Eric Karonen

Registered: March 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1303
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Review Date: Tue October 21, 2003
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: $22.00
| Rating: 5
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Recently purchased a DVD called The Old Grey Whistle Test (BBC). This is a television show that aired in Britain in the 1970s/80s featuring many upcoming and some established bands of the era. Here is the list of performers and song with a brief comment (mine) in brackets.
Alice Cooper, Under My Wheels (first trip to Britain, no props, just music)
Elton John, Tiny Dancer (he looks 16 years old and sounded like a pro)
Curtis Mayfield, We Gotta Have Peace (fabulous artist/fabulous tune)
Randy Newman, Political Science (king of satire)
Bill Withers, Ain't No Sunshine (I only thought I was tired of this song!)
Rory Gallagher, Hands Off (kid can play)
The Wailers, Stir It Up (Fantastic! - a highlight for sure)
Roxy Music, Do the Strand (check out Brian Eno, a ghastly outfit)
The Edgar Winter Group, Frankenstein (another highlight)
Captain Beefheart, Upon the My O My (singer gives me the creeps)
Little Feat, Rock 'n Roll Doctor (outstanding tune - maybe my favourite on the DVD)
John Lennon, Stand By Me (taped in New York for the show)
Lynyrd Skynyrd, Freebird (great version - really cooks)
Emmylou Harris, Amarillo (Whoa, Emmylou looks young, w/J. Burton)
Bonnie Raitt, Too Long at the Fair (good tune)
Tom Waits, Tom Traubert's Blues (Excellent - I'm digging out my old lp's!)
Talking Heads, Psycho Killer (those were the best days for these art-punks, I think this one's from 1977)
XTC, Statue of Liberty (I can take them or leave them)
Blondie, Presence Dear (ahem, just as I remembered them)
Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, American Girl (I was never a big fan of Petty; at least there's tele's)
The Police, Can't Stand Losing You (another highlight, probably their first performance for tv)
Bruce Springsteen, Rosalita (easily the most exciting performance on the DVD - it's electric)
Iggy Pop, I'm Bored (hahahaha)
The Specials, Message to You Rudi (lotsa fun)
The Damned, Smash It Up/I Just Can't Be Happy Today (you really have to like them to enjoy this one)
The Ramones, Rock 'n Roll High School (more fun)
U2, I Will Follow (you wouldn't believe their hair!!!!!)
REM, Moon River/Pretty Persuasion (great tune - whatta band)
There are also interviews with Elton John, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Robert Plant, John Lennon, and Bruce Springsteen.
I can add one more thing: gear eye candy abounds, from old synths and organs to guitars and amps. The DVD is almost worth buying just to ogle the equipment.
And in case you're wondering, the sound is terrific, as is the imagery - very sharp and crisp.
The Whistle Stop is a great trip back in time.
------------------------------ Sounds the tough horn, and twangs the quivering string.
--Pope (1688-1744)
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