Music Television 2.5

BBC Proms 2018: Grieg Piano Concerto
Paavo Jarvi conducted the Estonian Festival Orchestra on their Proms debut, which had some Nordic overtones, whether the Grieg piece, or a Sibelius symphony. Soloist Khatia Buniatishvili brought a kinetic energy to the former, and composer Avro Part came on to acknowledge the crowd after the opening piece, one of his symphonies.

Rush - Time Stand Still
Fairly lengthy 2015 tribute to the Canadian legends, strung around their 40th anniversary tour, which also seemed to serve as their farewell tour, some band members becoming too fragile to take it any longer. Their overdue inclusion in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and their obsessive fans, were two more topics covered.

Rush - Time Machine 2011 - Live in Cleveland
An impressively lengthy show, most of which I didn't recognise, but which was nevertheless competently done.

BBC Proms 2018: New York Now
Jules Buckley returned to conduct the Heritage Orchestra through many songs performed by Nitty Scott, Sharon van Etten, Hercules & Love Affair, and serpentwithfeet. Good stuff.

Runrig - City of Lights
A gig at the Glasgow Barrowland from 1990, with some chat between songs, presumably again repeated to mark the end of their live career.

Cool Cymru
Part of a series looking at the rise of Welsh bands in the first half of the 1990s, from Manic Street Preachers and Catatonia to Super Furry Animals and 60ft Dolls, plus some who were less successful.

The Royal Air Force - In Concert
From Birmingham Symphony Hall, with DJ Ken Bruce doing MC duties inbetween songs done by an RAF orchestral band.

BBC Proms 2018: Hungarian Gypsy Folk
Ivan Fischer conducts the Budapest Festival Orchestra through works by Liszt and Brahms chiefly. Amusingly the first half is several short-ish pieces, whilst the second half is mainly one long symphony.

Video Killed The Radio Star: Robbie Williams
Vaughan Arnell has worked with Rob on most of his early videos, from Angels and Millennium, through Rock DJ and Supreme. They've shot at the Camden Roundhouse, they've toyed with the world of James Bond and F1, they've been able to use Daryl Hannah as incidental cast. The songs have often been good, too.

The Vamps' Mixtape
They talked through some of their own hits, then celebrated friends and acts they admire or have toured with, from Bruno Mars to Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato.

BBC Proms 2018: Rattle Conducts Ravel
Sir Simon conducted the London Symphony Orchestra through three pieces by Maurice Ravel, none of which were the Bolero, disappointingly. 

noisey: Las Vegas
I wonder if there are any episodes of this show left to catch. Zach was plunging into the EDM scene, talking to Steve Angelo, Afrojack, Steve Aoki, Armin van Buuren and Tiesto and others. The young audience members seemed to be having a happy, euphoric time, but less so was the local dancer who seemed irate that so many of the top paid superstar DJs weren't local, or even American. Oh well. How long the bubble of the scene may last was another question. 

Belladrum 2016: Cridhe Tartan - Wilko Johnson
Might have missed this before, the loveable Dr Feelgood guitarist is typically charming about his long brush with death, and also how he developed his playing style and stage presence. Plus he has good songs too.

Smashing Hits! the 80s Pop Map of Britain & Ireland
Something of a medley, as Midge Ure and Kim Appleby drive around the country, visiting London, Coventry, Sheffield, Glasgow, Dublin, Rhyl and Manchester to visit assorted names from those areas who came to prominence during the 1980s, from Adam and the Ants and Spandau Ballet, to the Selecter and the Specials, to Heaven 17 and ABC, to Hue and Cry and Altered Images, the Boomtown Rats and Clannad, the Alarm, Swing Out Sister and Five Star, the Happy Mondays and A Guy Called Gerald, S'Express and Soul II Soul. Much of this was very familiar retelling (the middle of the 3 episodes broke down into a repeat of the Band Aid story, since Midge was talking to Bob Geldof). I'm not convinced by the sudden talk of "sophisti-pop" but then it was grounded in possibility. Nice stories, though, for all their familiarity.

Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll
Biopic of Ian Dury, with Andy Serkis in vision for once in the star role, ably backed up by Olivia Williams and Naomi Harris as the women in his life. Flashbacks allowed for Ray Winstone and Toby Jones too, and Noel Clarke and Arthur Darvill could be spotted in smaller roles. Quite a decent account.

