I was always the kid that didn’t read the instructions and apparently I’ve
the instructions and apparently I’ve
the instructions and apparently I’ve committed a huge ted faux pas by having
committed a huge ted faux pas by having
committed a huge ted faux pas by having written it out so I’m supposed to stand
written it out so I’m supposed to stand
written it out so I’m supposed to stand here like a casual tech billionaire who
here like a casual tech billionaire who
here like a casual tech billionaire who just knows what he’s saying hey man
just knows what he’s saying hey man
just knows what he’s saying hey man hello everyone thank you for inviting me
hello everyone thank you for inviting me
hello everyone thank you for inviting me my name is Paul Farah and I’ve been in
my name is Paul Farah and I’ve been in
my name is Paul Farah and I’ve been in the music business for 28 years and all
the music business for 28 years and all
the music business for 28 years and all I’ve ever done is composed music for TV
I’ve ever done is composed music for TV
I’ve ever done is composed music for TV programs I’ve composed music for dancing
programs I’ve composed music for dancing
programs I’ve composed music for dancing and ice the chase gladiators we kids
and ice the chase gladiators we kids
and ice the chase gladiators we kids think judge Rinder who took that picture
think judge Rinder who took that picture
think judge Rinder who took that picture actually that’s me music his show I’ve
actually that’s me music his show I’ve
actually that’s me music his show I’ve just finished a big job with Gordon
just finished a big job with Gordon
just finished a big job with Gordon Ramsay for his new TV series what I want
Ramsay for his new TV series what I want
Ramsay for his new TV series what I want to talk to you today about is working on
to talk to you today about is working on
to talk to you today about is working on a show for the BBC that I compose the
a show for the BBC that I compose the
a show for the BBC that I compose the music for last year Michael McIntyre as
music for last year Michael McIntyre as
music for last year Michael McIntyre as you know is a hugely successful comedian
you know is a hugely successful comedian
you know is a hugely successful comedian and the BBC have created a wonderful fun
and the BBC have created a wonderful fun
and the BBC have created a wonderful fun show sort of an old-fashioned variety
show sort of an old-fashioned variety
show sort of an old-fashioned variety type show for Saturday nights called
type show for Saturday nights called
type show for Saturday nights called Michael McIntyre’s big show it’s all
Michael McIntyre’s big show it’s all
Michael McIntyre’s big show it’s all terrific fun and for me the sort of the
terrific fun and for me the sort of the
terrific fun and for me the sort of the theme music part of Middle East was a
theme music part of Middle East was a
theme music part of Middle East was a very standard composing job they ring me
very standard composing job they ring me
very standard composing job they ring me up they tell me what the show is about
up they tell me what the show is about
up they tell me what the show is about we talk about style what time it’s on
we talk about style what time it’s on
we talk about style what time it’s on music needs to do all those sort of
music needs to do all those sort of
music needs to do all those sort of things
things
things I come up with a few sketches and
I come up with a few sketches and
I come up with a few sketches and eventually we hone it down to something
eventually we hone it down to something
eventually we hone it down to something hopefully fun catchy and memorable in TV
hopefully fun catchy and memorable in TV
hopefully fun catchy and memorable in TV land we have a phrase called the fish
land we have a phrase called the fish
land we have a phrase called the fish finger test which states that a piece of
finger test which states that a piece of
finger test which states that a piece of theme music is deemed successful if you
theme music is deemed successful if you
theme music is deemed successful if you can hear it and recognize it whilst
can hear it and recognize it whilst
can hear it and recognize it whilst cooking fish fingers in the next room or
cooking fish fingers in the next room or
cooking fish fingers in the next room or the Telly’s on I’m great friends a
the Telly’s on I’m great friends a
the Telly’s on I’m great friends a lovely chap called Simon Mae who is the
lovely chap called Simon Mae who is the
lovely chap called Simon Mae who is the undisputed godfather of the fish finger
undisputed godfather of the fish finger
undisputed godfather of the fish finger test with his theme to EastEnders are
test with his theme to EastEnders are
test with his theme to EastEnders are you here everyone knows like your dog
you here everyone knows like your dog
you here everyone knows like your dog knows that if if you’ve seen the show
knows that if if you’ve seen the show
knows that if if you’ve seen the show and it doesn’t matter if you haven’t you
and it doesn’t matter if you haven’t you
and it doesn’t matter if you haven’t you may remember there’s a section in
may remember there’s a section in
may remember there’s a section in Michael McIntyre’s big show called
Michael McIntyre’s big show called
Michael McIntyre’s big show called unexpected star and this is where an
unexpected star and this is where an
unexpected star and this is where an amateur member of the public who really
amateur member of the public who really
amateur member of the public who really likes to sing you set up by their family
likes to sing you set up by their family
likes to sing you set up by their family or friends and they’re tricked into
or friends and they’re tricked into
