Sunday, 16 August 2015 14:23
A Brief History of British Music Shows
The Old Grey Whistle Test (1971- 1987)
The BBC2 television music show ran from 1971 to 1987. Unlike other contemporary music programs OGWT featured non chart music with a preference for serious rock music and album songs.
The BBC2 television music show ran from 1971 to 1987. Unlike other contemporary music programs OGWT featured non chart music with a preference for serious rock music and album songs.
Published in
Film
Monday, 18 May 2015 18:11
Diamond Geezer – Barry Cain Recalls Spandau Ballet
It was April 1980 and punk was dying.
Dig the new breed who were still pretty much the old breed with the occasional knob on. The Jam, the Clash and the Stranglers were no longer punk bands in any sense of the word. They’d ‘progressed’. A straight punk band wasn’t cool any more. Ska had wrestled the scene away from punkified London and carried it off to a ghost town in the bleak midwest for a bleak midwinter. It wouldn’t survive.
Published in
Music
Thursday, 27 March 2014 14:31
Breaking Glass with Hazel O’Connor
© Words Barry Cain
I stopped listening to ‘pop’ music in the mid ’80s. I simply heard it. It had become a means to an end, a way to make good, quick money. The musical notes had turned into £ signs as I cashed in on any new kid in pop town by publishing one shot poster magazines.
Published in
Music Archive
Sunday, 03 March 2013 17:57
Marcus Reeves Mistaken Identity
I knew Marcus Reeves was talented, and could pen a song. In addition I had the pleasure of meeting him last year, and what a sharp, intelligent, focused and witty man he is. Furthermore, his understanding of music and songwriting was overwhelming, as we discussed these subjects at a bar in Denmark Street London WC1. So, when I received his latest offering, I did not hesitate for a second before hitting the play button, and the track I heard increased my already high opinion of Marcus Reeves.
Published in
Music Archive
Sunday, 15 January 2012 18:11
Cyndi Lauper - All Hail Queen of Queens
Published in
Music Archive
Sunday, 15 January 2012 16:43
George Michael Alan McGee – He is a Pop Genius
Barely a week goes by without an album getting the legacy-edition treatment. Usually I'm against the money-grabbing mentality of major labels, but I've been enjoying these reissues. Featuring rare demos, live footage and extra tracks from huge talents like John Martyn, Dennis Wilson and Johnny Cash, they're great historical documents.
Published in
Music Archive
Tales of Aggro
