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Post by stevej on Aug 20, 2015 18:31:10 GMT
Yes, I think that light entertainment in the late 60s had an exciting edge to it. The orchestras were playing out of their skins, to keep up with changing times.
Absolutely agree Tony. I'd love to hear the memories of some of the regular musicians or sound technicians from around that time. There's a certain almost indefinable studio sound that existed for a short window of time, say 1967-70, but which anyone with a keen ear can recognize. I remember being blown away when I first saw a 1970 b&w TOTP performance of The Temptations performing 'I Can't Get Next To You' which barrels along at a great pace. When I finally found the official Motown version, it was disappointingly slow and lumpen. Like driving a car with the choke out! All the Cilla/Dusty/Lulu/Cliff etc Saturday evening shows had musical arrangement and production that for me remains unsurpassed. Here's one of my favourite examples- Aretha Franklin on Lulu's show in 1970. A telerecording sadly, but even so the quality of the resident orchestra (and vocal backing) shines through. If you are listening on decent speakers, check out the bass playing. Nice camera direction too, making us subtly aware that we are hearing a real orchestra in the studio. www.youtube.com/watch?v=uc0bHrffNrE
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Post by stevej on Aug 17, 2015 22:03:55 GMT
Yes, a well researched effort with some marvellous performances. I was transfixed!
The TOTP orchestra tend to get short shrift thanks to some lacklustre mid/late 70s performances but I'm always struck by how superb they sounded in the late 60s; 'Surround Yourself With Sorrow' being a good example (a downbeat title for a very groovy tune). On a techie note does anyone know how the lighting effect with the flower motif was produced? I've seen similar effects used around that time on TOTP and have often wondered how the alternating patterns were achieved.
One of the highlights for me was a lovely version of 'Norwegian Wood' from 'Cilla in Scandinavia' with Marvin, Welch and Farrar backing, swiftly followed by the bizarre sight of Cilla, Ringo Starr and Basil Brush on location in the snow. Ah, the glories of Light Entertainment!
There was a warmth to all those performances that still pervades, despite the intervening years.
Steve
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Post by stevej on Jul 19, 2015 20:44:20 GMT
I bet Tony was an enthusiastic Sony CV2000 user around that time and I wouldn't be surprised if he'd bought one as soon as they were on the market- maybe he even taped 'Time for Blackburn'!
I've read a similar period article in one of the pop annuals (1969/70) about his 'pad' being fairly well equipped with all the technical toys of the day. I remember the accompanying photo showed he had a Baird 700 series dual standard colour television- one of the first on the market - next to his Sony b&w VTR (which must have had a modulator of some sorts if he wanted to use it with the Baird).
He may of course have been a keen taper of television, but was he also a keen keeper of tapes, or did he wipe them once watched? That's the big question. I've always got the impression he's an approachable chap, so I hope William's email will elicit a response from the great man.
Steve
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Post by stevej on Jul 19, 2015 19:00:45 GMT
Great stuff! Thanks for your footwork Simon, that really does shed some more light on proceedings. It was on in rather a late slot wasn't it? The two lead characters being tramps does make sense of that publicity still I had. James Booth I remember from the wonderfully florid late 60s film 'The Bliss Of Mrs Blossom', also notable for a scene-stealing Bob Monkhouse performance.
'Them' has a damn good pedigree I must say- Johnny Speight, Dennis Main-Wilson and Harold Snoad no less. Wow. Of course Speight had already explored the comedic potential of 'gentlemen of the road' a few years prior with Arthur Haynes and Dermot Kelly as his Irish sidekick. Interesting that 'Them' re-visited the English/Irish partnership, presumably allowing the characters to be more fully explored over a half hour than they could be in single sketches. Even more frustrating that the series was wiped!
As an additional thought, it's certainly worth considering what archive material could just still be in the hands of writers and performers or their estates. I wouldn't be surprised if Johnny Speight had a home VTR early on, operated no doubt with nicotine-stained fingers!
Wishful thinking no doubt!!
Steve
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Post by stevej on Jul 17, 2015 17:24:14 GMT
Some years ago I had an A4-sized BBC colour publicity photo relating to this show. It depicted two be-hatted and slightly shabby characters in a kitchen setting and had a vaguely Steptoe-esque air to it. Sadly I can't lay my hands on the picture now but have remained intrigued by the series ever since. Lostshows reveals all six editions shown in the summer of 1972 were wiped, but does give us the (additional?) cast for each, taking in names as remarkably disparate as Derek Griffiths, Nicholas Smith, Rita Webb, singer Ray Ellington, Madeline Smith, Arthur Mullard and Tim Brooke-Taylor! Does this perhaps suggest there was a new setting or scenario each week? What an earth can it all have been about? Does anyone have any Radio Times info? Lostshows link here: www.lostshows.com/default.aspx?programme=94b39547-7bc0-4b78-bb85-80ac18aa495cSteve
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Post by stevej on Jul 2, 2015 17:08:04 GMT
Ah, sad news indeed. A wonderfully warm and engaging performer with a relaxed presenting style that made watching his shows a real pleasure. Lovely sense of humour too.
