Boarshurst Band Club’s journey back to brass gave us another enjoyable concert. This time with a brass band that was formed four years before last week’s band. As with last week’s concert, there was a welcome airing of one or two classic pieces. Though with half the number of solos as last week’s concert, a case of ‘quality not quantity’.
Continue reading “Ashton-under-Lyne Brass Band: Sunday Brass at the Boarshurst Band Club, 10 October 2021”
Yesterday’s first concert at Boarshurst Band Club since the first lockdown was most entertaining and cathartic in equal measure. In one respect, it was great to see a return to normality at The Brass Band Mecca of the North. On the other hand, it made us slightly bleary eyed over the friends we have lost in the brass band movement since the pandemic began.
Continue reading “The Diggle Band: Sunday Brass at the Boarshurst Band Club (03 October 2021)”
Since the pandemic began last March, any form of normality was put on hold. Pub pints became dependent on the weather (till the 17th May at least). Theatres and cinemas went dark; concert halls, likewise.
Continue reading “You Know You’re Pining for Brass Band Music When…”
“More…” You want more… For this year’s Brass Banding Advent Calendar, we finish off our virtual concert with an ELO song from 1977. One that is as well known by toddlers as it is with grandparents and great grandparents.
Continue reading “Brass Banding Goes Pop: EM60’s 2020 Advent Calendar: 26. Mr Blue Sky”
Well, you have shouted and clapped loud enough for the encore set. Let’s start with a modern-day classic, one that has increased in popularity over recent years.
Continue reading “Brass Banding Goes Pop: EM60’s 2020 Advent Calendar: 25. Happy”
We have come to the last door of our Brass Banding Goes Pop Advent Calendar. We thought it was rude not to have an Elvis Presley classic in our virtual concert, either. Apart from that, we understood there was a need to cover another Welsh band besides The Cory Band.
Continue reading “Brass Banding Goes Pop: EM60’s 2020 Advent Calendar: 24. An American Trilogy”
What can we say other than “a Happy Christmas Eve Eve to you all”? Queen’s Don’t Stop Me Now encapsulates excitement in a little under three minutes. From the 1978 LP Jazz, it has pure pop sensitivities whilst retaining the Queen sound. Despite this, Brian May had little love for the song, because he felt it eulogised Freddie’s hedonistic lifestyle.
Continue reading “Brass Banding Goes Pop: EM60’s 2020 Advent Calendar: 23. Don’t Stop Me Now”
Music, so to misquote the Jarrow-born composer of the said song, is our first love and our last love. On East of the M60, we have written about its future and its past in some way, shape or form. Live or recorded.
Continue reading “Brass Banding Goes Pop: EM60’s 2020 Advent Calendar: 22. Music”
Charles Aznavour is probably the only French-Armenian born singer to top the UK Singles Chart. His most famous song, She, did just that in 1974 with a four-week stay at the top.
Continue reading “Brass Banding Goes Pop: EM60’s 2020 Advent Calendar: 21. She”
In the last three decades, The Pogues’ and Kirsty MacColl’s Christmas song has topped many a personal Christmassy playlist. From mixtape to MP3 and Spotify, it is a must at Christmas parties, pub jukeboxes and supermarket aisles.
Continue reading “Brass Banding Goes Pop: EM60’s 2020 Advent Calendar: 20. The Fairytale of New York”
