (well it was when it was first released) but you can get it from www.amazon.co.uk for as little as £4, so I think it's a bargain you should definitely treat yourself to. It's a great CD to get if you wish to expand your musical horizons to brass bands.

Thanks for reading :o)