While the orchestral themes were very good, they don't suit things like rolling news. The beeps have a much more "immediate" and fast-paced feel to them, like being in the middle of the news-gathering operation. The orchestral version is more "This is the news from the BBC, now sit down and listen", as opposed to "We know you're busy, but so are we, but there's stuff going on, and you probably want to hear it".
As much as I like and admire the beeps (as a distinctive brand as much as anything), whenever I see clips from the blue virtual era I'm reminded of how fantastic and stirring those orchestral themes were. I would love to see a return to them eventually - they really made you sit up and take notice.
Very well put; I have to agree there.
While the beeps - for their nod to the traditional 'pips' - bring a familiarity that has no doubt reflected well on the brand, once we look past that one element we are undoubtedly left with something that cannot compete with the soundtracks to the Virtual era.
As, purely judged on the score, those orchestral pieces had a tremendously authoritative and rousing quality - to listen to them today makes my hair stand on end!
While the orchestral themes were very good, they don't suit things like rolling news. The beeps have a much more "immediate" and fast-paced feel to them, like being in the middle of the news-gathering operation. The orchestral version is more "This is the news from the BBC, now sit down and listen", as opposed to "We know you're busy, but so are we, but there's stuff going on, and you probably want to hear it".
Perhaps though they could take a leaf out of News at Ten's book and resurrect the old theme for the Ten o'clock News only to give it that distinctive sound.
Not quite sure it would work with the current ribbons though, but I could imagine it working with a variation of the 1999+ titles with the ripples.
As much as I like and admire the beeps (as a distinctive brand as much as anything), whenever I see clips from the blue virtual era I'm reminded of how fantastic and stirring those orchestral themes were. I would love to see a return to them eventually - they really made you sit up and take notice.
Very well put; I have to agree there.
While the beeps - for their nod to the traditional 'pips' - bring a familiarity that has no doubt reflected well on the brand, once we look past that one element we are undoubtedly left with something that cannot compete with the soundtracks to the Virtual era.
As, purely judged on the score, those orchestral pieces had a tremendously authoritative and rousing quality - to listen to them today makes my hair stand on end!
As much as I like the David Lowe drums and beeps I have to say that I do miss the themes from the 1980s and 1990s. The Virtual Era's themes are probably the best news themes ever - like you, Paul, they still send a shiver down my spine to this day. The One O'Clock theme was a bit on the weak side but the Six and Nine were brilliant. Probably my favourite theme from the 1980s is the 1985 Nine theme, aka the 'flying fish fingers' era. Absolutely brilliant.
Listening again to the 1999 News 24 countdown having redownloaded it from TV Home, I realised that I had forgotten how wonderfully dramatic and suited to purpose it was. It still sounds far better than any of the countdown mixes that have succeeded it.
If we had a return to that pacey, dramatic feel in the music that would be fantastic.
I definitely think David Lowe's BBC News work has progressively got worse over the years. His first compositions in 1999/2000 for the various channels were excellent. I don't think the 2003/2004 compositions were quite as good but the biggest drop was in 2007. If you compare the current music to the originals they sound dreadful.
I definitely think David Lowe's BBC News work has progressively got worse over the years. His first compositions in 1999/2000 for the various channels were excellent. I don't think the 2003/2004 compositions were quite as good but the biggest drop was in 2007. If you compare the current music to the originals they sound dreadful.
I have to agree with you here. Mr Lowe obviously tried to bring back some of that umph that the 1999/2000 mixes had, but you cant compare the amazing sounds from his first package to the current packages.
While the orchestral themes were very good, they don't suit things like rolling news. The beeps have a much more "immediate" and fast-paced feel to them, like being in the middle of the news-gathering operation. The orchestral version is more "This is the news from the BBC, now sit down and listen", as opposed to "We know you're busy, but so are we, but there's stuff going on, and you probably want to hear it".
Yes, the orchestral themes don't suit rolling news.
However these are designated bulletins at designated times during the day. Surely there isn't a need for "rolling" news at this point - the whole idea is that you're sitting down to watch a bulletin fixed at that time?
Another point - surely orchestral music covers a wide range of sonorities besides just George Fenton's regal openings - what about the BBC World package of 1998?
The problem with say moving away from David Lowe is that when people hear his work they think BBC News - the likes of Bill Bailey doing what he did with it just re-inforces the BBC News brand. To ditch that would be very risky - the new music may not instantly say BBC News. We can probably all remember the classic Thames TV ident because it was so identifiably Thames ... Imagine Channel 4 News without the Bruton Music theme - it is identifiably Channel 4 News ... the David Lowe stuff is identifiably BBC News.
I definitely think David Lowe's BBC News work has progressively got worse over the years. His first compositions in 1999/2000 for the various channels were excellent. I don't think the 2003/2004 compositions were quite as good but the biggest drop was in 2007. If you compare the current music to the originals they sound dreadful.
I have to agree with you here. Mr Lowe obviously tried to bring back some of that umph that the 1999/2000 mixes had, but you cant compare the amazing sounds from his first package to the current packages.
compare worlds toths (I wish we could watch world here in the uk )
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=t-vJoPNXcvQ oh yes sharp ,swift and all matched up
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=rSU8TxLX6EE hmmmm not bad-could be better
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=_B8MDD1JuHk dreadfull thunderclaps seem to be constantly played to early/late with presenter talking over them now compared to what they used to be with the previous packages.
the thunderclaps sound like someone is sneezing(drather than a thunderclap.)
the titles are to smooth no climaxes or umph at all I think the 2007 set was cheap and lifeless-the opening titles across bbc news are aufull.
At least in 1999 and 2003 each channel had its own set of graphics.
Even though they have got a new haedline bed for the nationals it still dosent match/go with the titles like the 1999 and 2004 ones did
)
sharp ,swift and all matched up
