Search - Coldstream Guards Band :: Band of the Coldstream Guard

Vintage Coldstream Guards

Roger Kennedy | 02/03/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a compendium CD of the Coldstream Guards from the early to late 1960s. During this time they were under two directors of music. Douglas Pope and Treavor Sharpe were two fine directors and their arrangements shine in this recording. The Coldstream Guards have toured North American several times. In 1960 with the Cameron Highlanders, 1970 with the Black Watch, 1981 with the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, and 1991 with the Queens Own Highlanders. The programe of music presented here is not strictly military per se. This is concert band music at its best, with a few marches and regimental pieces thrown in. The band has a nice, full sound during these years. The size of the band was 66 musicians back then, which makes a difference in sound quality. The listener should compare the bands sound to today, where size has been reduced to 48 players. The Coldstream Guards have always been popular in the States, this is becuase the play alot of show tunes and big band stuff which was popular to American audiences in years past. This is a worthwhile re-issue of vintage recordings from the heyday of the Coldstreams. Pure martial music fans may be a bit disappointed, but those who like easy listening or big band kind of stuff should enjoy."