BANDING WITH BALL – Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band (Eric Ball)

CD Duration: 52.08 / Year: 1972 (Original LP Release) / 2023 (Digitally Remastered).

The Music of ERIC BALL.
Played by The Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band. Conducted by ROBERT OUGHTON.

Originally Released on LP by Amberlee Records Ltd. in 1972 (ABL401X) and on Cassette by Audicord in 1990 (AC210). This release has been digitally remastered from the original tapes.
This is the first time it has been released on CD or has been available in a digital format.Code: ACD 210.

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1. SURE & STEDFAST – March
This “Road” March is dedicated as a tribute to the Officers and Boys of the Boys Brigade. [2:47]

2. THE PASSING YEARS (Interlude from “Divertimento”)
This beautiful Interlude was commissioned especially for the “Daily Herald” National Brass Band Festival Contests by Eric Ball. Its subtle tones, combined with some fine cornet playing, provide a fitting contrast to the opening March. [2:54]

3. RESURGAM – A Tone Poem
This Tone Poem, one of the great concert and contest pieces was at once accepted by musicians and will always be in the repertoire of leading British brass bands. The intricate composition by one of the country’s leading brass band composers is beautifully performed under the baton of Robert Oughton, Musical Director of this outstanding band. [12:12]

4. COUNTRY FAIR – Waltz (from “Holiday Suite”)
A gay and delightful waltz from music in a lighter vein. [3:45]

5. BY THE COOL WATERS – Interlude (from Fantasy: “An Indian Summer”)
A brief interlude of reflection providing a haunting melody against a background of calm atmosphere. [2:40]

6. PRELUDE TO PAGEANTRY (from “Four Preludes”)
Commencing and ending with a fanfare, this movement, as its name suggests, features all the excitement of stately pageantry. [2:46]

7. CONCHITA
A Cornet Solo in the form of a Caprice in the Latin American vogue. The use of Rubato, its technical demands within the style of the solo, are well suited to this performance by leading soloist Kevin Bolton. [4:49]

8. AKHNATON: An Egyptian Legend
Akhnaton, Pharaoh of Egypt from 1375 to 1358, born into an age ridden with superstition and barbarism, a lover of peace, the arts, and of mankind, he was a man born “before his time” and at his death, at an early age, the priests of the old gods destroyed everything that might perpetuate his teaching. The music sets out not to describe any particular events but to illustrate something of this conflict of ideas and ideals; while the last section was written in the spirit of one of the great Psalms of Akhnaton. This major work was first performed in National Contesting in 1947. [10:55]

9. ROSSLYN – A Concert March
A fine concert march with an interesting melody. Dedicated by the composer to his wife ‘Olive’. [3:48]

10. FREE FANTASIA
In this early and attractive short work, not without its technical difficulties, many of the ideas are later developed in depth and scope by the composer in his major compositions. [5:36]

ORIGINAL SLEEVE NOTES FROM THE 1972 LP:

Eric Ball’s great gifts as a composer and conductor were first used in the Salvation Amy. Many musical works flowed from his pen and the S.P. & S. Band, then later the International Staff Band, came under his baton.

His first success with non-Salvation Army Bands came with Brighouse and Rastrick in 1945. He won fourth prize in the National Championship that year and took the title with them the following, year. Then came a period of success with other bands, in particular C.W.S. Manchester.

His many compositions are played constantly throughout the World, and it is because of Eric, Ball’s outstanding popularity in the world of Brass Band Music that we know that this L.P. ‘Banding With Ball’ will be welcomed by performers and listeners alike.

THE BAND – Like several of the country’s leading Brass Bands, Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band can trace its very active history back to the last century. It was founded in 1886 and was known then as the South Elmsall Village Band.

It was in 1924 that the Band became known as Frickley Colliery Band and later Carlton Main was added to form its present title. Since the early 1920s, Carlton Main have collected a reputation that warrants their name being the household word it is. Professionals, amateurs or simply brass band lovers have long held the Band in high esteem and always consider them one of the top brass bands in the country. Under the baton of their Musical Director, Robert Oughton, the band has a well-earned reputation as one of the most entertaining concert bands and their services are constantly requested throughout the whole of Great Britain and also abroad.

Recorded on location at South Elmsall, Yorkshire by Studio Republic.

… Ken Mellor.

Cover Photograph… GRAHAM BROWN
LP Cover Design… ORLEAN LAMAS
Production Co-ordinator… KEN MELLOR
Recording Engineer… JOHN BALES
Producer… JOHN PETERS
CD Remastering & Design… IAN KING – MSS STUDIOS