[.ca] Brassed Off!

From Amazon.co.uk:
Mark Herman's tragi-comedy set among the fictional coal-mining community of Grimley revolves around the exploits of the local colliery's brass band and its struggle to survive imminent pit closure. Among the film's virtues are a bitter-sweet (with an emphasis on "bitter") script, strong performances all round--including Pete Postlethwaite, Tara Fitzgerald and Ewan McGregor--and a superb soundtrack. Grimley's real-life counterpart is the Penine town of Grimethorpe, and, entirely uncoincidentally, the Grimethorpe Colliery Band were chosen to perform the music. Having themselves survived pit closure to become one of the top brass bands in Britain, the Grimethorpe band know all about playing from the heart. But the script's subject-matter aside, the album is actually an uplifting, entertaining selection of classic "lollipops", including the Floral Dance, Colonel Bogey, and a meltingly good arrangement of Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez ("That's Orange Juice to you", says Postlethwaite in the movie) for solo flugelhorn. Trevor Jones contributes an attractive and pleasingly low-key score, but it's the band tracks that are the real selling-point here, making Brassed Off an ideal introduction to popular brass band music. --Mark Walker

"Brassed Off!" launches old songs to new heights ...:
More than just the soundtrack to an excellent movie, "Brassed Off!" stands on its own as a stunning and superb introduction to just how good orchestral music can be. Brace yourself, however. This is not your father's oompah band. The 19 pieces on this record range from the quiet dignified beauty of "Danny Boy" to the bright cheerfulness and warmth of "Colonel Bogey" (better known as the marching song from the motion picture "The Bridge on the River Kwai"). And I guarantee that you've never heard the "William Tell Overture" played like this before. Although perhaps not something that would actually be performed at a real symphonic competition, it is one of several highlights of this album. Others would have to include the elegant and jaunty "Floral Dance" and the dramatically magnificent "En Aranjuez Con Tu Amor." The dynamics on the latter work, in particular, with its stirring sweep from a solo flugelhorn to full accompaniment by the entire instrumental section, are among the most expressive I've ever noticed anywhere. Then there are the little surprises that stand out as well. "Death or Glory" practically hits you over the head to start this collection. "Cross of Honor" and "Jerusalem" are nicely handled with plenty of charm and spirit. And as many times as I've listened to "Pomp and Circumstance" offered up at countless formal ceremonies and graduations, it's never come across with the airy grace that it does here. "All Things Bright and Beautiful," "Florentiner March," and the "Clog Dance" have their moments, too. Some of the shorter numbers are obviously filler, though. For instance, "Aforementioned Essential Items" sounds an awful lot like "A Sad Old Day," and as moving as the conductor's speech about "Honest Decent Human Beings" was in the film, the brief track of that title on the record lacks the same power. In fact, the best way to appreciate this material may be to see the show first. The Grimethorpe Colliery Band has done an incredible job of making these songs seem as fresh and original as if they were written yesterday, but certain numbers are especially effective when you can recall them in the context of the scene where they appeared in the movie. Even alone, however, most of the music on this album is strong enough to show you just how deeply heartfelt a classical composition can be when it is played by an accomplished and sensitive group of people who clearly love what they are doing. I never considered myself much of a fan of brass bands before, and the only time I'd ever heard of the Grimethorpe Colliery Band previously was on Roy Harper's great 1975 rock opus "HQ" (where they provided backup for "When an Old Cricketer Leaves the Crease"). Now, however, I'm sold. These coal miners have soul. By all means, check out "Brassed Off!" You won't be disappointed.

Superb Recording:
Even someone who doesn't like brass bands will like this CD! It is an interesting mix of pieces, superbly recorded with a great range from low to raucous! The movie was good, it was on cable, and the music is great. You will enjoy it, play it loud!

Excellent brass band review, from an equally great movie:
The movie BRASSED OFF! holds much to be applauded; characters who struggle with real issues, stars who fit the story rather than the reverse, and so on. The crowning achievement of BRASSED OFF!, however, might just be the soundtrack album. Combining incidental music by Trevor Jones with a number of old 'war horse' numbers from the brass band repertoire, BRASSED OFF! is a soundtrack which actually contributes mightily to the story of the film, rather than being simply a collection of pop songs designed strictly for profit. The movie is, after all, about a brass band! Tracks deserving special recognition are "March of the Cobblers," "Danny Boy," and "William Tell Overture." On an album of excellent music these three are particularly outstanding. "Danny Boy" of course carries the emotional baggage with which it is consistently associated AND the added weight of a particularly touching scene from the movie. "William Tell Overture" is the championship piece the brass band chooses to play, with much style and panache, and "March of the Cobblers" is just a fun little number that sticks in one's head. My one problem is a question of tone quality on the part of the 1st cornet/trumpet, which at times seemed a bit heavy on vibrato and a bit overbearing. This, however, is a question of taste which is debatable, and the player in question doesn't miss a note, so it isn't completely distracting. Overall, both the movie and the soundtrack are worthwhile additions to the collections of those who enjoy brass music.

Brings back old fond memories:
Being the son of a conductor, player and arranger during the struggling period of mine closures in the UK, I would have to say that this is an excellent CD to introduce the listener into the subtlety of brass music. From the striking arrangement of Jerusalem to the full-tilt of the William Tell Overture this CD gathers so much into such a small space. I am happy to add this to my collection of other Grimethorpe vinyl, and, even if you don't think you are a brass/silver band fan, I can GUARANTEE you that there is something on here you will love.

No joke, these Blokes!:
Wonderful musicians who play with modesty belying their deep talent, but with knowing passion granted to the gifted few at any musical level able to grasp the true message of the composer, and pass it flawlessly to the listener on a silver platter.

• Death or Glory - The Grimethorpe Colliery Brass Band
• Sad Old Day - Trevor Jones
• Floral Dance - The Grimethorpe Colliery Brass Band
• Aforementioned Essential Items - Trevor Jones
• En Aranjuez con Tu Amor - The Grimethorpe Colliery Brass Band
• Years of Coal - Trevor Jones
• March of the Cobblers - The Grimethorpe Colliery Brass Band
• There's More Important Things in Life - Trevor Jones
• Cross of Honour - The Grimethorpe Colliery Brass Band
• Jerusalem - The Grimethorpe Colliery Brass Band
• Florentiner March - The Grimethorpe Colliery Brass Band
• Danny Boy (Londonderry Air) - The Grimethorpe Colliery Brass Band
• We'll Find a Way - Trevor Jones
• Clog Dance - The Grimethorpe Colliery Brass Band
• Colonel Bogey - The Grimethorpe Colliery Brass Band
• All Things Bright and Beautiful - The Grimethorpe Colliery Brass Band
• William Tell Overture - The Grimethorpe Colliery Brass Band
• Honest Decent Human Beings - Trevor Jones
• Pomp and Circumstance - The Grimethorpe Colliery Brass Band