VA - The Old Grey Whistle Test [2010] + The Old Grey Whistle Test, 40th Anniversary Album [2011] +The Old Grey Whistle Test Live [2012] (8 x CDs)

 

OGWT

VA - The Old Grey Whistle Test [2010] + The Old Grey Whistle Test, 40th Anniversary Album [2011] +The Old Grey Whistle Test Live [2012] (8 x CDs)

The Old Grey Whistle Test (OGWT) is a term that echoes in the hearts of music lovers of all ages. This British music television program, broadcasted on BBC2 from 1971 to 1988, was a lighthouse for non-mainstream music, presenting a wide array of artists and musical styles. The concept of the show was the brainchild of BBC producer Rowan Ayers and commissioned by David Attenborough. According to presenter Bob Harris the programme derived its name from a Tin Pan Alley phrase inspired. According to this phrase, if a song could be remembered and whistled by the ‘old greys’ - the doormen in grey suits - after hearing it just once or twice, it had passed the 'old grey whistle test’.

Included in this post are the following albums:

VA - The Old Grey Whistle Test [2010]

VA - The Old Grey Whistle Test, 40th Anniversary Album [2011]

VA - The Old Grey Whistle Test, Live [2012]

The first in the series of three box sets, “VA - The Old Grey Whistle Test [2010]”, is a collection that embodies the spirit of OGWT. Curated by Bob Harris, a Radio 2 DJ and host of the show, this two-disc release comprises 38 tracks that span across different years and genres. The assortment of tracks provides a glimpse into an era ruled by album artists, offering a unique perspective into the musical scene of that time.

The second box set, “VA - The Old Grey Whistle Test, 40th Anniversary Album [2011]”, commemorates the 40th anniversary of the show. This 3 CD set showcases a varied range of artists and genres, mirroring the wide spectrum of artists that appeared on the show. The collection of tracks serves as a testament to the legendary acts that adorned the OGWT stage.

The third box set, “VA - The Old Grey Whistle Test, Live [2012]”, exemplifies what OGWT stood for - live music. This three-disc collection exclusively contains archived live performances from the show. The variety in the selection mirrors the diversity of artists that appeared on the show. This compilation is highly recommended for truly celebrating what The Old Grey Whistle Test stood for - live music.

In summary, these three box sets pay homage to the legacy of The Old Grey Whistle Test, encapsulating its essence, marking its milestones, and emphasizing its focus on live music. They provide listeners with an opportunity to experience the enchantment of this iconic show and appreciate the wide range of music it promoted. (B)

As a Special treat I have included the BBC special - The Old Grey Whistle Test, Live - For One Night Only. Hosted by Bob Harris, this live studio shows features music, special guests and rare archive to mark 30 years since the legendary series was last broadcast. Featuring performances from Peter Frampton, Richard Thompson, and Albert Lee among others. Posted in two formats

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Track lists

The Old Grey Whistle Test

CD1

01 Lynyrd Skynyrd - Sweet Home Alabama 1:34

02 Bad Company - Can't Get Enough 4:15

03 Fleetwood Mac - Don't Stop 3:13

04 James Taylor - You've Got A Friend 4:29

05 Linda Ronstadt - It's So Easy 2:27

06 Rickie Lee Jones - Chuck E's In Love 3:29

07 John Martyn - May You Never 3:41

08 Randy Newman - Mama Told Me Not To Come 2:11

09 Judee Sill - Jesus Was A Crossmaker 3:28

10 Bonnie Raitt - I'm Blowin' Away 3:26

11 J.D. Souther - Black Rose 3:53

12 Little Feat - Little Feat 3:54

13 Warren Zevon - Werewolves Of London 3:27

14 Joe Walsh - Life's Been Good 4:39

15 Santana - Samba Pa Ti 4:43

16 Cars - My Best Friend's Girl 3:43

17 Television - Marquee Moon 10:40

18 Patti Smith - Because The Night [Live On Ogwt] 3:13

19 Mott The Hoople - All The Young Dudes 3:33

CD2

01 Doobie Brothers - Long Train Runnin' 3:24

02 Free - All Right Now 3:46

03 Eric Clapton - Behind The Mask 4:40

04 Van Morrison - Moondance 4:34

05 Bread - The Guitar Man 3:44

06 Crazy Horse - I Don't Want To Talk About It 5:19

07 Edgar Winter Group - Free Ride 3:05

08 Richard & Linda Thompson - A Heart Needs A Home 4:04

09 Faces - Ooh La La 3:26

10 Robert Plant - Big Log 4:58

11 Rory Gallagher - Bought & Sold 3:33

12 Al Stewart - Year Of The Cat [Live On Ogwt] 7:05

13 Carly Simon & James Taylor - Mokingbird 4:10

14 Gram Parsons & Emmylou Harris - Love Hurts 3:39

15 Curved Air - Back Street Luv 3:33

16 Todd Rundgren - I Saw The Light 2:56

17 Tom Waits - Tom Traubert's Blues (Four Sheets To The Wind In Copenhagen) 6:31

18 Yes - Wonderous Stories 3:48

19 Area Code 615 - Stone Fox Chase (Theme From The Ogwt) 3:22

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The Old Grey Whistle Test, 40th Anniversary Album

