It's little things like this - that almost make humanity worth saving... Brian Cant was a fantastic kids show star - and sadly he died today. I grew up on Play Away, Playschool, Camberwick Green, Trumpton, etc When I got older and discovered Peter Hammill - I heard about this legendary video - never imagined I'd be the one to stick it on youtube! PS - Check out the unreleased Van Der Graaf Cat's Eye promo vid too - from 1978. ruclips.net/video/HRZ-1LVa4Fo/видео.html
It is a bit off the wall isn't it. But it's not the first time our hero has ventured into unusual terriroty. Have you heard the score for Emmene-moi - a French film. And also Sudden Terror AKA Eyewitness - a fairly entertaining thriller from 1970 which used Van Der Graaf music for the murder scenes! And on top of that - did you know he sang a role as a cartoon cat in a 1998 English version of an Italian film..... Google Lucky and Zorba - I'm so Happy to be a Cat. Also featuring Midge Ure from Ultravox. I KID YOU NOT!
Derek Jarman believed "Englishness" was ebbing away, yet he himself was the epitome of Englishness. It's a hard thing to put into words, but suffice to say Peter Hammill is so quintessentially English in his person and his art. He's up there with the likes of Patrick Moore, T.E. Lawrence, Joe Meek and of course Derek Jarman.., a true English maverick, and probably a genius.
ha ha - He was a friend of the producer apparently rfom his time in Manchester Uni - but it's a decent kids tune - shame he never revisited it with more orchestration and a minor key change at some point! But yeah - rock stars on kids telly - Just imagine Iron Maiden on the sooty show - or Napalm Death on children's BBC. Oh - that actually happened too!
This, for me, is one of the absolute wonders of modern life. I somehow saw this back in the day (though in my memory it's some kind of a summer special). And all I really remember is part of the melody and the line of the title. Searched it just out of interest. And here it is. Amazing!!
Well if I can get Van Der Graaf Generator played on Radio 3, Peter hammill on s kid's show is one of those things that happened when TV actually was watchable. I understand there was a programme about him back in 1986.
Indeed - me too! I might have even watched this as a kid when I was 7 or 8 but forgot about it - as I was an avid Play Away fan. Now like you I'm a Hammill devotee. Even took my son to see him last year (he was 8!) I'm really looking forward to the box set coming out of that last tour - and the 50h anniversary Aerosol Grey Machine reissue.
I saw this on first broadcast somehow, but have no idea how. Luck probably!? One of those did that really happen memories but this confirms it. How did this come to be? Guess we'll never know.
Great isn't it - I actually never thought I'd ever get to see it myself - but it's nice to have treasures turning up like this decades later! (and also the Cat's Eye video - that is brilliant.) This Playaway segment happened because the producer of the show - Nick Wilson - was a friend of Peter Hammill from University - and had always wanted to do something about Tintagel. So PH put a tune together - went out with Nick and a TV crew - who apparently thought he was a jobbing actor - with some props. He was meant to be King Arthur's minstrel singing at the castle and telling the story.
Steven Hargraves Thanks for that explanation. I don't remember how but I must have known it was going to be on as I was a bit old for Play Away by then. Something made me think of it today but again I've no idea what.
This song has been stuck in my head for however many years its been since its original broadcast I Was an avid fan of the program as a child funnily enough it was a great musical inspiration, with some great musicians featured and various l.p. s associated with play away and play school. Wasn't there erm?? Johnathan Cohen, spike Healy? ( bass ) George Chisholm Lionel Moreton and Toni Arthur, those are the ones I recall, there must have been others, time to do some Googling . I had totally forgotten it was part of play away though, I must have been about 10 years old.
Julie Covington, Jeremy Irons, Tony Robinson were part of it at one point ... saw their live show at Riverside Studios in Hammersmith (1980?) and had a drink with the cast after, very warm and giving people... fun times!
My pleasure - but Laurie Parsons and Bart are the true heroes having found and digitised the footage! I was a regular viewer of Playaway as a kid - so I might very well have seen this as it was broadcast - but sadly didn't remember it. For more vintage Hammill goodness - check out the recent 1974 Swiss TV appearance - MINDBLOWINGLY great ruclips.net/video/IMxOdeNKdXQ/видео.html
This is just so great and never mind the poor quality of sound and picture. Why not ask Peter Hammill to do it again on the same spot before it's too late. On a nice sunny day I'm sure he would agree to do it provided one asks him in the proper English way.
