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SOUND COPYRIGHT: THE EU POSES A SERIOUS THREAT TO MUSIC LOVERS

It seems that politicians always think they know better than experts. The Irish EU Commissioner, supposedly charged with guarding Europe's musical heritage, is proposing changes that could well have the opposite effect.

Despite two exhaustive studies which have come down firmly against extending the present 50 year term for sound copyright, the EU wants to raise it to 95 years.

Consider the following scenario:  a major record company issues a recording which does not sell very well, so it is deleted from the catalogue after five years.  Another record company could ask for permission to license the recording for reissue, but it would involve significant payments in fees which would force a high charge to be made for the CD, and possibly render the whole exercise uneconomic. Fifty years after the original recording was released any record company could reissue the music without having to pay a fee, thereby reducing the cost of production, although royalties would still have to be paid to the composers and lyricists. This is the current situation, and it has resulted in a number of small record companies offering the public many interesting, but previously neglected, recordings of unique material which is no longer of any interest to the major record companies.

If the EU proposals become law, the same recording, deleted five years after the original release, could remain 'lost' to music lovers for a further 90 years. Not only would this greatly diminish the wide variety of recordings currently available, it would also deprive many composers of the opportunity to earn royalties on their music.

Surely it is possible to devise a fair scheme whereby the original recording companies retain the copyright so long as they make the recordings continually available to prospective record buyers. If they fail to keep the recordings in their catalogue, then it should fall into the public domain after a few years so that anyone else could release it if they wished. This would ensure that many fine recordings from the past would be available, rather than locked up in record company vaults for longer than the lifetime of most people on earth.

The main concern must surely be to increase the availability of music, to the general advantage of everyone – especially musicians. The fear is that the EU's proposals would have the opposite effect.

Most of the major record companies are part of giant international entertainment conglomerates controlled by accountants in the USA or Japan. Are these really the right people to be charged with the future of Europe's musical heritage?

The British Government has asked for the public's opinions. Please visit the following website and make your feelings known.

http://www.ipo.gov.uk/press/press-release/press-release-2008/press-release-20080718.htm

If you need further evidence of the weakness of the European Union's proposals, you need look no further than the USA, where the term of sound copyright was increased in the late 1990s. It has resulted in hardly any releases of vintage recordings. American music lovers now look to Europe for recordings of their great artists from the first half of the last century.

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RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra
Nicholas Dodd conductor
John Barry special guest
Aedín Gormley presenter

John Barry, one of the most celebrated film composers of modern times, is guest of honour for this very special evening of his music.

Presented by RTÉ lyric fm's Movies and Musicals and hosted by Aedín Gormley, the concert features famous themes from Goldfinger, Out of Africa, Dances with Wolves, Zulu, Midnight Cowboy, Chaplin and many more, all heard to thrilling dramatic effect with the full might of the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra.

For tickets: www.nch.ie

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"It's All Happening" was released on DVD on 28 Jan 2008, Region 2, as part of the Tommy Steele Collection : The Duke Wore Jeans / It's All Happening / The Tommy Steele Story / Tommy The Toreador.

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(info from Intrada website)

MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS

Label: Intrada Special Collection Volume 59
Date: 1972
Tracks: 14
Time = 28:18

World premiere CD release of original soundtrack from Hal Wallis production starring Vanessa Redgrave, Glenda Jackson, Patrick McGoohan, Timothy Dalton. Academy Award-nominated score by John Barry anchors with incredibly gentle "Mary's Theme" for harpsichord, strings. In contrast is dynamic secondary theme for brass that heralds 16th century setting. Powerful idea spotlights trumpets with rhythmic idea using two-part harmony while French horns impose powerful, angular theme underneath. Bravura Barry! Varied score also takes dramatic turn with dark material, James Bond-ish ideas plus lovely melody for Vanessa Redgrave to sing ("Vivre et Mourir".) While mono-only scoring elements made rounds for recent Universal DVD presentation, Intrada licensed precious original Decca stereo album masters housed in UMG vaults. While additional music was unavailable for release, Intrada proudly offers entire 1971 stereo album as produced by composer. Program offers music both haunting & powerful, results in one of Barry's all-time greats. Authoritative notes by Jon Burlingame illuminate film production & scoring. John Barry conducts. Special Collection CD limited to 3000 copies!

