BeebRock - The BBC4/BBC3/BBC2/BBC1 Music Programmes thread

Welsh Megaman

Good to see Racey back in the charts.

Oh wait, this isn’t ‘Sounds Like Friday Night’.

Hotblack Desiato

Ol' Donie wrote: »

Thunderstruck isn't the worst anything.

If it's not Bon Scott it's not really AC/DC

Skid X

I see the BBC will be giving some rare exposure to Nile Rodgers by giving him the New Years Eve Live Concert on BBC1

http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2017/new-years-eve

Music legend Nile Rodgers and his sensational band CHIC will be lighting up this New Year’s Eve live on BBC One as they bring some of the biggest hits ever to an unmissable music and firework spectacular in London.

For the fifth year running, and following in the footsteps of Gary Barlow, Queen + Adam Lambert, Bryan Adams and Robbie Williams, BBC One will broadcast a special live music concert before and after the world famous fireworks display on the River Thames.

I think that's a decent choice, in fairness.

Ol' Donie

Skid X wrote: »

I see the BBC will be giving some rare exposure to Nile Rodgers by giving him the New Years Eve Live Concert on BBC1

http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2017/new-years-eve



I think that's a decent choice, in fairness.

Ooh, Nile Rodgers.

Bet he's met some famous people in his time.

Skid X

Hi there, not much new on the horizon this weekend - Sky Arts has a new bit of reggae while Gregory's Porter's enjoyable but not unmissable thing trundles to a close.

The requiem for Tower Records has another outing still ignoring the Dublin branch which is still tipping along, and will have the Luas stopping outside it's door any day now ...




Thursday
7am Radio 2 in Concert: Nile Rodgers and Chic (BBC Red Button, Repeated on Loop at various times over the weekend)

5pm Discovering Music: Jethro Tull (Sky Arts)
Music experts explore the music of Jethro Tull, one of the most commercially successful and eccentric progressive-rock bands Britain has ever produced

9pm Johnny McEvoy and Friends (TG4)
The musician performs tracks including The Ferryman, Grandpa, The Battle's Over, Rose of Allendale, Mansion House on the Hill and You Seldom Come to See Me Anymore. Plus, he is joined by guest Johanna. From soundtracks recorded in the RTÉ Studios in December 1987

10pm Feis Chiuil Thiriodh: The Levellers (BBC Alba)
The Levellers perform onstage at Tiree Music Festival 2016. The band members also enjoy a chat with presenters Sarah Cruickshank and Vicky Kilgour

11pm Rolling Stone: Stories from The Edge (Sky Arts)
Ep 3 repeat



Friday
2pm Soundstage presents Joan Baez (Sky Arts)
The Grammy award-winning American folk singer is joined by Gillian Welch and Nickel Creek for this 2004 concert

3.15pm 50 years with Peter, Paul and Mary (Sky Arts)
Documentary celebrating the impact of the trio who brought folk music to America's mass audiences, combining artistry with activism

4.30pm The Stones In The Park (Sky Arts)
The Rolling Stones' 1969 Hyde Park concert dedicated to the memory of the band's guitarist Brian Jones, who had died two days previously

5.30pm Discovering Music: Meat Loaf (Sky Arts)
Music journalists examine the life and music of Michael Lee Aday, better known as Meat Loaf, the larger-than-life singer-songwriter behind Bat Out of Hell

7pm Trailblazers: Pop Radio (Sky Arts)
Former Sex Pistols bassist Glen Matlock and DJ Annie Nightingale are among those examining the role of radio in some of pop's biggest hits, from Queen to Pharrell Williams

7.30pm Sounds Like Friday Night (BBC1)
Radio 1 presenter Greg James with Radio 1 Xtra's DJ Dotty present a lively mix of entertainment direct from the now refurbished BBC Television Centre in London's White City. Brit award-winner Paloma Faith joins the pair to complete the hosting line-up, introducing performances by chart-busting singer Rita Ora and all-conquering rock duo Royal Blood

9pm & 1.20am Rolling Stone: Stories From The Edge (Sky Arts)
Ep 4

9pm & 12.55am Top Of The Pops: Big Hits 1980 (BBC4)
A selection of performances from the show in the first year of the 1980s, when the rise of a new generation of pop stars signalled a new era for Top of the Pops and for British society. Featuring My Girl by Madness, Brass in Pocket by Pretenders and Geno by Dexys Midnight Runners, as well as appearances by Adam Ant, Spandau Ballet, the Piranhas, Hot Chocolate, OMD, Motorhead and the Beat

10pm Gregory Porter's Popular Voices (BBC4)
Truth Tellers The soul and jazz performer examines how early 20th-century blues growlers, such as Bessie Smith, paved the way for the rhyme and flow of hip-hop, how truth became a quest of rock 'n' roll's greatest poets from Woody Guthrie to Gil Scott-Heron, to Lou Reed and Suzanne Vega, and why popular voices including Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen and Kurt Cobain don't have to be technically perfect to resonate so deeply and stir people's souls. Contributors include Dave Grohl, Suzanne Vega and KRS-One. Last in the series

10pm All Things Must Pass: The Rise and Fall Of Tower Records (Sky Arts)
Colin Hanks examines the history of the American retail music chain, from its origins in 1960 till its closure in 2006, as well as the legacy forged by its founder Russ Solomon. Still going in Dublin's Dawson Street, well worth a visit.