or friends and they’re tricked into being in London there’s a sort of an
being in London there’s a sort of an
being in London there’s a sort of an elaborate setup where they think they’re
elaborate setup where they think they’re
elaborate setup where they think they’re going to a restaurant or getting the
going to a restaurant or getting the
going to a restaurant or getting the hair done or something and they’re led
hair done or something and they’re led
hair done or something and they’re led down a series of corridors tracked by an
down a series of corridors tracked by an
down a series of corridors tracked by an array of hidden cameras to a room fake
array of hidden cameras to a room fake
array of hidden cameras to a room fake and at the appropriate moment the walls
and at the appropriate moment the walls
and at the appropriate moment the walls of this room sort of fall down and they
of this room sort of fall down and they
of this room sort of fall down and they find themselves instead standing on the
find themselves instead standing on the
find themselves instead standing on the stage at the Theatre Royal in Covent
stage at the Theatre Royal in Covent
stage at the Theatre Royal in Covent Garden in front of 3000 audience members
Garden in front of 3000 audience members
Garden in front of 3000 audience members and about 7 million people watching at
and about 7 million people watching at
and about 7 million people watching at home after the initial shock they’re
home after the initial shock they’re
home after the initial shock they’re then sent backstage to pair get their
then sent backstage to pair get their
then sent backstage to pair get their hair done before being put back on stage
hair done before being put back on stage
hair done before being put back on stage to entertain the nation at the end of
to entertain the nation at the end of
to entertain the nation at the end of the show it’s pretty it’s great and it’s
the show it’s pretty it’s great and it’s
the show it’s pretty it’s great and it’s my job to make sure they have something
my job to make sure they have something
my job to make sure they have something to sing too so throughout the series the
to sing too so throughout the series the
to sing too so throughout the series the singers family is send me beforehand
singers family is send me beforehand
singers family is send me beforehand video clips of the victim singing at
video clips of the victim singing at
video clips of the victim singing at home and Michael and the team pick a
home and Michael and the team pick a
home and Michael and the team pick a song that they think they might be good
song that they think they might be good
song that they think they might be good at singing I have to analyze how each
at singing I have to analyze how each
at singing I have to analyze how each person sings to make sure my arrangement
person sings to make sure my arrangement
person sings to make sure my arrangement will be familiar to them and in the
will be familiar to them and in the
will be familiar to them and in the right key it cetera the song of one I
right key it cetera the song of one I
right key it cetera the song of one I talked about is Irving Berlin’s classic
talked about is Irving Berlin’s classic
talked about is Irving Berlin’s classic white Christmas very famous song which
white Christmas very famous song which
white Christmas very famous song which appeared at the last in the last show of
appeared at the last in the last show of
appeared at the last in the last show of the second series which was broadcast on
the second series which was broadcast on
the second series which was broadcast on the most recent Christmas Eve we’ve just
the most recent Christmas Eve we’ve just
the most recent Christmas Eve we’ve just had now for reasons best known to the
had now for reasons best known to the
had now for reasons best known to the people in telly land the shows were all
people in telly land the shows were all
people in telly land the shows were all recorded in the autumn BBC wanted really
recorded in the autumn BBC wanted really
recorded in the autumn BBC wanted really good production values for this track at
good production values for this track at
good production values for this track at big end of series type moment the
big end of series type moment the
big end of series type moment the unexpected stars were in fact in this
unexpected stars were in fact in this
unexpected stars were in fact in this episode there were an amateur choir of
episode there were an amateur choir of
episode there were an amateur choir of nurses so was about some 15 or 20 of
nurses so was about some 15 or 20 of
nurses so was about some 15 or 20 of them who had no idea they were all being
them who had no idea they were all being
them who had no idea they were all being lured onto the stage and even less idea
lured onto the stage and even less idea
lured onto the stage and even less idea that in the middle of singing to all
that in the middle of singing to all
that in the middle of singing to all these people they would be joined
these people they would be joined
these people they would be joined halfway through by their heroes Michael
halfway through by their heroes Michael
halfway through by their heroes Michael Ball and alfie Boe short it was going to
Ball and alfie Boe short it was going to
Ball and alfie Boe short it was going to be a really wonderful and surprising
be a really wonderful and surprising
be a really wonderful and surprising telling moment as they say this is to be
telling moment as they say this is to be
telling moment as they say this is to be the climax of the show and also a
the climax of the show and also a
the climax of the show and also a festive climax to the whole series a
festive climax to the whole series a
