Entertainment For Lively Minds
Music used in TV programmes
Not a specific question, this (unless someone happens to know what tracks were used in the recent episode of Jonathan Meades' new show?), rather a general wondering if any "insiders" from the music industry/TV production fields have any idea why it is so difficult to find out what music is used in the background of TV programmes?
The aforementioned programme included two or three tracks that sounded very much like the sort of thing I like. Keen to hear more I headed to the BBC site to investigate, but no joy. Further delving revealed an FAQ that said that the BBC couldn't help with enquiries about music used on their programmes!
Why the hell not? It can't be that difficult or time-consuming to knock up a list of tracks and stick it on a web page, can it? Surely the programme makers know what music they've used?
Or is there some other reason? Would the BBC be "advertising" if they listed the tracks? Any ideas?
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Get
Shazam on your phone - presto! they'll tell you what you just heard.
Shazam?
My phone doesn't even get colour!
Doesn't matter.... Just dial 2580
and hold your phone up to the speaker. A minute later you get a text message.
Sounds Familiar
website is pretty good for this sort of thing
edit: although it's much better on ads than actual tv shows so may not be much use!
http://www.soundsfamiliar.info/
I find it's easier now than ever
Lots of programmes list the music they use on their accompanying sites. Then there's Google. Or just ring the broadcaster, ask to be put through to the production office and ask them. In my experience they're only too glad to tell you. Jonathan Meades's site has a list of production contacts.
But why isn't it in the credits?
One of my enduring bug-bears is why TV credits need to be as long as they are* - who cares who the Best Boy Grip was (or what he even did)? How often do you watch an episode of a programme and immediately wonder who did the carpentry? or the assitant production? (and again, what does that even mean?).
But music is obvious - you heard it in the programme, you thgouht it sounded interesting, you'd like to know who it was. What's the problem?
And if I was a musician whose work was being featured in a programme, it would be nice to think that the viewers might be directed my way by the credits.
* I know some folk are going to complain that they rush the credits or squish them into half of the creen to make way for an announcement about the next programme, but why have them at all?
Could it be ....
...the Credit Crunch?
IIRC...
That'll be Off Kilter, yeah? From what I remember, it used (amongst other things) a few tracks from Boards of Canada (can't remember which, but all their stuff's good), plus a Bonnie Prince Billy track ('Then The Letting Go', I think) and Yo La Tengo's 'Night Falls On Hoboken'. Hope that helps in some way - Meades progs always have decent soundtracks, it's a shame there's not a resource listing them
Off Kilter
in the Aberdeen one there was some very haunting organ which reminded me of Jarrett's Hymns/Spheres, and something which was definitely the Hilliard Ensemble and Jan Garbarek, their first album if I'm not mistaken.
If any one does get a list please do post it.
Thanks
to both of you for the info. I realise that I could do as DH suggests and contact the production team for details, but my original point, as seconded by others, is that I shouldn't have to, not really.
Music is an integral part of most programmes these days (sometimes too much so, a case in point being Saving Britain's Past, which features 20 seconds of a different track throughout the whole show, with not a single moment of silence. This, in my opinion, shows contempt for the viewer, suggesting that they don't have the ability to watch a programme without a vaguely recognisable and comfortable soundtrack).
But I digress. With the music being so central, I can't understand why it's given so little credit by the programme makers. I do understand that it might not fit into the end credits but why can't it be added to the programme website? - it wouldn't take some production assistant more than ten minutes to add. Bugger it, I'd do it myself for free if that's what they're worried about. I can't help thinking there's more to it, somehow, some sinister reason why they don't. I know some do, but the BBC seems to be particularly guilty of this - which is ironic given that they use taxpayer money to pay for the rights and also get the rights for a lot less than their commercial competitors (I believe this to be true but I have no actual factual source for this).
off kilter organ piece
that was DE PROFUNDIS (PSALM 129) composer ARVO PART
thanks
seems to be this one:
will have to check back in first ep as I thought I recalled a longer instrumental passage ?
Here's some info from one who does this stuff
I compose music for TV and film and while one of the conditions of my contract is always to get my name listed as "composer" as far as I know that doesn't apply to licensed music (ie existing tracks that get used).
Also film and TV are different. In film, you have to wait until the end of the credits and then all the music info will be there (usually scrolling past very quickly - but it will include all info ie writer/s, publishers, performers etc).
For TV sometimes it's a battle to get your name up there along with "best boy" etc.
Why this is I have no idea. But David Hepworth (in post above) is correct when he says you can contact the production co and they will have the info.
One thing about "credits" is they are very important to the industry. Often I have had people say to me they saw my name on the credits and yet you know they didn't watch the program. Also a certain number of production credits give you status for industry kudos.
Hope this helps.
Had a real struggle to track this piece down
as when emailed the BBC they thought it was something else, and the production company didn't reply. Will take DH's advice and phone up in future, or use that 2580 thingy that stimpy menttions, was saved on this occasion by an excellent web list that production company put up:
http://www.babycow.co.uk/music.html
as there's nothing quite so aggravating as hearing something you know you know/once owned etc but can't remember.
What I can't really see is why a list couldn't go in the DVD package, at least in the case of series where the music really matters, like Sensitive Skin ?
One example where customer demand for info seems to have worked is The Power of Nightmares:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/4202789.stm