Holst: Works for Wind Band

Advantages: Mellow, solid playlist, and a good introduction to the band's style
Disadvantages: Ummm , you might become so relaxed that you fall asleep?

...In 1982, MEN AT WORK cut through a period of musical malaise and brought a breath of fresh air to a what was beginning to feel like a dead calm in the music industry. The list of top 20 songs in the U.S. for 1981 includes some song titles that Still make me wince. Endless Love by Diana Ross and Lionel Ritchie, Celebration by Kool and the Gang, and Lady by Kenny Rogers, just to name a few musical treats that I would be quite content to Never hear again. In contrast, MEN AT WORK's debut album, Business As Usual, is an interesting and entertaining mix of social commentary, personal observation, whimsy, and of course the unique musical sounds of MEN AT WORK. Apparently, record executives were skeptical and more than a bit dubious about the possible success of not only the album but this small, eccentric band from Australia. Who can blame... Read review

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Advantages: Unique tone poems
Disadvantages: None

.... As a boy, Gustav’s suffered from a number of health problems including asthma and neuritis in his right arm and was also short sighted. Determined to follow a musical career he studied at the Royal College of Music and went on to teach this subject at St Paul's Girls' School in Hammersmith, where he composed many of his works. Holst was in his forties when he began work on an orchestral suite, entitled 'Seven Pieces for Large Orchestra'. This was to become The Planets and was completed in 1916. Each piece portrays a mood, intended to represent the characteristics of each planet based on the book 'What is a Horoscope?' by Alan Leo. The Planets For orchestra & female chorus, Op. 32 No 1: Mars, The Bringer of War Holst made the decision to perform Mars at a fast tempo to emphasise the inhuman forces utilized and mechanized... Read review

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Advantages: very original folk/rock fusion
Disadvantages: an aquired taste

...'s pagan with a small "p". Those looking for songs about witches and spells, that seem to pervade some streams of rock music that cater for the Buffy generation, will find nothing here for them. This is the spirit of the Mother Goddess and the lore of the land personified into music and even when singing about less emotive subjects, those images are still at work. Although ever present in their previous albums, here they make a conscious, or otherwise, effort to be let those images and influences loose. With what has become a signature opening for the band, a wind howls across as a mournful piano wanders through, a quiet start but soon we are up and running with "We Come And We Go". Brian Josh handling the main vocals on this one, a gentle guitar led passage builds into a dramatic chorus with the help of Iain Jennings keyboards that seem to... Read review

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