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The following programmes might be of interest. They will be screened by BBC4 in January:

FILM: Beat Girl
On: BBC 4 (107)
Date: Friday 11th January 2008
Time: 19:40 to 21:10 (1 hour and 30 minutes long)

Grim crime story about rootless, disaffected youth in the early 1960s. When a rebellious teenager - apparently shy and withdrawn but in fact leading a double life - falls under the spell of a Soho strip-club owner, the result is murder.

Director: Edmond T. Greville
Starring: Noëlle Adam, Nade Beall, Margot Bryant, Adam Faith, David Farrar, Shirley Anne Field

DOCUMENTARY: Pop Britannia
On: BBC 4 (107)
Date: Friday 4th, 11th, 18th January 2008 and various repeats
Time: 22:00 to 23:00 (1 hour long)

Three-part documentary series telling the story of British popular music and its place in British culture since the 1950s.

MUSIC: Juke Box Jury
On: BBC 4 (107)
Date: Monday 7th January 2008
Time: 21:30 to 22:00 (30 minutes long)

Classic 1950s and 60s pop music show in which a panel votes hit or miss on the new releases they are played. David Jacobs presents, with Nina and Frederik, Jill Ireland and David McCallum on the panel.

MUSIC: Six Five Special
On: BBC 4 (107)
Date: Thursday 10th January 2008
Time: 21:00 to 22:00 (1 hour long)

Josephine Douglas and Pete Murray introduce a classic 1960s pop programme. Features Eric Delaney and his band, Chris Barber and his Jazz Band, Don Lang and his Frantic Five, Michael Holliday, Spike Milligan, Freddie Mills and Deep River Boys.  

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Hammett

Hammett is being shown at BFI South Bank

Screenings 9 - 26 January:
Wed 9 Jan 20:30 NFT3
Fri 11 Jan 20:40 NFT3
Tue 15 Jan 20:45 NFT1
Tue 22 Jan 11:00 NFT2
Sat 26 Jan 14:50 NFT1

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Stage and Screen Online has been created by Tommy Pearson and Edward Seckerson, to continue delivering high-quality, in-depth interviews and knowledgeable reviews that were the mainstay of their popular BBC Radio show, Stage and Screen. Both are well-known and respected broadcasters on their subjects; Pearson on film music, Seckerson on musical theatre. S&S Online presents the opportunity to deliver specialist interviews to a worldwide audience - interviews that cannot be heard anywhere else.

Click here to access an exclusive interview with Don Black, during which he talks about his highly successful song-writing partnership with John Barry.

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November 17-25 , 2007

Auxerre Festival conference

We have TV news clips links, photos and a report (by Alan More) from the John Barry festival conference and concert at Auxerrexpo, France, as part of Festival International Musique et Cinéma, 16 & 17th November.

If you have information or photos, please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Thank you.

The concert

National TV France 2, and regionale TV France 3 Bourgogne had items about the occiasion and concert. Links and screen captures can be found on our Auxerre page.

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E-Petitions

Sign a petition

This facility is only open to British citizens or residents or ex-pats. But I thought everybody might like to see it and sign if you are eligible and think it's a good idea.

We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to award John Barry a Knighthood. More details. Submitted by Geoff Leonard
- Deadline to sign up by: 08 March 2008 -

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UK Top Twenty (Record Mirror, week ending Saturday, 24 November, 1962)

(previous chart's position in brackets)

(1) 1. Lovesick Blues - Frank Ifield
(2) 2. Let's Dance - Chris Montez
(3) 3. Swiss Maid - Del Shannon
(4) 4. Telstar - Tornados
(6) 5. Bobby's Girl - Susan Maughan
(5) 6. Venus In Blue Jeans - Mark Wynter
(7) 7. The Loco-Motion - Little Eva
(9) 8. Sherry - Four Seasons
(12) 9. Devil Woman - Marty Robbins
(18) 10. Dance With The Guitar Man - Duane Eddy
(8) 11. Ramblin' Rose - Nat King Cole
(11) 12. It Might As Well Rain Until September - Carole King
(14) 13. No One Can Make My Sunshine Smile - Everly Brothers
(10) 14. Sheila - Tommy Roe
(13) 15. Sun Arise - Rolf Harris
(19) 16. Oh Lonesome Me - Craig Douglas
(15) 17. I Remember You - Frank Ifield
(-) 18. Love Me Tender - Richard Chamberlain
(-) 19. James Bond Theme - John Barry Orchestra
(16) 20. What Now My Love? - Shirley Bassey