SINGER-SONGWRITERS AT THE BBC
A compilation of live performances, which unlocks the BBC vaults to explore the burgeoning singer-songwriter genre that exploded at the dawn of the 1970s and became one of the definining styles of that decade.
Episode I
Featuring Elton John's Your Song, whose line 'My gift is my song and this one's for you' helps define this new, more personal style of songwriting, alongside an eclectic selection of classic artists and songs. James Taylor, Cat Stevens, Harry Nilsson, Sandy Denny, Steve Goodman, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Judee Sill, Jackson Browne, Neil Diamond, Tim Hardin, Joan Armatrading, Tom Waits all feature next to more commercial hits from the likes of Terry Jacks and Gilbert O'Sullivan.
Programme sources include The Old Grey Whistle Test, In Concert, Top of the Pops, The Shirley Bassey Show and Twiggy's Show of the week.
Elton John - Your Song
James Taylor - Carolina In My Mind
Cat Stevens - Wild World
Harry Nilsson - Without Her
Sandy Denny - Late November
Gilbert O'Sullivan - Nothing Rhymed
Steve Goodman - City Of New Orleans
Joni Mitchell - Chelsea Morning
Neil Young - Heart Of Gold
Judee Sill - The Pearl
Jimmy Webb - By The Time I Get To Phoenix
Bill Withers - Ain't No Sunshine
Terry Jacks - Seasons In The Sun
Neil Diamond - Sweet Caroline
Jackson Browne - Jamaica Say You Will
Tim Hardin - The Lady Came From Baltimore
Joan Armatrading - Down To Zero
Tom Waits - Burma Shave
Episode II
Featuring Peter Sarstedt, Carole King, Jim Croce, Bridget St John, Cat Stevens, Judy Collins, Randy Newman, John Sebastian, Joan Armatrading, Ralph McTell, Al Stewart, Kevin Coyne, Billy Joel, Tim Hardin and Paul Simon.
Programme sources include the Old Grey Whistle Test, In Concert, Top of the Pops, Sounds for Saturday, the Bobbie Gentry Show and One in Ten.
Peter Sarstedt - Where Do You Go To My Lovely?
Carole King - It's Too Late
Ralph McTell - Terminus
Jim Croce - Bad, Bad Leroy Brown
Bridget St. John - Nice
Randy Newman - Mama Told Me Not To Come
Cat Stevens - If I Laugh
Judy Collins - My Father
John Sebastian - She's A Lady
Michael Chapman - Deal Gone Down
Joan Armatrading - Love and Affection
Al Stewart - The Year Of The Cat
Kevin Coyne - House On The Hill
Tim Hardin - Misty Roses
Paul Simon - American Tune
Billy Joel - Piano Man
Episode III
Featuring classic songs from Bobbie Gentry, Kris Kristofferson, Buffy Saint-Marie, Janis Ian, Gordon Lightfoot, John Martyn, Randy Newman, Linda Lewis, Joni Mitchell, Don McLean, Ralph McTell, Loudon Wainwright III, Don Williams and Paul Brady.
Programme sources include the Old Grey Whistle Test, In Concert, Top of the Pops, Sounds for Saturday, the Bobbie Gentry Show and One in Ten.
Bobbie Gentry - Ode To Billie Joe
Kris Kristofferson - Loving Her Was Easy
Joni Mitchell - Both Sides Now
Gordon Lightfoot - If You Could Read My Mind
John Martyn - May You Never
Buffy Sainte-Marie - Until It's Time For You To Go
Randy Newman - I Think It's Going To Rain Today
Don McLean - Vincent
Roy Harper - Commune
Linda Lewis - It's The Frame
Eric Carmen - All By Myself
Loudon Wainwright III - Reciprocity
Ralph McTell - Streets Of London
Dory Previn - Mythical Kings and Iguanas
Don Williams - Till The Rivers All Run Dry
Paul Brady - Crazy Dreams
Episode IV
Featuring songs from Donovan, Gerry Rafferty, James Taylor, Elton John, Mickey Newbury, Neil Young, Tom Paxton, John Prine, Melanie, Jesse Winchester, Steve Forbert, Chris Rea, Carole King and others.
Programme sources include the Old Grey Whistle Test, In Concert, Top of the Pops, One in Ten and Cilla!
Donovan - Jennfier Juniper
Gerry Rafferty - Can I Have My Money Back?
James Taylor - Sweet Baby James
Carole King - A Natural Woman
Neil Diamond - I Am I Said
Mickey Newbury - An American Trilogy
Elton John - Tiny Dancer
Melanie - What Have They Done To My Song, Ma
Neil Young - Love In Mind
Tom Paxton - When Annie Took Me Home
Lynsey De Paul - My Man and Me
John Prine - Dear Abby
Janis Ian - At Seventeen
Jesse Winchester - Yankee Lady
Steve Forbert - It Isn't Gonna Be That Way
Chris Rea - Fool If You Think It's Over