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Joined: Feb 2003
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There's a great series airing on BBC2 at the moment: 'Secrets of the Pop Song'. It's an intelligent and absorbing documentary on the craft of writing pop songs and each week it also pairs Guy Chambers (many hits for Robbie Williams, etc. etc.) with others to write a new song together whilst we watch. Last week he made a ballad with Rufus Wainwright and this week a 'breakthrough single' with Mark Ronson. Their collaboration process looks the same as when I'm writing with a partner, except their solid industry experience shows through, plus things are greatly helped along by Guy Chambers' multi-instrument abilities and formal music training. So one obvious 'secret' is that he is able to very quickly translate ideas into actual sounds, greatly reducing the trial and error cycle and enabling things to stay fresh whereas an amateur like me ends up spending more time on that cycle. You can also notice that there is an assistant doing all the DAW software work, so the writers are able to concentrate 100% on the right brain stuff whilst the assistant takes care of all the left brain work, whereas we have to do both - which isn't ideal. Here's the iPlayer link - I assume it will work outside the UK and there are no copyright blocks on it, etc. 'Secrets fo the Pop Song' - first two episodes
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Joined: Dec 2002
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Not available here in Florence Italy. What a bad time to be traveling... 
BIAB – 2026, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, Motu Audio Express 6x6 - My SoundCloud.
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Joined: Aug 2008
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Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 148 |
HI John
Not available here in DK as well.
//Jan R
JROM
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Oh dear, sorry about that. Maybe it's UK only and the BBC will be wanting to sell the series abroad?
If anyone knows how to rip programmes from the BBC iPlayer I'd be happy to host a link to the files. This is obviously for education/interest etc. only so I don't feel this should be an issue.
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Joined: Oct 2007
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Doesn't work here either John.
"Not available in your area" is plastered across the screen.
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i5 3.20GHz, 32gb RAM, 1tb SSD OS, 12tb HDD, 4gb gForce vid card, 32" monitor, Audient id44, Win10 x64, BiaB/RB 2023, Reaper 6,IK Multimedia Total Studio 3.5 MAX, Waves 10
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Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 301 |
Hi John,
Thanks for posting that, I just watched both episodes back to back. There's some inspiration to be gleaned from that. Loved the WW3 ballad (though I think he was right to be nervous of the "don't bore us" chorus ;o)
All the best,
Kind Regards,
Dave.
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Joined: Jul 2007
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Yes, these documentaries are fascinating.
I was struck by how modest and likeable Chambers is. Clearly, in addition to his extraordinary musical talent, he has very strong relational skills to go with it.
Some of it is pretty basic, but it’s always useful to be reminded (if #2 is awful, you simply say #s 1 and 3 are terrific!)
To view outiside the UK, (I am informed) the best way forward is a paid VPN service.
Alternatively, extracts are already appearing on YouTube.
But one black mark against Mr. Chambers. For one as steeped in pop history as he is, how can he not have known the title of 1995 Roxette's greatest hits album.
You guessed, “Don't Bore Us - Get to the Chorus!”
Marc
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