The Twanging Bits of Metal Test- it's not what you think,

[Gordon Moore]

I was just catching up on my tv watching last night, and was watching the shows on the Old Grey Whistle Test. Apart from the snotty and disparaging comments of some of the commentators, I thought it was a good show. I remember watching many of the shows and the clips really brought it all back.

I was also thinking how good it was to just watch people doing their stuff, no videos, and crazy camera work (as was mentioned). Some of the artists and their work was admittedly was a bit naff to me, but is probably another's treasured memory, yet there was a variety of music to listen to and enjoy (or not).

Then I had my idea of the year. Why can't this be done for World Music. Then I though, naw, no way will the beeb do that. So then I had my brilliant second idea, why don't we do it.

Plenty of people form production companies to make a programme or film. There must be tons of people out there with decent quality digicams and editing facilities. We have people who can string together a few words and of course there are quite a few of you in the business already with contacts to the musicians etc.

So, like Charlie did by having guests, can't we rope a few acts in to do a two, or three song gig, record it and then put out a show, perhaps every month or two or just as. It doesn't have to be flash does it, that would be it's charm anyway.

Now, clearly the beeb ain't going to be interested, but there's so many tv channels now including community channels that there's got to be some way in. At the least we could put together a DVD or a download site.

Okay, then there's the finance etc. I propose that we start selling £100 shares. Set up a partnership, etc etc..

I don't know? Any thoughts....

[Charlie]

Very good idea, Gordon, and Link TV in the States is aiming to do something like this (Dayna reported on seeing some interesting artists on the satellite station, currently broadcasting only in North America).

In fact Stephen Lawrence from Link TV discussed the notion of bringing cameras to film the live acts during my Radio London show, but hit a stumbling block in the astronomical fee that BBC Worldwide was demanding simply to allow cameras in the room, many times a multiple of what I was being paid to do the show. And then I got ill, and that was the end of that.

But Stephen is still interested, and might look at another way of doing it, perhaps setting something up at Darbucka. So if anything evolves from Gordon's idea, bear Link in mind as a customer.

Michal Shapiro from Link TV has joined this forum as a member, so you can always send a PM to her with questions and suggestions.

[Con Murphy]

I don’t have much in the way of practical expertise to offer, but I do think it’s a great idea so anything I can do to help in however small a way, I’d be happy to do it. It would be great to give further exposure to some of the great acts that are appearing at Darbucka and elsewhere. I’m sure there are plenty of people here who have the necessary skills or contacts to at least explore the idea.

[Ian M]

Some years ago, I tried to set up a facility where we could record artists and musicians, many of whom would be passing through London for concerts or promotion. The idea was partially inspired by the Buena Vista people, when I realised how many great, and often unsung, musicians there are, who also had fascinating life stories to tell. It also made me realise that for the older generation of musicians, unless their stories were documented soon, it would be too late. There was no particular agenda or end product envisaged, just an urge to build an archive of worthwhile stories, songs, histories. We even thought we might get an Arts Council grant to help out.

Anyway, to cut a long story short, the project foundered on the minefield of legal and contractual issues that surround music and copyright. Without an acknowledged name or reputation, some musicians would be suspicious of giving their time and skills, managers would demand payment, or in one case refuse to let their artist play their instrument to illustrate their musical point.

I still like the idea, and maybe the technology of the web has improved to make it even more feasible. But I am no music biz expert on the legal side. Our idea was more interview, with musical extracts, because a live performance is much more demanding technically if you want good sound and picture. Recording some performances at Darbucka may be possible, but you have to be realistic about the quality of the footage you can get with limited resources.

It's not meant to sound negative, but there a lot of factors you have to consider. Having said all that, I would be happy to help if anybody wants to give it a try.

[Gordon Moore]

Charlie, when people played on your show, did they get/expect payment or was it for the exposure or even just for the joy of sharing?

Does our Judith (Burrows) have any thoughts, ideas on this? being an extremely talented lady... :)

btw, don't want anyone to think I'm going to move to London and do this, I'm just throwing the idea in the air.

[Charlie]

Charlie, when people played on your show, did they get/expect payment or was it for the exposure or even just for the joy of sharing?

There was no fund from BBC London for the sessions, so the musicians did it for love, often paying their own way to get there. Dylan Fowler drove all the way from Wales to take part in a session, Guy Barker flew back early from Milan, Julia Vorontosova came from Paris by Eurostar.

But Link TV were expecting to pay session fees, and quite right too.

[Tom McPhillips]

I too have been catching some stuff on Link TV - there has been some really good spots - some Kora making and playing in Mali and a great selection of off the wall world music videos --- I wish it well, and being as it is in Hi_def it definitely looks very good...

[Jamie Renton]

I'd be up for supporting this in any way that I can. I think that a lot of the bands that play my nights at Darbucka would love the exposure & Ahmad, who owns the place, probably wouldn't complain about it either. But even if we decide not to use Darbucka as a venue I'm more than happy to pass on contacts that I have & do whatever else I can to help make this happen.

Cheers

Jamie

[Seb Merrick]

I have a pile of gigs coming up too at Spitz, Academy, Cargo etc Talk to Tom Jackson who used to produce music videos for MTV Middle East. Though costs of live filming are probably always higher than you'd want and these days any TV channel would expect reasonable quality.

She'koyokh
Baghdaddies
Nil
Lubo Alexandrov
Ivo Papasov
Martin Lubenov
etc

Happy to be involved.