The Old Grey Whistle Test Vol. 3 (Various Artists) (DVD)

Advantages: Cool, mellow, nice!
Disadvantages: None.

...addition to the technical costs the artists themselves had to be paid. David Bowie, for instance, he played three songs and was paid just £50! John Lennon was one who refused to accept his fee, insisting that he should be rewarded with chocolate Bath Oliver biscuits instead! The opening title sequence featured an animated man kicking at a star. He was to become affectionately known as The Starkicker of course. The makers of the programme continually broke new ground. Their 'simulcast' of radio and television was the first ever. The first live transatlantic broadcast of a rock concert as well as the television coverage of the Live Aid concert, were all achieved by the Old Grey Whistle Test team. Other first included the first British TV performance of a certain Mr Bob Marley and the Wailers. The programme is alas no more, having ended... Read review

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Advantages: Nostalgic, Great Music, Whispering Bob
Disadvantages: Left out a lot of my fabourites

...This DVD was a birthday present to remind me of when I was young and vibrant instead of older and less vibrant. It was the first DVD I posessed and I used to play it on my PC, which is not quite the same as watching it on a proper screen with a half decent sound system. Following the acquisition of my 'free' DVD player which you may have read about in an earlier review and playing it through a good quality sound system, I can now confirm that the DVD of the Old Grey Whistle test is absolutely superb, an excellent summary of one what surely must be the best TV music show ever. Cast your minds back to the seventies and early eighties, the Old Grey Whistle Test was screened late at night on BBC2. A programme to come home early from the pub for, a weekly music 'magazine' which featured live studio performances of album tracks by... Read review

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Advantages: Great footage
Disadvantages: DVD features could be better

...If you are over 30 and serious about music then you will at some time in your youth come across The Old Grey Whistle Test. From its first transmission in 1971 to the last 16 years later in 1987 this programme showcased some of the biggest acts in 70?s and 80?s music. To mark the 30th anniversary of the show the BBC released this 2 DVD set which includes a varied selection of the output over the years. IN THE BEGINNING I?m not old enough to remember the earliest editions of the show, I suppose I started watching it regularly in the late 70?s. Like all kids interested in music my main exposure came from watching ?Top of the Pops? with screaming studio audience, banal presenters and cheesy sets (and Pan?s People of course!). The Old Grey Whistle Test a complete opposite to this it was shown late at night, past my bedtime and I knew... Read review

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