Reviews (2)

Deeply Romantic Instrumental
Let me start by saying that while I am of Scot descent, I've never been particularly fond of bagpipes. To me they sound repetitive, with little to discern the playing of one song to another. This does not apply to this CD, which I've had in my collection now for ten years.

I play The Sands of Time quite often, and especially enjoy it's title track. The arrangements are interesting and haunting. They bring the listener's mind to Scotland's mist and make you feel as if you are on the green listening to this band play live.

The only criticism I have of this CD is it includes Papa's Got a Brand New Bagpipe, which is a weak attempt at rap.

Sands of Time - Needed More
Dissapointing album. Not what you are accustomed to hearing if you enjoy superior piping and bands. Quality of recording is poor with a small collection of standard pipe tunes played in a less than inspired performance. Recommend you try another album. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

The best money you will ever spend.
This ensemble plays both with precision and bravura. It successfully exploits the rich sonorities and full color pallate of the brass band through performances of a good, representative sample of the genre. The recording quality is quite good. I highly recommend the recording.

Outstanding musicianship, precision and interpretation
The University of Michigan Symphony Band is obviously a talented and disciplined group. The precision of the rhythms and the imaginative interpretation of these marches jumps right off the CD. This is a truly professional recording and a great example of what well-played marches sound like.

Excellect production of military marches.
This digitally recorded CD has sparkling, crisp sound. The band numbers are well chosen and stirs up military visions of bygone formations and parades. I rate this recording as one of the best I have heard in the past twenty years. I was shocked at the most reasonable price and the high quality of the recording. An excellent buy! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Leonard Bernstein always did odd things with this symphony--little speedups and slowdowns, strange emphases, distortions of rhythm--that sort of thing. These habits only got worse as he grew older, and his later recording of the piece, for DG, is a mess. This one is unusual, but not so far gone that it steps over the line wherein character becomes mannerism. An interesting disc, then, if perhaps not a first choice. --David Hurwitz ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The Berwick Tattoo
The Berwick Tattoo occurs every two years at the barracks of the King's Own Scottish Borderers at Berwick on Tweed. This is a relatively new Tattoo, and an example of some of the newer shows coming up to replace some of the older fair which has passed away in the UK. The recordings quality for a live performance is excellent. Highlights include the massed pipes and drums display, and then individual displays by the various military bands present. The display by the newly formed Highland Band is of particular interest, the band having been recently formed from the remnants of the Scottish Division bands. The finale includes all the standard fair for these kinds of shows. The listener should find the music enjoyable, as well as entertaining. Many good marches are played throughout. This is not CD with a lot of non-military fare in it, which should make it of particular interest. Recommended for those who like Tattoos and live music performances. ... Read more