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

Welsh Megaman wrote: »

What exactly IS an Old Grey Whistle Test?

What exactly is an Old Grey Whistle Test?

It’s an old Tin Pan Alley phrase from the days of the song writing factories. They’d have song writers working nine-to-five to pump out songs. At the end of the week, they’d gather the most promising sounding songs and play them to some of the people who worked around the offices – like the doormen and the cleaners, who were nicknamed the ‘old greys’. It was said the mark of a hit single was that, having heard the song once or twice, you got the hook and could whistle along to it. So they’d play the old greys a selection of songs and the ones that they remembered – and liked – were the ones they could whistle along to. So the song had passed the ‘old grey whistle test’.

Kid Jensen presents an edition first broadcast May 24, 1979. Includes performances by the Skids, Roxy Music, ELO, Tubeway Army, Liner, the Damned, Dollar, David Bowie, the Shadows, Blondie and Elvis Costello and the Attractions. Plus, dance sequences by Legs & Co

A look into the private journals of the music legend, who overcame a period of racial segregation and prejudice in America to become one of the greatest jazz icons of all time. He was the only major black television star in Hollywood during his heyday - but, behind closed doors, those around him were thinking of a way to package him as a quasi white. A candid account of what really happened in and around his `fairytale' life is taken from his own written thoughts, interviews with his widow, Maria, and contributions from other family members and fellow musicians

A selection of archive performances by acclaimed female jazz artists from shows including Not So Much a Programme - More a Way of Life, Morecambe and Wise, Parkinson and Show of the Week. Featuring Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Blossom Dearie, Nina Simone, Cleo Laine, Marion Montgomery, Betty Carter, Sarah Vaughan, Eartha Kitt and Amy Winehouse

Celebrating the achievements of six female jazz singers of the 20th century - Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Sarah Vaughan, Nina Simone and Annie Ross. The film examines how these artists managed to triumph against the odds at a turbulent time in America's social history. With contributions from singers including Annie Ross, Lisa Stansfield, Melody Gardot and Gregory Porter and critics such as Garry Giddins, Dave Gelly and Alvin Hall

A selection of archive performances by jazz artists from shows including Jazz 625, The Late Show, Later - with Jools Holland and Crackerjack. Featuring Dizzy Gillespie, Coleman Hawkins, Stan Getz, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Wynton Marsalis, Acker Bilk, John Dankworth, Courtney Pine, John Surman and Andy Hamilton. Plus, the sounds of jazz disciples of the 21st century such as Joshua Redman and Hypnotic Brass Ensemble

Extended edition of Tuesday night's show. New York R&B artist Kelis performs tracks from her latest album Food, Chrissie Hynde of Pretenders plays songs from her first solo long-player Stockholm and singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran showcases tunes from his forthcoming record X. Plus, music by Texas indie-rock band White Denim, Cambridge born multi-instrumentalist Nick Mulvey and New Orleans alt-country group Hurray for the Riff Raff

A journey into the BBC archives, unearthing performances and candid interviews from the golden age of jazz. Featuring some of the greatest names in American music, from Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington and Count Basie to Oscar Peterson, Dizzy Gillespie and Ella Fitzgerald

Archive material from the show originally broadcast in the 1960s, with performances by Duke Ellington, Dave Brubeck, Dizzy Gillespie and the Julian `Cannonball' Adderley Sextet. Plus, rarely seen sessions featuring the likes of Wes Montgomery, Marian McPartland, Chris Barber's Jazz Band and Willie `The Lion' Smith

Part one of a Two-part documentary exploring the evolution and enduring popularity of the American rock band, beginning by charting the group's formation and rise to fame in the 1970s through to its break-up in 1980. Featuring rare archive material, concert footage, home movies and interviews with members past and present including Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Joe Walsh, Timothy B Schmit, Bernie Leadon, Randy Meisner and Don Felder. Plus, contributions by Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt and Kenny Rogers

Performances by new wave bands from the BBC archives, including Elvis Costello, the Police, Ian Dury and the Blockheads, Squeeze, Blondie, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, the Cars, Patti Smith and Iggy Pop. Last in the series

Biopic of Tina Turner. As an unknown singer from Tennessee, she is discovered by guitarist and producer Ike Turner, leading to a hugely successful performing partnership as well as marriage. Ike's behaviour, however, becomes increasingly unstable and violent, and Tina endures years of misery and torment before breaking free and achieving stardom as a solo artist. With Angela Bassett, Laurence Fishburne and Vanessa Bell-Calloway

Ol' Donie wrote: »

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yPav4lK6ijc

Just watching this. Think what you will of John Mayer, tell me this doesn't make you want to pick up a guitar.