festive climax to the whole series a serious that so far we’ve been nominated
serious that so far we’ve been nominated
serious that so far we’ve been nominated for two BAFTAs and each episode had
for two BAFTAs and each episode had
for two BAFTAs and each episode had beaten the x-factor in the all-important
beaten the x-factor in the all-important
beaten the x-factor in the all-important Saturday night ratings there’s a thing
Saturday night ratings there’s a thing
Saturday night ratings there’s a thing in most scripture that says Paul’s four
in most scripture that says Paul’s four
in most scripture that says Paul’s four rapturous applause at somebody peeking
rapturous applause at somebody peeking
rapturous applause at somebody peeking the x-factor finally
the x-factor finally
the x-factor finally go long so to achieve a classy sound I
go long so to achieve a classy sound I
go long so to achieve a classy sound I knew what we needed we needed a live
knew what we needed we needed a live
knew what we needed we needed a live string section we needed it to be big
string section we needed it to be big
string section we needed it to be big I wanted French horns I wanted brass on
I wanted French horns I wanted brass on
I wanted French horns I wanted brass on the guitars want the whole thing or we
the guitars want the whole thing or we
the guitars want the whole thing or we also need a guide vocal so when they’re
also need a guide vocal so when they’re
also need a guide vocal so when they’re backstage sort of learning they can sort
backstage sort of learning they can sort
backstage sort of learning they can sort of hear the song being summoned so they
of hear the song being summoned so they
of hear the song being summoned so they can sort of get familiar from it so when
can sort of get familiar from it so when
can sort of get familiar from it so when they’re sort of like you know getting
they’re sort of like you know getting
they’re sort of like you know getting their head and having their makeup done
their head and having their makeup done
their head and having their makeup done by an army of stylists before they’re
by an army of stylists before they’re
by an army of stylists before they’re being thrust onto the stage and least
being thrust onto the stage and least
being thrust onto the stage and least heard it a couple of times sung as
heard it a couple of times sung as
heard it a couple of times sung as they’re supposed to Sonia so anyway from
they’re supposed to Sonia so anyway from
they’re supposed to Sonia so anyway from my job to get this song ready I would
my job to get this song ready I would
my job to get this song ready I would have expected that typically to arrange
have expected that typically to arrange
have expected that typically to arrange a piece of music like this do it right
a piece of music like this do it right
a piece of music like this do it right probably take between eight to ten days
probably take between eight to ten days
probably take between eight to ten days if everything was organized properly and
if everything was organized properly and
if everything was organized properly and planned in advance unfortunately because
planned in advance unfortunately because
planned in advance unfortunately because this is show business it wasn’t well
this is show business it wasn’t well
this is show business it wasn’t well planned in advance and from the moment
planned in advance and from the moment
planned in advance and from the moment that Michael and the production taught
that Michael and the production taught
that Michael and the production taught me what song they wanted to do to the
me what song they wanted to do to the
me what song they wanted to do to the moment I had to deliver the finish track
moment I had to deliver the finish track
moment I had to deliver the finish track to the Theatre Royal Gong garden with
to the Theatre Royal Gong garden with
to the Theatre Royal Gong garden with dozens of dancers lighting people
dozens of dancers lighting people
dozens of dancers lighting people choreographers camera sound people were
choreographers camera sound people were
choreographers camera sound people were all waiting the absolute must not miss
all waiting the absolute must not miss
all waiting the absolute must not miss deadline was in fact 72 hours the whole
deadline was in fact 72 hours the whole
deadline was in fact 72 hours the whole thing done but that’s not the scary part
thing done but that’s not the scary part
thing done but that’s not the scary part of the story the scary part of the story
of the story the scary part of the story
of the story the scary part of the story is that like many people at the end of
is that like many people at the end of
is that like many people at the end of August I was on holiday in Thousand
August I was on holiday in Thousand
August I was on holiday in Thousand Spain and it gets even worse I get the
Spain and it gets even worse I get the
Spain and it gets even worse I get the call telling me they needed it and when
call telling me they needed it and when
call telling me they needed it and when they needed it literally as I was
they needed it literally as I was
they needed it literally as I was loading up the car ready to start
loading up the car ready to start
loading up the car ready to start driving back to the UK a journey that
driving back to the UK a journey that
driving back to the UK a journey that I’d estimated would buy an unhappy
I’d estimated would buy an unhappy
I’d estimated would buy an unhappy coincidence take almost exactly 72 hours
coincidence take almost exactly 72 hours
coincidence take almost exactly 72 hours over the course of my career I’ve
over the course of my career I’ve
over the course of my career I’ve watched music recording technology
watched music recording technology
