Monday, May 02, 2005
Soundtrack of the Century
Our PBS station's been presenting this great BBC documentary on the history of 20th century pop music. It's called "Soundtrack of the Century" and actually features interviews and footage we haven't seen on a dozen other "History of Rock/Pop" documentaries.
Last week's episode had archival footage of country star Jimmie Rodgers and blues legend Leadbelly to show how country and the blues evolved into rock and roll.
Last night, record producer Mitch Miller of "Sing Along With Mitch" fame demonstrated how he got reverb into the vocals by having the singers sing in a bathroom. Also, interviews with Don Kirshner and Brill Building songwriters Neil Sedaka, Carole King and Cynthia Weil, and a profile of genius/lunatic Phil Spector.
What can I say, we're suckers for the History of Pop Music, so we'd probably watch this even if it was stuff we'd seen before.
Next week: The British Invasion!
Last week's episode had archival footage of country star Jimmie Rodgers and blues legend Leadbelly to show how country and the blues evolved into rock and roll.
Last night, record producer Mitch Miller of "Sing Along With Mitch" fame demonstrated how he got reverb into the vocals by having the singers sing in a bathroom. Also, interviews with Don Kirshner and Brill Building songwriters Neil Sedaka, Carole King and Cynthia Weil, and a profile of genius/lunatic Phil Spector.
What can I say, we're suckers for the History of Pop Music, so we'd probably watch this even if it was stuff we'd seen before.
Next week: The British Invasion!