11pm Truth Tellers at The BBC (BBC4)
Clips from shows including The Old Grey Whistle Test, Top of the Pops, Later with Jools Holland and Britpop Now allow a nostalgic look back at some of the most outspoken, thought-provoking and lyrically gifted songsters to have visited the BBC's studios. Contributors range from socially discerning troubadours like Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell, to modern-day poets Patti Smith and Gil Scott Heron, and rap disrupters like KRS-One, as well as more recent social observers such as Jarvis Cocker, Nick Cave and George the Poet

11.50pm Fairport Convention: Folk Heroes (Sky Arts)
The original members of the band look back on Fairport Convention's 50-year history and reflect on how they pioneered the British folk rock movement

Midnight Bastille Live at Eden (BBC4) New!
A performance from Cornwall's Eden Project, recorded in June 2017. Bastille's appearance was considered a highlight of the 16th year of the Eden Sessions, which is renowned for the stature of the artists it has attracted since its inception in 2002. The indie band play many of their best-known songs, including Glory, Good Grief, Icarus and Pompeii

12.35am TOTP2 Christmas (GOLD)
Festive hits from yesteryear, featuring Coldplay, Curtis Mayfield, Mariah Carey and David Bowie

1.05am Other Voices (RTE2)
Imelda May, Willie Nelson, Cage The Elephant and All Tvvins perform on the music show, presented by Annie Mac, Huw Stephens and May-Kay Geraghty

1.55am The Girl From Ipanaema: Brazil, Bossa Nova and The Beach (BBC4)
Katie Derham examines the story behind Antonio Carlos Jobim and Vinicius de Moraes's song The Girl from Ipanema, which was written in 1962 and was later translated into English by American lyricist Norman Gimbel. Katie meets some of the key figures in Brazil's bossa nova scene and traces the roots of the genre to bohemian Rio de Janeiro in the 1950s, and examines its influence on modern jazz

2.55am Queens Of Jazz: The Joy and Pain of The Jazz Divas (BBC4)
Celebrating the achievements of five female jazz singers of the 20th century - Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Sarah Vaughan and Nina Simone. The film examines how these artists managed to triumph against the odds at a turbulent time in America's social history. With contributions by singers including Annie Ross, Lisa Stansfield, Melody Gardot and Gregory Porter and critics such as Gary Giddins, Dave Gelly and Alvin Hall

3.20am Sinatra: The Man and The Music (Sky Arts)
A TV special from 1981 in which Sinatra is joined by Count Basie and his orchestra, with songs including I Get a Kick Out of You, Nice 'n' Easy and Thanks for the Memory



Saturday
1.15pm Elton John: Million Dollar Piano (Sky Arts)
The musician plays a selection of his greatest hits, recorded during his residency at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas. Featuring performances of Rocket Man, Crocodile Rock, Tiny Dancer, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, I'm Still Standing and Circle of Life

3.30pm Eric Clapton plays Baloise Session (Sky Arts)
Eric Clapton and his band conclude their 2013 concert tour at the Baloise Session in Basel, Switzerland, playing Don't Go to Strangers, Since You Said Goodbye, Call Me the Breeze, Cocaine and After Midnight. Clapton then sits down for an acoustic session, in which he performs Driftin', Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out, Goodnight Irene and Layla

4.40pm TOTP2 Christmas (GOLD)
Same as Friday

7pm BST Hyde Park Sessions 2016 (Sky Arts)
Highlights of the British Summer Time events from July, featuring performances by Florence and the Machine, Take That, Mumford & Sons, Carole King and Stevie Wonder

9pm & 2am Toots & The Maytals: From The Roots (Sky Arts) New!
The story of Jamaican musician Frederick `Toots' Hibbert, who helped define reggae and ska with his band the Maytals. Featuring performance and backstage footage of the group

10.30pm Don Letts: Dread meets Punk Rockers (Sky Arts)
Documentary by Don Letts exploring the links he forged between the roots reggae sounds of his Jamaican heritage and the quickly growing punk scene in London in the 1970

11.30pm Rolling Stone: Postcards from The Edge

12.15am Cuirm@Celtic: Stockton's Wing (BBC Alba)
A concert by Stockton's Wing, a band that dominated the folk scene of the 1980s and '90s as they took traditional music and made their own sound

12.30am Guth: Oasis (TG4)
The family history of Oasis duo Noel and Liam Gallagher, who were born and raised in Manchester to Irish parents Peggy Sweeney and Tommy Gallagher. Originally from Charlestown in Co Mayo, Peggy left Ireland in the early 1960s and travelled to the north-west of England where she met and married Tommy from Duleek in Co Meath

