Amazing Grace: The Pipes and Drums and Military Band of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards

Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 24, 1992)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: RCA
• ASIN: B000002WEN
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #38,890 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #2 in Music > Classical > Instruments > Percussion
  • #24 in Music > Classical > Forms & Genres > Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music > Marches
  • #28 in Music > Folk > British & Celtic Folk > Scottish Folk

Track Listings

1. Amazing Grace

2. Jubilant Fanfare No. 1

3. Excerpt

4. Excerpt

5. Excerpt

6. Excerpt

7. Excerpt

8. Excerpt

9. Excerpt

10. Excerpt

11. Cornet Carillon

12. Scotland the Brave

13. Excerpt

14. Excerpt

Editorial Reviews

Tracks Include: Amazing Grace, Paloma Blanca, Moonliner Rock March, Turn On The Sun, The Highland Cradle, Brazil, Going To Pitlochry & More. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, December 10, 1999

By 

Roger Kennedy (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Amazing Grace: The Pipes and Drums and Military Band of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (Audio CD)

This is the classic recording of "Amazing Grace" by the combined bands of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards. This recording was originally released in 1972 to mark the amalgamation of the Royal Scots Greys and the 3rd Carabiniers, to become the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, Scotland's only cavalry regiment. The album first appeared on the RCA label and it was this recording which gained the bands such world reknowned fame, selling over 6 million copies of the tune when it was released on 45 rpm. In addition to "Amazing Grace," the bands present a stiring concert of regimental and martial tunes which are associated with the current regiment and its predessors. The versatility of the bands is shown in many selections, including "Going Home" which is a beautiful rendition of Dvorak's theme presented here for combined bands. The military band presents a fine concert piece in "Cornet Carillion" amply demonstrating the fine musicianship which existed in the band at that time. "The Russian Imperial Anthem" stems from when the Czar was colonel of the regiment at the turn of the century. There is also a selection of regimental trots and canters which recalls the days when the regiment was a mounted cavalry unit. The pipes and drums perform three rousing medlys of scottish tunes, including a "Drummers Salute." Listening to this pipe band, one can see why it has become one of the finest pipe bands in the British Army, and remains so today. There is much nostalga in this recording in that the military band of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards no longer exists, having been reduced in 1994 with the reduction of all British Army regimental bands. So the listener has a wonderful opportunity to hear these two bands in their prime from nearly 25 years ago. These bands helped create a demand for popular military music from their "Amazing Grace" release which still exists today. Sit back and enjoy.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Updated Amazing Grace, May 8, 2003

By 

Roger Kennedy (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Amazing Grace (Audio CD)

Having reviewed the original "Amazing Grace" recording by the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards from 1971 it seems that Amazon.com now offers a series of recordings that the bands released in the late 70 and 1980s under the same title. The first half of this CD contains tracks from a 1976 release of the bands entitled "The Lengendary Amazing Grace" In addition to a fine updated version of the now famous tune four years after its original world wide hit, this part of the CD contains some interesting selections for band and pipes. "Una Palma Blanca" is a true example of how the RSDG bands went to great lengths to explore the full combined sound. The regimental band supports the pipes with a variety of modern sounds including an electronic bass guitar which many military bands in fact use for concert purposes today providing as it does a useful Continuo bass line for a military band. "Theme in Glory" and "Turn on the Sun" are additional examples of just how good the RSDG bands had mastered the concept of combing their resources. These are truly exciting pieces to listen too. The regimental band shows its stuff with "Rockout" an arrangement of classic old rock music themes. The pipes and drums provide three medleys and are simply surperb. One can hear that a distinctive change had taken place in the ensemble sound of the pipe band since 1971. The RSDG drummers have incorporated the use of their tenor drums to creat an amazing drummers' accompaniment to the pipes. This innovation would become standard in the piping world, but it owes its origins largely to the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards pipes and drums. Listen to how magificent the pipe band sounds when they first enter to the 6/8 medley starting with "Macneils of Ugdale". You won't find a better sound even today. The Retreat medley starting with "Lochanside" is also amazing. Its worth getting the CD just for those tracks as well as the others. Perhaps the most haunting combined tune is an arrangment of Handel's "Largo" with the solo pipes doubling for the voice parts. Truly beautiful and moving.

The second part of the CD contains recordings of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards from the later 1970s. The listener will note that there is a subtle, but different recorded sound to the bands. They don't come across quite as clear as in the first 12 tracks on the CD. Again, there is the same rich selection of music with imaginative arrangements and unusual sounds. The regimental band gets highlighted more in these remaining tracks and the same versatility is still there. The "Slave Chorus" from Verdi's "Nabucco Opera" gets an interesting modern treatment. "Moonliner Rock March" is another great arrangement of rock tunes that gets the special Royal Scots Dragoon Guards touch. The pipes and drums are back with several combined medley's as well as two solo displays. The drummers show their stuff in "Drummer's Salute" displaying their modern percussion techniques that are still inspiring today for the pipe band world. All in all a worthy continuation of the "Amazing Grace" tradition that was started in 1971 and carred on since then. It's good to see that some of the many recordings the bands made through the years are now on CD. Enjoy the unique sound of the bands of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards who did a lot to popularize Scottish and military band music in general around the world. Truly a legend of "Amazing Grace"

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is History, April 11, 2001

By 

Terry L. Pierson (Wolfeboro, NH USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Amazing Grace: The Pipes and Drums and Military Band of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (Audio CD)

This album was originaly titled "Farewell to the Greys". It is the last recording of The Royal Scotts Greys that served at the battle of Waterloo (cover art photo). In response to the previous review that complained about recording quality -- it was recorded in 1971! My Grandfather left me this record (vinal!). I stopped playing it for fear of wearing it out... Thank God it's released on CD! It is the BEST rendition of Amazing Grace I have ever found! History Note: The Imperial Russian Anthem is here because Tsar Nicolas II was their Honorary Colonel in Chief and untill their disbandment and was played as the opening for formal affairs in his honor.