BBC Proms 2018: Marin Alsop conducts Bernstein
As another part of the ongoing Bernstein centenary celebrations, Alsop conducted the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Alsop knew and learned from "Lenny" so she at least had good motive. They did a couple of his own compositions, then more from Schubert to follow. Apparently it was the BSO debut at the Proms, their first overseas tour in 13 years, but they were established in 1916.

Cool Cymru
Part 2 of this series, dealing with 1996 & 1997. The Manics renewed themselves, Stereophonics started to make waves, Catatonia made early moves, and Gorkys didn't make the grade. Also waffle about the Welsh independence referendum, and the "Cool Cymru" tag.

Video Killed The Radio Star: Prince
Like George Michael, he was hugely smart and musically talented, and his videos show his thoughtful and often playful side. So Raspberry Beret has him in a CSO-unfriendly blue suit, whilst Kiss has him conducting a dual seduction and pulling appropriate faces. At the other extreme, Sign O' The Times is an early lyric video because no image is quite as important as those words. His Superbowl turn in 2007 was a tour de force.

BBC Proms 2018: Andras Schiff plays Bach
ISTR a similar turn in previous years, here one man spent TWO HOURS playing a Bach masterpiece, the Well-Tempered Clavier, book 2, which was technically accomplished I suppose.

Passions: Bernstein by Dame Kiri te Kanawa
Yes, more about Lenny. She worked for him in 1984 on a recording from West Side Story, alongside Jose Carreras, of whom Lenny seemed less thrilled. She spoke to his biographer Humphrey Burton, student Marin Alsop, and a previous collaborator Aled Jones, to share Lenny's life story. He tried to use television to inspire the casual audience, particularly children, and died in the Autumn of 1990.

BBC Proms 2018: Elgar Cello Concerto
Edward Gardner conducted the BBC Symphony Orchestra through reflective pieces again marking the centenary of the end of WW1. The opening short piece was by Lili Boulanger, who died a century ago as well, followed by the Elgar, and then some Vaughn Williams. Considered stuff.

Cool Cymru
Part 3 saw the story move through 1998-9, and chiefly look at how Catatonia struck gold with their novelty anthem Mulder & Scully, whilst Stereophonics consolidated their early success, but 60ft Dolls fell by the wayside.

Mr Eazi's MixTape
He's worked with Giggs, Raye and others, and picked tracks from Stefflon Don, Post Malone and Wizkid. His dream collaboration would involve Jay Z, Drake, Diplo and Rihanna. Who knows?

Live From Abbey Road - Classics - PJ Harvey & John Parish
Firstly from March 2009, the over-rated Harvey in collaborative form, and then latterly from June 2008, the Kills, a more interesting proposition.

BBC Proms 2018: The Tango Prom
Clark Rondell conducted the Britten Sinfonia as they first played familiar Latin rhythms. Then there was a section utilising the Finnish love of the tango. No, really. Then a long run with guest pianist Pablo Ziegler leading further musical magic. Something of an oddity, but still pretty worthwhile.

The South Bank Show Originals: Nick Cave
Melvyn met him in 2003, and he reflected on performers who he classed as survivors, those whose music saves them from addiction (drugs in Nick's case). The young Nick was inspired at the age of 9 by seeing Johnny Cash. His first band, the Birthday Party, were a tough proposition, but the next outfit, the Bad Seeds, worked out a lot better. He lived in Berlin from 1985-90. The Mercy Seat has been a big hit for him (Cash covered it on his final albums).

Pump Up The Bhangra: The Sound of Asian Britain
Likeable Sikh DJ Bobby Friction related how Birmingham and London became the twin hotbeds for Bhangra music, how Alaap and Apna Sangeet were legendary bands, how Romi & Jazz were hoped to be a crossover success but weren't, how Bally Sagoo did get some success with a blended sound, how Pinjabi MC hit on the biggest Bhangra success with Mundian To Bach Ke by sampling the Knight Rider theme, and what the future might hold.

Soundtracks: Songs That Defined History
An 8-part series co-produced by Dwayne Johnson, with each part looking at a different event or social issue, from 9/11 to the Space Race. Commentators varied, and each episode covered a dozen or so records which were associated with each issue, some more surprising than others. Sometimes the topics seemed to need broadening to fit in enough records. Others skipped obvious choices in preference for what I would have said were lesser choices.

BBC Proms 2018: Youssou N'Dour
The Senegalese legend gets to do his stuff, including his big hit 7 Seconds, accompanied by La Super Etoile de Dakar.

