SINGER-SONGWRITERS AT THE BBC, SERIES 2
A compilation of rare performances by singer-songwriters from the BBC vaults, using archive footage from programs such as The Old Grey Whistle Test, In Concert and Top of the Pops.
Episode 1
The celebration of the singing songwriting troubadours of the 1960s and 70s continues with a further trawl through the BBC archives for timeless and classic performances.
With Don McLean performing his huge hit American Pie from 1972, and Tim Buckley providing some sublime sounds with a rendition of his song Happy Time. Also making an appearance is the long lamented John Martyn, folk queen Sandy Denny and in a duet with Joe Egan as Stealers Wheel, the recently departed Gerry Rafferty. Stealers Wheel chum and one time collaborator Rab Noakes also makes a contribution to this compilation. Leonard Cohen and Julie Felix present a unique collaboration and performance of Hey, That's No Way to Say Goodbye, plus the unforgettable performance of Case of You by Joni Mitchell. No celebration of this genre would be complete without contributions from songwriting heavyweights such as Elton John, Paul Simon, Loudon Wainwright III and Yusuf Islam aka Cat Stevens.
Episode 2
The celebration of the singing songwriting troubadours of the 1960s and 70s continues with a further trawl through the BBC archives for timeless and classic performances.
Tom Paxton starts proceedings with a rare black and white performance of his classic song The Last Thing on My Mind filmed in 1964. Also making an appearance is the 'fifth Beatle', Harry Nilsson, with a performance from his BBC concert in 1972. Other gems from this year include Canadian Gordon Lightfoot, songwriting duo Gerry Rafferty and Joe Egan as Stealers Wheel and the most popular acoustic act of the 1970s, the gentle bespectacled John Denver.
From the Basil Brush Show in 1973, Ronnie Lane and Slim Chance make a surprise appearance. Californian Beach Boy Bruce Johnston offers a sublime version of Disney Girls, Joan Armatrading injects a bit of brio on the Old Grey Whistle Test. And to round it all off, six-time Grammy winner Billy Joel.
Episode 3
The celebration of the singing songwriting troubadours of the 1960s and 70s continues with a further trawl through the BBC archives for timeless and classic performances.
Starting proceedings is Scots-born Sunshine Superman, Donovan, with a rare performance from Julie Felix's show in 1968. From The Rolf Harris Show in 1971 comes a unique performance from moustachioed baritone and Nancy Sinatra-collaborator Lee Hazlewood. Buffy Sainte-Marie performs Cripple Creek, and buddies Carole King and James Taylor perform classic Carole King songs.
Songwriting genius Jimmy Webb performs a gem in Didn't We, while a beautiful and sensuous Rod Stewart gives an intense performance of his song about his friend in The Killing of Georgie, from a Boxing Day edition of Top of the Pops in 1976. And from 1977 the inimitable and much-loved John Martyn, with help from Danny Thompson, rounds things off with a classic performance of Couldn't Love You More.
Episode 4
The celebration of the singing songwriting troubadours of the 1960s and 70s concludes with a further trawl through the BBC archives for timeless and classic performances.
Starting things off, a 23-year-old Bob Dylan performing on the BBC's Tonight programme in 1964. On Its Lulu from 1971, 'Bisto Kid' lookalike singer-songwriter Gilbert O'Sullivan, while from a concert in 1970 buddies Graham Nash and David Crosby perform Nash's Marrakesh Express. Londoner Labi Siffre makes an appearance from the archives, as does fellow English songwriter Michael Chapman.
From the Old Grey Whistle Test in 1976, the late Gil Scott-Heron performs alongside his band and life-long collaborator Brian Jackson, and the musician's musician Roy Harper performs One of Those Days In England with a full band on the Old Grey Whistle Test. Grammy Award winner Janis Ian performs Tea and Sympathy and, to round things off, a rare sighting of Kate Bush performing on the Leo Sayer Show in 1978.
Episode 1 Performances
Tim Buckley - I'm Coming Home Again
Julie Felix & Leonard Cohen - Hey That's No Way To Say Goodbye
Cat Stevens - Father and Son
Sandy Denny - The Northstar Grassman & the Ravens
Don McLean - American Pie
Melanie - Peace Will Come
Stealers Wheel - Stuck In The Middle With You
Joni Mitchell - A Case Of You
Rab Noakes - Branch
Paul Simon - Homeward Bound
Elton John - Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word
Clifford T. Ward - Home Thoughts From Abroad
Johnny Nash - I Can See Clearly Now
Kate & Anna McGarrigle - Be My Baby
Loudon Wainwright III - Rufus is a Tit Man
Episode 2 Performances
Tom Paxton - The Last Thing On My Mind
Gordon Lightfoot - Early Morning Rain
Harry Nilsson - 1941
Stealers Wheel - Late Again
John Denver - Leaving On A Jet Plane
Terry Reid - Without Expression
Bill Withers - Ain't No Sunshine
Ronnie Lane & Slim Chance - How Come
Dory Previn - Cold Water Canyon
Seals & Crofts - Summer Breeze
Chris de Burgh - Satin Green Shutters
Bruce Johnston - Disney Girls
Sutherland Brothers and Quiver - Arms Of Mary
Joan Armatrading - Stepping Out
Billy Joel - She's Always A Woman
Phoebe Snow - Every Night
Nick Lowe - Cruel To Be Kind
Episode 3 Performances
Donovan - Lalena
John Sebastian - Daydream
Buffy Sainte Marie - Cripple Creek
Lesley Duncan - Chain of Love
Lee Hazelwood - Cold Hard Times
James Taylor - Rainy Day Man
Carole King - Will You Love Me Tomorrow
Jimmy Webb - Didn't We
Kevin Ayers - May 1
Elton John - Daniel
John Prine & Steve Goodman - Nine Pound Hammer
Ralph McTell - Maddy Dances
Rod Stewart - The Killing of Georgie (Parts 1& 2)
Andrew Gold - Lonely Boy
Harry Chapin - Mercenaries
James Taylor & Carly Simon - You Can Close Your Eyes
John Martyn - Couldn't Love You More
Episode 4 Performances
Bob Dylan - With God On Our Side
Leonard Cohen - The Stranger Song
Crosby & Nash - Marrakesh Express
Gilbert O'Sullivan - We Will
Carole King - Up On The Roof
Neil Diamond - Cracklin' Rosie
Al Stewart - Night of the 4th of May
Michael Chapman - Hero Returns
Jim Croce - Lover's Cross
Labi Siffre - Another Year
Janis Ian - Tea And Sympathy
Gil Scott-Heron - A Lovely Day
Gallagher & Lyle - Heart On My Sleeve
Roy Harper - One Of Those Days In England
Stephen Bishop - On And On
Kate Bush - Don't Push Your Foot On The Heartbreak