PASSING IN (CLCD13604) - Programme of Music

A Life on the Ocean Wave (Russell), Markers Call/Divisons Call (Trad.), Sea Shanties (Trad.), Auld Lang Syne (Trad.), On the Quaterdeck (Alford), By Land and Sea (Alford), Heart of Oak (Boyce), The Thunderbirds (Gray), Rule Britannia (Arne), Scipio (Handel), Defence of the Realm (Weston), The Captain General (Dunn), Soldiers of the Sea (Dunn), Washington Greys (Grafulle), The New Colonial (Hall), Barnum and Bailey Favourite (King), On Parade (Elms), Shrewsbury Fair (Neville), Wellington (Zehle), The Invincible Eagle (Sousa).

Band of H.M. Royal Marines, Plymouth. D.O.M. Major P. Weston M.Mus., A.R.C.M., L.R.S.M., R.M.

Introduced and Narrated by Commodore D.W. Pond R.N.

A fascinating and imaginatively conceived disc giving an excellent insight into the ‘Passing In’ parade at H.M.S. Raleigh, Torpoint, Cornwall in which new entrants after 8 weeks initial basic training make the formal and somewhat dramatic transition from ‘civvies’ to sailors as the ‘Pass In’ to the Royal Navy. There is an interesting, informative and succinct commentary interpolated at several points by Commodore D.W. Pond R.N. Playing through this CD with one or two occasional shouted orders setting the scene gives one the distinct feeling of being transported to the parade ground of this naval establishment hopefully perhaps as a passive observer rather than an actual participant doubtless under the gimlet eye of a seasoned C.P.O.! The programme which was recorded in the band complex rather than the parade ground includes a fine selection of marches by some of the giants of the genre – Alfrod, Dunn, Sousa and even a certain Mr. Handel! There’s also a recent piece – Defence of the Realm – by the current D.O.M. of the Plymouth Band, Major P.A. Weston. All credit to Clovelly for releasing this disc with all dispatch since the recording sessions took place in late September 2004 and the disc was in my hands by mid November 2004! Recording quality is full and brilliant and it’s difficult to imagine finer playing than we get here from the Plymouth Band. So full marks to Clovelly and the Senior Service for such an unusual, enterprising, and engrossing disc. Despite the armchair ‘square bashing’ this CD has given me great and stimulating pleasure – there is absolutely no danger of ‘nodding off’ and is cordially commended not least for the great musical experience. Roger Hyslop