Cool Cymru
The 4th & final part of this story covers 2000-1, as Manic Street Preachers went on hiatus so James and Nicky could do solo projects, Catatonia hit the skids, Tom Jones reasserted himself with the Reload album, and Super Furry Animals did a Welsh language album, Mwng.

Leonard Bernstein - Larger Than Life
Another run through the story of the conductor/composer whose centenary passed last month. It was impressive to see so many conductors of note here who tip the hat to the help and inspiration he gave them, as well as many family members, and even Stephen Sondheim. There was an amusing side-note about how he liked to listen to pop music with his kids to try and understand what appealed to them. The Kinks' You Really Got Me turned out to be an example of a Modal tune, which he then used as explanatory in one of his learning shows.

Live From Abbey Road - Classics - John Mayer
Search me. He was amiable enough, really proud of the joy he gets from playing guitar. Shawn Colvin also featured briefly, and amusingly did her turn all by herself.

Last Night of the Proms 2018
Carelessly, I managed to miss recording the 2nd half, but it's rarely much different year on year. Here, Sir Andrew Davis conducted the BBC Symphony Orchestra, taking his 12th turn at being I/c. There were clips from events around the country to pad out the running time.

Capital's Up Close Presents: Ariana Grande
A short set from Koko in London, with her 2 current big hits and Breathin', presumably intended as the next one.

Proms in the Park 2018
Sean Fletcher and Yolanda Brown anchored this clip show from 4 events held in accord with the Last Night, in Hyde Park, Glasgow, Belfast and Colwyn Bay. Matt Goss, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Midge Ure, Lee Mead, Joseph Calleja, Josh Groban and Katharine Jenkins were dotted around keeping the crowds happy.

The South Bank Show Originals: Andrew Lloyd Webber - Variations
The stage supremo did an album in 1978 for his brother, cellist Julian. One of the tracks became the theme tune for the SBS: Variations Both brothers support Leyton Orient.

Paul Carrack - The Long Detour
From the Birmingham Symphony Hall, earlier this year, a lengthy set summing up many of his past successes in Ace, Mike and the Mechanics and elsewhere.

The South Bank Show Originals: Rhythm & Blues
The 1981 show saw Melvyn talking to 3 white British acts dealing with a black American artform. The Blues Band featured former Manfred Mann star Paul Jones, whilst Nine Below Zero are more famous now for appearing in cult sitcom The Young Ones. The 3rd act were Dr Feelgood, so we heard from the sadly lost Lee Brilleaux, and remarkable survivor Wilko Johnson.

Live From Abbey Road - Classics - Counting Crows
They had their turn in May 2009, lead singer Adam claiming the group was more than a glorified ego trip, and he had no solo plans. They did a Beatles cover for once on this show (Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight/The End). The other act, Goo Goo Dolls, also paid respect to the Fab Four, but played Iris when they rocked up in June 2006.

Kylie - Live in Hyde Park
A recent gig in concert with Radio 2, notable for a surprise appearance from Jason Donovan (not singing) during Especially For You, and then Rick Astley on a medley of I Should Be So Lucky and Never Gonna Give You Up, then they did Kids.

Classic Albums - Back to Black
Amy Winehouse's 2006 work considered by co-producers Mark Ronson and Salaam Remi, members of her band, management and so on, even Ronnie Spector for the added touch. Most of the tracks were discussed, and even Amy herself felt that Rehab was a novelty song. Just as well it was, it helped launch the rest.

Legends of Opera: Maria Callas
A Greek prodigy who expanded the repertoire for female opera singers, had rather better times in Europe than the USA, suffered in love, and died at just 53. She suffered with the press, and legal hassles too. But she made her mark.

Arena - Amy Winehouse - The Day She Came to Dingle
Somewhat barrel-scraping, the story of an Irish music/talk show Other Voices, involving stars trekking out to a remote West of Ireland town. Amy gave inspired chat in an interview talking about her many and varied influences, as well as knocking through half a dozen tracks from her big hit album.

Leeds International Piano Competition 2018
First held in 1983, a showcase of 5 finalists from around the world, chasing £25k for 1st place (the top 3 places all get some prize). American Eric Lu was judged winner, ahead of Germany's Mario Haring and China's Xinyuan Wang.

Legends of Opera: Kiri te Kanawa
The Kiwi born in 1944 who was adopted and renamed thus, with a Maori father. She was tutored young, and soon marked out as a soprano. She learned her craft in London, and shone at various venues. Her fame hit the jackpot when she performed at the 1981 Royal Wedding of Charles and Diana. She was made an honorary dame in 1982, and also sang the theme to the 1991 Rugby World Cup. She has her own foundation to help the next generation, and retired from performing in 2017 to give others a chance.

