BY DARREN ALLISON
On the 31st January, Silva Screen released two
excellent BBC vinyl albums from the 1970s. Firstly, Paddy Kingsland was the
first Radiophonic composer to see a solo release of his compositions, even though
he’s not name-checked on the front of the sleeve. “Fourth Dimensionâ€, first released in 1973,
showcased Kingsland’s theme tunes for television and radio while at the BBC
Radiophonic Workshop. The recordings
feature a rock-style backing band and synthesisers including the VCS 3 and
“Delaware†Synthi 100, and the track “Reg†from the album was also released as
the B side to the 1973 single release of the iconic Doctor Who theme tune.
Kingsland remained at the workshop for 21 years, leaving in 1981, during which
time he composed music for much loved TV shows The Changes, Doctor Who and The
Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy among others. Paddy Kingsland is now part of the newly-revived independent
“Radiophonic Workshop†which has been playing festivals including Glastonbury
and Womad and composing new music including the score for the recent feature
film by Matthew Holness, “Possumâ€. The reissue of the LP has been pressed on
White Vinyl and comes in a limited edition number of just 500 copies. Audio
quality over its 12 tracks still sounds remarkably good, with excellent
packaging and printed inner sleeve. Catalogue Number: SILLP1543
On the same date, Silva Screen also released
Through a Glass Darkly. Peter Howell
joined the BBC Radiophonic Workshop in 1974, coming from a career in various
psychedelic folk bands, which saw him record five albums with fellow musician
John Ferdinando. He composed his first Doctor Who output in ’75 in the form of
additional incidental music and electronic overdubs for “Revenge of the
Cybermenâ€, and Special Sound for “Planet of Evilâ€. In 1980, he was asked by the
programme’s then new producer, John Nathan-Turner, to update the iconic Doctor
Who theme. The new arrangement appeared
on that year’s “The Leisure Hiveâ€, continuing to be used through Tom Baker’s
remaining series as the Doctor and throughout the Peter Davison period. “Through A Glass Darkly†was originally
released in 1978 as a standalone studio album by Howell in collaboration with
the BBC Radiophonic Workshop. The six
original instrumental compositions (one of which is 19 minutes long) flaunt a
progressive rock influence as well as the distinctive electronic sound of the
RWS. “The Astronauts†(track 5, side 2) appeared again as a B side to the 1980
single release of his version of the Doctor Who theme. The reissue of the LP
has been pressed on Transparent Vinyl and again is strictly limited to just 500
copies. Audio quality throughout its 6 tracks is superb. At just 38 minutes,
it’s a pity Silva Screen couldn’t dig out a few additional bonus tracks as I’m
sure plenty of the same still exits. Like “Fourth Dimensionâ€, the album’s packaging
and printed inner sleeve are of the highest quality. Catalogue Number:
SILLP1544
Check out both of these releases at https://www.silvascreen.com/vinyl/