Prom 11: 1969: The Sound of a Summer - 26.07.19

[LeMartinPecheur]

I don't generally turn R3 off when driving, but this was an exception. The worst bit was the OTT, blathering presenter and his script so I'm with pilamenon and the kernel!

[Old Grumpy]

Agree with all of the above, especially regarding the presenter. I joined at the interval (execrable was the word in my mind regarding the interval piece too) waiting for something interesting in the second half - it was not delivered.

OG

[kernelbogey]

For a trip down amnesia lane to 1969, all the moon landing films have been far better value for my money. Frustratingly, I could not remember where I was when Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon, and had to ask my ex how and where etc.

[Old Grumpy]

Frustratingly, I could not remember where I was when Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon, and had to ask my ex how and where etc.

Oh, you mean Alexa!

OG

[peterthekeys]

If (when) I want to 'revisit the 60s' I'll listen to the original versions of the works concerned rather than some pointless rehash. A recreation of, say, a Schubertiade or other historic concert is a worthwhile creative endeavour, but if I want to hear 'Something' by The Beatles that's precisely what I shall go for.

Couldn't have put it better.

[cloughie]

No, it was the last album they recorded.

'Let it Be' being the last released - slinging together bits and pieces previously recorded and mangled by Phil Spector, the later unembellished version being very much better, but then they had already peaked much earlier with 'Rubber Soul' the 'Revolver'.


However back to the dreadful concert - Vanessa Haynes has a good voice but total unsuited to 'Woodstock' and was sadly under the note in 'What are you doing with the rest of your life' when going up for the note - she should stick to her natural range, which is probably mezzo, and not, like so many singers nowadays try to sing too high. Her best was probably 'Space Oddity'! The male singer I did not rate at all! The delivery and arrangements were general quite dull. 1969, being the year that Prog Rock, synthesisers and a man on the Moon. An ideal inclusion would have been King Crimson's Moonchild!

[MrGongGong]

Essential 1969 IMV

[marvin]

Oh God! All these gimmicky Proms nowadays and so-called music. I give most of a miss based on what they show on Telly

[cloughie]

Oh God! All these gimmicky Proms nowadays and so-called music. I give most of a miss based on what they show on Telly

Other than the Stax Prom that I greatly enjoyed two years ago, and the Stan Kenton centenary a few years ago, I would agree with you, Marvin. Some of the ideas are OK but somehow, the delivery and chosen artists misfire!

[LMcD]

If I may quote from the review in the 'Daily Telegraph':
It reeked of a marketing brainstorm that should have been left on the back of an envelope
How long before we have an evening dedicated to the history of tribute bands, I wonder?

[marvin]

Thankfully and after much trepidation, I purchased a Brennan B2 last December and over the ensuing early Winter months, transferred by Classical CD collection to that device. I can now sit down and without having to keep on arising from my chair can choose what I want to hear, making up my own 'concert' of music from CDs I perhaps haven't played for years and perhaps had forgotten they existed on those shelves.
Other than the above, I also subscribe to the Digital Concert Hall of the Berliner Philharmoniker and can access their live concerts when available and all the archived music played by top notch orchestras and soloists.

[MrGongGong]

Oh God! All these gimmicky Proms nowadays and so-called music.

Bring back the old all night Indian music and Cage and Cunningham I say .... (I mean it !)

[kernelbogey]

If I may quote from the review in the 'Daily Telegraph':
It reeked of a marketing brainstorm that should have been left on the back of an envelope [...]

Setting aside the mixed metaphors, this is a good criticism of the concept. It reminds me of the takeover of long-established businesses by a bunch of young bloods with a marketing concept, sharp suits and an introduction to a hedge fund manager.

Ed's Diner, a really appealing late-50s-retro hamburger joint in Old Compton St Soho (and a couple of outlliers further west) was bought, expanded and killed off with its own overreach. No doubt some folks made some money and punters like me lost a favourite fast food restaruant with camp short-order cooks and pop classics you could order up on the counter.

Patisserie Valerie, also late of Old Compton St, went through a similar cycle, although it has survived in some locations (and allegedly there is a fraud somewhere in the story).

The Proms were fine as they were: if it ain't broke....

[kernelbogey]

[...] I can now sit down and without having to keep on arising from my chair can choose what I want to hear [...]

Not good for you Marvin. Seriously.

[kernelbogey]

Bring back the old all night Indian music and Cage and Cunningham I say .... (I mean it !)

And that all-night performance of Satie's Vexations repeated 840 times by a team of pianists in various locations, with birdsong at sunrise etc in the background. I tried to listen to all of it, but of course dozed off, just a bit....