When it comes to traditional British music, there are many instruments that spring to mind. Less obvious is the world of brass, yet as the award winning Bellowhead and Unthanks have proved it's a combination that can give a whole new dimension to roots music. Yet the acclaimed English bands are not the originators of such an approach. That honour falls to a group who came together in the early 1980s with an already impressive pedigree and went on to re-write the rulebook. Now, Brass Monkey is back. 2012 has seen the band's 30th anniversary and, following a number sporadic reunion over the years, Brass Monkey has been celebrating in style. Original members Martin Carthy, John Kirkpatrick, Roger Williams and Martin Brinsford have been joined by Paul Archibald and Shane Brennan to form a six strong version of the line-up, playing concerts and festivals across the UK. Now you can relive the magic of those nights with a new release on Park Records. A DVD / CD collection, Brass Monkey - The Best Of Live captures the sound of a band as energetic and engaging as when they first appeared all those years ago. While others may be happy to view such a milestone as an opportunity to sit back and relax, for this most unique of bands it is simply the start of a new adventure.
