Soundtrack Of The American Soldier
Navona, 2020
8/10
Listen to Soundtrack Of The American Soldier
A listen with Col. Jim R. Keene at the helm, the sounds of contemporary works for wind band are delivered here by The United States Army Band and Soldier’s Chorus, where the music of classic American films and video games is present with much eloquence and playfulness.
“Brass Celling (The Journey Of General Ann Dunwoody)” starts the listen percussively strong and builds into a majestic display of diverse and fluid instrumentation, and "Overture To ‘Sergeant York’” follows with an initial giant blast of brass before segueing into calmer, intimate areas of dynamic instrumentation.
Closer to the middle, “American Sniper Suite” recruits marching band drumming and frisky piano as much atmosphere enters the fascinating landscape, while “The Long Road Home: Suite From The Mini Series” is both dramatic and expressive in its bold execution.
Deeper into the listen, “God Bless America” soars high with sublime group vocals and crisp instrumentation that sparkles flawlessly, and “Army Strong” rumbles with a triumphant spirit of glowing brass and divine chemistry between the many players on hand.
A record that celebrates the stories of the men and women who have served, we’ve all heard these songs before, but never quite like this, and you’ll want to hear them again and again, as Col. Jim R. Keene and company are all in fine form from beginning to end.
Travels well with: Michael G. Cunningham- Indiana Collectanea; Kirk O’Riordan- Autumn Winds