Every time I see a clip from one of his old shows, I'm always left wanting to see much more! The 1986 Christmas show repeated by BBC4 was a delight.
Steve
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Post by stevej on Jun 30, 2015 16:56:35 GMT
Great stuff, thanks for the info. Now I can see why 'A Tale of Two Rivers' was so titled. I'm hoping someone can shed some more light on ITV's 'The Big Show'. Lulu seems to have been everywhere on television in the late 60s. It's worth reminding ourselves that she went from being a sassy schoolgirl belting out 'Shout' to the effervescent, engaging and at-ease host of live prime-time Saturday evening television within the space of three years. And all whilst still in her teens. What a gal! Here's a 1967 show I'd like to have seen, also featuring up-and-coming comedians Ray Fell and Mike Yarwood, as well as dancing from the Go-Jos: Two series for BBC2.... and not one fragment left. Drat. Steve
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Post by stevej on Jun 29, 2015 21:09:12 GMT
Thank you chaps. I'm very happy to be able to help.
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Post by stevej on Jun 29, 2015 18:12:40 GMT
Working my way through the reel of audio tape that has yielded the final edition of Juke Box Jury as well as part of a lost Eamonn Andrews Show (see threads elsewhere) also turns out to contain several interesting interviews and performances from Lulu. Not bad going for one 7" spool! This is what I have found (no complete shows unfortunately, just extracts as detailed below): 1. The Golden Shot (ITV Sat 30/12/67) Brief intro from Bob Monkhouse. Lulu performs 'To Sir With Love'. 2. Dee Time BBC1 11/5/68. Simon Dee interviews Lulu (approx 6 mins). Simon asks her how she feels about being linked with various boys such as Davy Jones and Maurice Gibb. Lulu plugs her new fashion range. She then performs her new song 'Boy' (Simon Dee having introduced it as 'dedicated to Davy Jones!'). Incidentally The Honeybus also made a rare tv appearance on this show, sadly their performance was not recorded here. 3. A Tale of Two Rivers An interesting show this- only four editions made. www.lostshows.com/default.aspx?programme=e3b69b0e-7dba-41d7-9064-6b7b168873c2No studio audience evident on the performances on the tape, so I'm not sure what the premise of the show was? Can anyone dip into their TV Times archive? The recordings I have are Lulu & Pet Clark 'Pigale' (15/4/68), Lulu 'I Can Sing A Rainbow' (29/4/68) and Lulu 'A Foggy Day' (6/5/68). Dates are from a note left in the tape box and do indeed tie up with those on the Lostshow listing. 4. Cilla BBC1 20/2/68 Lulu performs 'Me The Peaceful Heart'. Chats to Cilla. There is the inevitable daft duet (Cilla and Lulu) 'What Shall We Talk About Now?' (title is a guess!) Routine with Lulu singing 'Good Old Fashioned Movies' and 'Good Ship Lollipop'. Cilla sings 'Don't Answer Me', then into closing version of 'Step Inside Love' to fade over applause. 5. The Big Show ITV 23/6/68 Lulu and Steve Allen duet 'I Love You Today'. I'd be interested to know more about this series. www.lostshows.com/default.aspx?programme=242576ae-2ff4-4aa6-a34b-ae4a17e6dbe9It seems to survive mostly as NTSC copies, yet it predates the UK ITV colour launch. Which company made it? ATV possibly? Again, any TV Times info or features would be most welcome. Steve
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Post by stevej on Jun 29, 2015 17:33:05 GMT
Crikey I didn't realise he'd been on as often as that, although there's a hell of a gap between his penultimate appearance and his last!
Funnily enough I noticed on Lostshows that Hattie Jacques was on the show on 13/12/67, along with Radio 1 DJ Emporer Rosko - now that I would have loved to have seen...
Excellent link to Eric & Hattie's LP by the way (thanks John). Some inspired stuff there!
Steve
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Post by stevej on Jun 28, 2015 21:11:54 GMT
I've also read Eric's book, John and I'm not sure either. I know that in 1972's 'Last Goon Show Of All' you get an exchange between Milligan and Sellers along the lines of:
'Speak Up!' 'Why?' 'Eric Sykes is in!!'
I'm a long-time fan but his Juke Box Jury appearance makes for a slightly uncomfortable listen. Most of his responses are along the lines of 'What? Is it me again? Oh well, I mean to say.... Yes.... Well. Now what can I say about that?'
I think he'd been on the show before but does seem to be a fish out of water.
Steve
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Post by stevej on Jun 28, 2015 19:26:02 GMT
Although listed as missing on Lostshows, I was able to return a domestic audio recording of this final edition of the 60s run of 'Juke Box Jury' to the BBC way back in 2004. I received a letter of thanks and a CD copy for my trouble, but I wonder if the existence of this recording is perhaps not so widely known.
