Yes, they are from Budapest and they do (mostly) play ragtime music, so no need to call Trading Standards. Drums, double bass, piano, trumpet and trumbone are a common enough line up in this festival, but adding a fiddle and xylophone throws in a bit of a twist. And when the proceedings are topped off with a good doze of silliness you do get something a bit different.
Not that these aren't serious musicians, they're a tight band with some quality soloists. But the overall feel is of music for fun and sheer entertainment.
The xylophone player provided the introductions, and much of the clowning. He has a competent singing voice, sensibly not pushing it over far, and with a certain charm from the Magyar intonations. But when he returns to stage in a hoodie and delivers a rap version of "Sweet Geogria Brown", or as a sheets and teatowel "Arab"playing the swanny whistle, you know not to take anything that happens too seriously. There's an excellent version of Scott Joplin's "The Entertainer"which ends with the whole band drifting off to sleep as the piano player slowly grinds to a halt, and how many bands do you see removing their shoes and 'playing' them? (The consequent aroma provided the only moment when I regretted my decision to sit in the front row....) Even the lugubrious bassman joins in the confusion.
But there's plenty of imagination in their arrangements of jazz standards, and they did a wonderful medley of tunes from Bizet's Carmen which, inevitably, ended up becoming an other funny routine.
Musically sound, but inherently light hearted, the BRB is the perfect way to spend an hour if you're seeking a musical experience that makes you laugh.
No comments:
Post a Comment