Music Television 2.5

Dionne Warwick - In Concert
Half an idea I've seen this before, but unable to confirm. She was at the Jubilee Auditorium, Edmonton, and she belted through dozens of hits, some more modern than others (I have an idea it was early 80s - EDIT - Jan 21st, 1977 apparently).

Larry King Now - NeYo
He's a judge on some dance show alongside Jennifer Lopez. He grew up in Las Vegas, away from the Strip. His break was writing Mario's hit Let Me Love You. His stage name did indeed come from a producer who compared his work-rate to the character Neo from The Matrix. He wasn't sure about Closer, but Jay Z encouraged him. He would consider a Vegas residence, because J-Lo has redefined what it means to do so. Hmm. Has a lot of hats, but no plans for his own range. He's a comic book nerd.

Music Icons: The Yardbirds
How a bunch of musicians came together through the Kingston School of Art. They got Eric Clapton in, and recorded with Sonny Boy Williamson. But when they got a Graham Gouldman-written hit, "For Your Love", Eric left. Jeff Beck replaced him, and their sound changed. They had some more hits like "Over Under Sideways Down". Jimmy Page was brought in as well, and their sound changed again. Beck was fired during a US tour, and Peter Grant became their manager. The band split, with Page meeting Robert Plant, and forming a New Yardbirds, who would become Led Zeppelin (but that's another story). The original band made the R&R HoF in 1992, and later reformed and released a new album in 2003, and continue to perform live.

Ray BLK: Upfront
A short burst about the Sound of 2017 winner, the difficulties of collaboration (such as with Kid Ink and Stormzy, and how her sound is a meld of different vibes. I liked her 2018 hit Run Run, so I hope there's more to come.

Martha Reeves' Party
Another oldie gig I might have caught before, from Kissimmee, Florida, with Martha headlining (!) over Mary Wells, the Shirelles, the Chrystals Sam Moore and others.

Anoushka Shankar & Ensemble - An Evening of Classical Indian Ragas
A gig at the Konzerthaus, Berlin, in memoriam of Yehudi Menuhin, who collaborated with Anoushka's father Ravi. There's something pleasant about this kind of music, I get why some musicians go for it. She was joined by Patricia Kopatchinskaja on a version of the Shankar-Menuhin effort Raga Piloo.

Brian Johnson's A Life on the Road: Paul Rodgers
They met in Nashville. Brian misses the touring life. Paul prefers to let the music do his talking. He talked of how Free came together and meshed quickly. But an American tour supporting Blind Faith showed how far behind they still were. Free split over creative direction. Paul went on to form Bad Company instead, and managed to persuade Peter Grant to manage them. He split the band after a few years because of unhealthy touring life. He built his own home studio and did a solo LP. Then formed a band with Jimmy Page (and others), The Firm. He did a Muddy Waters tribute LP in 1993. Then he found himself fronting Queen for a while. But finds it harder learning new lyrics as he gets older. He did a Stax tribute LP using the old Memphis session players and studios. Uses a band tag "Free Spirit" to sum up the mood of what he tries to achieve.

Rock Island Line - The Song That Made Britain Rock
Billy Bragg relates the story of how a quest for old folk songs led to a prison and black spirituals, and Leadbelly, and a train ad jingle that led to a British blues player coming to New Orleans and taking back a song which Lonnie Donegan adapted to give the skiffle boom a kick up the tea-chest bass. Many British bands took inspiration, including the Quarrymen, who became the Beatles after a fashion, and so on.

Janet Baker - In Her Own Words
How the mezzo-soprano made her mark for 35 years or so, until she decided to give it up overnight. Her husband supported her career as her road manager, and now she cares for him in his ailing health.

Our Classical Century - Sound and Vision
The 3rd part of this series took in the 1950s, 60s & 70s. Classical music took hold on the big screen, and adverts on the small screen. Stars like Jacqueline du Pre caught interest, whilst talents like Yehuid Menuhin expanded their range by working outside their usual form with Ravi Shankar. Deep Purple collaborated on their Concerto for Group and Orchestra, and David Bowie, inevitably, used ideas for tracks like Life On Mars?

James Smith: Upfront
He's 19 & from London. He started singing karaoke at the age of 7. He was self-taught on piano & guitar. He understands the universal appeal of heartbreak. He feels influenced lyrically by Paul McCartney. He's had a lot of reaction from Spotify.