From what I can tell it was taped by someone who was keen on Lulu (and who isn't?). He recorded various other tv appearances of hers from around this time, but by great good fortune JBJ was captured complete. The technical quality is good for 3 3/4 ips and it may have been done with a lead from the TV set as there is no hum or vision 'buzz' which usually betrays microphone-against-the-speaker set-ups.
As to the show itself, joining David Jacobs were: Pete Murray and Susan Stranks (both of whom were on the very first edition), Lulu and Eric Sykes (famously deaf!)
The discs featured in order:
Honey Child - Martha & The Vandellas Lantern Light - Peter & The Wolves Beyond The Shadow Of A Doubt - Billy Fury I Can Take Or Leave Your Loving - Herman's Hermits Mr Second Class - Spencer Davis Group Information - The Cedars Don't Change It - Fearn's Brass Foundry
Spencer Davis himself is the mystery guest. He plugs his group's new album (possibly 'With Their New Face On'?) which he says is mostly their own compositions apart from one track by 'Reggie Dwight and Bernie Taupin' (that must be a very early collaboration!) He also mentions the group's role in the forthcoming film 'Here We Go Round The Mulberry Bush'.
As to the records, the tracks by Peter & The Wolves and The Cedars have both turned up on psych compilations over the years, whilst the Northern soul stomper by Leicester band Fearn's Brass Foundry has also made it to CD.
During the show there's not much reference made to it being 'the last'. Out of all the editions though this is an interesting one to have survived, albeit in sound only!
Steve J
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Post by stevej on Jun 28, 2015 15:27:59 GMT
I've just run this tape- not a complete edition for 7/4/68 sadly, but a sizeable chunk of it- around 25 mins.
The tape starts with Eamonn introducing Lulu and discussing the problems of long-distance dating (Lulu was at the time going out with Davy Jones in the USA). Veteran Hollywood actor(?) Lionel Sanders is also present throughout this chat.
Lulu performs 'The Look Of Love' and 'Thoroughly Modern Millie'
-cut in recording-
Back with boxer Joe Frazier and Spike Milligan joining Lulu and Lionel Sanders. Eamonn 'complains' about Spike's frequent habit of phoning his secretary and dictating long notes to him rather than sending letters! Lulu also says she's received letters from Spike.
Spike says to Lionel Sanders, 'Go on Lionel, take your clothes off, let's have some fun!' Sanders comes back with 'Don't let the necklace fool ya pal!' [he's evidently wearing some vaguely hippy-ish gear.]
Spike virtually takes over interviewing Joe Frazier, asking him what he thinks about Cassius Clay's tactic of never approaching his opponents in the ring, instead making them come to him.
Spike and Lulu discuss the pitfalls of marriage.
Eamonn just has time to thanks his guests before the leader tape ends the recording.
The technical quality is good for a home recording, with none of the 'frame buzz' which usually blights 'mike to the speaker' efforts. Possibly this was done with a direct input to the recorder. A shame the recording isn't complete as Milligan is on particularly good form.
Hope the above is of some interest.
Steve J
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Post by stevej on Jun 28, 2015 13:56:16 GMT
By complete coincidence I was just moving some open reel audio tapes I'd not looked at for ages and a piece of paper fell out of one of the boxes... It reads: Eamonn Andrews Show ITV 11.15pm 7 Apr '68 Lulu, Joe Frazier, Spike Milligan, Lionel SandersI can't remember whether this home recording is a complete programme or just edited extracts. I'll have to dig out one of my open reel machines and investigate! Steve J
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Post by stevej on Jun 28, 2015 13:06:39 GMT
I've been following this thread with interest. I mentioned the series to someone who lives in NZ and he remembered it thus: "Yes, I recall “The Gnomes of Dulwich”. I think that it might have been run pre-colour in NZ, so we saw it in monochrome. Not one of the best comedy series from the UK, but it had its moments. An episode I recall was based on the fact that the plastic oriental gnomes next door were always partying and having fun, but Terry and Hugh were not so sure about the correctness of that, and needed to seek advice from a “higher authority”. That involved travelling across the main road and into a wood (I think) for an audience with “His Mouldiness the Tope”.....whose answer was that doing all that stuff was OK as long as you didn’t enjoy it....I don’t recall, but I suspect that that episode would have elicited a few irate letters to the editor. Back then, wowsers were in very abundant supply in NZ, and we even had our own version of Mary W." I asked him if he could pin down when it was shown and by which broadcaster: " In NZ "The Gnomes of Dulwich" would have run in the early 1970s. It was when I was still in Auckland, so before mid-1973. Then we had only one channel, operated by what was then the New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation (NZBC). That channel is now known as "Television One". I think that TV One has some of the old NZBC archives, but that some might have gone into the national film archives or somesuch. This might be a starting point at least: tvnz.co.nz/footage/request-form- ... se-3379314. Whether any archives of "foreign" programmes have been kept I don't know." That provides a couple of possible avenues of enquiry. I suspect the chances are slim but I'll follow it up just in case. It's well known that garden gnomes like to go on their travels and this seems to be the case in point here! Steve
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