Ha ha! Amazing eh? I had heard rumours of this going back to the late 80s - but couldn't believe it was true. And as an avid watcher of Play Away at the time, I may well have seen it back then, just not knowing who he was at the time.
ha ha Thankfully he was right. Although it is absolutely a far-fetched tale. I almost didn't believe it existed til I uploaded it. Tell your brother - if he's a fan - there's new footage of Peter Hammill playing live on Swiss TV from 1974 - three tracks off Silent Corner. It's on youtube if you search - just discovered a couple of weeks a go.
Il brano è gradevole ma non certo un capolavoro , piuttosto vederlo vestito in abiti da Principe medievale è proprio giusto per lui ,per il suo animo poetico e per le sue idee musicali che spesso hanno elementi strutture di musica antica !!!!!!!
There's a castle, called Tintagel, by the sea And it's part, of King Arthur's history Merlin, the magician, used to live here, in the caves Practising his spells, and contemplating the waves One night, on the beach, he had a shock For he found, a little babe among the rocks His magic, told him he'd be king and not just any knave. He called the baby Arthur and taught him to be true strong and brave Because King Arthur, would always fight for right His sword was called Excalibur, and it could never break But he got tired of fighting, so he threw it in a lake When a hand came up and caught it he knew that he'd made a mistake He had one more battle to fight Against the knights, who were so cruel He won that and all the vassals said He was the best king, who ever ruled If you come to Tintagel now, There aren't really any knights But there are lots of jolly people and the castle's, very nice But now the time, came for Arthur, to sail away In a boat, disappearing across the bay But if the realm meets disaster King Arthur will come back, again He'll come back, again! lyrics by Peter Hammill c1979
It wasn't no. Just glimpsed by those incredulous few who saw it back in the day! Until the VHS was unearthed by Laurie Parsons. I'm always in hope that a decent version of the Wondering promo vid will surface.
What a treasure! When great artists rend homage to their culture, as if a small pause in their artistic path (though not) and became even greater artists.
Great to hear those kids cheering away for the bloke who brought us 'Plague of the Lighthouse Keepers'.
☺
my brother swore for weeks that Peter Hammill was going to be on Play Away and I thought he was just bullshitting. Magic moment.
It's little things like this - that almost make humanity worth saving...
Brian Cant was a fantastic kids show star - and sadly he died today. I grew up on Play Away, Playschool, Camberwick Green, Trumpton, etc
When I got older and discovered Peter Hammill - I heard about this legendary video - never imagined I'd be the one to stick it on youtube!
PS - Check out the unreleased Van Der Graaf Cat's Eye promo vid too - from 1978. ruclips.net/video/HRZ-1LVa4Fo/видео.html
thanks for putting this on. and R.I.P. Brian Cant, the only one of my heroes who proved worthy of our adulation.
Why didn't he perform "Gog" as an encore? The kids would have loved it !
ha ha ha ha! Quality!
Gog AND Magog!
This man was born to wear capes like no other! Wonderful!!!
No other, except maybe Rick Wakeman!
I am now aware that this exist and will never be the same again !
You must hear "The Polaroid" too. PH definitely has a sense of humour!
Dear God, the things you find on RUclips!!
I've been a Hammill/VDGG fanatic for 35+ years and I have never seen or even heard of this!!! Thank you!!!
It is a bit off the wall isn't it. But it's not the first time our hero has ventured into unusual terriroty.
Have you heard the score for Emmene-moi - a French film. And also Sudden Terror AKA Eyewitness - a fairly entertaining thriller from 1970 which used Van Der Graaf music for the murder scenes!
And on top of that - did you know he sang a role as a cartoon cat in a 1998 English version of an Italian film.....
Google Lucky and Zorba - I'm so Happy to be a Cat.
Also featuring Midge Ure from Ultravox.
I KID YOU NOT!
