VA – The Old Grey Whistle Test: Live (2012)
The revitalised Old Grey Whistle Test brand’s latest compilation taps the archives for a spread of live recordings. Amongst the cuts are quite splendid renditions of familiar favourites, barnstorming bursts of fevered rock’n’roll, and a whole disc of new sessions recorded in 2011.
Disc one’s first standout is a wonderfully understated Tiny Dancer, finding Elton John alone with his piano and a bucket-load of emotion. Sure, the tracks been wheeled out for dozens of comparable compilations before this one; but this recording resonates with a tenderness less apparent on the studio version. Suzanne Vega’s Luka and Van Morrison’s Into the Mystic are fine takes, and Hall & Oates’ swaggering She’s Gone is a smile-inducing cut that leads… — BBC
… the contemporary listener into imagining Flight of the Conchords giving it the pastiche treatment.
Best of all on disc one is Tom Waits’ Burma Shave, as uniquely dishevelled and as singularly menacing as any song one will ever hear. To this day Waits is a true original, and here he’s as raw as his reputation dictates, stealing the show from the ‘friendlier’ sounds of Lindisfarne, George Benson and the in-beautiful-voice Bill Withers.
Disc two kicks off with Lynyrd Skynyrd’s (likely) immortal Sweet Home Alabama, but the song sounds as if it was recorded from the other side of an aircraft hangar. Argent’s God Gave Rock and Roll to You resets the quality control, its sing-along chorus as glorious in 2012 as it was in 1973 – although these ears will forever be more receptive to the boisterous 1991 cover of the track by KISS. Captain Beefheart is maniacally mischievous on Upon the My-O-My, and Ramones thunder through an awesome medley of Don’t Come Close, She’s the One and Go Mental; but perhaps the most thrilling track on the second disc is Rory Gallagher’s Bullfrog Blues. Simply breathless, it’s a bracing nine minutes that regularly bursts into a brilliant racket, piano and guitar duelling until both are sweaty messes.
The newer sessions are primarily reserved for old hands, artists whose careers stretch back to the days of OGWT on the telly. Chuck Prophet is a notable exception, with his Summertime Thing. Overall, this release is a journey both of nostalgia and discovery – experienced ears will appreciate the rougher-edged versions, and fresh ones can explore superb talents for the first time.
Disc 1
1.Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers-American Girl
2.Elton John – Tiny Dancer
3.Daryl Hall & John Oates – She’s Gone
4.Van Morrison – Into The Mystic
5.Gary US Bonds-This Little Girl
6.Kris Kristofferson & Rita Coolidge – Help Me Make It Through The Night
7.Graham Nash- Another Sleep
8.David Gates & Bread – Baby I’m A Want You
9.Suzanne Vega-Luka
10.Lindisfarne-Meet Me On The Corner
11.Tom Waits-Burma Shave
12.Poco- Just You & Me new
13.Brinsley Schwarz – Hooked On Love
14.George Benson – Breezin’
15.Bill Withers – Ain’t No Sunshine
Disc 2
1.Lynyrd Skynyrd-Sweet Home Alabama
2.Argent – God Gave Rock And Roll To Us
3.The Doobie Brothers – Rockin’ Down The Highway
4.Rory Gallagher – Bullfrog Blues
5.Captain Beefheart – Upon The My O My
6.Sensational Alex Harvey Band- Delilah
7.The Waterboys-This Is The Sea
8.The Ramones- Medley (Don’t Come Close/She’s The One/ Go Mental)
9.The Cult -Love Removal Machine
10.The Undertones -Jimmy Jimmy
11.Aztec Camera-Walk Out To Winter
12.Tubeway Army-Are Friends Electric ?
13.Television- Fox Hole
14.Blondie-Heart Of Glass
15.Nine below Zero- Stone Fox Chase (Theme From The OGWT)
Disc 3: 2011 Sessions
1.Paul Weller – English Rose
2.Thin Lizzy – Jailbreak
3.Ian Anderson – Mother Goose
4.Loudon Wainwright-Swimming Song
5.Gordon Giltrap – Heartsong
6.Gregg Allman – I Can’t Be Satisfied
7.Nil Lofgren- Long May You Run
8.Julian Lennon – Stand By Me
9.Joan Armatrading – Empty Highway
10Judy Tzuke – Stay With Me ‘Till Dawn
11.Kiki Dee- Running Up That Hill
12.Nick Lowe – Sensitive Man
13.Steve Harley – Friend For life
14.Ralph McTell – Zimmerman Blues
15.Thomas Dolby-I Scare Myself
16.Chuck Prophet – Summertime Thing
17.Gang Of Four-Not Great men
18.Billy Bragg – A13
19.John Otway – Cor Baby (That’s Really Free)
20.Yusaf/Cat Stevens- Trouble
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