The Oscar-winning documentary tells the story of the American rock icon, Detroit-based singer Sixto Rodriguez. At the outset of his career in the late 1960s he was briefly hailed as one of the finest recording artists of his generation - but his album bombed, and he disappeared into oblivion amid rumours of a gruesome on-stage suicide. A bootleg recording, however, found its way into South Africa during apartheid, becoming a phenomenon, and two devoted fans turned detective to find out what really happened to their hero. The film is directed by the late Malik Bendjelloul

Documentary exploring the popularity of singer-songwriters in Los Angeles during the 1970s. Carole King and James Taylor recall the beginnings of their artistic partnership at the Troubadour club in West Hollywood, and reflect on how the scene that grew up around the venue changed pop music. Featuring contributions by Elton John, Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, Kris Kristofferson, David Crosby, Roger McGuinn, Cheech & Chong, Steve Martin, JD Souther and Peter Asher

An hour-long compilation of classic singles highlighting the growing popularity of the singer-songwriter genre during the 1970s, which became one of the decade's defining styles. Featuring music by Elton John, James Taylor, Cat Stevens, Harry Nilsson, Neil Diamond, Steve Goodman, Joni Mitchell and Neil Young

Extended edition of Tuesday night's show. Canadian indie-rock band Arcade Fire perform tracks from the chart-topping 2013 album Reflektor ahead of their headline slot at Glastonbury Festival. Dublin rockabilly singer Imelda May showcases her Tribal LP, and Kendal's Wild Beasts perform a track or two from their critically acclaimed album Present Tense. Plus, music by American singer-songwriters Sharon Van Etten and Damien Jurado and London-based electronica artist Kwabs, while Shadows guitarist Hank Marvin chats to Jools at the piano. Last in the series

Noddy Holder presents a nostalgic look back at 1973, a year in which his band Slade were at their peak and had three number one singles. The latest fad was the snorkel parka, code-breaking board game Mastermind was a big success, Bruce Lee hit cinema screens in Enter the Dragon, impressionist Mike Yarwood got his own show and Telly Savalas shot to fame in Kojak

Noel Edmonds presents a festive edition of the music show, featuring acts including Darts, Abba, Boney M, Kate Bush, Brotherhood of Man, Father Abraham, Bee Gees, Brian and Michael, Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band, Wings, Showaddywaddy, Rose Royce and Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta

Archive performances from the BBC music series, featuring Elton John, David Bowie, Captain Beefheart, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Curtis Mayfield, New York Dolls, Bob Marley and the Wailers, Brinsley Schwarz, Gil Scott-Heron, Blondie, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, the Jam, Talking Heads, Iggy Pop, Cher and Greg Allman, Argent, Steppenwolf, Lindisfarne, Dr Feelgood and Johnny Winter

The concluding part of the documentary looks at the personal and professional struggles the musicians faced after the band broke up, and chronicles their reunion in 1994. The film also examines the subsequent resurgence in recording and performing throughout the next two decades, with tracks from their 2007 album Long Road Out of Eden earning them two Grammy awards

Paul Burnett presents an edition from May 31, 1979, with performances by Quantum Jump, Chas & Dave, Sparks, Fischer-Z, Peaches & Herb, Voyager, Blondie and Hot Chocolate. Plus, dance sequences by Legs & Co

Collection of archive performances by artists including Bob Marley & the Wailers, Susan Cadogan, the Specials, Ken Boothe, Steel Pulse, Dave & Ansell Collins, Althea & Donna and Janet Kay. Reggae was imported to the UK by immigrants from the West Indies, and became an established chart presence in the 1970s