Bollywood Brass Band

A slick set in two halves, we are taken through some of the key periods of popular Hindi cinema, most of which are from the 30s, 40s and 50s.  The group knock out back to back classics such as “Chaiyya Chaiyya” (the album of the same title was voted 7th world music album of 2011 by The Sunday Times), “Hoi Hoi” and A.R Rahman’s “Jai Ho”.  The latter is a real crowd pleaser as indicated by the remarkable transformation from vacant auditorium to thriving dance floor quicker than you can say “Jai Ho”!  There’s fun to be had for all ages as children, parents, grandparents get up off their feet and join in with the celebrations.  And that’s the BBB effect – these incredibly talented musicians exude a tremendous energy which is infectious – you can’t help but smile, laugh, tap your feet, bust a groove.  Not only that but they teach us a thing or two about Bollywood film and music in the introductions between each piece, without becoming tedious.  

 

Whilst the timely sways of their instruments, and their clapping and hollering, both charmed and fired up the crowd, the show was lacking a certain something – a Bollywood dancer.  Now I may well be biased, after all they had a dancer last time, but it felt as if that certain something would have strengthened the aesthetics and, as a result, enhanced the group’s engagement with the audience.  A visual reference to match the spectacular aural.  Despite its simplicity, this was an effective and incredibly enjoyable performance and the Bollywood Brass Band seem to have tapped into a flourishing market.  Where will their work take them next?