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Post by stevej on Sept 27, 2021 21:31:27 GMT
I was recently given about 30 open reel tapes by a friend of mine on the usual 'you-like-this-kind-of-thing' basis. The tapes are all 7" and are a mix of classical and easy listening, the majority being straight copies of LPs plus a couple of radio recordings of shows by The Kings Singers on Radio 3 in 1977, plus something listed as 'The Arrangement', BBC2 Spring 1965'
One tape comprises tracks from various Vikki Carr LPs, but in the middle of them are a section of tracks which stood out somewhat, as they are taken from one of her BBC appearances. By luck there's a clipping from the Radio Times in the tape box with a programme listing for the show, 'Vikki Carr Part 2' and indicating the four songs on the tape. It was pretty easy using BBC Genome to discover that this show was broadcast on BBC1 on Thursday 17.2.66 at 9pm (Part One was shown the previous Thursday in the same slot).
The hand-written notes on the tape box states 'BBCtv via Leevers-Rich in Studio A (PSB)', Leevers-Rich of course being a manufacturer of studio tape machines. I don't know whether the shows had a live audience or not, but the songs on the tape are just performed in the order listed (and in excellent hi-fi quality) without announcements or applause etc. TV Brain lists this show and the one the preceding week as missing.
I know nothing about the original owner of the tapes, but it's clear he was pretty fastidious as all of them have their contents accurately hand-written. The detailed note about the source of the BBC tracks is really intriguing. Did he work at the BBC, or perhaps know someone who did? What does PSB stand for?
Not exactly an earth-shattering find as such, but an interesting fragment of a lost show.
Steve
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Post by Peter Stirling on Sept 27, 2021 22:37:33 GMT
It could be PasB? then it means Programme as Broadcast but they could of left the 'a' out.
basically how it went out on BBC TV and not a 'rough cut', audition/export copy etc.
The fact that the songs are clean without TV show background noises could indicate that they
were the prerecorded tracks for Vikki to mime to on her show, but not sure if they would still call it a PSB? but it is audio so as a sum of the whole show they may have done.
Doubt if they were lifted straight off an album, the tracks would have probably been recorded by her and the Johnny Pearson Orch(or another BBC music guy) in the afternoon before the evening VTR show, which would make them quite unique if the actual show is missing.
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Post by darrenlee on Sept 28, 2021 6:35:23 GMT
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Post by stevej on Sept 28, 2021 21:09:00 GMT
Hi Peter- it could well be 'PasB' rather than pre-recorded sessions for miming purposes, as listening to the tracks again, the first one does in fact have a spoken intro from Vikki explaining her mexican ancestry and that her real name is Florencia Bisenta de Casillas-Martinez Cardona! On the quieter numbers the sound of a hand-held mic being handled is clearly heard. The only mystery is where the 'BBCtv via Leevers-Rich in Studio A' info on the tape index came from.
Hi Darren- I think you are absolutely right about 'The Arrangement' as it is indeed an operatic piece (with some jazzy sections). Like the Vikki Carr tracks, the quality is excellent. It's either a similar source to the above or a direct lead recording from a tv set, with absolutely no tell-tale background buzz. Going by the credits on the Genome link it may have been made on film or included some film sequences as the sound of a car being driven off can be heard at one point- not something you usually hear in an opera! TV Brain draws a blank under 'Opera 625' but a search for 'The Arrangement' comes up as 'existing' but doesn't mention a year. I wouldn't be at all surprised if this does survive intact in the archives, but probably hasn't seen the light of day since 1965.
Steve
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