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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
75 of 75 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
4 DVD's packed with classic rock music history from the extensive archives of the BBC, 'The Old Grey Whistle Test' was (and still is) unsurpassed in its range of artists, and boasts a dazzling array of live performances by the best musicians the world has to offer. This boxset represents a significant saving over buying the whole set individually, although some of the content on Volumes 2 and 3 may be surplus to requirements, there is still plenty of quality throughout this extensive collection of material.
Volume 1, (a double DVD set), contains some 5 hours of material, including Elton John, John Lennon, Tom Petty and Bob Marley in the studio, and a rare live performance of Lynyrd Skynyrd performing their magnum opus, 'Free Bird'. Any self-respecting aficionado of 1970's rock music would consider ownership of these 2 discs as utterly essential.
Volume 2 is slightly less essential, albeit still an intriguing selection of performances, but this time more from the late 70's, early 80's (moving into the punk ear) with artists such as The Who, Roy Harper, The Adverts, The Undertones, Patti Smith and Siouxie and the Banshees. Volume 2 is considerably more concise than 1, at under 2 hours worth of material.
The new Volume 3, however, has more material, at about 3 hours long. Performances from David Bowie (with 'Oh You Pretty Things' from 1972), Steppenwolf's 'Born To Be Wild', Al Stewart, BB King, The Jam ('A Bomb In Wardour Street'), King Crimson and, more recently, The Jesus & Mary Chain. There is also interviews with Bob Harris, Roger Daltrey, Roddy Frame, Rick Wakeman, Nick Lowe, Edwyn Collins, Jools Holland and Bob Geldof.
Ultimately, the Old Grey Whistle Test was really about showcasing the art of performance above all else, and this boxset is an important document of a generation of wonderful performance artists. The big question is, will we ever see the likes again? Just incase we don't, I recommend buying this boxset for posterity, not to mention the best part of 10 hours solid musical entertainment to cherish for a lifetime.
48 of 48 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
It's a concept that quite simply would not exist today-live band in studio with no audience no lighting, no stage show,just the band-but as an archive of how things were done so differently in terms of music and music programming,some of this is unmissable essential stuff.Take the Edgar winter clip for example.The brief was, turn up, plug in and the next ten minuites is yours-do what you will.So, he hung a huge keyboard around his neck, played that AND saxophone AND drums (even though he had a drummer)and created thejazz/rock/God alone knows monster that was "Frankenstein".Or Focus, who had hard rock and Finnish yodelling with seasonal wishes as a bonus.Every fan who watched marvelled at the prog rock madmen,everyone else who tuned in by default-parents mostly- stared in barely disguised bewilderment and asked what in the name of the Lord they were watching.It just wouldn't happen now in these days of corporate sponsored MTV rock, but then it was unique, a thing of beauty and occasional deliberate perversity,alienating and enthralling in equal measure. Live audiences,light shows even were added to the mix, but the sense of avant garde and risk taking continued.Highlights include magnificent performances of "Give my compliments to the chef" by the quite bonkers Sensational Alex Harvey band, Jesus and Mary Chain's "in the Hole" "Freebird (of course) and so many others. Top of the pile though, by a long long way-an absolutely incredible "Rosalita" by a young, hungry and not-quite-so -ego- bloated Bruce Springsteen and the E street band. What an unbelievably accomplished and fiery performance from a band on top of their -or anyone elses-game. I defy you not to be swept away by this.Meanwhile at the other end of the spectrum is John Otway and Wild Willy Barrett redefining minimalist on "Really Free"Or PIL's searing "Careering".OGWT broke Meatloaf in this country-forgive them if you must-and of course the legendary New York Dolls "mock rock" appearance has rightly gone down in history.This DVD is a MUST for music fans of every stripe. It is wondrous.Oh, and Robert Wyatts "Shipbuilding",and the Undertones, and the Jam, and...and...oohhh just own it. Please.
111 of 115 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
The Old Grey Whistle Test began its 16-year televisual run in 1971, largely as a vehicle for assorted singer-songwriters and groups of hairy men with guitars. After Annie Nightingale replaced Bob Harris as presenter in 1978, the music of the prevailing post-punk / new wave era began to take centre stage, and during the 1980's Whistle Test then shifted its focus further towards 'chart' music.
This box set brings together the three previously-released DVD volumes into one complete collection. The first volume was itself released on two discs; disc one concentrates on the period from 1971-78 and disc two on 1978-87. The remaining two volumes were single disc affairs that each covered Whistle Test's entire lifespan. If, like me, you were born in the 1970's or earlier, there's a fair chance you'll remember the programme to some degree, and if you're a fan of music from across the Whistle Test era, then there's an even greater chance you'll find a wealth of material here that's of interest to you.