12.30am Madness: Live At House Of Common (Sky Arts)
The veteran band headline the festival held on London's Clapham Common, with a set featuring Our House and It Must Be Love

12.40am Burt Bacharach: A Life In Song (BBC4)
Coverage of a unique concert staged at London's Royal Festival Hall celebrating the music of songwriter and performer Burt Bacharach. Some of his most famous songs are performed by artists including Alfie Boe, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Shaun Escoffery, Rebecca Ferguson, Justin Hayward, Michael Kiwanuka, Laura Mvula and Joss Stone. Burt himself also performs, accompanied by his band, and chats to Michael Grade about the art of songwriting and shares the stories behind some of his best-loved hits

3.30am Classic Artists: Jimi Hendrix (Sky Arts)
Friends and fans of the American musician tell the story of one of rock's great icons, who dazzled in the 60s with his outrageous guitar-playing skills and experimental sound



Sunday
8pm Queen: Hungarian Rhapsody - Live in Budapest (Sky Arts)
A 1986 concert by the rock band recorded at Nepstadion in Budapest, Hungary, during the 1986 Magic Tour, which was the last to feature vocalist Freddie Mercury. The set includes hits Under Pressure, Bohemian Rhapsody, Crazy Little Thing Called Love, I Want to Break Free and We Will Rock You

8.30pm Pat Shortt's Music From D'Telly (RTE1)
Footage of concerts from Dublin's National Stadium in the 1970s, featuring Dolores Keane, Rita Coolidge and Glen Campbell, plus Lindisfarne at the Lisdoonvarna Folk festival

9.30pm Nathan Goes To Nashville (RTE1)
Nathan Carter follows in the footsteps of his country music heroes and explores Nashville, the beating heart of the world's country music scene. He also performs in the famous Bluebird Cafe, where Chris Gaines and Taylor Swift were discovered, and meets acclaimed singer Crystal Gayle

10pm Discovering Music: Queen (Sky Arts)
Friends and fans of Queen discuss their admiration for the rock band and reflect on the group's career and music

10pm Pop Goes Northern Ireland (BBC2NI)
The key events of 1993, when talks began between the British government and the Taoiseach to bring peace to Northern Ireland, while the possibility of an IRA ceasefire also came under discussion. Despite outbreaks of violence including the Shankill Road bombing and the Greysteel Massacre, the year ended on a hopeful note with the Downing Street Declaration

11pm Ceol Johnny Cash (TG4)
Republic of Loose, Fiachna O Braonain and the Hot Sprockets, and Eleanor McEvoy perform personal renditions of Johnny Cash classics Cry Cry Cry, I Walk the Line and Ring of Fire




So there you are, bit of a pre-Christmas lull to the listings at the moment ... BBC4 should have rationed their TOTP a bit better.


Lethal Weapon 2 gets an airing on Dave (Saturday, 9pm) - The closing music is 'Cheer Down' by George Harrison (co-written with Tom Petty and co-produced with Jeff Lynne) - Hard to believe George is 16 years dead today (Thursday)

Ol' Donie

Nice one as usual Skid.

Couple of interesting shows there. The Katie Derham Brazil one would be worth a watch, although it is on pretty late.

Tower Records is a damgerous place for me to go. Any time I'm near Dawson St it costs me a fortune.

Agus Oasis ar TG4! Go deas ar fad, be the hokey.

The Nal

The Tower Records doc is great. Really looking forward to the Toots one!

Welsh Megaman

Talking about Nova Radio on Sky Arts right now.

corkie

BBC 1 #SLFN - Sigrid

https://twitter.com/thisissigrid/status/936535609115660288

Didn't know of her beforehand, but the below track sounds familiar.

Skid X

I see Film4 are showing '20 Feet From Stardom' on Monday at 11.15pm, the Oscar winning Doc about Backing Singers.

I thought it was good, well worth a look

Gen.Zhukov

Skid X wrote: »

I see Film4 are showing '20 Feet From Stardom' on Monday at 11.15pm, the Oscar winning Doc about Backing Singers.

I thought it was good, well worth a look

That does look good. Very underrated the ol backing singers.

Skid X

How do, in the last few years BBC1 hosted a BBC Music Awards Concert which always seemed to me like a pointless drain on a stretched budget. It looks like the BBC Music people have come around to Skid McScrooge's thinking as it is gone this year, replaced by a sensible cheap studio based BBC2 review show.

Not that they've spent it anywhere else yet, slim pickings at the BBC yet again while Sky's biggie is a new Doc about Peter Blake, the Artist who designed the Sergeant Pepper Cover and lots of other things. More Christmas programming starting to filter into the schedules too, I recommend sticking a tape in for the Sky Arts Danny Baker one, it's a cut above your average compilation ...



