BBC MUSIC
BBC Music is an umbrella title used by the BBC to collect together its music output. Officially it is a part of the BBC’s Radio operational division and is directly responsible to Helen Boaden (director of Radio); however, its remit also includes music used in television and online services. It was established in its current form in 2014; however, the BBC had already been using the BBC Music brand to refer to its online music content and some live events beforehand. (More from Wikipedia)
On October 7, 2014, a remarkable assemblage of musicians came together under the name “The Impossible Orchestra” to perform the Beach Boys song “God Only Knows”. The event was simulcast on BBC Television and BBC Radio stations in order to herald the launch of BBC Music, and the event also made national news in this country. A recording of the song was released on a single the following day as a fund-raising effort for Children in Need 2014. The musicians span the spectrum of popular music and included Brian Wilson, Pharrell Williams, One Direction, Lorde, Chrissie Hynde, Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Chris Martin, Kylie Minogue, Dave Grohl, Brian May, and many others.
(October 2014)
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The Wikipedia article notes some of the critical reaction to Kill City: “Nick Kent of New Musical Express called it ‘a great album’. Mark Deming of Allmusic called the album ‘a minor triumph’, writing: ‘The music is more open and bluesy than on Raw Power, and while [James] Williamson’s guitar remains thick and powerful, here he’s willing to make room for pianos, acoustic guitars and saxophones; and the dynamics of the arrangements suggest a more mature approach after the claustrophobia of Raw Power.’ Martin Aston of BBC Music praised the album, calling it ‘Iggy’s most underrated album’ and one that ‘helped him get back to real life’. The Wire placed Kill City in their list of ‘100 Records that Set the World on Fire (While No One Was Listening)’.”
(December 2017)
