RAF band CD dedicated to Battle of Britain personnel
The release of the album is one of the many events taking place this year to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. As …
The release of the album is one of the many events taking place this year to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.
As well as being dedicated to personnel involved in the Battle of Britain, the ‘Reach For The Skies’ album also pays tribute to those currently serving overseas on operations and who are also being called on to make the supreme sacrifice.
The central focus of the Decca album is a brand new version of Churchill’s history-changing speech ‘The Few’. For the first time this will be enriched by music from the Central Band and his ‘Finest Hour’ speech is also on the album, another great homage to the RAF.
The album features classic tunes such as Spitfire Prelude, 633 Squadron and the Dambusters March as well as a contemporary new ballad ‘It’s A Long Way To Go’ written by band members Chief Technician Rob Jordan and Senior Aircraftman James Lawrence.
Chief Technician Jordan said:
We wanted to bring the album right up to date and appeal to a new audience, but still reflect the sacrifices made during the Battle of Britain. The ballad reflects on the separation that all servicemen and women feel while serving overseas on operations and the love from their partners and families that carries them through those times.
General Manager for Decca records, Mark Wilkinson, added:
With ‘Reach For The Skies’, and with a little help from Winston Churchill himself, we have produced an album of which we’re all immensely proud, and one that we hope will continue to showcase the excellence of musicianship for which the RAF have always been known.
Dedicated to all the men and women who fought in the Battle of Britain, we hope that it can play some part in keeping alive great music, great musical traditions, and the spirit of The Few.
The album goes on sale on 27 September 2010 but can be reserved with online retailers now.