The Old Grey Whistle Test

Taking its name from Tin Pan Alley days (the “whistle test” was a street litmus test for new songs; if the average person whistled it after two or three hearings, music publishers smelled a hit), this BBC television program did a great job presenting a variety of critically acclaimed artists in the ’70s and ’80s. Included here is a best-of compilation featuring over three hours of live performances (1971-1987) from the likes of: Bill Withers, Captain Beefheart, Blondie, The Specials, The Damned, Tom Waits, Iggy Pop, The Ramones, Randy Newman, Curtis Mayfield, Little Feat, Rory Gallagher, Talking Heads, Emmylou Harris, R.E.M. and John Lennon. Also included are insightful interviews with Lennon, Jagger and Richards, Elton John, Robert Plant and The Boss. An interesting, nostalgic disc for music lovers with the intelligence, dry humor and reverence typical of the BBC.