watched music recording technology really obey Moore’s law to the letter as
really obey Moore’s law to the letter as
really obey Moore’s law to the letter as it shrinks it becomes exponentially more
it shrinks it becomes exponentially more
it shrinks it becomes exponentially more powerful and for the recording musician
powerful and for the recording musician
powerful and for the recording musician like me it’s meant that instead of a
like me it’s meant that instead of a
like me it’s meant that instead of a recording studio being as it always
recording studio being as it always
recording studio being as it always typically was a really expensive huge
typically was a really expensive huge
typically was a really expensive huge london-based
london-based
london-based place in a fixed location these days
place in a fixed location these days
place in a fixed location these days guys like me we all carry our Studios
guys like me we all carry our Studios
guys like me we all carry our Studios around with us and just like a doctor on
around with us and just like a doctor on
around with us and just like a doctor on call with his medicine bag I never leave
call with his medicine bag I never leave
call with his medicine bag I never leave home without only some sort of recording
home without only some sort of recording
home without only some sort of recording capability for eventualities something
capability for eventualities something
capability for eventualities something like this I’ve never worked so I’m kind
like this I’ve never worked so I’m kind
like this I’ve never worked so I’m kind of always at work really which is but
of always at work really which is but
of always at work really which is but suits me in this case on my journey back
suits me in this case on my journey back
suits me in this case on my journey back it was a tiny little thin MacBook Air
it was a tiny little thin MacBook Air
it was a tiny little thin MacBook Air and this tiny little MIDI keyboard it
and this tiny little MIDI keyboard it
and this tiny little MIDI keyboard it fits in my back pocket quite nicely so
fits in my back pocket quite nicely so
fits in my back pocket quite nicely so patch up the car that’s my friend levy
patch up the car that’s my friend levy
patch up the car that’s my friend levy and I set off to drive back to the UK
and I set off to drive back to the UK
and I set off to drive back to the UK through the arid empty mountainous
through the arid empty mountainous
through the arid empty mountainous landscape of southern Spain in 35-degree
landscape of southern Spain in 35-degree
landscape of southern Spain in 35-degree Heat
Heat
Heat I was in the back seat hunched over this
I was in the back seat hunched over this
I was in the back seat hunched over this tiny keyboard trying to recreate the
tiny keyboard trying to recreate the
tiny keyboard trying to recreate the classic Christmas favourite the conjured
classic Christmas favourite the conjured
classic Christmas favourite the conjured up images of snow falling in New York in
up images of snow falling in New York in
up images of snow falling in New York in the 1930s the Internet’s changed like so
the 1930s the Internet’s changed like so
the 1930s the Internet’s changed like so many aspects of our lives for musicians
many aspects of our lives for musicians
many aspects of our lives for musicians what’s happened is it’s seen a huge
what’s happened is it’s seen a huge
what’s happened is it’s seen a huge number of us return to being cottage
number of us return to being cottage
number of us return to being cottage industries all across the world they’re
industries all across the world they’re
industries all across the world they’re amazing talented performers and singers
amazing talented performers and singers
amazing talented performers and singers who are ready to remote record all they
who are ready to remote record all they
who are ready to remote record all they need is a decent microphone some basic
need is a decent microphone some basic
need is a decent microphone some basic recording technology usually on a Mac or
recording technology usually on a Mac or
recording technology usually on a Mac or something an internet connection so
something an internet connection so
something an internet connection so having access to taste performances you
having access to taste performances you
having access to taste performances you can have any combination of
can have any combination of
can have any combination of instrumentalists you like your disposal
instrumentalists you like your disposal
instrumentalists you like your disposal at the drop of a hat and that 90 miles
at the drop of a hat and that 90 miles
at the drop of a hat and that 90 miles an hour through northern Spain my hat
an hour through northern Spain my hat
an hour through northern Spain my hat was certainly dropping and I needed a
was certainly dropping and I needed a
was certainly dropping and I needed a lot of musicians so after finalizing a
lot of musicians so after finalizing a
lot of musicians so after finalizing a basic skeleton arrangement and the back
basic skeleton arrangement and the back
basic skeleton arrangement and the back of the car using the little keyboard I
of the car using the little keyboard I
of the car using the little keyboard I connected my laptop using my phone’s 3G
connected my laptop using my phone’s 3G
connected my laptop using my phone’s 3G signal and uploaded all the musical
signal and uploaded all the musical
signal and uploaded all the musical scores to a server along with a very
scores to a server along with a very
scores to a server along with a very rough backing track of my Christmas and
rough backing track of my Christmas and
rough backing track of my Christmas and I linked all the musicians in to those