Thursday
4pm The Music of Buddy Holly and The Crickets (Sky Arts)
Paul Gambaccini narrates a documentary celebrating the life of the Texan singer-songwriter, who began his career opening for Elvis Presley and became a star in his own right

11pm Rolling Stone: Postcards from The Edge (Sky Arts)
Repeat of Ep 4

Midnight Toots & The Maytals: From The Roots
The story of Jamaican musician Frederick `Toots' Hibbert, who helped define reggae and ska with his band the Maytals. Featuring performance and backstage footage of the group



Friday
2pm Tina Turner Live in Holland (Sky Arts)
A concert from 2009 in which the singer performs hits including Steamy Windows, Private Dancer, What's Love Got to Do with It and GoldenEye at the GelreDome Stadium in Arnhem

4pm BST Hype Park Concerts 2016 (Sky Arts)
Highlights of the British Summer Time events from July, featuring performances by Florence and the Machine, Take That, Mumford & Sons, Carole King and Stevie Wonder

7pm Trailblazers: Pub Rock (Sky Arts)
A fascinating musical journey examining the development of the back-to-basics movement that emerged in the south of England in the 1970s

7.30pm Sounds Like Friday Night (BBC1)
English singer-songwriter and model Dua Lipa plays co-host to a packed finale of the series, joining regulars Greg James and Dotty at the studios of the now refurbished Television Centre in London's White City. Among the performers are Leicester quartet Kasabian and hip-hop bluesman Rag'n'Bone Man. Last in the series

8pm & 1am Top Of The Pops: 1981 Big Hits (BBC4)
The year 1981 embraced disco and ska, new wave punk, the burgeoning New Romantic scene and the rise of synthpop, with some prog quirkiness and good old rock'n'roll thrown in. Performances from big hitter soloists Phil Collins, Shakin' Stevens and Kim Wilde are featured alongside the exuberant chaos of groups like Tenpole Tudor, Adam and the Ants and the Teardrop Explodes. Plus, Odyssey, Clare Grogan, the Specials and the Human League

2017 9pm The Year in Music (BBC2) New!
Claudia Winkleman and Clara Amfo look back at the year's music highlights - featuring 2017's best albums, biggest artists and most unforgettable performances. The show includes interviews with Foo Fighters, Liam Gallagher, Stormzy, Nile Rodgers, Dua Lipa, Nick Grimshaw, Mistajam and Jo Whiley. As well as chatting Rag'n'Bone Man also gives an exclusive performance, while the winners of the prestigious 2017 BBC Music Awards are revealed. This looks like it is a downsized version of the BBC Music awards, for which they staged a big concert in each of the last two years.

9pm Tales From The Tour Bus: Rock N Roll On The Road (BBC4)
Rick Wakeman offers a first-hand account of rockers on the road from the late 1950s onwards, recalling the golden age of touring - a secret history of transport cafes, transit vans, B&Bs, sleepless roadies and loved ones left at home. The musician and tour bus aficionado also reflects on the audiences, both good and bad, and the gigs themselves, from the early variety package to the pubs, clubs and stadiums. With contributions by Suzi Quatro and members of Dr Feelgood, the Shadows, the Pretty Things, Fairport Convention, Happy Mondays, Aswad, Girlschool and the Damned

9pm & 12.55am Rolling Stone: Stories From The Edge (Sky Arts)
Ep5

10pm & 2am Classic Albums: American Pie (BBC4) New!
Crowned by its titular overture, Don McLean's 1971 second album is a classic of the folk-rock genre. Here, the singer discusses the intricacies of his songs, the sometimes fraught recording process, and the album's legacy. Other contributors include producer Ed Freeman and musician Jake Bugg, whose musical path was initiated when hearing Vincent for the first time on the TV. Plus, a poignant archive performance of George Michael performing The Grave
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09hqpzz


10pm The US v John Lennon (Sky Arts)
Film-makers David Leaf and John Scheinfeld trace John Lennon's journey from his years in the Beatles to anti-war activist and icon, revealing the story of why the US government tried to silence him

11pm Buddy Holly: Rave On (BBC4)
Rock 'n' roll started with Elvis, but some believe that pop music started with Buddy Holly and the Crickets. As a songwriter, Holly revolutionised the genre by introducing dynamic new rhythms and unpredictable melodies beyond its traditional blues roots. In his songs written and recorded in the late '50s, it is already possible to hear the beat group sound of the 1960s, and beyond. This documentary tells the story of Holly's tragically short life and career through interviews with those who knew him and worked with him. Contributors include Don McLean, Paul Anka, Don Everly, Hank Marvin and Bob Harris

11.15pm Ceol Hank Williams (TG4)
The story of the popular American country folk singer-songwriter, whose songs include Cold, Cold Heart, Hey, Good Lookin', and I'll Never Get Out of this World Alive. Plus, artists including Jack L, Mundy and Lumiere perform their own versions of Hank's classic tracks

11.30pm TOTP2 Christmas (GOLD)
Mark Radcliffe returns with another trawl through the archives of Top of the Pops, introducing a feast of festive delights from the BBC vaults including performances by Blur, Pretenders, the Bluebells, Katie Melua, Paul McCartney and Kurtis Blow. There's a classic rendition of Baby It's Cold Outside by Cerys Matthews and Tom Jones, as well as perennial yuletide favourites from the likes of Slade, Wham!, Wizzard, East 17, Mud, the Jackson 5 and Johnny Mathis, and rarely seen footage of Kate Bush extolling the delights of December and the festive season

