The Old Grey Whistle Test

The Old Grey Whistle Test - 2003


My first official blog entry - might as well keep it simple & down the middle of the road so as not to be embarrassed by the music "veterans" that contribute to the Rock Hard Times! I would consider myself an old soul anyhow, at least musically speaking. I've always been intrigued more by the origins of rock & roll, stripping it down to its core. All music evolves; it has its roots and has sprouted numerous branches (many of which need pruned - but I digress). Which brings me to my first topic, a review of a DVD I stumbled across a couple of years ago at the "Mecca of Pop Culture" (that's right, WalMart) - The Old Grey Whistle Test.


I knew of The Old Grey Whistle Test previously as being the anti-American Bandstand in that it first, was British, and second, it did not cater to sugary-sweet pop acts from either side of the pond. Therefore, I knew it was an institution to be revered. Much to my delight it has been preserved on now which is a series of DVD's issued by the BBC. Beginning in 1971 until taking its bow in MTV-stricken 1987, the Whistle Test was "the essential showcase for non-mainstream acts." The presenters on the show were most knowledgeable & esteemed - many are included on the DVD giving insight & back stories on the performances which aired live. Aside from the occasional live concert footage, there was no live audience - it is just you and the musicians, one on one.


Most of the charm of the offerings on the DVD are that they are pre-fame presentations by the artists. The Whistle Test was a proving ground, underground if you will, for cutting edge acts to display their talents & to be taken seriously by those they wanted to reach. The running order begins with a stripped-down, pre-glam Alice Cooper performing "Under My Wheels" and ends with R.E.M., a long way from Athens, GA, performing "Moon River/Pretty Persuasion." Sandwiched in between is a who's who of what was important in the 1970's & 80's. Social awareness of course was a theme early in the decade, as exemplified by performances by Curtis Mayfield, Randy Newman, & The Wailers. Roxy Music & Edgar Winter previewed the coming age of technology in music. The American South, combining blues, rock, & country is represented by Lynyrd Skynyrd, Little Feat, & Emmylou Harris. The punk movement from the mid-70's is spotlighted with different interpretations by Talking Heads, Iggy Pop, The Ramones, Blondie, & The Damned. The DVD also is also packed with powerful performances from icons & legends such as Elton John, John Lennon, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, The Police, & U2. Also included are interviews with Elton John & Bernie Taupin, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Robert Plant, Lennon, & Springsteen.


The highlights for me would have to be my first real visual introduction to artists like Roxy Music & The Specials, and a reaffirmation of the greatness of those such as Springsteen, Talking Heads, The Wailers, R.E.M., etc. Tom Waits cannot be truly appreciated unless you watch him sing in person. Springsteen's live 1975 concert footage performing "Rosalita" (from Hammersmith-Odeon..?) absolutely blew me away, and will leave you exhausted & wondering how The Boss can generate that much heart & soul not only from his own being, but from The E-Street Band as well.


This is only Volume 1 of a series like I said, but the other volumes can only disappoint after viewing the first. The Old Grey Whistle Test is a treasure - we need that much commitment from today's "stars." If you are a fan of the purest forms of rock, this DVD is a critical, must-have.


Running Order:

Alice Cooper - "Under My Wheels"
Elton John - "Tiny Dancer"
Curtis Mayfield - "We Gotta Have Peace"
Randy Newman - "Political Science"
Bill Withers - "Ain't No Sunshine"
Rory Gallagher - "Hands Off"
The Wailers - "Stir It Up"
Roxy Music - "Do The Strand"
The Edgar Winter Group -"Frankenstein"
Captain Beefheart - "Upon The My O My"
Little Feat - "Rock 'n Roll Doctor"
John Lennon - "Stand By Me"
Lynryd Skynyrd - "Freebird"
Emmylou Harris - "Amarillo"
Bonnie Raitt - "Too Long At The Fair"
Tom Waits - "Tom Traubert's Blues"
Talking Heads - "Psycho Killer"
XTC - "Statue Of Liberty"
Blondie - "(I'm Always Touched By Your) Prescence Dear"
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers - "American Girl"
The Police - "Can't Stand Losing You"
Bruce Springsteen & The E-Street Band - "Rosalita"
Iggy Pop - "I'm Bored"
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"
U2 - "I Will Follow"
R.E.M. - "Moon River/Pretty Persuasion"