I linked all the musicians in to those
I linked all the musicians in to those bits at there you going to give you some
bits at there you going to give you some
bits at there you going to give you some idea how right far-ranging it was my
idea how right far-ranging it was my
idea how right far-ranging it was my violence and chalice violinists and
violence and chalice violinists and
violence and chalice violinists and cellist were in Manchester French horn
cellist were in Manchester French horn
cellist were in Manchester French horn player was in Sweden the vocalist was in
player was in Sweden the vocalist was in
player was in Sweden the vocalist was in Norway the drummer was in London and the
Norway the drummer was in London and the
Norway the drummer was in London and the terrace was in a hotel room in Hong Kong
terrace was in a hotel room in Hong Kong
terrace was in a hotel room in Hong Kong because he was on tour with a famous rap
because he was on tour with a famous rap
because he was on tour with a famous rap artist would I have preferred a small to
artist would I have preferred a small to
artist would I have preferred a small to be in one but one place together yeah
be in one but one place together yeah
be in one but one place together yeah absolutely I mean with the art of true
absolutely I mean with the art of true
absolutely I mean with the art of true collaborative musicianship have been
collaborative musicianship have been
collaborative musicianship have been better if we’d all been performing
better if we’d all been performing
better if we’d all been performing together and feeding off each other’s
together and feeding off each other’s
together and feeding off each other’s creativity of course it was but I was
creativity of course it was but I was
creativity of course it was but I was currently bombing through spanning 3G
currently bombing through spanning 3G
currently bombing through spanning 3G phone signal was patchy and the back
phone signal was patchy and the back
phone signal was patchy and the back seat of my car is only of limited size
seat of my car is only of limited size
seat of my car is only of limited size if you know any musicians you’ll know
if you know any musicians you’ll know
if you know any musicians you’ll know the kind of vast majority of musicians
the kind of vast majority of musicians
the kind of vast majority of musicians are musicians in the first place because
are musicians in the first place because
are musicians in the first place because they don’t like being told what to do
they don’t like being told what to do
they don’t like being told what to do and when to do it this curious little
and when to do it this curious little
and when to do it this curious little deeply uncool section of the industry
deeply uncool section of the industry
deeply uncool section of the industry that I work in is entirely about being
that I work in is entirely about being
that I work in is entirely about being told
told
told what to do when to do it and if like me
what to do when to do it and if like me
what to do when to do it and if like me you get a kind of a buzz out of the
you get a kind of a buzz out of the
you get a kind of a buzz out of the efficiency of a job well done it’s
efficiency of a job well done it’s
efficiency of a job well done it’s really satisfying being able to pull
really satisfying being able to pull
really satisfying being able to pull rabbits out of hats in extreme and often
rabbits out of hats in extreme and often
rabbits out of hats in extreme and often contradictory circumstances do you
contradictory circumstances do you
contradictory circumstances do you surround yourself with like-minded
surround yourself with like-minded
surround yourself with like-minded people to collaborate you’d be amazed
people to collaborate you’d be amazed
people to collaborate you’d be amazed what you could be achieved for example
what you could be achieved for example
what you could be achieved for example by the time we’d reach the Pyrenees
by the time we’d reach the Pyrenees
by the time we’d reach the Pyrenees Mountains and cross the French border
Mountains and cross the French border
Mountains and cross the French border all the musicians working on the tracks
all the musicians working on the tracks
all the musicians working on the tracks had emailed me back they’re signed
had emailed me back they’re signed
had emailed me back they’re signed contract I transferred their fees using
contract I transferred their fees using
contract I transferred their fees using the bank app on my phone and it was it
the bank app on my phone and it was it
the bank app on my phone and it was it was all happening this is the very
was all happening this is the very
was all happening this is the very definition of a nonzero-sum game
definition of a nonzero-sum game
definition of a nonzero-sum game everybody wins
everybody wins
everybody wins my clients the BBC get some great
my clients the BBC get some great
my clients the BBC get some great production values for a high-profile
production values for a high-profile
production values for a high-profile show which they probably shouldn’t
show which they probably shouldn’t
show which they probably shouldn’t really expected given the last-minute
really expected given the last-minute
really expected given the last-minute nature of the job my musicians get to do
nature of the job my musicians get to do
nature of the job my musicians get to do a job of work in their own time without
a job of work in their own time without
a job of work in their own time without leaving their own homes
leaving their own homes
leaving their own homes no commuting no waiting around for
no commuting no waiting around for
no commuting no waiting around for studio sessions to start and you know
