New BBC2 series- 'Seven Ages Of Rock'

You could be right.

Let's face it: no matter how great a soloist Emerson was, ELP's albums lack the warmth and the humanity of classic Genesis.

Edited by fuxi - May 27 2007 at 07:38

Quote fuxi:-
'Let's face it: no matter how great a soloist Emerson was, ELP's albums lack the warmth and the humanity of classic Genesis.'


What I was think of was the link between Psych and Art Rock.

Edited by Man Erg - May 27 2007 at 07:50

Only caught the last five minutes of the first episode, but saw most of the second episode.

What was good was the programme after the first episode, which was a documentary about The Old Grey Whistle Test. I found that interesting.

As to the episode I watched -- the second one -- it was very selective but interesting nevertheless. In my opinion they concentrated rather too much on theatricality in rock in the 'golden years' of the late 1960s and early 1970s, rather than the music itself. The trouble with these programmes is that the history is so rich and varied, and the programme lengths limited, that it is almost impossible to cover the genre (rock) in the depth needed.

Anyway, I hope I can manage to catch the third programme in the series.

You should see the BBC forum for last night's show, hundreds are bemoaning the absence of Marc Bolan...he was the inspiration for Bowie, etc, etc. All very funny.
I felt obliged to send them my thoughts, but I bet they won't publish them .

It appears the biggest rock band on this planet in 70's are only going to get a passing mention in this series, on the stadium rock episode. How can the poxy pseudo-reggie band The Police warrent more airplay than Zep. crazy! I sense another posting to the BBC coming on..

Well, at least they had the good sense to show Mike Rutherford playing Supper's Ready's opening chords on twelve string. Together with the surreal (or hyper-real) visuals of English suburbia this captured something of the mood of the piece. Although a few seconds of Peter Gabriel cavorting on stage dressed like a FLOWER simply aren't going to convey the majesty of that climax... I mean, with a series like this, what could all those snippets from songs (even "All tomorrow's parties" or "Ladytron") mean to viewers who have never heard the originals?

Also, the series should be called "Seven Ages of British Rock", since British bands are really the focus of it all. True, in the next few episodes there will be some talk of Bruce Springsteen, Patti Smith, R.E.M., Nirvana etc. But whatever happened to Southern Boogie and West Coast rock? Clearly Charles Shaar Murray doesn't have any time for the Allmann Brothers or Neil Young, who were far more influential (internationally speaking) than the British glam rock bands. (Please note I'm not saying these things 'cause I'm so crazy about Neil Young. Actually, I care much more for Bowie!) Furthermore, superb singer-songwriters like Joni Mitchell and soul/funk bands like Sly Stone or Parliament get left out altogether, but I guess that's because they aren't "rock"...

Edited by fuxi - May 28 2007 at 09:30

Oh Salmacis, I don't blame your friend, I thought dear old PG looked pretty silly myself... In contrast to Live at Shepperton on YouTube, where he looks great on "Dancing with the Moonlit Knight" and the "Supper's Ready" finale! (This may actually be the same concert - but I haven't watched "Willow Farm" yet!)

Oh yeah, I agree with that, the costumes are outlandish to say the least!! The 'slipperman' one is always a 'what the...' moment whenever I see it!

Apparently,Gabriel used to cycle to the recording/rehearsal studio in the red dress(fox head costume). He said that he would get quite a few comments......No!