ARISE, REJOICE AND SING - Derby Central Songsters

C.D - Review

Derby Central Songsters have been at the forefront of Salvation Army choral singing for many years. It is easy to see why after listening to this, their fourth C.D in recent times. Under their inspirational leader, Ian Hammond, this recording features a wide range of songs from their repertoire especially chosen for their USA tour at Easter.

Ian, the Songster Leader for 25 years, uses his skills to good effect as he interprets every nuance and shape in the music on offer, always being true to dynamic contrast and tempo. Add these characteristics to the well-honed vocal sound, clear diction and intonation, excellent accompaniment from piano, rhythm and brass and the balance of the choral parts that we have come to expect from this group and the results are rewarding, although the acoustic is not always helpful. The judicious use of guest instrumentalist, Alun Hathaway on Xylophone/Vibraphone is a welcome and effective addition especially in the delightful He Knows How Much You Can Bear.

The group is not afraid to attempt larger choral works including Christ the Lord is Risen Again by David Willcocks. In Kenneth Downie’s major work, Veni Emmanuel, they give a convincing account, full of brio and panache.

Contrasted with these are arrangements from the Traditional Spiritual repertoire as well as those from S.A. journals. Many of the songs and arrangements are by composers from the United States and will be relatively unknown. However, there is much to admire and they will be a welcome addition.

Especially memorable is the unaccompanied singing, none more so than We are not alone, Daniel, Daniel Servant of the Lord and Norman Bearcroft’s beautiful arrangement of the tune ‘My Shepherd’ in Mid All The Traffic Of The Ways.

The brigade is truly blessed with what seems like an endless supply of fine individual singers! 12 of them are featured on the C.D. sometimes as soloists, duettists or as members of a quartet.

There is much to admire in this C.D. and the brigade sound as though they are fully committed to its message. We wish the brigade well for their ministry in music in the USA. If this C.D. is anything to go by, the listeners are in for a treat especially as the brigade always gives a very effective ‘live’ performance, committing the songs to memory in order to communicate with their eyes as well as their voices!