Review from the ITEA Journal Review for the CD: “Locomotion”

I've decided that one of the great privileges of serving as a reviewer for the ITEA Journal is reviewing the latest recording from the ever-expanding library of Steven Mead. I guess what always strikes me about Steve's work is the quality that each new disc possesses - quality not only in Steve's playing and the accompaniment, but also in the recording excellence. Locomotion most definitely troupes the line when it comes to this level of excellence.

One can tell immediately that this project holds a special significance for Steve, as the subtitle of the disc is Music from My Childhood. Having grown up near Bournemouth, on the south central coast of Britain, Steve, like many young euphonium players in the UK even today, had the opportunity to participate in his local Salvation Army Band. In his case, this was the Boscombe SA Band, and the impact that this had on Steve was most definitely great, as this disc testifies. Now, years later, Steve has returned to Boscombe as one of the greatest stories the euphonium has ever witnessed. (I'll add that you'd be remiss not to read Steve's account of growing up in the Boscombe Band, included in the disc jacket - it's wonderful!)

As I have experienced first-hand, there is something truly special about coming home to the place where you got your start musically, and this feeling of “home” seems to permeate Locomotion. Perhaps the subject matter of the disc is what gives this entire project this feeling, as nearly all of the works on this CD are monuments of the Salvationist euphonium repertoire. As a tremendous fan of the Salvation Army and its music, I can only say that the repertoire selection truly endears the disc to me, and I have taken great pleasure in listening to this disc on many occasions.

I should first tip my hat to the Boscombe Salvation Army Band for the work that they put into this project along with Steve. Without a doubt, the band shines on the disc, and their sensitivity to Steve's playing is fantastic. Admittedly, there are a handful of intonation issues in the disc, but you are likely to miss most of these if you aren't scrutinizing the band's playing. I should also mention that the band's soloists are quite excellent, providing characteristic sound and a lot of emotion in each track that they appear.

Perhaps my most favorite track on the disc (at least today anyway!) is David Chaulk's Variations on St. Francis. Better known as the hymn “All Creatures of Our God and King”, St. Francis provides a truly wonderful backdrop to Chaulk's compositional creativity in this selection. Joy Webb's classic There Will Be God (arr. Richard Phillips), at least by my take, receives one of the best reads that I've heard in some time (live and recorded), and the band's sensitivity to Steve throughout the track is quite remarkable. (I really like it when an accompanying ensemble can reduce volume without reducing quality of sound!) Furthermore, Steve really dazzles the listening audience with We'll All Shout Hallelujah, as this track really highlights his ever-amazing technique and virtuosity. This is a lively track (and a great crowd pleaser, too!) that uses “Jesus Loves the Little Children” as the primary material for the theme and three variations. Finally, (sadly, space cuts me short here!) the disc ends on a rather somber theme with William Himes' Journey Into Peace, musically portraying a spiritual pilgrimage. Personally, I couldn't help but feel that this work depicted the transcendence from life on earth into heaven, but this is personal opinion, of course! Unquestionably, this is a unique way to end the disc, and I find it to be very effective.

Like with the vast majority of Steve's recordings, this is another staple of the euphonium library, particularly if you are unfamiliar with the wonderful world of Salvation Army music (which, if you are a euphonium player, is nothing short of tragic!). I most definitely give this disc my highest recommendation, and urge all fans of great music making to purchase it!