American Brass Band Journal

[ken k]

A friend gave me a CD reissue of an old LP I have but have not listened to for literally decades. The Empire Brass and Friends playing music from the ABBJ (1853).

The CD is great and is actually a compilation of two LPs Empire made in 1976 & '77. It was released in 2005 by Sony Classical #5184812 and Musical Heritage Society.

Sam Pilafian on tuba, John Marcellus or John Swallow and Jon Taylor on baritone horn (it is listed as baritone horn not euphonium) in the notes.

I love the old music. It is such a cool slice of Americana. I strongly recommend it.

ken k

[Phil Dawson]

These are very cool. I have them in the original LP format. Several of the tunes have been arraigned for quintet. I thought they were a blast to play but I don't think the rest of my quintet thought the same way. But beware - they sound easy to play but any small mistake stands out. Phil