studio sessions to start and you know
studio sessions to start and you know best of all I get to sit like a veal
best of all I get to sit like a veal
best of all I get to sit like a veal calf in the back of a car not having to
calf in the back of a car not having to
calf in the back of a car not having to worry about looking out of the window at
worry about looking out of the window at
worry about looking out of the window at the scenery at any moment which Gration
the scenery at any moment which Gration
the scenery at any moment which Gration when we I mean leave the songs composer
when we I mean leave the songs composer
when we I mean leave the songs composer Irving Berlin he died in 1989 and even
Irving Berlin he died in 1989 and even
Irving Berlin he died in 1989 and even he wins a little bit as his estate
he wins a little bit as his estate
he wins a little bit as his estate woolens and posthumous royalties for the
woolens and posthumous royalties for the
woolens and posthumous royalties for the music having been used the only actual
music having been used the only actual
music having been used the only actual losses I could see was my mate who ended
losses I could see was my mate who ended
losses I could see was my mate who ended up doing way much more of the driving
up doing way much more of the driving
up doing way much more of the driving that I promised he’d have to but he did
that I promised he’d have to but he did
that I promised he’d have to but he did get to enjoy hearing the same song
get to enjoy hearing the same song
get to enjoy hearing the same song played over a few thousand times on the
played over a few thousand times on the
played over a few thousand times on the journey back so you know every cloud it
journey back so you know every cloud it
journey back so you know every cloud it was around the dog coin in central
was around the dog coin in central
was around the dog coin in central France if I started here glimpse of this
France if I started here glimpse of this
France if I started here glimpse of this song coming together emails began
song coming together emails began
song coming together emails began arriving with the cello recordings and
arriving with the cello recordings and
arriving with the cello recordings and some brass parts vocalist cushions
some brass parts vocalist cushions
some brass parts vocalist cushions violas violins and eventually a full
violas violins and eventually a full
violas violins and eventually a full orchestra was assembling in front of me
orchestra was assembling in front of me
orchestra was assembling in front of me but for obvious reasons I didn’t feel
but for obvious reasons I didn’t feel
but for obvious reasons I didn’t feel like a conductor with a baton I felt
like a conductor with a baton I felt
like a conductor with a baton I felt more like a conductor of a train picking
more like a conductor of a train picking
more like a conductor of a train picking up performers as we’re going through you
up performers as we’re going through you
up performers as we’re going through you know on our magical mystery tour of
know on our magical mystery tour of
know on our magical mystery tour of buskers effectively you might think that
buskers effectively you might think that
buskers effectively you might think that the show business is a glamorous
the show business is a glamorous
the show business is a glamorous endeavor but anyone who thinks that has
endeavor but anyone who thinks that has
endeavor but anyone who thinks that has clearly never lurked outside of
clearly never lurked outside of
clearly never lurked outside of McDonald’s drive-thru at a French truck
McDonald’s drive-thru at a French truck
McDonald’s drive-thru at a French truck stop trying to leech off their Wi-Fi to
stop trying to leech off their Wi-Fi to
stop trying to leech off their Wi-Fi to download some trombones
routing the audio of this little laptop
routing the audio of this little laptop through the car’s speakers helped me get
through the car’s speakers helped me get
through the car’s speakers helped me get a mix sounding as good as it possibly
a mix sounding as good as it possibly
a mix sounding as good as it possibly could under the circumstances
could under the circumstances
could under the circumstances balance all the levels up and as a final
balance all the levels up and as a final
balance all the levels up and as a final audio pieces fell into place
audio pieces fell into place
audio pieces fell into place I had balanced on the dashboard of my
I had balanced on the dashboard of my
I had balanced on the dashboard of my car my finished recording made entirely
car my finished recording made entirely
car my finished recording made entirely in a vehicle using minimal recording
in a vehicle using minimal recording
in a vehicle using minimal recording technology the entire studio the entire
technology the entire studio the entire
technology the entire studio the entire studio for this project weighed less
studio for this project weighed less
studio for this project weighed less than a single French horn the final mix
than a single French horn the final mix
than a single French horn the final mix was ready to upload to the BBC servers
was ready to upload to the BBC servers
was ready to upload to the BBC servers so they could start rehearsing before
so they could start rehearsing before
so they could start rehearsing before the show and make the whole thing appear
the show and make the whole thing appear
the show and make the whole thing appear as if Irving Berlin’s perennial
as if Irving Berlin’s perennial
as if Irving Berlin’s perennial Christmas favorite was just wafting from
Christmas favorite was just wafting from
Christmas favorite was just wafting from the rafters of the theater at precisely
the rafters of the theater at precisely
