Don Black O.B.E.

ROBERT M. · Post by **ROBERT M.** » Sun Aug 31, 2008 10:27 pm

Does anyone know if the show went out "live" as it went out before the watershed 9pm. I'm sure if the programme had been recorded the blue part would have been censored before it was aired

paul jh · Post by **paul jh** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 4:06 pm

According to Radio 2's website, the concert was held at London's Palladium on Sunday, 17th August. So there was plenty of time to edit his remarks and not broadcast them on Friday Night Is Music Night, which is geared towards an 'all ages' audience. I'm surprised the BBC wasn't more careful. If 9:00 pm is a cutoff/watershed time, I actually believe his remarks were broadcast at around 9:10 that Friday. (FNIMN runs from 7:30 - 9:15.)

ROBERT M. · Post by **ROBERT M.** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 4:18 pm

Yes, you are right Jeff

Don (Blue) made his speech at the end of the show, so it would have been just after 9.0 pm. But I don't think we are used to hearing such crude remarks, coming from radio 2

John Jenkinson · Post by **John Jenkinson** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 5:43 pm

Well, I have racked my brains, and all I can think of is the comic remark about the alternative name of his first show that someone else thought of 'short c...ings!' Is this the comment that is getting everyone so hot under the collar?

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 11:01 pm

I do not know, as I did not hear the show--but my imagination has been working overtime !!

john · Post by **john** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 11:03 pm

Same here!

John Jenkinson · Post by **John Jenkinson** » Sun Sep 07, 2008 12:37 pm

Well, I went to the concert at the Palladium. I drove down from my home nr. Manchester to watch it, mainly because of Don Blacks' association with Matt. I can honestly say it was a brilliant concert. Micheal Parkinson was, as always, the consumate professional. But, as in most of these things, the concert wasn't broadcast in full, and it was edited to a degree, but not that much. Parky did explain Matts role in getting Don started, and there were many metions of Matt throughout the first half of the concert. And if there were twenty songs played throughout the concert about seven or so were Matts, not a bad percentage, especially when they were performed by the Royal Phillarmonic Orchestra! Hairs were stood up on the back of my neck most of the way through! Also, let's not forget, that this concert was a celebration of Don Blacks lyric writing, and after about 1970, Don wasn't directly in charge of running Matts affairs I think, as Dons lyric writing career had gone into full swing. Although, by all accounts they stayed very good friends until the end.
During the concert, Gary Barlow had to do Born Free twice, though I think it was more from a tecnical glitch than his performance. The perfomance of Ben by Craig David was slightly edited, as they cut out the laughter by quite a few people as he walked out on stage in the most ridiculous outfit for the occation, baggy jeans, scruffy looking top and the most ridiculous oversized, diamanti encrusted suglasses! Then went on to sing it in a fairly shaky falsetto. He made a fairly hasty rereat after his performance! I tell you what though, the concert did out line once again beauty of Matts performance. All these performers of Matts songs could in no way reach anywhere near the standard of Matt. As I have said here before, his voice and style, make it sound so simple, this is highlighted when singing lyrics like Don Blacks, which are in theirself, beautifully simple, yet contain so much. As a singer myself, I am always in awe of
matts output, yet also frustrated at how high he has set the bar.
The comment that seems to be causing so much tut tutting, is I think, when Don was explaining about the first show he wrote, which was about premature ejaculation! He said Jule Styne, the songwriter said he should of called it 'short comings!' He went on to say, aptly, the show didn't last very long either! It was taken in the spirit of the evening.
Hopr this clears a few things up.
John.

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Sun Sep 07, 2008 5:35 pm

John, thank you very much for your report on Don Black's tribute at the Palladium, and glad that you enjoyed the evening.
We did say that we had enjoyed the programme, and we agree that Matt was mentioned several times during the show. As far as the comment towards the end of the show we certainly didn't tut tut or get hot under the collar. His comment about his first show and premature ejaculation, we thought was just somehow out of character where Don Black is concerned. We were surprised to hear him say this.
We'll have to get out more. Anyway our friends here on the forum stated their thoughts about it, and this is what the forum is for, but we'll all get over it

ROBERT M. · Post by **ROBERT M.** » Sun Sep 07, 2008 9:12 pm

Yes, thanks for your write up John

it would just have been nice for Don Black or is it Blue

to give the greatest ever singer a mention in his closing speech................after all it was Matt who brought the publics attention to Don's lyrics

Gray · Post by **Gray** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 7:00 am

Thanks John for taking the time to post your comments.