11.30pm An Audience with Diana Ross (TV3)
The singer performs a selection of her greatest hits, including Chain Reaction, Endless Love and Stop! In the Name of Love, for a star-studded audience, including Boy George, Glenda Jackson, Martine McCutcheon, Julian Clary and Graham Norton

11.55pm Other Voices (RTE2)
Annie Mac, Huw Stephens and May-Kay Garaghty present performances by Mumford and Sons, Saint Sister, Rejjie Snow and Margo Price. Plus, in the Other Room, Roisin O

11.55pm My Beatles Black Album with Charles Hazlewood (Sky Arts)
The conductor creates a compilation album formed of solo tracks made by John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr following the break up of the Beatles in 1970

Midnight Rock N Roll America (BBC4)
Ep1/3 Sweet Little Sixteen Documentary examining the most important era in the history of popular music - the birth of rock 'n' roll. The opening programme focuses on the origins of the sound in 1950s America when the rhythm-driven mix of blues, boogie woogie and vocal harmony was nurtured by small independent record labels and championed by young music pioneers such as Fats Domino and Little Richard. This episode also looks at the start of Elvis Presley's career in Memphis and examines the impact the film industry had on the rock movement. Contributors include Tom Jones, Jerry Lee Lewis and Don Everly

1.50am John Lennon: Live in New York (Sky Arts)
A benefit concert by Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono staged in Madison Square Garden on August 30, 1972, in aid of children with developmental disabilities. Featuring performances of Instant Karma!, Mother, Cold Turkey, Give Peace a Chance and Imagine, as well as Beatles classic Come Together and a cover of Hound Dog



Saturday
1pm & 3.45am Paul McCartney: A MusiCares Tribute (Sky Arts)
Eddie Izzard hosts the 2012 MusiCares Person of the Year dinner and tribute concert at the Los Angeles Convention Centre, with guest of honour Paul McCartney kicking off proceedings. Artists including Alicia Keys, Tony Bennett, Norah Jones, Foo Fighters, Coldplay, Katy Perry, Neil Young and James Taylor then perform songs from the former Beatle's back catalogue, including Blackbird, Here,There and Everywhere, Oh! Darling, Jet, We Can Work it Out, Hey Jude, I Saw Her Standing There and Yesterday, before McCartney returns to the stage for the finale


3.30pm Danny Baker's Christmas Hits (Sky Arts)
The broadcaster and comedy writer presents a selection of 12 of his favourite festive songs as he attempts to define what makes the ideal Christmas song.

5.20pm TOTP2 Christmas (GOLD)
Same as Friday

7pm The British Invasion: Dusty Springfield (Sky Arts)
A celebration of Dusty Springfield, who rose to fame with 1960s hits including The Look of Love, Son of a Preacher Man and You Don't Have to Say You Love Me

9pm & 12.55am Peter Blake: Pop Art Life (Sky Arts) New!
This eye-opening film explores the way music has guided Peter Blake's work, from his design of The Beatles' Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album cover and beyond.
Featuring Sir Peter Blake, Rose Blake, Paul Weller, Noel Gallagher, Suggs, Chris Jagger, Bob Geldof and Gus Casely-Hayford

http://monomediafilms.london/our-films/peter-blake-pop-art-life/

https://vimeo.com/243034395


10pm The Beatles, Hippies and Hells Angels (Sky Arts)
The story of Apple Corps, the multimedia corporation founded by the Beatles that became one of the most colourful, outlandish and chaotic companies that ever existed
Trailer

Midnight Rolling Stone: Stories From The Edge (Sky Arts)
Same as Friday

1.55am The US v John Lennon (Sky Arts)
Same as Friday



Sunday
3.20pm The Three Tenors Christmas Concert (Sky Arts)
A recital from December 1999 in which Jose Carreras, Placido Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti perform festive favourites at the Konzerthaus in Vienna, including White Christmas, O Bambino, Adestes Fideles, Feliz Navidad, Ave Maria and Jingle Bells

9pm The Beatles: From Liverpool to San Francisco (Sky Arts)
Documentary following the band's early career and subsequent rise to fame, discovering how they conquered the charts and won millions of fans around the world

10pm Rod Stewart: Merry Christmas Baby (Sky Arts)
The rock singer performs songs from his debut Christmas album in a holiday special recorded in 2012 at the Villa de Leon in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles. There are guest appearances by Michael Buble, Mary J Blige and CeeLo Green, as well as a virtual duet with jazz icon Ella Fitzgerald on What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?, plus festive classics Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Santa Claus Is Coming to Town, White Christmas and Auld Lang Syne

11pm Ceol Patsy Cline (TG4)
A look at the life and career of country singer Patsy Cline, who successfully made the transition over to the pop music charts before her death at the age of 30, and was acclaimed as an influential vocalist. The programme includes Irish artists' versions of the singer's better-known tracks, including Crazy, performed by Brian Kennedy, and South of the Border, by John Spillane