Music Icons: Jerry Lee Lewis
Another series on a familiar angle. JLL was born back in 1935, and did session work for Sun Records when old enough, forming part of the infamous Million Dollar Quartet. He hit gold with Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On and even more with Great Balls of Fire. But the discovery of his marriage to his 13 year old cousin capsized his career. He rebuilt it partly with a long run of country albums, including a rulebreaking 40 minute turn at the Grand Ole Opry. He made it to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1986, saw his film biopic out in 1989, and even managed a duets record in 2006. The "killer" continues...

Just Let Go - Lenny Kravitz Live
From his European tour in 2014, live footage mixed in with Len and the band discussing matters like soundchecks, band formations, camaraderie and so on. The songs were good, I've warmed to his music more over the years.

Wande Coal - London
Another gig from the Indigo O2 from back in 2009, a short set which was mercifully captioned title-wise, which made things easier.

Music Icons: Buddy Holly
The Lubbock prodigy who learned guitar from elder brothers and won talent competitions. He moved so quick, he was opening for Elvis in 1955. He had a short time on Decca Records but they didn't make it work, and felt That'll Be The Day was a flop. He proved them wrong, and how. He was helped by producer Norman Petty, but later they split acrimoniously when it was thought Petty was siphoning money off for himself. Bud got style advice from the Everlys, and married Maria Elena. They moved to New York, but Bud had legal troubles, and was forced into taking on a desperate Winter Party Tour, which led to the infamous plane journey with Richie Valens and the Big Bopper, where all three legends died.

The Story of Pulp's Common People
The most amusing thing about this was realising late in the day that it was a repeat from 2005, rather than a brand new one. The bit where most of the band reconvene in a former rehearsal space and that they haven't played together since their 2001 LP is thus cast in a rather different light. Anyway, the long gestation of Pulp's career and their sudden career burst in the mid-90s and inclusion with Britpop were well covered, together with their Glastonbury headline spot too. Nothing on Jarvis' Brits antics from the following year, or much of anything else. There was an attempt to trace the infamous Greek lass who inspired the song, but no joy. Just as well.

Live From Abbey Road - Classics - James Blunt
The former soldier played in December 2007 when pushing his 2nd album. He talked of Abbey Road having a history that is more than just the Beatles, and how Art & Industry are two different sides of a same issue. James Morrison was the additional act, who played in January 2007, and has not quite proved as successful as Blunt.

Legends of Opera: Joan Sutherland
"La Stupenda" was born in 1926 in Sydney. Her mother was a mezzo-soprano, and Joan was presumed to be the same, though she was later reclassified as a proper soprano. She was exclusive to Decca Records, so sometimes they got things right. She was able to revive old pieces because of her vocal gifts. Her husband was a conductor and often insisted on him working with her. She was a mentor to Pavarotti, but her greatest roles strained her voice. She was awarded a Dame-hood, and even became an Order of Merit in 1991.

Sons of Vienna - The Untold Story
6-part series looking at classical composers associated with the Austrian city. Apart from Mozart, Haydn, Brahms and Beethoven, other episodes looked at Franz Schubert (dead at 31) and Robert Schumann (bipolar), with the final episode serving to bring all the names together. Many contributors featured in more than 1 episode, but they were mainly pianists, violinists or other musicians.

Sounds of Tucson
This 2014 look at the music scene in Arizona took in Calexico, Giant Sand, Pork Torta and several others, though no mention of Linda Ronstadt. The very hot summers and warm winters, the cheap cost of living, the camaraderie among acts and so on were cited as pluses, not to mention it being a "lazy man's paradise".

The South Bank Show Originals: Annie Lennox
Interviewed in 2007, when promoting her "Songs of Mass Destruction" album. Her father played bagpipes. She apparently sang in her cradle, and took up the flute at 11. She got to some Academy, where she realised everyone else was more committed/talented than her. But she did meet Dave Stewart, and with synthesisers becoming obtainable, they made good use of it. She took 10 minutes to write Why. She uses rhymes in composition, and is surprised by some of her opening lines. The optimum pleasure is in recording. She felt betrayed over the Iraq War.

