anyone listen to marching bands?

"Digital March", Tokyo Brass Ensemble, Japanese Denon release 38C38-7027. Well recorded, great dynamics, stirring as hell.

"World's Greatest Marches", Intersound 3828, 3 disc compilation. Everything from Sousa to Wagner to Elgar to Mendelssohn. Spotty recording/mastering quality but great variety and fun.

I love a march. Marches connect to ragtime; ragtime to stride. Check it out.

Definitely get the Blast DVD, it's fun to watch. A friend of mine saw the group perform at the NJ Performing Arts Center and ran out to buy the DVD, which I saw at his home on a big screen with audio played over a Dynaudio Evidence Master/Levinson 33 based system.

My son's High School marching band won the BOA (Bands Of America) National competition his Freshman year, and that experience endeared me to sight and sound of a "good" performing band. In fact, a recording was made of his band, and because of the 100's of times I heard the live performance, I use the CD as a reference.

With that said, get the RCA CD: "Blast". The performance “Blast” evolved from the Star of Indiana (Indiana University based, Drum and Bugle Corps). That is, a theatrical performance was produced and choreographed based on three performing sections – Brass, Percussion, and Visual/Dance. Performers are in their early 20’s, drawn from mainly the U.S. Among them, “Blast” cast members hold 41 world titles.

I received the CD as a gift, and hesitated opening it for several weeks assuming that the recording would be less than a high quality one -- boy was I wrong!

If you want an excellent recording, and one of a marching band type performance, this one is it! The performance is described on the CD front as “An Explosive Musical Experience”. From my perspective, that’s more of an understatement, than an overstatement! In fact, if you’re unsure about whether to buy the CD or DVD, if you buy just one, I bet after listening/watching, you will buy the other....Cheers….

The best recordings I've heard of music a marching band might play is Frederick Fennell,conducting the Eastman Wind Ensamble. In addition to things like Souza marches,they play much of the literature you might hear a live band play at a good circus.

I have an old record of a fine marching band playing college fight songs, titled "Hail to the Victors", but I guess that wouldn't interest you! UM, class of '72! Go Blue!!

Yeah, them batton twirling chicks are something. Aren't they?

It was all in good fun. No malice on my side either.

There are several CD's that are out there, but most are not quality recordings.

Many are taped from live open air performances.
Thanks for the link.

I can almost feel and see the people behind the instruments as they play the music. A lot of hard work is involved with being a band member.....quite enjoyable listening.

I'm not scary. I am just inthusiastic.

The sound of a good military style marching band is very powerful. Both in the size and volume but also the images and feelings it connects with.

I would like to find a way to replicate the live experience in a recording, but am not sure if it can be done.

I will check out the Drum corps stuff, but would love to be able to find a O.S.U. band CD.

The songs and the sounds are one of a kind.

I only listen to this music on Saturday during football season, or if I want to get things going in the morning.

R2DF- I LOVE A PARADE. CONDUCTED BY JOHN WILLIAMS
This album is the real deal! You better have a system that can handle it though!!! I love it, great fun!

Absolutely no doubt about enjoying the marching band music....lol.
Usually on the weekends it will be playing on FM and the wife and I enjoy it, static and all.