Loop - Finding The Right Words
Edwyn Collins has recently released a new album, Badbea. He required therapy to restore his sense of language after his strokes in 2005. Can't use irony any more. He draws a lot, which also helps his recovery. Good to know he's still recording.

Wacken Open Air 2015 - A Tribute to Judas Priest
Not just concert footage, but chatter from other acts, like Opeth and Dream Theater, and some of the band themselves, talking about their longevity, their fans being the "Priest Family", and the recent inclusion of Richie Faulkner.

Pulp - A Film about Life, Death and Supermarkets
Their final gig was for their home crowd in Sheffield on Dec 8, 2012. Jarvis and other band members chatted about their times in the spotlight, and fans and locals offer views on what the band mean to Sheffield. I was pleased to hear some love for This Is Hardcore, and Richard Hawley joined them as part of the gig.

Discovering... The Bridge on the River Kwai
Having recently caught the film, this piece about Sir Malcolm Arnold's composition had fresher depth to it. They closed out with a Suite from the film, lasting 20-25 minutes.

The Quay Sessions - Lewis Capaldi
Flavour of the month, or the new Lukas Graham? Time will tell. He did a few songs and had some friendly banter. Also a song from Belfast's Soak breaking up the main narrative, and Ricky Ross plugging a singer-songwriter competition.

Bad Company - Live at Red Rocks
Paul Rodgers and co in fine order in 2016. Odd they seem to get less cred than Free despite lasting far longer.

Original Uptown Divas
Odd compilation of all sorts of acts from Dionne Warwick to Marie Osmond to Brooke Shields (!) and Tom Jones (!!!) - chiefly duets he did, presumably from his show.

Word Is Bond
A poetic look at rap and hip-hop, from early heroes like Rakim and Big Daddy Kane, through the likes of Nas, to latterday names like J Cole and Anderson.Paak. It was generally a positivist outlook without dwelling too heavily on the trappings, and emphasising the need to make up your own rhymes based on your own views, not pretend ones you guess are relevant.

Rock City
Curious megamix of footage from 1964-73, at various live gigs, and covering the Rolling Stones, Otis Redding, Cream, Cat Stevens, Jimi Hendrix, Joe Cocker, Ike & Tina Turner, Pink Floyd and the Faces w/Rod Stewart. Something for everyone.

noisey: Sao Paulo
It amuses me how many musical hotspots that Zach Goldbaum finds, and how many have a "dark under-belly of crime". Here, the baile funk sound was tempered by an unofficial civil war between the police and gangs. At least 8 acts had been killed in the course of the war, including one for which we got to see footage of his on-stage death. Nice. After all that, it seemed superfluous to judge the actual music.

Sedaka - In Concert
From the Jubilee Auditorium, 1976. Neil belted through the numbers, as usual, closing with That's Where The Music Takes Me. His 70s revival really worked in his favour.

Lumo - Too Young To Die
The story of Calum Barnes, who got into hip-hop at the age of 13, joined a band (Deadsoundz) at 16, went solo under the tutelage of a mentor, but when he tragically died, Calum went into a decline. He converted to Islam, went through name changes, and finally went missing, believed dead. Afterwards, his parents and friends discovered video diaries he had made detailing his feelings and depression. Quite a tragic little story, which seems to be becoming more and more prevalent (or reported).

The Amazons - Upfront
Rock n Rollers from Reading. They used an initial record company advance to buy a good van. They take ages to write songs, but their 2nd album is now here.

Focus: D'banj
He released his first single back in 2004. At that time African radio played American music 80% of the time, but now the needle has moved back to the African scale. A creative industry has developed over that time, and he has his own digital gateway called Cream. He met KanYe West in 2011. He took cues from Jay Z and P Diddy. He hopes to fight negative perceptions by offering visible hope. Now they're breaking out of the "World music" tag.

Top of the Pops 2 - FA Cup special
This 2015 effort touched the usual bases from Liverpool, Arsenal and Everton, as well as more left-field works from Gazza, Chas & Dave, and Glenn and Chris.

Loop: Stepping Into The Light
Playwright Kieran Hurley has a play, Beats, which has been expanded into a movie. It deals with the rave scene of the early 1990s, and especially a club called Arches, in Glasgow, in 1994. It contrasts the sense of empowerment that rave culture gave many of its supporters, with the Criminal Justice Act that helped close the scene down.

