Results
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Postman Pat - Bryan Daly - Len Jenkins
The original music for the phenomenally successful Postman Pat series was composed by Bryan Daly (who sadly died in January 2012) and included not only the well-known theme tune "Postman Pat & His Black and White Cat", but also the tuba solo "Walking in Greendale", both of which are now available, arranged for brass, from Wobbleco Music. The theme tune was originally sung by Ken Barrie and was released as a single in the UK where it reached number 44 in the charts in July 1982. The Postman Pat TV series and the later Postman Pat SDS TV series continue to delight and entertain children not least because of the instantly recognizable theme tune. What is less well known is that Bryan was also one of the most sought-after session-musician guitar players of the 1960's and 1970's, a first-call studio musician for the likes of Burt Bacharach, and his performances grace numerous classic hit recordings that have remained radio staples to this day. This "twin-pack" contains 2 arrangements: one of which follows faithfully the original theme and is generally A4 in size, and another which is a march/fete edition and is slightly easier to play. They are printed back-to-back and by folding the parts in half, the march/fete edition becomes lyre-ready.
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Diamonds - Jerry Lordan - Len Jenkins
In November 1962, ex-Shadows members Jet Harris and Tony Meehan decided to work as a duo and went to No 1 with a Jerry Lordan composition, "Diamonds". Harris, a bass player, took an ordinary Fender guitar and detuned every string a whole tone to enable him to hit notes which were lower than an ordinary guitar. However, it was apparently difficult to work with on stage since once the strings were slackened they would go out of tune very easily. The duo went on to have a second Top 10 hit with "Scarlett O'Hara" which is also available from Wobbleco Music in an arrangement for brass band. Both arrangements seek to capture the characteristic style of 60's rock music and retain the signature drum solos for which they are rightly remembered. But in addition, both pieces also appeal to a younger generation who may not have heard the originals. Our young kit drummer in Woburn Sands 'A' Band commented "...the (drum) part has the slightest shuffle feel to it, which improves the groove of the song, and to replicate the vintage snare-drum sound, I have heard that you can place a towel or a cloth over the head of the drum. I think it would work well...(otherwise) the drum part stays relatively simple and repetitive"...Chance to re-create the sound of the 60's.....Go for it!
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Das Boot - Klaus Doldinger - Len Jenkins
Traditionally, submarines are referred to as 'boats' rather than 'ships' and the German U- boat (Unterseeboot) was originally a craft primarily designed for surface attack that also had an underwater capability, an aspect that was subsequently developed into the submarine craft that we now know. Das Boot was a 1980's TV series/film that followed the patrol of U-96 and is reckoned by many to be the best (anti) war film produced. Authenticity was achieved by filming in a full size replica with actors who were denied washing or shaving to get the right 'atmosphere' of life in a U-boat. Despite the havoc and distress caused by attacks on Allied shipping by U-boats one cannot but be saddened by the fact that out of 40,000 who went to sea in them, 30,000 never returned. The music is characterised by a theme that has a haunting, deep, sonorous quality penetrated by the sharp, regular 'ping' of ASDIC (sonar) that was used by surface vessels to echo-locate submarines prior to attacking them with depth-charges. This 'ping' may be approximated to, at modest cost, by the percussion section using either a cymbal dome (select an appropriate beater) or a high-pitched wooden 'agogo'. Alternatively, more complex and expensive electronics may be employed. The piece needs to be played with confidence because of its discordant and intentionally sombre nature.
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Runaway - Max Crook & Del Shannon - Len Jenkins
"Runaway" was made famous by Del Shannon in 1961 when it was released in the February of that year and quickly became an international hit. At its height it was said to be selling at the rate of 80,000 singles per day and in the June made number one in the UK. It was written with Max Crook who had invented his own clavioline-based electric keyboard called a Musitron which features in the original recording. The song was originally recorded in A minor, but the producer sped up the finished recording to just below B-flat minor. The iconic synthesiser sound in this arrangement is reproduced as a solo on Soprano cornet, and should be within the capabilities of most players provided attention is paid to the breathing regime.
