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Mysterious CD of Gordons

Roger Kennedy | 02/18/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"A degree of mysery surrounds this CD. Is this truly the regimental Band of the Gordon Highlanders? Since we are given no details who made this recording or when it was produced much is uncertain. The picture on the cover is that of a US H.S. band for sure! No bandmaster or director of music is listed. Could this just be a US H.S. Band using the Gordon's name? Immitation is certainly a very flattering form of compliment. And US College Bands and the like are known for imitating popular British or European bands as part of their Half-Time shows at Football games.

Many years ago several old LPs were issued with just the same listing of The Gorodn Highlanders. If we listen to the quality of the music the sound and instrumentation resembles a British military band, but some of the percussian elements don't. Many of the music selections are certainly what a British band would play in this period. The quality of the recording sounds older like from the 1950s which has been upgraded from the older LPs for CD. The CD label is also mis-leading using the title Gordon Highlanders Big Band which sounds like a US H.S. band immitation.

There is a companion recording to this also on CD now called Bagpipes & Drums of Scotland which also is by the Gordon Highlanders. The pipes & drums on this recording sound like older 1950s because of the rope tensioned drums. There are many examples of cheap recordings from LP days that were issued for popular audience with catchy sounding titles like this. Many of these have been carried over to CD title for the same reason. Without any pictures, dates or bio listings I am inclined to think these are not the real Gordon Highlanders of the British army, but if they are then these are vintage recordings from the 1950s. If anyone has anything to add on this mystery please contact me as I would love to know what the story is on these recordings. They are spirted renditions, worth having for a cheap price, but I would like to know who actually made them long ago?"