This CD contains a selection of songs from shows and whilst some of them have a religious flavour they are in the main of a secular nature. Perhaps a little unusual from a band with connections to the Salvation Army.
Most of the tunes are from musical shows that have had successful showings both on Broadway and the West End. There are of course tunes from Salvation Army musicals alongside scripture based musicals by the likes of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Stephen Schwartz.
Whilst the 12 page insert includes information about the band, a few pictures, a list of band personnel and a short write up about conductor Carl Saunders, most of the space is taken up with lyrics of the songs, which is another unusual aspect of this package. (I wondered, was I expected to singalong.) Looking at the programme it seems needless to say, but this CD is full of easy listening music.
The band perform at a high standard throughout and portray the varying moods of the music with great skill. They provide a sympathetic accompaniment to vocalist James Morey in his full of feeling rendition of Bring Him Home from Les Miserables.
Because of its content and performance level this CD should be commercially popular with listeners both from within the Salvation Army and the general public. It is just an enjoyable 70 or so minutes of listening.
Tracks
1. Jesus Christ Superstar - Andrew Lloyd Webber Arr: Barrie Gott [3.08]
2. Aspects of Andrew Lloyd Webber - Andrew Lloyd Webber Arr: Peter Graham [7.32]
3. Selections from Godspell - Stephen Schwartz Arr: Barrie Gott [6.36]
4. All I Ask of You - Andrew Lloyd Webber Arr: Peter Graham [3.47]
5. Breezin' Down Broadway Arr: Goff Richards [4.39]
6. Bring Him Home - Claude-Michel Schonberg Arr: Drury [4.23] Vocal Soloist James Morley
7. Symphonic Highlights from Frozen - Kristen Anderson-Lopez/Robert Lopez/Christopher Beck Arr: Stephen Bulla [5.29]
8. Any Dream Will Do - Andrew Lloyd Webber Arr: Peter Graham [3.58]
9. Hosea - John Larsson Arr: Broughton [ 7.24]
10. Love Changes Everything - Andrew Lloyd Webber Arr: Stephen Bulla [3.53]
11. What Does The Spirit Say? - John Larsson Arr: Edmonds [4.14]
12. When I grow Up - Tim Minchin Arr: Edmonds [3.59]
13. Selection from Spirit - John Larsson Arr: Ray Steadman-Allen [7.16]
Jeffrey Turner