Soundstage presents Chicago
From the WTTW-TV Studios in Chicago, this 2018 gig saw a steady hour or so from the current line-up of the band doing songs to an appreciative crowd, marking what a busy year they'd had touring. They had some big hits that even I've heard of.

noisey: Miami
Zach considers the impact of cocaine and criminality on a scene where Rick Ross and DJ Khaled are at the top of the tree. Strip clubs, gun culture and stratified racism (being Haitian seemed to be considered the nadir at times) were just some of the downsides.

Radio 1 Big Weekend - The 1975
Headliners in Middlesbrough, the somewhat popular indie rock band who've had a few #1 LPs. They've some good songs too.

The Cliff Richard Story
A fairly steady and balanced run-through his story, done for the 60th anniversary of Move It. He aped Elvis, but long achieved his own success in his own way. His films are possibly of more lasting merit than Elvis'.

Our Lives - Battle of the Bands
Two Welsh brass bands prepare to compete in the Welsh championships. Cory are the reigning champs, but Tredegar only came 7th last time. Cory tour with Only Men Aloud. Tredegar suffer transport problems on the big weekend. But wouldn't you know, Cory finish 3rd, and Tredegar come 1st.

The Quay Sessions: Astrid
A decent little band on this evidence with many years behind them.

noisey: Jamaica
Zack trekked around several places to meet several stars of dancehall and beyond. Vybz Kartel is a big name, but in jail. Popcaan and Chronixx are others who have differing views on what the audience requires. The value of ganja and sugar were discussed, as well as the police views. The shadow of Bob Marley and the treatment of women were other matters.

An Drochaid
A trip across Scotland as Canadian fiddle-player Colin Grant met Mallaig's own Ewen Henderson, who showed him how different regions have developed different styles. This led back to a gig in Nova Scotia, where Colin lives (he having family roots in Scotland).

Holst: The Planets with Professor Brian Cox
A gig from last September, as the BBC Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Ben Gernon, performed Holst's famous Suite of tunes, with Brian introducing each one and trying to reclaim it from the astronomical interpretation, rather than the original astrological one. Mars is actually benevolent, whereas Venus is pretty nasty. Mars remains the most famous number, followed by Jupiter.

Noson yng nghwmni Shan Cothi
A profile on a Welsh singer, real surname Morgan. Interspersed with studio footage of her singing, we met her parents, someone I assume was her brother, and friends and collaborators like Rhydian Roberts. Among the songs she did (in Welsh versions) were Amazing Grace, Time To Say Goodbye and It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing. So a good variety.

TUNE: Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes
Mainly the band in question filmed at the Liquid Bar, Edinburgh, but features of Lewis Capaldi, new acts Swan and Bratakus, and Terminal V Festival and a club night in Glasgow called Peach. So a good variety again.

Scoobs and the Rave Years
Scoobs was a DJ who helped foster the scene in Scotland in the late 80s & early 90s, at a time when acts like Time Frequency and QFX were making their name, whilst a colleague used a Lionel Richie sample to have a hit as Umboza. Scoobs helped set up Café Mambo on Ibiza, but fell ill through overwork around its opening and missed out on being part of it. He also came up with a Dream Academy sample for a hit, but prevaricated on following up, and Dario G nipped in and had the hit with Sunchyme instead.

Top of the Pops - The Story of 1988
A year of changes both on screen and off, with new presenters and a new producer, and new scenes like house music to show up how they were still stuck in the dark ages. Some acts, like S-Express, played along with the requirements of the form, and Coldcut brought Yazz in and made her a star. Aswad did a cover version and hit the jackpot, there were brief blazes from Transvision Vamp, The Mission and Wee Papa Girl Rappers. And still time to embarrass All About Eve with a notorious miming blunder.

Top of the Pops - 1988 Big Hits
Prefab Sprout, Tanita Tikaram, Maxi Priest, Ofra Haza, Womack & Womack, Enya and Fairground Attraction especially.

noisey: Chicago
Zach found a city in the grip of Drill music, as Chief Keef made hay, whilst assorted responsible groups tried to offer safe alternatives. A city dubbed "Chi-raq" because of its death rate has more problems than are ever discussed on the news.

noisey: Chicago - The City Speaks
Unusual follow-up show as Zach invites some of those featured, and of Chicago generally, to a screening. Some accepted the picture, some were miffed at being cut from the final film. One chap berated Zach for being a white face looking down on black problems. He'd have been really miffed if he watched other episodes.

