Customer Reviews

Brassed Off!: Original Soundtrack From The Miramax Motion Picture

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

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.

If you were born and bred in the midlands of England, this music will cry of your childhood. Each note, each sound is the cry of the miners soul begging to be lifted from the black hole in which they worked,lived and died. Black lung, clothes that were never white thanks to the coal dust in the air, slag heaps at the edge of town was their lot in life. If this was not bad enough, their dreams were haunted by the wail of the mine horn, telling them there had a been a cave-in, and men were dying in the bowels of the earth. Then in the 1970's came the pit closings, towns were suddenly out of work, generations on the dole. Their music was the only way they could gain their freedom from oppression and misery. This CD along with the video tells that story. The music and acting is brilliant, I know each the men and women in this story, it brought back so many thoughts of home and memories of many years ago.

If you like brass music you will LOVE this CD. I just wanted to put the world on pause and do nothing but listen to this over and over. Floral dance makes your heart smile. Best Danny Boy I've ever heard, Excellent William Tell, and the Rodrigo's Concerto (no words to describe it, you'll just have to hear it for yourself! )

I bought the CD for my parents as a Christmas gift. They are from England and thoroughly enjoyed the movie. They listen to the soundtrack everyday and said that it brings back wonderful memories from when they were children growing up in the 30's and 40's.

The title being something of an oxymoron this beautiful CD has everything from upbeat to beauitful slow dances to a latin serenade pulled form guitar to flugelhorn! I reccomend the soundtrack and the movie to anyone who ever thought of playing an instrument!

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!

So glad to be able to find a reasonably priced copy of this out of print CD. It has always been one of my favorites and I wore out my other copy.