Customer Reviews

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

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1 star:		(3)

 

 

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.

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"

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.

I bought this CD hoping to get the definitive recording of mass pipes and band playing Amazing Grace. I was not totally disappointed, but I already had a version that I think I like better which is on a CD entitled "The Music of Scotland: The Scottish National Pipe & Drum Corps and Military Band". The sound quality is better and the transition from the first stanza of solo piper to massed pipes in the second stanza is smoother in terms of the introduction of the drones. The arrangement is basically the same except that it doesn't have the extra flourish at the end of the third stanza before returning to the solo piper. The "National Pipe and Drum" CD also has more emphasis on pipes & drums and less on military band than does the "Dragoon Guards" CD. Unfortunately I cannot find the former CD listed on Amazon. There is, however, nothing more stirring than "Amazing Grace" played with massed pipes--no matter which one you get.

I've had a vinyl copy of this album since 1972 shortly after its first release (1971) and it is pretty well worn out. I've been scouring merchants at Highland Game gatherings for years looking for a CD version when I finally found it on Amazon. I see some don't feel it is the greatest, and maybe it's not from a strictly technical standpoint. However, it was never meant to be a purely Bagpipe offering. It is the final massed efforts of Pipes, Drums and Brass from the Royal Scots Greys and as a historical item is just superb! Limiting it to just the Pipes would not have provided the full recognition of all the musicians of this fine regiment. Of all the more "technically" accurate Bagpipe renditions and other Scots music I have (mostly vinyl as many still can't be found on CD), this album gets still gets played the most.

After trying several indirect methods unsuccessfully, I simply asked at the Siggraph 99 Hewlett-Packard booth to see the CD with the "Amazing Grace" they use to close shows. But neither the picture nor the on-disk standard number are displayed at Amazon. After getting this CD, I can now verify that it's the disk and the cut! It once was lost, but now it's found. Look no further!

Ijust want to say that I think Amazing Grace played on Bagpipes is probably the most beautiful song that I've ever heard. I have just ordered this cd and will play amazing grace over and over, if i remember correctly I first heard it in the movie Tommy Boy and rewinded it over and over so I could listen to it.

I judge bagpipes by Scotland the Brave. This is magnificant; like a thousand horse cavalry charge. The only problem is that, at 45 seconds, it is too short.

It would have been far better if it had been played once on pipes alone and then again with the brass dropped in behind the pipes. A thousand highlanders screaming across the battlefield, followed by the thousand horse cavalry charge. Just thinking about it makes the hair on the back of my neck stand and my blood pressure go through the roof.

This album is magnificent, but it could have been awesome.

I have been searching for a CD of this recording for ages! In 1971, when it was originally released, I was 10 years old and couldn't appreciate the album that my brother played endlessly. As I got older I started to miss it. I found a cassette copy several years ago, but am afraid to use it anymore for fear of it breaking. My brother told me he had found a copy of the CD at his local Borders, and since I don't have one in my neighborhood I checked good old Amazon!! I have just ordered and I am looking forward to receiving it. I'm not a music critic, but after hearing many pipe and drum recordings, this has got to be the best I've ever heard.

the first song, the rendition of amazing grace is simply amazing, simply incredible. the way the bagpipes play is beyond moving. i couldnt recommend this album more strongly due to this song and this song alone