Caramelisation, or The Old Grey Drunk Whistle Test

www.goodaboom.com

So, I have just returned this evening from a brief trip to Mojacar for a show and the mounting of a new flower paintings exhibition in Vera for Miki.(see photo)
I encountered someone at the gig who had seen me perform several times previously, and who goes by the unlikely name of Snake. He's normally marinaded in a goodly amount of alcohol, so you can imagine my surprise when firstly he recognised me, and secondly, not only remembered that I debuted an original song at the last gig in Mojacar, but also the title!!

He requested "A Cat called Caramel" our song of the month here on Goodaboom. This may seem a small detail, but to a songwriter, to have your song, and its title, remembered from one performance only, is like manna from heaven. It means it passes the test. The ultimate aim is to "hook" your song in the public's conciousness. Its the first, and most essential step to creating a universally popular song.

Back in the 70's there was a wonderful programme on BBC TV called The Old Grey Whistle Test. Certainly, if yo're British, and of a certain age, you will know it. It was the only place discerning kids could find decent music on TV. It played host to classic early performances from Bowie, Montrose, Queen, Little Feat, XTC, to name but a few. The name of the show is derived from Tin Pan Alley legend. Tin Pan Alley being the area in London where all the music publishers were located. It was generally accepted as a rule of thumb that the comparitively elderly heads of these companies were sage in their wisdom, and, if they were found to be whistling the new tunes following their early hearings, they were said to have passed "The Old Grey Whistle test" and were destined for greater things.

In my own humble way, and thanks in no small measure (and he NEVER drinks small measures)to the permanently rinsed Snake, I feel "A Cat Called Caramel" has passed the Old Grey Drunk Whistle Test with flying colours!

P.S. For a bit of fun, see if you can remember the Title of the Theme Tune for the programme, and who it was by! I'll post the answer in my next blog.