Derek Jarman believed "Englishness" was ebbing away, yet he himself was the epitome of Englishness. It's a hard thing to put into words, but suffice to say Peter Hammill is so quintessentially English in his person and his art. He's up there with the likes of Patrick Moore, T.E. Lawrence, Joe Meek and of course Derek Jarman.., a true English maverick, and probably a genius.
Yeah - he's a genius alright. And very English indeed.
The more i watch this, the more bizarre it becomes. It's great.
Peter Hammill is the greatest.
You couldnt imagine many other rock artists performing on Playaway. Versatile PH as usual plus he probably needed the cash!
ha ha - He was a friend of the producer apparently rfom his time in Manchester Uni - but it's a decent kids tune - shame he never revisited it with more orchestration and a minor key change at some point!
But yeah - rock stars on kids telly - Just imagine Iron Maiden on the sooty show - or Napalm Death on children's BBC.
Oh - that actually happened too!
This, for me, is one of the absolute wonders of modern life. I somehow saw this back in the day (though in my memory it's some kind of a summer special). And all I really remember is part of the melody and the line of the title. Searched it just out of interest. And here it is. Amazing!!
This tune (and video) has been bugging me since I was a kid. It would pop into my head now and then (the chorus). Now it's as if I can put it to rest.
Glad to be of assistance! And nice logo for your profile there.
Cheers!
You too?!?!?!
Thanks for this! I caught this live and couldn't believe what I was seeing: Hammill on Playaway!? Haha.
Well if I can get Van Der Graaf Generator played on Radio 3, Peter hammill on s kid's show is one of those things that happened when TV actually was watchable. I understand there was a programme about him back in 1986.
The closest thing we'll have of a Peter Hammill original video.
Oh my god!!! I've only just come across this. Why didn't this make it onto a live set or anthology?
Who knew ? PH sells out ! lol Only kidding . Love everything about the great man and VDGG .
Indeed - me too! I might have even watched this as a kid when I was 7 or 8 but forgot about it - as I was an avid Play Away fan.
Now like you I'm a Hammill devotee. Even took my son to see him last year (he was 8!)
I'm really looking forward to the box set coming out of that last tour - and the 50h anniversary Aerosol Grey Machine reissue.
Utterly magical.
I saw this on first broadcast somehow, but have no idea how. Luck probably!? One of those did that really happen memories but this confirms it. How did this come to be? Guess we'll never know.
Great isn't it - I actually never thought I'd ever get to see it myself - but it's nice to have treasures turning up like this decades later! (and also the Cat's Eye video - that is brilliant.)
This Playaway segment happened because the producer of the show - Nick Wilson - was a friend of Peter Hammill from University - and had always wanted to do something about Tintagel. So PH put a tune together - went out with Nick and a TV crew - who apparently thought he was a jobbing actor - with some props. He was meant to be King Arthur's minstrel singing at the castle and telling the story.
Steven Hargraves Thanks for that explanation. I don't remember how but I must have known it was going to be on as I was a bit old for Play Away by then. Something made me think of it today but again I've no idea what.
Great! Th only videoclip in Hammill carrier i think :)
Thought this had been lost forever! Thanks
I remember seeing it on tv and could even remember the tune - looked ofr it for years.
This song has been stuck in my head for however many years its been since its original broadcast I Was an avid fan of the program as a child funnily enough it was a great musical inspiration, with some great musicians featured and various l.p. s associated with play away and play school.
Wasn't there erm?? Johnathan Cohen, spike Healy? ( bass ) George Chisholm Lionel Moreton and Toni Arthur, those are the ones I recall, there must have been others, time to do some Googling .
I had totally forgotten it was part of play away though, I must have been about 10 years old.
Julie Covington, Jeremy Irons, Tony Robinson were part of it at one point ... saw their live show at Riverside Studios in Hammersmith (1980?) and had a drink with the cast after, very warm and giving people... fun times!
Класс!!! С Днём Рожденья , Хэммилл!!!!!
Q bonito
Peter Hammill
👏
what a find !
Tons of thanks for uploading this, Steven. 🙂
My pleasure - but Laurie Parsons and Bart are the true heroes having found and digitised the footage!
I was a regular viewer of Playaway as a kid - so I might very well have seen this as it was broadcast - but sadly didn't remember it.
