The Old Grey Whistle Test 2 [DVD] [1971]

Which was a great pity, as all three OGWT compilation DVDs illustrate. The OGWT was a superb, must-see programme scheduled late on Tuesday evenings. You had to watch every show, firstly because there was no other TV programme showcasing 'album' music, and secondly because the Radio Times never told you who would be appearing.

In the early 1970s I was at a boarding school, and our house was rationed to a TV maximum of three hours per week. Which programmes we watched were decided by the prefects (which brought them much undeserved popularity), and it says much about the quality of OGWT that this programme was always chosen.

These DVDs have something of the feel of the TV programmes, except that they don't contain any interview material nor any of the wonderful animations chosen to accompany some tracks. (I never cease to be surprised at the number of occasions when I discuss OGWT with friends and they mention the 'Skiers' video chosen for Mike Oldfield's 'Tubular Bells'.) The introductions are, by and large, marvellous, if only to see how the artists look 30 years on. Perhaps Bill Nelson has weathered the years better than most, only a little pudgier of face. Particularly good is Roger Daltrey, whose interviews are spread across this and DVD three. Not for the first time do we hear an artist lamenting the arrival of CD, and with its poorer sonic quality and its destruction of the art of album cover design.

The musical highlights, for me, are most of the 70s stuff, particularly The Who, Joan Armatrading, Bruce Johnston, AWB, and Roxy Music. The DVD will probably bring few new converts to the programme, but it's a treasure trove for those of us who were there at the time.

For me, the performances by Argent, Montrose, Be Bop Deluxe (who's music I've never actually liked) and Siouxsie & the Banshees are the main highlights. But even these are totally eclipsed by the truly sublime performance of "Don't Believe A Word" by "Gary Moore & Friends" (the latter mainly comprising other members of Thin Lizzy). It's worth buying for this alone.

Let's just hope that Vol. 3 offers up some of the more interesting bands that others have mentioned. As is the way of these things,in the end it simply comes down to personal taste...

Sadly Vol 2 leaves you concerned this series is heading rapidly downhill. Reasons for this view are:

- Only one disc when the sheer volume of material available plus pricing versus the double set of Vol 1, leaves you feeling definitely short changed

- Some real dross that does not look like it will not stand repeated viewing (Loggins & Messina; OMD; Tom Verlaine; Thomas Dolby and the Andy Kershaw Skiffle Session being worst cases I suspect)

- Introductory comments by different musicians/presenters that are inappropriate (Rick Wakeman on Roy Harper esp.); too self serving (Roger Daltrey and Jools Holland) rather than being about the show; or repetitive (the many different comments on problems with MU rules and the studio layout for recording plus later change to having an audience for some shows, could probably have been better edited into a single extra on problems with overall recording and presenting the show across the years).

However the good news is that there are enough good performances and historic items to just about justify buying if 1970s to 1980s music is your bag. While I am sure everyone has their own favourite artistes they want to see again on the next issue (mine being Jack Bruce and Friends and David Bowie)I hope a rethink for content and format will occur for Vol 3 - my only other wish is that consider using some of the amazing graphics for certain pieces of music that were an early feature of the show(the cartoon for Pink Floyd's "One of these Days being one I remember best).