32
Spring 2013 The Trombonist
Slides
Shires’ ‘Michael Davis’ trombone Review by Mike Innes When Steve Shires decided that it was time for his company to develop a sub .500 bore trombone for the commercial/jazz world he approached Michael Davis, known as the Rolling Stones’ trombonist, but who has also toured with Frank Sinatra and Buddy Rich to name but two! Michael Davis spent 27 years playing a King 2B Silversonic and so, here at the BTS, we knew there was only one London player to ask to write the review, a man who has also played the 2B Silversonic for his entire career - Mike Innes. After two weeks of using the Michael Davis model here are his thoughts: The Shires ‘Michael Davis’ model trombone immediately struck me as being beautifully constructed, easy to hold and operate even before I thought about playing a note… a seriously good start! I first blew a middle F in the bass clef stave. This is a much warmer note than a Bb or D on any trombone, and the instrument produced a very full and rich tone. Gradually I played all over the range from middle to low and then all the way up to a high F, all the notes were full and ‘sang’ really well! There were no stuffy areas or notes that felt like ‘smaller targets’ that you’d be nervous of and approach with caution. There is a lovely evenness and great ease of transition from one note or harmonic to the next and it’s as though the inside of the trombone is coated with silk. That is not to say that there is a lack of clarity and definition or that there was in anyway a feeling of woolliness. On the contrary, the tone is big and strong and the clarity and definition is superb. I found the trombone to be equally at home playing a ballad, leading a big band trombone section or in a pop/blues band. It will fit in almost anywhere as the quality of sound carries it through a bit like a good sound system in your car or home. The bell is a good weight and is about the size of a King 2B. This is important for the balance and feel of the instrument and it is also beautifully hand engraved. The feeling of quality also extends to the balance-weight, which is similar to the original H.N. White-made King counter-weights, and I found the water-key nicely shaped and positioned. The slide is just the right weight and is the smoothest you will find anywhere. Although the bore is less than .500, it is slightly larger than a Conn 24H or King 2B (although not dual-bore). If the bore was to be larger than .500 I suspect the sound would be thinner and not bigger. To me most King 2Bs sound bigger and warmer than a 2B+ and, in my opinion, there seems to be an optimum bore-size for a smaller trombone. This is it! It feels like an old friend (depending on the friend of course) and doesn’t take any getting used to. To sum up, the Michael Davis Shires model trombone is a superior quality product and plays like one. Simply a great trombone! For more information and to try the MD or other Shires model trombones contact the Sole UK importer Phil Parker Ltd. Tel. 0207 486 8206 e-mail sales@philparker.co.uk or visit their store at 106A Crawford Street London W1H 2HZ or online at www. philparker.co.uk
The Dancing Stones Cornish Legends in Brass Martin Prynn It’s not often that a brass CD reviewer gets to write the words ‘the Northumbrian Pipes are outstanding’ but the opening title track on this CD features just that. Written for brass quintet and the Northumbrian Pipes, played by Andy May, this track allows you to almost picture Cornwall. It shows the descriptive and almost cinematic feel in the writing of Martin Prynn at its finest! Each track of the recording features a different ensemble, cleverly selected to portray a different legend of Cornish mythology! As well as quintet and pipes there also features a piece for eight trombones, another for 16 brass and one that, as trombone players we will never understand, requires eight horns! For each ensemble, Martin has selected some of the finest brass talent around, and this is much in evidence by an exciting new work for solo trombone. Men Scryfa or Written-on-Stone, based upon the legend of the great Cornish warrior Rialobran Cunoval Fil, is superbly played by Dave Whitehouse. The work, although lasting under three minutes, is in two parts and described by the composer as ‘part one fast and furious, part two slow and elegiac’. However, Men Scryfa is a workout for the soloist, and would certainly make a welcome, if challenging, addition to the recital repertoire. So, if you enjoy brass (and Northumbrian Pipes) playing of the highest calibre this CD is a must for your listening pleasure! Chris Mackey