the rafters of the theater at precisely the right time as effortlessly as the
the right time as effortlessly as the
the right time as effortlessly as the fake snow which was programmed to appear
fake snow which was programmed to appear
fake snow which was programmed to appear in the last chorus when Michael born and
in the last chorus when Michael born and
in the last chorus when Michael born and alfie Boe appear stage left
alfie Boe appear stage left
alfie Boe appear stage left as it happened I’d wrap the whole
as it happened I’d wrap the whole
as it happened I’d wrap the whole project up while I was in the Channel
project up while I was in the Channel
project up while I was in the Channel Tunnel which it turns out has better
Tunnel which it turns out has better
Tunnel which it turns out has better mobile data coverage and we get here and
mobile data coverage and we get here and
mobile data coverage and we get here and Marvin yeah and I pushed send on what
Marvin yeah and I pushed send on what
Marvin yeah and I pushed send on what would be almost the final email of the
would be almost the final email of the
would be almost the final email of the series pausing to reflect that many
series pausing to reflect that many
series pausing to reflect that many millions of people around the world were
millions of people around the world were
millions of people around the world were about to hear something created by a
about to hear something created by a
about to hear something created by a collection of fantastically talented
collection of fantastically talented
collection of fantastically talented people that had never met who wouldn’t
people that had never met who wouldn’t
people that had never met who wouldn’t hear each other’s work until the show
hear each other’s work until the show
hear each other’s work until the show was broadcast all of which was delivered
was broadcast all of which was delivered
was broadcast all of which was delivered to the BBC on budget ahead of schedule
to the BBC on budget ahead of schedule
to the BBC on budget ahead of schedule from a quarter of a mile underneath the
from a quarter of a mile underneath the
from a quarter of a mile underneath the seabed there’s a great phrase which
seabed there’s a great phrase which
seabed there’s a great phrase which states if it wasn’t for the last minute
states if it wasn’t for the last minute
states if it wasn’t for the last minute a lot of things wouldn’t get done at all
a lot of things wouldn’t get done at all
a lot of things wouldn’t get done at all I believe it well I’m a huge fan of
I believe it well I’m a huge fan of
I believe it well I’m a huge fan of limitations particular technology
limitations particular technology
limitations particular technology limitations to people in my game
limitations to people in my game
limitations to people in my game deadlines are your friend I’d rather
deadlines are your friend I’d rather
deadlines are your friend I’d rather have a crazy deadline with everyone’s
have a crazy deadline with everyone’s
have a crazy deadline with everyone’s creative minds focused on a singular
creative minds focused on a singular
creative minds focused on a singular outcome than months of endless
outcome than months of endless
outcome than months of endless discussions and variables and meetings
discussions and variables and meetings
discussions and variables and meetings and in a way the scrambled and panicky
and in a way the scrambled and panicky
and in a way the scrambled and panicky way that this piece came together was
way that this piece came together was
way that this piece came together was actually really close to how a
actually really close to how a
actually really close to how a traditional theatre variety show would
traditional theatre variety show would
traditional theatre variety show would have been made in the old days a musical
have been made in the old days a musical
have been made in the old days a musical decisions made the musical director
decisions made the musical director
decisions made the musical director wholly scrums outscore parts and hands
wholly scrums outscore parts and hands
wholly scrums outscore parts and hands them around to the orchestra in the pit
them around to the orchestra in the pit
them around to the orchestra in the pit it remained this in equal measure
it remained this in equal measure
it remained this in equal measure terrifying and exhilarating it’s really
terrifying and exhilarating it’s really
terrifying and exhilarating it’s really exciting for me the most intimidating
exciting for me the most intimidating
exciting for me the most intimidating commissions are the ones that are
commissions are the ones that are
commissions are the ones that are open-ended no one’s ever asked me to
open-ended no one’s ever asked me to
open-ended no one’s ever asked me to just compose some music with no
just compose some music with no
just compose some music with no specifications to what it’s supposed to
specifications to what it’s supposed to
specifications to what it’s supposed to be like a ceremony and I’m very grateful
be like a ceremony and I’m very grateful
be like a ceremony and I’m very grateful than ever have I would know where to
than ever have I would know where to
than ever have I would know where to where to start
where to start
where to start pictures are defined by their frames
pictures are defined by their frames
pictures are defined by their frames most orchestral instruments you can see
most orchestral instruments you can see
most orchestral instruments you can see here they can only play one note at a
here they can only play one note at a
here they can only play one note at a time they’re monophonic but pulling them
time they’re monophonic but pulling them