Larry King Now - Henry Rollins
He's doing a speech tour, which is harder than when he was in a band. He spent 5 years in Black Flag, until one day realised he'd finished. He loves watching gigs and buying records. He's done a radio show for 11 years, and writes a column in the LA Times. The music business is better for performers and audiences now. He's done film roles and documentaries to keep his hand in. He's done USO tours of Afghanistan, and visited North Korea after waiting 3 years for a visa. He says "treat the first 50 years as a demo, then come back in for the take".

Hayley Kiyoko - Upfront
She was friends with Kehlani, who did a track with her. She loves songwriting and being creative. She directs her own videos.

noisey: Detroit
There's a high murder rate, both of civilians and rappers. Two sides of gun culture. How some try and offer a better message to the young audience. Big Sean was the star name here, but Trick Trick was perhaps more of a local character. The answers will take time.

Ms Banks: Upfront
One of many like Stefflon Don and Mahalia who are making waves in the UK. She's a rapper from South London. She opened for Cardi B on her London dates, and she's supposed to be working with Nicki Minaj sometime. Hmm...

Rak-Su: Upfront
X Factor winners who seem to be doing better than most (well, still together and working anyway). They're working on new material in the studio, they've worked with Banx & Ranx, they've worked in LA. Music is their passion rather than their mission.

Isle of Wight Festival 2019: Rick Astley
Likeable 80s hero did stuff from his recent album, stuff from his heyday, and even did what I learn is a regular party piece, finishing behind the drumkit on a cover of "Highway to Hell". Crowd-pleasing stuff.

Fathers and Songs: Music for Father's Day
This compilation was from 2013, and still omitted Luther Vandross. Some of these were more pointed than others, (Cat Stevens and Peter Gabriel, fair enough, Boney M and Pigbag less so).

Queen Victoria: My Musical Britain
She liked opera though it was unfashionable, and her marriage to Albert did wonders for both them and the country. She helped promote Scottish music, brass bands, Wagner and the Halle Orchestra. Albert's death put things back a bit, but then there was the music halls, and rhythms from India, and by the time Elgar gets going, the stage is set for the 20th century.

Isle of Wight Festival 2019: Richard Ashcroft
A shorter set than some, though the crowd enjoyed it, rightly.

Tune: Churches
Besides the main band performing in Glasgow, there was a bit about the metal scene in Dundee, Dublin hip-hop star Kojaque, and bands like Fatherson and Nova Scotia Truth.

Isle of Wight Festival 2019: Lily Allen
Was in 2 minds about this but watched it anyway. She recently released new material, from which I guess a lot of this came, plus her earlier hits. Her sweary encore was somewhat amusing, I suppose.

Self Esteem: Upfront
She took her alias 10 years ago. Her shows are budget Lady Gaga. She's bisexual, talking of "bi bop" sound. She once claimed to fancy Kermit. She values having a team around her.

Isle of Wight Festival 2019: Courteeners
They're a bland indie bunch with some middling songs.

Live From Abbey Road: Classics
Subtitled "A Goodbye" and with an on-screen message from producer Michael Gleeson, this was a compilation of 11 acts from over the years, from Muse to Ed Sheeran to Sheryl Crow to Michael Buble. I was always a fan.

Isle of Wight Festival 2019: Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds
He headlined and delivered a good blend of his own HFB stuff and Oasis too. He's into 4th album territory, and looking good on it. He finished with a version of All You Need Is Love.

Isle of Wight Festival 2019: George Ezra
He had to do his turn from a stool, having injured his ankle. But the crowd were happy enough. Like some acts, he did oblige with a Dylan cover, of Don't Think Twice, It's Alright. He save Shotgun for the end.

Belladrum '18 - Brass Gumbo / The Lafontaines
Somehow missed this one, a decent show of two halves. The former were less vocal, the latter were decent rockers.

Noson yng nghwmni - Huw Chiswell
Another Welsh wonder, he has 2 daughters, writes a lot of his own stuff, had at least a 30 year career (though this was from 2013), he played the trumpet at school. And the piano here.

Isle of Wight Festival 2019: Fatboy Slim
Pretty much an extended mix, which makes sense, he included snippets or long sections from many hits he'd had or worked on.

Ava Max - Upfront
She was born in the USA to Albanian parents. She liked working with Jason Derulo because she's a fan. She's had haircut experiments, and uses social media to celebrate one's "inner outcast".

Isle of Wight Festival 2019: Garbage
They did the hits and more, Shirley taking time out to namecheck presenter Edith Bowman, who had been around since their 90s days, and was a rare case of two Scots women who've survived and endured in the music business.

