|
|
Post by ChrisB on Jan 16, 2015 23:12:50 GMT
Sound of Song - Recording RevolutionThis fascinating programme on BBC4, the first in the series, concentrates on the development of recorded sound. It's pretty much essential watching for anyone who is in the slightest bit interested in recorded music. The oficial BBC Blurb doesn't really do it justice but here it is anyway: Songs are the soundtrack of our lives and it takes a kind of genius to create a true pop masterpiece. But, as Neil Brand argues, there is more to consider in the story of what makes a great song. Neil looks at every moment in the life cycle of a song - how they are written, performed, recorded and the changing ways we have listened to them. He reveals how it is the wonderful alchemy of all of these elements that makes songs so special to us.
To open the series, Neil investigates how songs were recorded for the first time, the listening revolution in the home that followed and the birth of a new style of singing that came with the arrival of the microphone - crooning. He also looks at the songwriting genius of Irving Berlin and the interpretative power of singers Bessie Smith, Louis Armstrong and Bing Crosby.And here's the link: Sound of Song - Recording Revolution
|
|
|
|
Post by MikeMusic on Jan 17, 2015 10:27:48 GMT
Set on the Tivo
Everyone remember BBC 4 cuts off the last 2 minutes of most programmes so add a bit on if recording
|
|
|
|
Post by ChrisB on Jan 17, 2015 10:53:07 GMT
There's an angle to the story which is something I don't think I have really seen much discussed elsewhere and that is that the strengths and weaknesses of the recording and playback equipment had a huge influence on the evolution of the music that was being popularised and played.
|
|
|
|
Post by John on Jan 17, 2015 11:38:29 GMT
Fantastic. Lots to think about. It shows how technology has opened up music in its many different art forms
|
|
|
|
Post by John on Jan 17, 2015 11:40:06 GMT
There's an angle to the story which is something I don't think I have really seen much discussed elsewhere and that is that the strengths and weaknesses of the recording and playback equipment had a huge influence on the evolution of the music that was being popularised and played. Agree this bit about the story really is interesting |
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Jan 17, 2015 12:31:32 GMT
Thanks, Chris. I found it on catch-up and have set the others to record.
|
|
|
|
Post by ChrisB on Jan 23, 2015 20:43:34 GMT
The second episode of this series is on tonight at 9:00 at again at 1:00 AM - looks like it could be good.
Reeling and Rocking
Musician Neil Brand explores the magical elements that come together to create great songs by recreating some of the most memorable and innovative recording sessions in music history - from Elvis's slapback echo in Memphis and the Beatles' tape loops at Abbey Road to Phil Spector's Wall of Sound and the Beach Boys' pop symphonies.
He shows that all this was made possible by the discovery of magnetic tape by an American soldier in the ruins of WWII Germany, the invention that, more than any other, drove the emergence of the music studio as a compositional tool and the rise of the producer as a new creative force shaping the sound of song.
|
|
|
|
Post by MikeMusic on Jan 23, 2015 20:56:36 GMT
Still stacked on the Tivo
Maybe Sunday....
|
|
|
|
Post by ChrisB on Jan 31, 2015 17:15:34 GMT
The final episode of this was on last night, but don't worry, you can still get it on the player thingy for the next 29 days. It's also repeated on BBC4 tomorrow night at 23:40. Mix It Up and Start AgainComposer and musician Neil Brand's series exploring the alchemy that creates great songs reaches the modern era, when a revolution in how they were made took place. From the synthesisers of symphonic rock to the mixes of disco and the samplings of hip hop, music was transformed by the arrival of digital technology and the computer, which gave some songwriters more power but others much less. Along the way Neil talks synths with Rick Wakeman from Yes, samples with Public Enemy's Hank Shocklee, uncovers the surprising lo-fi origins of Bruce Springsteen's stadium-busting Born in the USA, and finds out how Cher changed the sound of her voice on the smash hit Believe. |
|
|
|
Post by John on Jan 31, 2015 17:23:27 GMT
It is a fascinating series that made me think how much technology has influenced music. I think over the last century the biggest change is just how much access we have to music.
|
|
|
|
Post by Tim on Jan 31, 2015 18:07:07 GMT
Great series and good to see Nebraska featured on the programme, which is my favourite Springsteen album. I don't think I have ever seen a Springsteen presentation which showcased Nebraska?
Not sure I have ever seen much on TV about John Grant either, another musician I rate very highly. Had to shout at the TV once mind you when Neil Brand declared 'Autotune' as great . . . WTF!
|
|
Barry
Rank: Trio
Posts: 195 
|
Post by Barry on Jan 31, 2015 18:42:12 GMT
I agree - the effect 'Autotune' had on the singer's voice made me want to scream! But then I don't like the sound of 'Vocoder' (makes every one sound like Stephen Hawking) or the 'Talk box' (as used by Peter Frampton) either.
Agree it was a fascinating series - but I was left feeling depressed about the future of recording: there is just too much opportunity now to producing a 'market detemined' sound.
|
|
|
|
Post by ChrisB on Jan 31, 2015 18:55:29 GMT
Re. Cher and Autotune: After watching the programme late last night, I woke up at 5 o'clock this morning with 'that' song repeating over and over in my head. Yuck!
|
|
|
|
Post by John on Jan 31, 2015 18:55:31 GMT
I think marketed ordinated songs has been around for a long time as for sound yes that will happen but at some point there be some kind of backlash to it
|
|
|
|
Post by MikeMusic on Feb 2, 2015 15:43:11 GMT
I found it 'ok', but would not have missed any of it
In the words of the eternal school teacher
Could try harder
|
|
|
|
Post by Mr Whippy on Feb 2, 2015 18:41:12 GMT
The Sound Of Music, was better, I think.
|
|