11pm Pop Goes Northern Ireland (BBC2 NI)
A look back at key events of 1997, the year that Tony Blair came to power and serious disturbances erupted when the Drumcree Orange March was directed down the disputed Garvaghy Road. Plus, Sinn Fein were admitted to political talks, prompting a walk-out by the DUP

11.15pm Paul McCartney Live Kisses(Sky Arts)
The former Beatle performs tracks from his album Kisses on the Bottom at Capitol Studios in Los Angeles, recorded on February 9, 2012, the 48th anniversary of the band's US TV debut. Paul is joined by a virtuoso group of musicians led by Diana Krall at the piano



And that's more or less that. John Lennon (anniversary) and Buddy Holly (sure why not?) well represented up there.

Unusual looking Roger Daltrey Film of The Week might be Mack The Knife (TG4, Saturday 9.30pm), which is a London Underworld period based film version of a German Opera. I always thought that song was a Bobby Darin original, but its a cover translated from the 1928 German original. What a time to be alive ...

Gizmo55

I wouldn’t be a huge reggae fan but the Toots Hibbert doc on Sky Arts is great.

I'm loving this episode of TOTP's

Snake Plisken

TenpoleTudor FTW:D

Skid X

Dave Grohl took time out of his busy television schedule recently to do a Foo Fighters gig ... with his Bad Ass Mo Fo buddy Rick Astley!

Hotblack Desiato

Mother of jaysus, I've seen it all now.

Skid X

Hello, news this week of not one but two new programmes on the BBC featuring Travelling Wilburys. Roy on Friday and Jeff on Saturday and both look splendid. If only they had pushed the boat about and done a full Wilburys Weekend, but to be fair that's a lot better than the usual fare. There's the proper 1984 Christmas TOTP, which is nice.

Sky Arts counters with a new show about the Melody Maker, which was always on my reading list in Easons until they asked me to leave if I wasn't going to buy anything. Every week! ...


Thursday
4pm Discovering Music: Elton John (Sky Arts)
Friends, fans and fellow musicians reflect on Elton John's career, exploring his greatest hits, as well as his work on The Lion King and Billy Elliot

10pm Michael Buble's Christmas in Hollywood (TV3)
The Canadian crooner's fifth festive special sees him take to the stage of the Orpheus Theatre in Los Angeles, with guest appearances by Celine Dion, Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, and Tori Kelly. The music features classics such as White Christmas, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Jingle Bells, This Christmas and Here Comes Santa Claus. Michael also performs the premiere of his new Christmas song, The More You Give (The More You'll Have), and an unplugged medley of songs chosen from requests posted by his fans on social media

11.15pm Andy Williams: Happy Holidays (Sky Arts)
A selection of the very best moments from American singer and entertainer Andy Williams' Christmas TV specials

12.30am Rolling Stone: Stories from The Edge (Sky Arts)
Repeat of Ep 5



Friday
7pm Danny Baker Rocks The Seventies (A Bit) (BBC4)
The presenter introduces a selection of archive sessions by the era's most notable artists - including the Who, Genesis, Kate Bush and the Specials

7pm Trailblazers: Dance (Sky Arts)
An eye-opening look at the most memorable dance videos ever made, from Madonna's Vogue to Psy's Gangnam Style. Noddy Holder presents (Last in Series)

8.30pm & 12.35am Top Of The Pops - Christmas Day 1984 (BBC4)
The Christmas Day edition, introduced by and featuring Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Howard Jones, Duran Duran, Nik Kershaw, Culture Club, Thompson Twins, Jim Diamond, Wham, Paul Young, George Michael and Band Aid

9pm & 1.40am Rolling Stone: Stories From The Edge (Sky Arts)
The fascinating series examining Rolling Stone magazine's all-pervasive influence on popular culture over the last 50 years concludes. Last in the series

9.30pm & 1.35am Roy Orbison: Love Hurts (BBC4) New!
Roy Orbison died 29 years ago but he's hardly forgotten. As one of rock 'n roll's pioneers he achieved superstar status in the 1960s, writing and releasing a series of smash singles such as Oh, Pretty Woman, Only the Lonely, In Dreams and Crying. But while his professional life was full of triumph, Roy suffered terrible misfortune in his personal life, losing his wife and two of his children in successive tragedies, rebuilding his life by relying on his music to distract him from desolation.
Roy's legacy as a beloved rock legend and a devoted father is revealed through intimate interviews with Roy's three surviving sons, featuring previously unseen home videos as Alex, Roy Jnr and Wesley Orbison discuss the immense talent and fierce determination that provided the driving force behind their father's incredible success and the dedication to Roy's family that helped create a strong spiritual base to escape the pressures of the rock 'n' roll lifestyle.