Of the aforementioned singer-songwriters, the late, great John Martyn (twice) and a very sweaty Bill Withers are standouts, while Dr Feelgood's appearance from '75 hints at the seismic musical shift that was soon to follow. The new era is ushered in by the likes of Talking Heads and Siouxsie And The Banshees, peaking with a performance from PiL which is so astonishing it practically defies description. Tubeway Army's arty electropop and The Specials' ska provide a segway of sorts to the more commercially-orientated Whistle Test of the 1980's, though The Jesus And Mary Chain's incendiary In A Hole from '85 proves that the programme continued to dip its toes into more alternative and outré waters on occasion.
There's a lot more good stuff besides; in fact, pleasingly little is unwatchable, and some performances surprise. I've never been a fan of The Police or Supertramp, but until I watched this DVD I never appreciated that Can't Stand Losing You and Dreamer are actually...well...decent songs. And how tight (musically speaking) were the '73 vintage Fairport Convention? The extras aren't hugely bountiful, although the interviews have a curiosity value, and some of the chat from presenters and performers is interesting and insightful, if a little long-winded at times.
Overall, an excellent package.
This box set brings together the three previously-released DVD volumes into one complete collection. The first volume was itself released on two discs; disc one concentrates on the period from 1971-78 and disc two on 1978-87. The remaining two volumes were single disc affairs that each covered Whistle Test's entire lifespan. If, like me, you were born in the 1970's or earlier, there's a fair chance you'll remember the programme to some degree, and if you're a fan of music from across the Whistle Test era, then there's an even greater chance you'll find a wealth of material here that's of interest to you.
Of the aforementioned singer-songwriters, the late, great John Martyn (twice) and a very sweaty Bill Withers are standouts, while Dr Feelgood's appearance from '75 hints at the seismic musical shift that was soon to follow. The new era is ushered in by the likes of Talking Heads and Siouxsie And The Banshees, peaking with a performance from PiL which is so astonishing it practically defies description. Tubeway Army's arty electropop and The Specials' ska provide a segway of sorts to the more commercially-orientated Whistle Test of the 1980's, though The Jesus And Mary Chain's incendiary In A Hole from '85 proves that the programme continued to dip its toes into more alternative and outré waters on occasion.
There's a lot more good stuff besides; in fact, pleasingly little is unwatchable, and some performances surprise. I've never been a fan of The Police or Supertramp, but until I watched this DVD I never appreciated that Can't Stand Losing You and Dreamer are actually...well...decent songs. And how tight (musically speaking) were the '73 vintage Fairport Convention? The extras aren't hugely bountiful, although the interviews have a curiosity value, and some of the chat from presenters and performers is interesting and insightful, if a little long-winded at times.
Overall, an excellent package.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Reliving late nights
I've only got vague memories of watching the OGWT when it was originally broadcast, but even so some of the items on it were recognisable. Read more
Published 1 month ago by brainwhistle
Good ol' Whistle test
This is a superb collection of whistle test classics, only raring four stars simply because of some of the dreck you have to wade through amongst the good stuff. Read more
Published 1 month ago by David A
I am very pleased with The Old Grey Whistle Test
This was bought as a Christmas present for a young man who doesn't remember the old days of the Old Grey Whistle Test but is very interested in music. He loved it!
Published 4 months ago by Thelma
old grey whistle test
excellent,good condition had been looking for quite a time to find this item the synopsis helped to give a overall review of the item so i was certain it was the correct item,the... Read more
Published 4 months ago by sexy legs
Good collection but faulty dvd production
The stutter noted by other reviewers about 2 seconds into many of the songs is the only issue with this collection. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Nick Ashley
great performances
a good archive of past material.i was disappointed that it was only a selection of whistle test performances. i was under the illusion that all of the programme's backlog.
Published 6 months ago by Mr. Robert H. Brown
Great memories
Excellent collection of videos, most of which I remember on watching so many years later. Excellent value for money and well worth getting.
Published 6 months ago by N. Daly
Did we really tune in every week to watch this?
I used to watch Grey Whistle Test faithfully but had forgotten just what was aired and of course this music was the vogue although we didn't recognise it at the time. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Ian W
Great Stuff.
What memories.
I've lived in Germany now for the last 30 years and had forgotten how much of these shows I'd forgotten or never seen.
I've lived in Germany now for the last 30 years and had forgotten how much of these shows I'd forgotten or never seen.
Published 8 months ago by Stephen Smith
OGWT-4 disc set
Overall, a good retrospective on the OGWT years especially for the price. Some classic performances especially from Edgar Winter and Lynyrd Skynyrd (which appealed to me) as well... Read more
Published 8 months ago by A. V. Roberts
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