Review of Old Grey Whistle Test

Introduction

Buy this. You don`t need to know anything more.

Oh, you do? OK, but keep in mind that every minute I spend writing this keeps me away for the fabulous music on this OGWT disc.

Throughout the life of TV, there have always been music shows - American Bandstand, Soul Train, Top of the Pops, The Tube, Later …, etc. But few have treated the subject with such seriousness and reverence than The Old Grey Whistle Test. This ran from 1971 to the mid 80s on BBC in the UK. Throughout its run, the format remained largely unchanged with artists playing (mostly album tracks rather than chart hits) in a small studio and being introduced and interviewed by serious music journalists like Mark Ellen, David Hepworth and Andy Kershaw. Often mocked for the seriousness of its approach, it was in reality more natural and less po-faced than some of its contemporaries; the makers just really loved the music.

Over the years pretty much everybody who was worth listening to had played a session for Whistle Test and the archives contain innumerable treasures. Thus, it is about time that some of those treasures were released for music fans to (re)discover. And, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the program, the BBC have done just that. And they have done themselves proud.

The double DVD contains 45 performances from the archives and with a few exceptions they are superb. The compilers have tried to ensure that all genres have been covered and so we get Rock, Pop, Reggae, Blues, Country, a bit of Punk and some Val Doonican (seriously). Most of the tracks have been chosen by ex-presenters and these presenters introduce the performances. The introductions range from senseless ramblings (Annie Nightingale) to entertaining and affectionate tributes (Mark Ellen and David Hepworth, who make an entertaining and likeable double act).

Given the range of music on offer, there is bound to be something that you hate (the artifice of Roxy Music`s "Do The Strand" and John Lennon`s baffling, insipid cover of "Stand By Me" would be my low points). However, the general quality is amazingly high. You`ve got Curtis Mayfield and an intense "We Gotta Have Peace", a fabulous "Stir It Up" by the Wailers, some super swamp boogie from Little Feat, Randy Newman dripping irony on "Political Science", and Elton John, and Talking Heads, and Blondie and Tom Waits, and, REM, and U2, and Bonnie Raitt, and ..

This is a fabulous historic document. But more than that, the music is still superb today. Part of the reason is that it is just damn good music. But another reason is that the format of the program tended to lend itself better to singer/songwriters who could just wander in with a guitar or sit down by the studio piano and just perform. The resultant pared down sound (of John Martyn, or Tim Buckley, or Elton John) tends to be timeless.

Buy this. You don`t need to know anything more.

Video

The video is presented in the original TV ratio of 4:3. Given the age of some of the footage, it has been well restored. Only the Elton John clip suffers from obvious (and jarring) visual flaws. Otherwise you have a decent transfer.

Visually, Whistle Test, was basic - artists playing in a small studio. So, there is little to get excited about visually; just (often hairy) musicians performing.

Audio

The soundtrack is a basic mono track duplicated on both left and right channels to give DD 2.0. Sonically, it is all a bit basic. The sound is light and occasionally tinny. On the early tracks there is obvious hiss underneath the performance. But, it doesn`t matter because the performances are so good.

OK, you may have heard more sonically pure versions of Bill Wither`s "Ain`t No Sunshine", but you won`t have head a more passionate and heartfelt performance. And the same goes for Elton John`s "Tiny Dancer" (yes, that track from Almost Famous), Tom Wait`s "Tom Traubert`s Blues". And then there is Meatloaf`s "Paradise By The Dashboard Light". Sure, it is stripped of a lot of the operatic grandeur of the album`s production but what is left is a … em … lusty, energetic performance that will root you in your seat.

For this type of disc, the music and performance is what matters and the disc doesn`t disappoint.

Features

The features are less generous than they initially appear. Much of the menu system revolves around giving you multiple ways to access the performances - by year, by artist, by presenter. OK, it`s a nice thought but it really only gives you the illusion of power. The implementation is pretty kludgy and, in reality, you are better off with the FF/REW buttons.

One bit of extra content comes with the Presenter menu. Most tracks are introduced by a presenter. However, some tracks had multiple introductions recorded but only one appears in the main feature. You can access the addition intros from the Presenter menu.

There is a Museum section that shows you various images associated with the show. This is OK but not exactly compulsive viewing.

Much more compelling are the artist interviews and the commentary by producer Mike Appleton. Interviewees include Elton John, John Lennon, and Bruce Springsteen. All are interesting but the best is an animated and passionate Springsteen. The commentary by Appleton is a bit dry and reserved, but worthwhile nonetheless and puts the show into historical and cultural context. And for those of you who want to know why on earth the show was called "The Old Gray Whistle Test", all is revealed 5 minutes in. However, a commentary by the ebullient Hepworth and Ellen would have been more fun.

Overall, decent features. BUT, and it is a big but, the menu system interface has to be one of the most annoying I have ever encountered. It is slow, cumbersome, ugly and full of jarring noises that make you want to run screaming from the room.

Conclusion

Buy this. You don`t need to know anything more.