This is the personal story of the relationship between three children and their father; a father who died when they were young, and who they have re-connected with and come to understand through embracing his life's work. It is not often that one gets to understand the person who is the music phenomenon, but in this film about relationships, family, love, loss and affirmation, we get to see the man behind the ever-present dark sunglasses and brooding loner persona, witnessing his struggle with personal demons, and ultimately redemption and acknowledgement from his peers.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09j0r8s

10pm Melody Makers, Should've Been There (Sky Arts) New!
Photographer Barrie Wentzell tells the story of the rise and fall of pioneering music magazine Melody Maker, which was a must-read for rock and pop fans for more than 70 years

10.30pm Roy Orbison & Friends: A Black And White Night (BBC4)
In a programme first broadcast in 1988 - the year of his death - the singer performs his greatest hits, including Oh, Pretty Woman, It's Over and Crying. His backing band is made up of stars including Bruce Springsteen, Tom Waits, Elvis Costello, Jackson Browne, kd lang, Jennifer Warnes and Bonnie Raitt. The TCB Band which backs all featured artists was Elvis Presley's band until his death in 1977 and includes James Burton, Glen D Hardin, Jerry Scheff and Ronnie Tutt with musical drector T-Bone Burnett. Filmed at the Cocoanut Grove nightclub in Los Angeles

11.10pm TOTP2 Christmas (GOLD)
Festive hits from yesteryear, featuring Coldplay, Curtis Mayfield, Mariah Carey and David Bowie

11.35pm Rock n Roll America (BBC4)
Ep 2Whole Lotta Shakin' The mid-1950s saw Elvis Presley made his TV debut with Heartbreak Hotel, following it with a gyrating version of Hound Dog that outraged the conservative media. A `cleaned-up' artist was required, and Christian family man Pat Boone sated that need. While Jerry Lee Lewis caused upset with Whole Lotta Shakin and the Everlys shocked with Wake Up Little Susie, bespectacled geek Buddy Holly calmed things down with his school friends the Crickets. Contributors include Jerry Lee Lewis, Don Everly and Tom Jones

11.55pm The Story Of The Jam: About The Young Idea (Sky Arts)
Documentary about the band, who were at the forefront of the late-1970s punk-mod scene, tracing the group's history from formation in 1975 to its end in 1982. Featuring interviews with frontman Paul Weller, bassist Bruce Foxton and drummer Rick Buckler, as well as archive performances

Midnight Other Voices (RTE2)
Conor Oberst, Kojey Radical, Lisa Hannigan, Carson McHone, Overhead and the Albatross perform on the music show, presented by Annie Mac, Huw Stephens and May Kay

2.45am Lady Antebellum: Wheels Up Tour (Sky Arts)
A 2015 concert by the American country music trio filmed at the Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre in California, with performances of songs including Bartender, Compass, Downtown, I Run to You, Need You Now, American Honey, Just a Kiss, Our Kind Of Love and We Owned the Light



Saturday
1.30pm Danny Baker's Christmas Hits (Sky Arts)
The broadcaster and comedy writer presents a selection of 12 of his favourite festive songs as he attempts to define what makes the ideal Christmas song

3pm A Kylie Christmas (Sky Arts)
Australian singer Kylie Minogue performs a host of Christmas classics together with new tracks and classic hits at London's Royal Albert Hall

3pm TOTP2 Christmas (GOLD)
Same as Friday

11.30pm Jeff Lynne's ELO: Wembley Or Bust (BBC2) New!
Recording artist, songwriter, record producer and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Jeff Lynne returns to the UK for a special concert, recorded at Wembley Stadium on June 24, 2017. Wembley or Bust sees Lynne and his musical ensemble deliver an extravagant show filled with set-pieces and vintage ELO tunes such as Mr Blue Sky, Livin' Thing, and Evil Woman. Jeff also performs songs from his time with the Traveling Wilburys, and a selection of his latest compositions

11.50pm Rich Hall's You Can Go To Hell, I'm Going To Texas (BBC4)
The sardonic comedian takes a trip to Texas to discover what it really means to be an inhabitant of `The Lone Star State'. He explores the landscape, the oil industry, the Alamo and the people, seeking the truth behind the myths and legends with the help of ranchers, musicians, politicians and scholars. With his customary wit he also examines the Texan psyche through its sport, movies, industries and lifestyle

12.10 Guth: Beatles (TG4)
A look at how members of the Beatles' awareness of their Irish roots saw them take a keen interest in the land of their ancestors


Country Night on Sky Arts!
6pm Shania Twain - Still The One: Live in Las Vegas (Sky Arts)
The Canadian country singer performs hits including I'm Gonna Getcha Good!, That Don't Impress Me Much and You're Still the One in a concert filmed during her residency at the Colosseum in Caesars Palace, Las Vegas

8pm CMA Country Christmas (Sky Arts)
Reba McEntire hosts the festive special from Nashville's Grand Ole Opry House, with stars including Lady Antebellum, Trisha Yearwood, Chris Young, Dustin Lynch and Alan Jackson

9.45pm Dixie Chicks: DCX MMXVI live (Sky Arts)
Footage from the American country trio's 2016 world tour, where the 13-time Grammy-winning American performed in sold-out venues across the globe

