Old Grey Whistle Test Volume Three - The Memorable TV DVD Review

Being born and raised in England, the Old Grey Whistle test was for me a Tuesday night staple, a chance to see bands you wouldn't normally see on Top of the Pops, performing album tracks and even being interviewed, now thanks to BBC Warner and their series of compilations of classic moments from the show we are getting the chance to revisit.

We are now up to volume 3 and like the two that went before it is superb stuff, with clips presented in chronological order from its earliest days with the likes of Lindisfarne through to its mid seventies heyday with a breathtaking performance of A Heart Needs A Home by Richard and Linda Thompson and on through the punk and new wave years of Japan, Orange Juice etc.

There are 28 performances on the disc and like before its a nicely eclectic mix although there is a little more emphasis on folk/roots this time out with the afore mentioned Lindisfarne, Richard and Linda Thompson as well as Fairport Convention, Janis Ian and John Martyn but there are also turns from The Jam, Orange Juice (a brilliant Rip It Up) and the still unlistenable Jesus and Mary Chain. Other stand out performances include Roger Daltrey with the haunting song Giving It All Away, Supertramp with Dreamer and a very groovy Steve Marriot led Humble Pie.

Like the previous releases each of the songs also features an introduction (quite often by the artist in question) to the background of the song.

For any music fan these releases are absolutely essential.

ANY SPECIAL FEATURES?

Commentary by presenters Mark Ellen, David Hepworth, and Andy Kershaw, Reminiscences by Roger Daltrey, Jools Holland, Rick Wakeman, Bob Geldof, Roddy Frame and Artists' gallery.

TRIVIA
Presenter Bob Harris recalls how the show's name was inspired by the doormen in grey suits who worked at the music publishing houses in London's Denmark Street , known as 'tin pan alley': "It was a 'tin pan alley' phrase from years ago. When they got the first pressing of a record they would play it to people they called the old greys. The ones they could remember and could whistle having heard it just once or twice had passed the old grey whistle test."