Legends of Opera: Montserrat Caballe
She was born in Barcelona in 1933, and was singing from the age of 5. Her big breakthrough was in Basel in 1956. She got married in 1962. Reached the NY Met in 1965, and La Scala in 1970, when Jose Carreras made his debut. She was managed by her brother Carlos. She started her recording career in 1972 for RCA Victor. Her 2 children had to be raised by her parents. She worked with Placido Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti at times, but her most famous duettist was probably Freddie Mercury on 1987's Barcelona. She also performed with her daughter, who was also a soprano. A Eurotunnel train was named after her. 

Let The Music Play: The Barry White Story
His mother played classical music on the piano, inspiring Barry to learn. He grew up in a rough, tough area, in the SE of LA. He went to jail in 1960 for stealing, at which point he decided to make constructive efforts with music. He went to Hollywood, became a road manager for Bob & Earl, and then their drummer. He was made an A&R, and was soon writing and producing. He formed Love Unlimited. He made a demo and realised only he suited his material. And so on, to fame and fortune, and raising the country's birth rate. But he split from his wife Clodean, and his health dwindled, leading to a sad ending where his children were frozen out by his new partner and attorney.

The Art of Drumming
Entertaining 4-part series which largely concerned drummers talking about their craft, and other drummers they admire. This culminated in a vote of their 20 favourites:
20 Keith Moon
19 Clyde Stubblefield
18 Jeff Porcaro
17 Carlton Barrett
16 Chris Dave
15 Cindy Blackman
14 Steve Gadd
13 Ginger Baker
12 Earl Palmer
11 Neil Peart
10 Ian Paice
09 Billy Cobham
08 Bill Ward
07 Louie Bellson
06 Dave Grohl
05 Gene Krupa
04 Ringo Starr
03 Hal Blaine
02 John Bonham
01 BUDDY RICH
Good to see rock getting as much due as pop and r&b and so on. Steve White effectively MC'd the series, and well.

Franco Zeffirelli - Directing From Life
Born in 1923, he made great waves directing operas with the likes of Joan Sutherland, before progressing to theatre and ultimately film. He worked a lot with Placido Domingo in Otello and other film productions. His last work was Don Giovanni in 2012.

The South Bank Show Originals: Talking Heads
Helpfully shot back in 1979, so including chats with all band members including David Byrne, they performed a few tracks and talked about their craft. Don Letts spoke up for them from a modern perspective. They split in 1991, and bar a reformation for their 2002 entry to the R&R Hall of Fame, have remained split.

Our Musical History - Disco & Beyond
An intriguing new series with genres discussed for an hour with examples. Here, Ana Matronic of Scissor Sisters discussed with Martyn Ware of Heaven 17. They ranged from Donna Summer to Barry White to Grace Jones, and Martyn managed to include the Dr Who theme.

The South Bank Show Originals: Hip-Hop
In 1994, Bragg made a general look into this scene, talking to Ice Cube and Chuck D, and Speech on the perhaps other side of the market, and frequent contributor Nelson George appearing for the prosecution for a change. There was a coda at the end with stuff about Kendrick Lamar and Drake, but it didn't really go much more than skin deep.

Funny Women - Bette Midler
She's mostly known for her stage work and her films, but she has had some notable hit singles, Wind Beneath My Wings and From A Distance for example. In her early club days, she was accompanied on piano by Barry Manilow. Her stage backing band were the Harlettes.

Living On Soul
The Daptone Super Soul Revue at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem, perhaps top-lined by the late Sharon Jones and the late Charles Bradley. The Como Mamas, Antibalas and Naomi Shelton were among the other acts on show.

Hywel - Ddoe a Heddiw
A "then & now" show with Sir Bryn Terfel, who was 19 back in 1984 and profiled as a new student at the Guidhall School, London. He was homesick at first, but soon blossomed under his hero, Sir Geraint Evans. He was then recommended to Sir Georg Solti, and went on to work with both Jose Carreras and Placido Domingo. He recently started his own record company to help upcoming talents.

Our Musical History: Synth and Beyond
Stephen and Gillian from New Order talked about their sometimes contrasting influences, from Bowie and Can to Stevie Wonder and Soft Cell, Kate Bush and the Flaming Lips. A friendly form of nostalgia.

The South Bank Show Originals: Craig David
A film from 2002, as Craig worked on his 2nd album. He had had big success with his 1st, and impressed the likes of Elton John and Sting, the latter of whom collaborated on "Rise and Fall" because it took a sample from "Shape of My Heart". He was a little ratty about getting 6 Brit nominations but no wins. His 2nd album didn't match the success of the 1st either, but he has recently returned to some degree of success.