time they’re monophonic but pulling them all together and having them work
all together and having them work
all together and having them work together interact and harmonize is what
together interact and harmonize is what
together interact and harmonize is what gives us great symphonies the
gives us great symphonies the
gives us great symphonies the limitations the restriction and the
limitations the restriction and the
limitations the restriction and the boundaries
boundaries
boundaries it’s the grip that makes the pearl in
it’s the grip that makes the pearl in
it’s the grip that makes the pearl in the oyster it could be asked that it’s a
the oyster it could be asked that it’s a
the oyster it could be asked that it’s a mixed blessing having in our disposal
mixed blessing having in our disposal
mixed blessing having in our disposal technology that simultaneously connects
technology that simultaneously connects
technology that simultaneously connects and it keeps us separate at the same
and it keeps us separate at the same
and it keeps us separate at the same time personally I’d rather be in front
time personally I’d rather be in front
time personally I’d rather be in front of a real band any day but you can see
of a real band any day but you can see
of a real band any day but you can see sometimes that’s not possible in this
sometimes that’s not possible in this
sometimes that’s not possible in this case my clients didn’t have the time or
case my clients didn’t have the time or
case my clients didn’t have the time or the money to to even come close to that
the money to to even come close to that
the money to to even come close to that so we unite as performers we have to
so we unite as performers we have to
so we unite as performers we have to improvise you know we have to play
improvise you know we have to play
improvise you know we have to play together as musicians and we have to
together as musicians and we have to
together as musicians and we have to collaborate even if it is remotely I
collaborate even if it is remotely I
collaborate even if it is remotely I said finishing white Christmas under the
said finishing white Christmas under the
said finishing white Christmas under the English Channel was almost my final
English Channel was almost my final
English Channel was almost my final contribution to those recent series of
contribution to those recent series of
contribution to those recent series of Michael McIntyre’s big show but there
Michael McIntyre’s big show but there
Michael McIntyre’s big show but there was still more one more surprised gift
was still more one more surprised gift
was still more one more surprised gift in the bottom of the stocking and that
in the bottom of the stocking and that
in the bottom of the stocking and that was the phone call I took on Sunday
was the phone call I took on Sunday
was the phone call I took on Sunday evening having arrived back in Malvern
evening having arrived back in Malvern
evening having arrived back in Malvern having unpacked the car and sitting with
having unpacked the car and sitting with
having unpacked the car and sitting with my feet up Aled Jones having Joan was
my feet up Aled Jones having Joan was
my feet up Aled Jones having Joan was the last-minute surprise guest Michael
the last-minute surprise guest Michael
the last-minute surprise guest Michael thought it’d be terrific fun if he and
thought it’d be terrific fun if he and
thought it’d be terrific fun if he and Aled did a sort of a short jokey version
Aled did a sort of a short jokey version
Aled did a sort of a short jokey version of the song he’s best known for walking
of the song he’s best known for walking
of the song he’s best known for walking in the air you all know as you might
in the air you all know as you might
in the air you all know as you might remember it’s a lavish orchestral piece
remember it’s a lavish orchestral piece
remember it’s a lavish orchestral piece with the swooping strings choirs brass
with the swooping strings choirs brass
with the swooping strings choirs brass basically the entire musical
basically the entire musical
basically the entire musical kitchen-sink sure I said on the phone I
kitchen-sink sure I said on the phone I
kitchen-sink sure I said on the phone I can do that but I mean how long have I
can do that but I mean how long have I
can do that but I mean how long have I got
got
got well the producer said the theater doors
well the producer said the theater doors
well the producer said the theater doors have opened but don’t worry because only
have opened but don’t worry because only
have opened but don’t worry because only about two-thirds of the audience have
about two-thirds of the audience have
about two-thirds of the audience have taken their seats so and we’re doing it
taken their seats so and we’re doing it
taken their seats so and we’re doing it near the end of the show so you’ve
near the end of the show so you’ve
near the end of the show so you’ve probably got at least 90 minutes 90
probably got at least 90 minutes 90
probably got at least 90 minutes 90 minutes to build an entire orchestral
minutes to build an entire orchestral
minutes to build an entire orchestral track from scratch and get it recorded
track from scratch and get it recorded
track from scratch and get it recorded and mixed and sent to a theater 150
and mixed and sent to a theater 150
and mixed and sent to a theater 150 miles away yeah sure why not and with
miles away yeah sure why not and with
miles away yeah sure why not and with that I put my tea down and grabbed my
that I put my tea down and grabbed my
that I put my tea down and grabbed my little keyboard thank you very much for
little keyboard thank you very much for
little keyboard thank you very much for listening
listening
listening you
you
you [Music]
”
Be First to Comment