Malvern Hills Brass Band at Croome Court (From Malvern Gazette)

Malvern Hills Brass Band at Croome Court

1:39pm Monday 19th July 2010 in Reviews

THE band was on top form for their 1940s weekend musical outing held at one of Worcestershire’s most magnificent country estates.

This was probably down to three factors – the innate skills of the musicians, the wonderful acoustics of ‘Capability’ Brown’s summer house and the all-pervasive - not to say persuasive - smell of the barbecue.

The music naturally gave a generous nod in the direction of the decade in question, although this did not impede a playlist covering a broad spectrum of styles.

Duke Ellington’s Mood Indigo smooched with Gershwin’s I Got Rhythm and Summertime, the latter fitting in perfectly well with the more obviously themed war period pieces.

The decades that immediately followed the conflict also proved a fruitful source of material, with the band again showing its style with 633 Squadron, Theme From the Great Escape and the evergreen Who Do You Think You’re Kidding Mr Hitler, theme tune to hit series Dad’s Army.

No concert such as this would have been complete without a mention of force’s sweetheart Vera Lynn, and this was provided by bandsman Darryl Barry’s well-crafted medley that came to a crescendo with an evocative Lili Marlene.

There may not have been any bluebirds flying over Dover, neither did the much-anticipated Lancaster bomber make an appearance. But never mind… at least we had a fabulous day of music, courtesy of one of the best brass bands around.

By John Phillpott