Blue Veils and Golden Sands
May 8, 2012 5:39 AM   Subscribe

Delia Derbyshire, most famous for the original Doctor Who theme tune, would have been 75 years old last Saturday. In celebration of her pioneering work on electronic music, and her role at the BBC Radiophonic Workshop, British remix artist Soundhog created an hour-long mix of Derbyshire's words and music, combined with more work from the Radiophonic Workshop and other electronic music pioneers of the time. (mp3 download)

Further Deliana:

Obituary.

"Falling", from 1964's sound poem "The Dreams".

Ziziw Ziziw OO-OO-OO, and her explanation ("The robots sang this song of praise to this... bloke. The prophet, I assume...").

Die Antwoord samples "Ziziw Ziziw OO-OO-OO" on "Hey Sexy" (NSFW lyrics)

More Derbyshire recordings.

Delia Derbyshire - Sculptress of Sound (BBC Radio 4): Part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

The Alchemists of Sound (2003 BBC TV documentary on the Radiophonic Workshop): Part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
posted by running order squabble fest (13 comments total) 65 users marked this as a favorite
 
I'm no fan of electronic music, generally, but I have a deep and abiding love for Derbyshire's DW theme, and her status as a pioneering woman at a time when I can only imagine how many people told her to hie kitchenwards.
posted by Mezentian at 5:40 AM on May 8, 2012


Delia Derbyshire previously.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 5:44 AM on May 8, 2012


Oh, thank you for this. There is always more love for Delia.
posted by immlass at 6:35 AM on May 8, 2012 [1 favorite]


"Ziziw Ziziw OO-OO-OO" is basically every track from the last three Of Montreal albums played at once.
posted by scruss at 6:55 AM on May 8, 2012 [1 favorite]


That soundhog hour-long mix is absolutely wonderful, with quite a lot of stuff Ive never heard before. Cheers
posted by dng at 8:18 AM on May 8, 2012 [1 favorite]


This is an excellent history of the making of the Doctor Who theme, as well as a good introduction to the internal workings of the Radiophonic Workshop in general. Mark Ayers, the guy who wrote it, did music for The Curse of Fenric, among others.
posted by naturalog at 8:41 AM on May 8, 2012 [1 favorite]


Listened to around 40 mins of this on the trip home this evening. It's very well done, and in particular I think it would make a good introduction for those who one suspects might have a taste for early electronic music but aren't ready for a Creel Pone listening weekender.

Off to proselytise...
posted by Devonian at 12:06 PM on May 8, 2012


Soundhog (the artist formerly known as the Freelance Hairdresser) is one of the few people who actually makes me believe in the DJ-as-artist-makes-something-new-from-the-old thing. Check out his formation of a new 70s supergroup, ROCK2, welding together two perfectly fine records from 2010 into one stunning one, and of course Machadaynu.

And listen to his mixes - works of love and care every one.
posted by Grangousier at 12:38 PM on May 8, 2012 [3 favorites]




Starts with a minor ninth interval, if I recall. Wonderful piece!
posted by Meatafoecure at 1:40 PM on May 8, 2012


Wow, this is fantastic, not only for the music, but also for the interview clips. Thanks!
posted by filthy light thief at 2:37 PM on May 8, 2012


Soundhog (the artist formerly known as the Freelance Hairdresser)

Wait what? I did not know this! I love his "marshall's been snookered" mashup.
posted by immlass at 2:48 PM on May 8, 2012


Cool post! More young people should know about her.
posted by droplet at 6:59 PM on May 8, 2012


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