CD1

01 Led Zeppelin - Trampled Under Foot 5:35

02 Who - Baba O'riley 4:59

03 Free - My Brother Jake 2:51

04 Thin Lizzy - Whiskey In The Jar 5:42

05 Rod Stewart - The Killing Of Georgie (Pt 1 & 2) 6:27

06 David Bowie - Oh! You Pretty Things 3:13

07 Roxy Music - Do The Strand 3:59

08 Linda Ronstadt - It's So Easy 3:10

09 Randy Newman - Short People 2:54

10 James Taylor - Fire Or Rain 3:20

11 Stealers Wheel - Stuck In The Middle With You 3:23

12 Bad Company - Feel Like Makin' Love 5:11

13 Doobie Brothers - Listen To The Music 4:43

14 Focus - Hocus Pocus 6:40

15 ZZ Top - Cheap Sunglasses 4:48

16 Allman Brothers Band - Jessica 4:00

17 Just What I Needed - The Cars 3:45

18 Talking Heads - Psycho Killer 4:19

CD2

01 Elton John - Tiny Dancer 6:15

02 Bob Dylan - Hurricane 8:31

03 Eric Clapton - Let It Grow 4:54

04 Fleetwood Mac - Go Your Own Way 3:35

05 Lynyrd Skynyrd - Free Bird 3:30

06 America - Ventura Highway 3:32

07 Foreigner - Cold As Ice 3:18

08 Chicago - 25 Or 6 To 4 2:52

09 Robert Plant - Burning Down One Side 3:55

10 Moody Blues - I'm Just A Singer (In A Rock & Roll Band) 4:11

11 Yes - Owner Of A Lonely Heart 4:24

12 Steppenwolf - Born To Be Wild 3:29

13 Golden Earring - Radar Love 6:23

14 John Martyn - Solid Air 5:35

15 Jim Croce - I Have To Say It In A Song 2:30

16 Don Mclean - American Pie 4:06

17 New York Dolls - Personality Crisis 3:31

18 Blondie - One Way Or Another 3:34

CD3

01 John Lennon - Stand By Me 3:46

02 Alice Cooper - Under My Wheels 3:00

03 Sniff 'n' The Tears - Driver Seat 3:53

04 Simple Minds - Life In A Day 3:35

05 Magazine - Give Me Everything 4:21

06 Altered Images - A Day's Wait 2:57

07 Aztec Camera - Walk Out To Winter 3:24

08 Tom Waits - Small Change 5:53

09 Sad Café - Hungry Eyes 5:01

10 Joan Armatrading - Love & Affection 4:31

11 Janis Ian - Stars 7:31

12 Robert Wyatt - Shipbuilding 2:47

13 Ralph Mctell - Sweet Mystery 2:33

14 Little Feat - Rock & Roll Doctor 3:40

15 Atlanta Rhythm Section - So Into You 3:59

16 Chris Rea - Guitar Street 5:06

17 Iggy Pop - I Wanna Be Your Dog 1:16

18 Ramones - Rock & Roll High School/ Rock & Roll Radio 5:17

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The Old Grey Whistle Test, Live

CD1

01 Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers - American Girl 4:12

02 Elton John - Tiny Dancer 6:03

03 Hall & Oates - She's Gone 5:25

04 Van Morrison - Into The Mystic 2:25

05 Gary 'u.S.' Bonds - This Little Girl 4:28

06 Rita Coolidge - Help Me Make It Through The Night 2:30

07 Graham Nash - Another Sleep Song 3:22

07 Graham Nash - Another Sleep Song 3:22

08 David Gates - Baby I'm A Want You 2:25

09 Suzanne Vega - Luka 3:02

10 Lindisfarne - Meet Me On The Corner 2:36

11 Tom Waits - Burma Shave 4:41

12 Poco - Just You & Me 3:36

13 Humble Pie - Black Coffee 3:37

14 Brinsley Schwarz - Hooked On Love 2:50

15 George Benson - Breezin' 4:33

16 Bill Withers - Ain't No Sunshine 2:08

CD2

01 Lynyrd Skynyrd - Sweet Home Alabama 5:23

02 Argent - God Gave Rock And Roll To You 6:21

03 Doobie Brothers - Rockin' Down The Highway 3:23

04 Rory Gallagher - Bullfrog Blues 9:06

05 Captain Beefheart - Upon The My O My 3:14

06 Sensational Alex Harvey Band - Delilah 4:55

07 Waterboys - This Is The Sea 6:31

08 Ramones - Don't Come Close/She's The One/Go Mental 6:02

09 Cult - Love Removal Machine 4:15

10 Undertones - Jimmy Jimmy 2:31

11 Aztec Camera - Walk Out To Winter 3:23

12 Gary Numan & Tubeway Army - Are 'friends' Electric? 5:28

13 Television - Foxhole 4:08

14 Blondie - Heart Of Glass 5:46

15 Nine Below Zero - Stone Fox Chase (Theme From The Ogwt) 0:38

CD3

01 Paul Weller - English Rose 3:05

02 Thin Lizzy - Jailbreak 4:03

03 Ian Anderson - Mother Goose 4:00

04 Loudon Wainwright - Swimming Song 2:11

05 Gordon Giltrap - Heart Song 2:58

06 Gregg Allman - I Can't Be Satisfied 3:12

07 Nil Lofgren - Long May You Run 3:09

08 Julian Lennon - Stand By Me 3:16

09 Joan Armatrading - Empty Highway 4:32

10 Judy Tzuke - Stay With Me 'till Dawn 3:44

11 Kiki Dee - Running Up That Hill 5:26

12 Nick Lowe - Sensitive Man 2:41

13 Steve Harley - Friend For Life 4:44

14 Ralph Mctell - Zimmerman Blues 5:24

15 Thomas Dolby - I Scare Myself 5:23

16 Chuck Prophet - Summertime Thing 3:45

17 Gang Of Four - Not Great Men 3:13

18 Billy Bragg - A13 3:41

19 John Otway - Cor Baby (That's Really Free) 2:37

20 Yusaf; Cat Stevens - Trouble 2:48

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