BBC RADIOPHONIC WORKSHOP  21 YEARS. BBC Records REC354 UK Stereo/Mono. 1979

"Happy 21st birthday celebration album of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop compiled by Brian Hodgson and Roger Limb.The Radiophonic Workshop in the early days was less often asked to provide pieces to stand on their own than to create atmosphere and sounds to be incorporated into complete productions. The work was undertaken on very primitive equipment and with a multifarious selection of sound sources including an old piano frame, a water cistern, an enormous selection of bottles -in fact, just about anything that would make an interesting noise! In those days there were no synthesizers or multi-track machines. Tape manipulation and editing were the main techniques employed and several layers of sound could only be created by recording each one on a different tape and playing them all together, all the while hoping that the tape machines would stay in synchronisation. Nevertheless, in spite of appalling problems the combined creativity of the people involved ensured that the Department not only survived but grew in size and reputation, each generation of composers building on the work of those who had left, and each adding their unique creative contribution. 

Side 1 (A1-28) covers the period from 1958-1971. All the tracks are mono and as far as possible are copies of the original analogue masters. We have resisted the temptation to clean up tracks, so they exist in their original form-tape hiss, crackles, warts and all-and the listener should be able to detect a quality change over the first side as equipment was gradually improved (starting about 1962) as high-quality tape recorders came into use at the Workshop. 

Side 2 (B1-17) which is in stereo, is a cross-section of more recent material and shows how modern technology in the form of synthesizers and multi-track recorders has made a considerable difference both in the quality and the complexity of our work. We hope you enjoy it"

Tracklist A01–Quatermass And The PitA02–Bloodnok's StomachA03–OutsideA04–Science And IndustryA05–The Artist SpeaksA06–The Splendour That Was RomeA07–Interval SignalA08–Phra The PhoenicianA09–Stick UpA10–Time BeatA11–Ideal Home ExhibitionA12–Time On Our HandsA13–Arabic Science And IndustryA14–The Chem Lab MysteryA15–Know Your CarA16–Dr. WhoA17–TardisA18–ChoiceA19–Hardluck HallA20–Talk OutA21–Science And HealthA22–Secrets Of The ChasmA23–Westminster At WorkA24–A New View Of PoliticsA25–Environmental StudiesA26–ChronicleA27–Great Zoos Of The WorldA28–Minds Of EvilB01–FanfareB02–The Broken Biscuit ClubB03–The PlunderersB04–MysteriosoB05–Greenwich ChorusB06–Hurdy GurdyB07–Martian March PastB08–A Whisper From SpaceB09–SwirleyB10–Merry-Go-RoundB11–BBC2 SerialB12–QuirkyB13–NewtonB14–The Secret WarB15–Thomas The RhymerB16–ContactB17–For Love Or Money

Vinyl is graded an EX+ Booklet is EX+ Cover grades a clean EX

Grading System: In order to assist everyone who buys and sells rare discs, Record Collector magazine has originated a set of standards for the condition of second-hand records, I have added a (+) or (-) to my gradings where applicable.
MINT: The record itself is in brand new condition with no surface marks or deterioration in sound quality. The cover and any extra items such as the lyric sheet, booklet or poster are in perfect condition. Records advertised as Sealed or Unplayed should be Mint.  EXCELLENT: The record shows some signs of having been played, but there is very little lessening in sound quality. The cover and packaging might have slight wear and/or creasing.  VERY GOOD: The record has obviously been played many times, but displays no major deterioration in sound quality, despite noticeable surface marks and the occasional light scratch. Normal wear and tear on the cover or extra items, without any major defects, is acceptable. GOOD: The record has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, perhaps with some distortion and mild scratches. The cover and contents suffer from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits, discoloration, etc. FAIR: The record is still just playable but has not been cared for properly and displays considerable surface noise; it may even jump. The cover and contents will be torn, stained and/or defaced. POOR: The record will not play properly due to scratches, bad surface noise, etc. The cover and contents will be badly damaged or partly missing. BAD: The record is unplayable or might even be broken, and is only of use as a collection-filler.