Army band scoops Best Album Classical Brit Award for music recorded in Iraq
16 May 2009, 1554 Hrs

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London, May 16 An army band, which spent time between recording in a makeshift studio in Iraq and patrolling the streets of Basra, has won the Best Album gong at the Classical Brit Awards.

The pipers of the Royal Scots Dragoon guards were halfway through putting together their album when they were deployed on a six-month tour of Iraq last autumn.

And instead of giving up the project, they shipped their recording equipment to Basra, and braved the 40-degree heat and the risk of grenade attacks to finish the work.

Against all the odds, the album described as "the most dangerous record ever made" was named the year's best at a star-studded evening held at the Royal Albert Hall.

Major Angus Benson-Blair, who dedicated the award to all British service personnel, accepted it amidst a standing ovation.

"The award is obviously about the album, but I know everyone in the Armed Forces will see also each vote as supporting us in everything we do," Sky News Online quoted him as saying.

"So on behalf of every single soldier, sailor and airman I would like to say a huge and heartfelt thank you for every vote for the pipes and drums of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards. Thank you so much," he added.

The album, Spirit Of The Glen: Journey beat off competition from established stars, including Katherine Jenkins and Andrea Bocelli.

And it marks the first time non-professional musicians have won a Classical Brit. (ANI)

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