11.45 Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison (Sky Arts)
Documentary examining the country star's 1968 concert at California's Folsom Prison, with contributions by his family and band members, as well as inmates who witnessed the event



Sunday
6.30pm Happy Holidays with Bing and Frank (Sky Arts)
Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra's festive special from 1957, originally broadcast as an edition of The Frank Sinatra Show and its only instalment filmed in colour. Songs include Away in a Manger, The Christmas Song, Santa Claus Is Coming to Town and White Christmas

7.30pm Pat Shortt's Entertainment From D'Telly (RTE1)
The actor and comedian introduces a collection of festive favourites from the RTÉ archives, featuring seasonal music by Nanci Griffith, Shane MacGowan and Johnny Logan. There are crazy Christmas capers from The Late Late Toy Show, Niall Toibin, the Nualas and d'Unbelievables as well comedy from Killinaskully and Mrs Brown's Boys.

9pm Gwen Stefani's You Make It Feel Like Christmas (Sky Arts)
The American singer-songwriter hosts a festive special, featuring performances of Silent Night, Jingle Bells and Santa Baby, with Blake Shelton among the guests

10pm Lady Antebellum's Live on This Winter's Night (Sky Arts)
The country music superstars perform songs from their festive album On This Winter's Night at Nashville's Schermerhorn Symphony Centre

11pm Ceol Hank Williams (TG4)
The story of the popular American country folk singer-songwriter, whose songs include Cold, Cold Heart, Hey, Good Lookin', and I'll Never Get Out of this World Alive. Plus, artists including Jack L, Mundy and Lumiere perform their own versions of Hank's classic tracks

11.15pm Sinatra and Friends (Sky Arts)
A TV special from 1977, with John Denver, Natalie Cole, Dean Martin, Tony Bennett, Loretta Lynn, Leslie Uggams and Robert Merrill joining the singer

Quite a look to choose from, elsewhere the Sky/Freesat station 'Yesterday' packs in almost three hours of Guitar Heroes at the BBC from Saturday at 9.20pm.

Francis Albert Sinatra's features up above, I think his shows are on because it's his Birthday this week (December 12th)

Apparently due to an odd contractual legacy Frank had to be offered the role of John McClane first when Die Hard (Sunday, Channel 4 10pm) was made, even though he was 73 at them time http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2014/03/frank-sinatra-originally-offered-leading-role-die-hard/

Ol' Donie

Oh my God! That's mental! (Does this mean we can talk about Die Hard on this thread without going off topic? Yeah? Hans, boubies I'm yiser white knights!)

Now, some nice things there. I'd watch anything with Rich Hall, and anything about Texas, so whatever the positive version of killing two birds with one stone is, that'll be me on Saturday.

Thanks a miilion, Skid, nice one as always.

Welsh Megaman

Thanks Skid, looking forward to the Melody Maker documentary. I bought nearly every issue during the Britpop era, introducing me to bands I would never have known about such as Minty and Pizzicato Five.

Their writers always seemed more open-minded than the NME.

By the way, is Hot Press magazine still going? You would see it now and again over here in some branches of HMV.

Ol' Donie

Tis yeah. Bought it a few weeks back.

Deputy Editor Stuart Clark is on the Pat Kenny show every Friday. It's a good slot, I think.

Skid X

Ol' Donie wrote: »

Oh my God! That's mental! (Does this mean we can talk about Die Hard on this thread without going off topic? Yeah? Hans, boubies I'm yiser white knights!)

Ha, yeah I think Die Hard transcends all topics and should be considered fully on topic in any conversation on the internet or in real life!

Welsh Megaman wrote: »

Thanks Skid, looking forward to the Melody Maker documentary. I bought nearly every issue during the Britpop era, introducing me to bands I would never have known about such as Minty and Pizzicato Five.

Their writers always seemed more open-minded than the NME.

By the way, is Hot Press magazine still going? You would see it now and again over here in some branches of HMV.

Yeah, still ticking along. I should really buy it more often, it is doing well to keep going

I remember when Michael D Higgins used to do a regular column for them, not sure what happened to him.

Welsh Megaman

I can’t see the Melody Maker documentary in the TV guide

Welsh Megaman

Can’t listen to that Kate Bush song without thinking of Alan Partridge’s medley

Rolling the ball...

Welsh Megaman

Vivian Stanshall - legend

Skid X

Welsh Megaman wrote: »

I can’t see the Melody Maker documentary in the TV guide

It appears to have been dropped and replaced by a repeat of The Rise and Fall Of The Clash, for some unexplained reason.


Danny Baker, who was on a minute ago, gave it a slagging during the week

https://twitter.com/RockWalkLondon/status/941386034193068033

https://twitter.com/prodnose/status/941387095234531328

Welsh Megaman

Good selection of songs from Danny Baker, never seen that Eno performance before.

Skid X

Now do Relax!

Jordan 199

The producer of some of the stuff Howard Jones did went onto produce two albums for my favourite band

Welsh Megaman

A fine display of mullets