I'm strictly a layperson when it comes to classical music, so if my take on Sousa sounds choppy & neanderthol, please pardon me!

This is the third Sousa CD I bought that is conducted by the United States Marine Band, and so far, I enjoy their take on John Phillip Sousa Marches heads above the rest. When a Sousa March moves me, it is because it is more than uplifting; it is sheer elation, a pure mood enhancer when waking up in the morning. "The President's Own" delivers this spirit better than any other source I have heard. The pace is brisk, but not rushed. I've heard other bands' versions of Sousa where the conductor seems to let the chief instruments overshadow others (the flute often seems to be one of the characters drowned out), where the instrumentals in The Marine Band sound so beautifully distributed that I often find myself listening to a March I've heard countless times, and suddenly hear a rhythm or melody from a wind instrument I had never noticed before.

If you have never heard many of John Phillips Sousa's Marches before, this is a good place to start. "Fairest Of the Fair" starts with such an optimistic and energetic pace that it is a hard act for the following tracks to follow. This was the first time I heard the March, and it has become one of my top five Sousa favorites. The next track delivers with "Hands Across the Sea." The persons who compiled this collection have a great ear for Marches as nothing disappointed me. Two tunes that especially grabbed me are "High School Cadets" and the exotic "The Picador."

John Phillip Sousa is one of the most enjoyable musical discoveries I have come across in years. Give this CD a shot, I think you will find it a fabulous listening experience!

1 of 1 found the following review helpful:

the marine band returns to its origins  Aug 10, 2009
By carl mcmath "hi there"
Colonel Albert Schoepper is the conductor on this disc and it displays his energetic , take no prisoners personality exactly. He brings out all the drive and energy of these Sousa pieces very well.
However, it sounds a little dated. The present-day band is certainly more nuanced and musical and less, "in your face."
Nevertheless, the Marine Band is here in all its glory and glory it is, indeed. March lovers will love this CD which was probably recorded in the 1960s as Colonel Schoepper retired in 1972.

Sousa 3 and all 4 CD collection  Mar 03, 2006
By E. Chamoun
If you are a very good listener of Sousa Marches I recommend to buy this 4 CD collection.

Spanish: Si eres amante de las Marchas de Sousa les recomiendo comprar esta coleccion de 4 CDS

2 of 5 found the following review helpful:

Not Great Sousa!  Nov 06, 2003

Despite the fact that this is the Marine band playing Sousa I would not rcommend this product. The selection of Sousa marches is standard, the length of the CD is too short for the price, and the recording quality is poor. There are better Sousa albums elsewhere.