Credo

Accompanied by The Mississauge Temple Band of the Salvation Arny.  Released 2003.

by Derik Kane, Salvationist – 1 November 2003:

Mississauga Temple Band, Canada, has titled and themed its latest recording Credo – concentrating on those things Salvationists believe in: faith, love, trust. Brett Baker, Black Dyke Band's principal trombone, is the featured soloist. The band begins with the festival march ‘Salvation's Song' (William Gordon), giving us a bright and lively start.

‘Laude' (James Curnow) then gives the band opportunity to display different moods, colour and textures in variations on the hymn ‘Praise To The Lord, The Almighty', in which the band successfully conveys a sense of reflection, majesty and praise.

Ian Robinson's ‘Morning Star' lets the band relax into swing style that is convincing and rhythmic.

‘On The King's Highway' (Erik Leidzén), described in the sleeve notes as ‘an eloquent street march', is a classic, and a reminder of the unique ‘Leidzénesque' musical character.

‘Credo' (Lorne Barry) was introduced in the UK at the 2003 Territorial Music School, and had an immediate impact. The strength of melody and scope of colour make it a very satisfying piece, for performer and listener. In this performance the band exudes commitment to the music and conveys a real sense of Christian faith. It's a good performance of a piece which I'm sure will be a popular choice for bands to play. Hopefully there is much more to come from the composer, a Salvationist at Brisbane City Temple Corps.

Brett Baker has a worldwide reputation as a soloist and his playing on this album underlines his talent.

‘Song Of Exuberance' (Leslie Condon) is a classic solo from Salvation Army repertoire and is brilliantly played. Excellent technique and a beautiful jazz-style central section make this a flawless performance. There's good support from the band, too, in the intricate accompaniment. ‘Concert Etude' (Goedicke, arr William Brougton) highlights the performer's technical skill in this study originally written for trumpet.

‘From That Sacred Hill' (Dick Krommenhoek) is an effective setting of this melody emphasising Christian faith and hope, for which Brett is joined by two of the band's trombonists.

‘Now ‘ (Ty Watson) is based on the tune ‘Gordon' associated with the song ‘My Jesus, I Love Thee'. The composer is the band's bass trombonist.

‘Let The Beauty Of Jesus' (William Brougton) is a very clever jazz waltz arrangement of this old chorus, expertly played by the soloist. An excellent track. ‘I Walked Today Where Jesus Walked' (Peter Graham) is a contemplative arrangement of a gospel song. Again, it's a fine arrangement, beautifully played.

Brett Baker's final solo contribution is ‘Swing That Door' (William Broughton). The old Army chorus ‘Swing Wide The Door Of Your Heart To The King of Kings' gets the trademark Brougton big band treatment in this very enjoyable number.

Congratulations, then, to Brett for the technical, communicative and presentation skills brought to us through his trombone playing!

To Bandmaster David Moulton and the band, thanks are also in order for their musical presentation, their accompanying work and their reminder to us all that we do what we do through Christian faith, trust, hope and love.