
(Review
by Russell).
High
on Life
is the recording debut of the majestic Northern Monkey Brass Band. Trumpeter
Graham Hardy has assembled some of the finest brass players and percussionists
to play a music that never fails to move body and soul. The best of American street
bands – from the Dirty Dozen Brass Band to the Youngblood Brass Band – the
inspiration, Hardy has taken a people’s music of the early twentieth century
and given it a twenty first century twist.
High
on Life
comprises six tracks. Hardy wrote four of them and arranged two others. Funky Pie - Part 2 opens the CD with a
bang. Theme stated, all-action ‘bone man David Gray leads the attack, the
band’s sole reeds man Jamie Toms interjects, Gray re-asserts his authority, a
determined Toms comes back for more, Hardy makes a startling entrance, all marshalled
by Phil Rosier’s funkin’ tuba. Rosier starts the ball rolling on the title
track High on Life, Toms is quick on
the uptake, Nik Alevroyiannis snaps the snare and Toms’ rollercoaster tenor is
only brought to a halt by insistent snare work. Toms cannot resist a final
flourish… is that a quote from kids’ favourite The Magic Roundabout?
Heroic monkeys in orbit
are the stuff of space legend. On John Williams’ Imperial Cantina the Northern Monkeys embark upon an Interstellar
Space journey. ‘I haven’t seen Star Wars’ you say. Don’t worry, sit back and enjoy
the trip! The familiar refrain lifts off in a retro dance band space capsule
powered by expert ensemble work. Fun, fun, fun.
Hardy plays fearlessly on
his own composition The Melon Felony.
Rosier rolls out the bass line, percussionists Alevroyiannis and Brendan Murphy
keep it firmly in the pocket as Hardy and Alastair Lord fire a two-trumpet
volley skywards. Hardy’s solo is good reason to acquire the CD (play the track
on repeat). Kitsch hip populist material never did anyone any harm, so a
Northern Monkey take on Beyoncé’s hit Single
Ladies works a treat. It’s what you do with it that counts; a playground
squabble, massive tuba, lyrical tenor.
The final track – Horndoggin’ – is a Horn Dogs’ pup
adopted by the Northern Monkeys. The rhythm section sets the tempo, horns play
with the melody, tenor and trumpet trade, take it home boys! The CD is
available at www.northernmonkeybrassband.com
and from the band at gigs. Play it loud! The band’s CD launch gig is at Hoochie
Coochie, Newcastle
on Sunday 6 July (5:00 pm). A lunchtime date at Brass: Durham International
Festival (Friday 18 July) is in the diary, as is St Cuthbert’s Centre, Crook on
Friday 1 August (7:30 pm). High on Life is dedicated to the
memory of John Wheeler.
Russell.
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