The Old Grey Whistle Test -- Two Disc Set [DVD] [1971]

For better and for worse, The Old Grey Whistle Test was probably the most resolutely serious music programme ever broadcast on television. During its 16-year run it showcased only the most earnest exponents of whichever musical style was currently popular, and given that the programme's heyday coincided with the early 70s, some of the footage included here will provide mirth as exquisite as only unintentional comedy can. The absurd prog noodlings of The Edgar Winter Group and the belief-beggaringly awful Focus now seem as unfathomable in retrospect as trench warfare or child labour.

However, the good stuff collected here is very good, both in terms of performance (Tom Petty snarling "American Girl", a pre-irony U2 whooping up "I Will Follow") and historical interest, notably a shockingly youthful Elton John crooning "Tiny Dancer" and reminding us, in the process, of a time when he was regarded as a cool and hip singer-songwriter, rather than understudy to the Queen Mother. --Andrew Mueller

On the DVD: Wonderful performances all captured in remarkably pristine picture and extraordinarily vivid sound, regardless of vintage (it doesn't even crackle during "Hocus Pocus"!). However, the menu is pretty clunky and won't allow direct access to the individual songs (other than selecting the "Random play" option). Instead, you can only jump into the programme year by year, not song by song. The track listing itself is unhelpfully hidden behind the discs in the gatefold packaging. --Mark Walker

English
Region 2

Disc 1: Alice Cooper "Under My Wheels"
Elton John "Tiny Dancer"
Curtis Mayfield "We Gotta Have Peace"
Randy Newman "Political Science"
Kris Kristofferson & Rita Coolidge "Help Me Make it Through the Night"
Bill Withers "Ain't No Sunshine"
Focus "Sylvia/Hocus Pocus"
Rory Gallagher "Hands Off"
John Martyn "May You Never"
The Wailers "Stir it Up"
Roxy Music "Do the Strand"
The Edgar Winter Group "Frankenstein"
New York Dolls "Jet Boy"
Tim Buckley "Dolphins"
Captain Beefheart "Upon the My O My"
Little Feat "Rock 'n' Roll Doctor"
Dr Feelgood "Roxette"
John Lennon "Stand By Me"
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band "Give My Compliments to the Chef"
Lynyrd Skynyrd "Freebird"
Emmylou Harris "Amarillo"
Bonnie Raitt "Too Long at the Fair"
Tom Waits "Tom Traubert's Blues"
Otway & Barrett "Really Free"

Interviews: Elton John and Bernie Taupin with Richard Williams
Micke Jagger with Richard Williams
Keith Richards with Bob Harris
Robert Plant with Bob Harris
John Lennon with Bob Harris

Audio Commentary by Mike Appleton
Artists' Gallery
Presenters' Choice

Disc 2: Talking Heads "Psycho Killer"
XTC "Statue of Liberty"
Blondie "(I'm Always Touched by Your) Presence Dear"
Val Doonican & Charlie McCoy "Stone Fox Chase"
Meatloaf "Paradise by the Dashboard Light"
Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers "American Girl"
The Police "Can't Stand Losing You"
Bruce Springsteen "Rosalita"
Iggy Pop "I'm Bored"
Tubeway Army "Are Friends Electric"
The Specials "Message to You Rudi"
The Damned "Smash It Up/I Just Can't Be Happy Today"
The Ramones "Rock 'n' Roll High School"
PL "Careering"
The Teardrop Explodes "Reward"
U2 "I Will Follow"
Nine Below Zero "Stone Fox Chase"
Japan "Ghosts"
Robert Wyatt "Shipbuilding"
REM "Moon River/Pretty Persuasion"
Simply Red "Holding Back the Years"

Interview: Bruce Springsteen with Bob Harris
OGWT Museum
Artists' Gallery
Presenters' Choice