For more vintage Hammill goodness - check out the recent 1974 Swiss TV appearance - MINDBLOWINGLY great ruclips.net/video/IMxOdeNKdXQ/видео.html
Fecking brilliant!!! Can I hear Jaxon somewhere in the mix?
This is just so great and never mind the poor quality of sound and picture.
Why not ask Peter Hammill to do it again on the same spot before it's too late. On a nice sunny day I'm sure he would agree to do it provided one asks him in the proper English way.
Magic - Thankyou!
RIP Brian Cant :(
Get away! Am I hallucinating this?
Ha ha! Amazing eh?
I had heard rumours of this going back to the late 80s - but couldn't believe it was true.
And as an avid watcher of Play Away at the time, I may well have seen it back then, just not knowing who he was at the time.
This is unusual and fun :)
never heard of this before! Thanks!
fabulous find, do I hear some faint touches of faculty X / PH7 ?
Certainly of that era!
My brother told me about this. I thought he’d finally lost it.
ha ha Thankfully he was right. Although it is absolutely a far-fetched tale. I almost didn't believe it existed til I uploaded it.
Tell your brother - if he's a fan - there's new footage of Peter Hammill playing live on Swiss TV from 1974 - three tracks off Silent Corner. It's on youtube if you search - just discovered a couple of weeks a go.
@@StevenHargraves Thanks Steven - I’ll let him know 👍🏻
Goes hard
I hope he does Southend-on-Sea next...
Nice!
At last, thank you. Anyone got a decent tape of 'wondering' promo?
Something I've been looking for too...
Don't forget to check out the rare unused promo vid for Cat's Eye I've uploaded too!
Il brano è gradevole ma non certo un capolavoro , piuttosto vederlo vestito in abiti da Principe medievale è proprio giusto per lui ,per il suo animo poetico e per le sue idee musicali che spesso hanno elementi strutture di musica antica !!!!!!!
Ph7 periodo, wow
zero fucks given from Peter Hammill that day :L
it was for a kids show...no bad language necessary
There's a castle, called Tintagel, by the sea
And it's part, of King Arthur's history
Merlin, the magician, used to live here, in the caves
Practising his spells, and contemplating the waves
One night, on the beach, he had a shock
For he found, a little babe among the rocks
His magic, told him he'd be king
and not just any knave.
He called the baby Arthur
and taught him to be true strong and brave
Because King Arthur, would always fight for right
His sword was called Excalibur,
and it could never break
But he got tired of fighting,
so he threw it in a lake
When a hand came up and caught it
he knew that he'd made a mistake
He had one more battle to fight
Against the knights, who were so cruel
He won that and all the vassals said
He was the best king, who ever ruled
If you come to Tintagel now,
There aren't really any knights
But there are lots of jolly people
and the castle's, very nice
But now the time, came for Arthur, to sail away
In a boat, disappearing across the bay
But if the realm meets disaster
King Arthur will come back, again
He'll come back, again!
lyrics by Peter Hammill c1979
This is so bizarre.
Must have been commissioned by the Beeb for the programme....
Apparently Peter was friends with the producer from his University days in Manchester.
Dis-Engaaaged!
Do we know in which year this was done?
+TrevRockOne I put it down as 1979 on the vid - but it may have been broadcast 16th Sept 1980
+Steven Hargraves cool, thanks, he's definitely still a young man there.
1180
Not one of ham's finest moments
guau!
Que raro es ver una civilizacion que no tenga meztizaje ni nada e historias de milenios aun vivan...ja...think the sword...
ich konnte die exakte Bedeutung von odd nie ins Deutsche übersetzen.
ich glaube dies hier ist die Quintessenz von 'odd'
Yes - this is, as you say, odd! Very odd.
But kind of brilliant too.
Was this song ever released officially?
It wasn't no. Just glimpsed by those incredulous few who saw it back in the day!
Until the VHS was unearthed by Laurie Parsons.
I'm always in hope that a decent version of the Wondering promo vid will surface.
@@StevenHargraves Think it was only recorded on condition it was never 'officially' released?
What a treasure!
When great artists rend homage to their culture, as if a small pause in their artistic path (though not) and became even greater artists.
Mark Bolan detected)))
lol