At 8.30 on BBC 2 opening a show to commemorate the sinking of the Titanic. 100 years ago today. He does one song.Song to the Siren.

Interesting that BF opens the show. That is major billing.

I hope the performance finds its way to youtube or some other internet site so people in the States and elsewhere can experience it.

It has indeed made its way to Youtube thanks to some kind person who has uploaded this video in high quality: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gooaPSAF ... ature=plcp

Thank you to that person if you are a member round here, I wasn't able to watch this at the time of the broadcast and am glad to have had the chance to see it.

Thanks for the link. It is well worth watching.

For those in the UK who didn't see it, it's (unsurprisingly) on the BBC I-player. The whole thing is well worth watching. Bryan's performance of an albeit abridged version of 'Song to the Siren' was excellent.

It was great to hear that song performed live; perhaps BF will consider including it the Reykjavik set list?

As for the show opener being star billing, I'd have naively thought that would apply more readily to the show closer; the choice of Mica Paris tends to blow my theory out of the water, though...

I am not big fan of these glitzy events. They are a bit too contrived and corporate like. That said, it was a tasty and polished performance.

I don't think we should get too carried away here, but first up on the bill at this type of event is usually a well-considered slot. It is a statement of intent and sets the tone for the rest of the show. In this instance, however, I think the choice of what to kick off with was as much about the song as the singer. They came together very nicely.

I don't know what's the "best" slot to perform in for shows like this, but being the first musical performer was an honor/responsibility I think. BF had to set a tone somewhere between celebration and reverence and I think he did a good job.

The arrangement was good and the strings worked well; I thought Ollie T was OK but his performance didn't strike me as the best he is capable of. That said, coming out cold and playing just one song is not easy so hat's off to him.

A question: why do modern-day video directors need to have cameras swoop around incessantly amidst constant cutting between various camera shots. The performance should be THE FOCUS and not be lost among a welter of cuts and moving camera angles. This is common malady and one of the reasons I have little interest in or patience for the DVD of the 2001 Roxy Tour.

Yes I know, I'm just being crabby, but that won't stop me from complaining!!!

More this evening, although from the archives this time. Roxy featured on the snappily titled 'Sounds of the 70s 2: Art House Glam - Get In The Swing', BBC2, 10pm. Part of a 70s thread starting this evening for the next 4 weeks I think. Guess it's too much to hope for that it'll be anything you could even vaguely describe as a rarity, but probably worth a watch.