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A Lazy Afternoon - Len Jenkins - Len Jenkins
'A Lazy Afternoon' brings to mind a lazy hot day in summer, possibly starting with a short drive out to somewhere pleasant for an afternoon's picnic. It is accepted that a drive out is now something many would choose to avoid, especially at busy weekends, but one can perhaps dream of open un-cluttered roads with no rush to get there. As such, this piece is ideal for the local summer fete. It has a gentle style that so befits an English village fete, recalling an era when things did not need to be so immediate and may thereby help to give a perfect respite from the everyday 'rush and tear'. As with many of Wobbleco's pieces, this is aimed at the average town and village band, and is within the reasonable playing capabilities of its members.
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Savoy Christmas Medley - Traditional - Len Jenkins based on an original arrangement by Debroy Somers
The Savoy Christmas Medley is a well-known and often played piece originally arranged from traditional music by Debroy Somers a big-band bandleader in the 1920's. William Henry (Debroy) Somers was an ex-army bandmaster who formed the Savoy Orpheans dance band, resident at the famous Savoy Hotel between 1923 and 1927. Whilst there are several editions of this music for full Brass Band, this latest arrangement has been tailored to suit a brass quintet with optional percussion. In many cases the availability of players around the festive season, or the space to accommodate a full band in some of the venues for Christmas engagements or for fundraising, means that a Quintet can be the preferred option. In order to achieve a good Quintet arrangement, it is necessary to achieve the same quality and diversity of sound as a full band but within a smaller group. A challenging objective which we believe has been achieved in this publication. In common with our developing practice, the arrangement is scored for both Brass Band and Concert Brass instruments.
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Saviour's Day - Chris Eaton - Len Jenkins
Chris Eaton wrote "Saviour's Day" in October 1989 and took the original version of the song to a Christmas party to show Cliff Richard, despite having been told that his songs had already been selected for the following year. Nevertheless, they listened to the tape in Cliff's Rolls Royce. He liked it and predicted it could be a 'number one'. The following year it became just that; the second Christmas solo 'number one' for Cliff, following the success of "Mistletoe and Wine" in 1988. Since then it has variously been voted into lists of both the best and the most annoying Christmas songs. A music video of the song was filmed at Durdle Door near Swanage in Dorset, in warm, sunny September weather but with extras wearing winter clothes as if at Christmas. Enjoy!
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In Dreams - Roy Orbison - Len Jenkins
"In Dreams" is a song composed and sung by rock and roll performer Roy Orbison, and was released as a single on Monument Records in February 1963. Orbison later claimed that the origin for "In Dreams" came to him while he was sleeping, as many of his songs did. When he woke up the next morning, the entire composition was written in 20 minutes. Like many of Orbison's songs, but unlike the majority of rock and roll ballads, in under 3 minutes it goes through seven movements with distinct melodies and chord progressions without repeating itself. It was for that reason that I have always believed it was a suitable piece for brass where one does not have lyrics to distinguish changes between verses to avoid monotony. Graham Cooper
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Foyle's War Theme - Jim Parker - Len Jenkins
Foyle's War was a TV crime drama created by screenwriter Anthony Horowitz, and tells the story of Detective Chief Superintendent Christopher Foyle, played by Michael Kitchen, fighting a personal war against crime amidst the turmoil of World War Two. The music for the series was composed by 4 time BAFTA winning Jim Parker and has an ethereal minor key melody, sparsely orchestrated and Wobbleco Music has attempted to capture this atmosphere in its arrangement for Brass Band. An arrangement for a Brass Ensemble is also available. The last episode of the Foyle's War was written in 2014 but such is its popularity that there have been many requests for it to return to the screens, particularly as the writer says that one of the wartime years has yet to be covered. We shall see. Meantime enjoy this beautiful theme.
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Tiger In The Night - Mike Batt - Len Jenkins
"Tiger in the Night" is a song made popular by Colin Blunstone and Katie Melua, and takes its inspiration from the poem by William Blake.It features in the soundtrack of the 1997 film 'Keep the Aspidistra Flying' which was based on the 1936 book by George Orwell. The title of the book is a reference to 'Keep the Red Flag Flying' but applied to the stuffiness of the British Middle Class. The music for the film was composed by Mike Batt who was also responsible for "The Wombling Song" and "Wombling Merry Christmas" which we also publish for brass.