Discovering: Graal Theatre
Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho's piece is partly about the search for the Holy Grail. Presenter Tom Service was duly receptive and enthusiastic, and the performed piece sounded okay.

Sasha Keable: Upfront
She's from South London, her sound mixes 70s soul and 90s R&B. She uses song-writing as therapy for depression. She has a new EP out (or did).

Isle of Wight Festival 2019: Biffy Clyro
The Scottish rockers belted out a good headline set, they've got new material on the way too.

Isle of Wight Festival 2019: Keane
They've reformed after a 6 year hiatus and they too have a new album coming. They did an hour, but only half of it here. Their first album remains their high watermark.

Glastonbury 2019: Jorja Smith
A somewhat misleading claim since she featured only slightly more than others like Lumineers and Rosalia, though she did chat to Jo & Mark and they didn't.

Noson yng nghwmni Eden
Three-piece Welsh girl-band reformed after 12 years in 2012, and did various skits around Rhyl based on their changed lives since being famous, and supposed antipathy. Oh how I laughed (not). The songs were okay, though.

Glastonbury 2019: The Charlatans
They were late replacements for the ailing Snow Patrol. Their endurance after 30 years is remarkable, really.

noisey presents YG & the Therapist
Young rapper YG talks to Siri Sat Nam Singh to try and resolve his issues, after a shooting incident at a studio. He had family issues, an absent father. He suffered from pressure of success, and uses liquor for therapy. He was easily distracted from a young age.

Loki's History of Scottish Hip-Hop
More from an entertaining series of programmes. Dozens of folks spoke the familiar story of breakdancing, MC's, DJ's and Graffiti. Is the latter art? Well, I think so.

Glastonbury 2019: Saturday afternoon
A protracted compilation with some live chat and performances, but mostly trying to give a wider taste of the festival than the standard spots. Mattiel, James Morrison and Sons of Kenet were among the acts not to turn up elsewhere.

Reel Stories: Noel Gallagher
Dermot O'Leary talks through a familiar story with an enthusiastic Noel, happily. He misses the TOTP days, the changes from a humble start to superstardom. How he had to wear glasses so often to cover for injuries or black eyes. The triumph of the Maine Road gigs. Regrets about Be Here Now. Getting lost on drugs & drink. How Oasis might have still been around if he hadn't left when he did. Getting encouraged by his wife. Not one for vocal warm-ups. Reflecting on the Manchester attacks in 2017 and the usage of Don't Look Back in Anger.

Glastonbury 2019: Sheryl Crow / Jorja Smith
The legend managed to do a good few of her hits and went down well with the crowd. The younger talent also had plenty to sing about too.

TUNE: Dodie
She was at Glasgow Barrowland. Also features on the dance scene in Inverness (what happened after Rockness packed up), a solo number from Dermot Kennedy, and a feature on Leith hip-hopper Billy Got Waves. Also an emotive piece from Loki about mental health & suicide.

Glastonbury 2019: Tame Impala
The Aussie revellers got a good lengthy spot and made good use of it, to crowd delight.

Glastonbury 2019: Stormzy
The Friday night headliner hasn't had the longevity of the other two major Pyramid stage headliners, but he does tick other boxes. And his 75 minute set went down well, he had guest spots from Coldplay's Chris Martin, and Dave & Fredo, and he name-checked a plethora of other upcoming acts who may follow in his footsteps. Other acts in this 3+ hour show were George Ezra, Interpol, Cat Power and Michael Kiwanuka.

Lauv's Mixtape
He rates Troye Sivan, Charli XCX, Ed Sheeran, Ariana Grande, Khalid, Coldplay's Chris Martin, SJ Snake, Demi Lovato and Sigrid. Some of whom he has worked with, some he would like to.

Being Frank - The Chris Sievey Story
A tragicomic gem, as a budding pop star fails to make the grade, and his greatest hit with the Freshies, falls foul of advertising rules, but does earn its place in the pantheon of really long titles. He later created a papier mache head and reinvented himself as Frank Sidebottom, Timperley eccentric, performing his own songs and some choice covers (even when diagnosed with cancer, he still managed to gig for a while and kept up the cheerful act). DJ Mark Radcliffe and writer Jon Ronson, both former members of Frank's Oh Blimey Big Band, were present and happy to talk of their old friend. When Frank died, Jon tweeted that his funeral costs could not be met by his family, and fans happily contributed to cover the cost several times over. There will never be another.