Altissimo Records
Various Composers
Forward March! Great American Marches
About This Album
Altissimo's Forward March! is a collection of marches played by the U.S. Army Band under the direction of its leader and commander, Colonel Gary F. Lamb. Known as "Pershing's Own," the U.S. Army Band was instituted in 1922 by General John J. "Black Jack" Pershing, making it a relative youngster in comparison to the U.S. Marine Band. Nonetheless, the U.S. Army Band fulfills some significant duties within the United States, leading every Presidential Inaugural Parade since 1925 and recently performing at the state funeral of President Ronald Reagan.

The generous selection of 17 pieces is well chosen and generally well sequenced, except for an instance when two similar sounding marches in the same key appear in succession. Altissimo does not identify the location of the recording, which is rather dry as though recorded in a classroom and somewhat lacking in low, mid-range. The music is played quite well, particularly Samuel Barber's concert march Commando March, although Colonel Lamb has a tendency to pull slightly on tempi in sections where the pace is supposed to be steady. For marching band music buffs, there are a couple of rarities included, such as T.B. Boyer's Joyce's 71st N.Y. Regiment March and The Purple Carnival by Harry L. Alford. Otherwise, the program is standard without being routine. Among the major ensembles from within the American military, the U.S. Army Band has not recorded extensively, so Forward March! is a welcome account of this band's sound and style. ~ Uncle Dave Lewis, All Music Guide
Track List

John Philip Sousa The Rifle Regiment, March For Band
1.
William Paris Chambers The Boys Of The Old Brigade, March For Band
2.
John Philip Sousa The Invincible Eagle, March For Band
3.
Samuel Barber Commando March, For Band
4.
John Philip Sousa Daughters Of Texas, March For Band
5.
Edwin Franko Goldman The Chimes Of Liberty, For Band
6.
Thornton Barnes Boyer Joyce's 71st New York Regiment March
7.
Edwin Eugene Bagley National Emblem, March For Orchestra (or Band)
8.
Claudio S. Grafulla Washington Grays, March For Band
9.
Charles E. Duble Bravura For Band
10.
Harry L. Alford The Purple Carnival March
11.
Silas Erly Hummel National Spirit March
12.
James Hosay The Virginians, For Band
13.
John Philip Sousa The Washington Post, March For Band
14.
Henry Fillmore Americans We For Band
15.
Karl L. King Barnum And Bailey's Favorite, March For Orchestra (or Band)
16.
John Philip Sousa The Stars And Stripes Forever, March For Band
17.