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Sweet and Sour (1984 TV series)
Sweet and Sour was an Australian television series that screened on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) in 1984.[1] It was created by Tim Gooding and Johanna Pigott[2][3] and was produced internally for the ABC by Jan Chapman.[4][5] SynopsisThe main storyline of the series followed the efforts of a fictional band, The Takeaways, to break into the Sydney music scene. "The Takeaways have so far eluded commercial success. However, negotiations are presently underway for the band to sell their story to a prominent TV station, and really clean up."[6] In mid-1983 Sydney a band called The Takeaways is formed. Initially it consists of Carol Howard, Martin Kabel and George Poulopoulos.[7] Carol Howard (Tracy Mann)[7] is an attractive vocalist and novice guitarist from Melbourne; she had pursued an acting career with little success but is now focussed on her music. Carol wrote her first song on the train to Sydney. Martin Kabel (David Reyne)[7] is an established, albeit unsuccessful, guitarist who wants to branch out from his current band: he would like to sing his own songs. Martin gets his chance with The Takeaways. George Poulopoulos (Arky Michael)[7] is more interested in playing soccer for the Combined Hellenic Travel Agents but reluctantly joins to play bass. He learns how to play at the band's first practice session; slowly he overcomes his shyness to become a confident performer. Darrell Winters (Ric Herbert)[7] sees a quick dollar to be made as their manager; Darrell talks the talk and tries to walk the walk. He sets out to organise their first gig: a backyard barbecue! Fortunately better gigs followed in various Sydney pubs. Their first jam sessions are in an old boot factory. Meanwhile, Christine Yates (Sandra Lillingston)[7] breaks into their house and rather than turn her in to the police they offer her a spot in their band. Christine's father, legendary 1960s saxophonist Shrug Yates (Martin Vaughan), taught her to 'feel' music while playing sax. Christine sings lead vocal on some songs. Initially they play their gigs using a drum machine until Johnny Black (Robin Copp),[7] an established drummer, joins.  Some six months later, The Takeaways release an independent single, Sweet and Sour, and await the pressing of their first album. They meet recording executives and media personalities including Ian "Molly" Meldrum and artist Jon English. They undertake a tour of Melbourne to promote the first single. There is some romantic tension between Carol and Martin, and between George and Christine. Martin is brash and confident but his Lothario image is belied by his naivety when he deals with a female music executive (Megan Williams). Darrell starts to believe his own PR and eventually becomes more interested in his music video career than the band. Manipulation by music industry insiders sees both Martin and Carol tempted by solo deals; eventually the group splits. The outer cover of their first Soundtrack album shows The Takeaways in a similar pose to the inner cover photo but has them as neon outlines whereas the second Soundtrack has the same neon outlines but with a reversed design. The neon outlines were also animated and used on their first promo video. Other actors in the show included Megan Williams, Martin Vaughan as Christine's father Shrug,[7] Jane Clifton, Rocky Horror star Daniel Abineri, George Spartels as Nick,[7] George's older brother, Carmen Tanti and Michelle Stayner.[2] Logie AwardsThe TV series launched the career of David Reyne (TV Week Logie Award 1985 Best New Talent in Australia)[8] as the charismatic band member Martin, contrasting the introverted George (played by Arky Michael). Episodes
Musicians and songwritersNumerous Australian and New Zealand musicians and songwriters were involved in this TV series. The title song of the series,"Sweet and Sour", was written by Sharon O'Neill,[9][10] who also recorded the song in 1987 as "In Control"[11] on her album Danced in the Fire.[10] Deborah Conway (Do-Ré-Mi)[12] was actor Tracy Mann's 'singing voice' and sang the hit "Sweet & Sour" (#13 Australian national singles chart).[13][14] The song's lyrics relate to self-empowerment in the face of life's vagaries: "Life can be sweet and sour, But I am in control. It can chill me to the bone, Give me wings to fly on my own."[10] Music was directed by Martin Armiger (The Sports, Stephen Cummings Band)[12] who also provided backing vocals, lead guitar, bass guitar, keyboards, drums and lyrics. Associate Music Director Graham Bidstrup (The Angels, GANGgajang)[12] also provided backing vocals, keyboards, percussion and lyrics. In 1980, Bidstrup had produced a single, "Russia Rocks", for an Australian group The Takeaways.[12] Assistant to Music Director Stephen O'Rourke also provided backing vocals. The list of recording musicians/songwriters includes Tommy Emmanuel, Chris Bailey (The Angels, GANGgajang),[12] Eric McCusker (Mondo Rock), Red Symons (Skyhooks), "Freddie" Strauks (Skyhooks),[12] Todd Hunter (Dragon, XL Capris),[12] Rick Grossman (Divinyls, Hoodoo Gurus),[12] Mark Edwards (The Runners),[12] Tony Buchanan (Billy Thorpe & The Aztecs mk2)[15] and Reg Mombassa (Mental As Anything). Cathy McQuade (Deckchairs Overboard)[12] was Sandra Lillingston's 'singing voice' and John Clifforth (Deckchairs Overboard)[12] was David Reyne's 'singing voice' (both Reyne and Herbert sang backing vocals on some tracks).[6] The soundtrack album went platinum, selling over 70,000 copies. Australian band GANGgajang were formed as a direct result of four of their members involvement as musicians/songwriters for this show: Chris Bailey, Graham Bidstrup, Mark Callaghan and Kay Bee.[16] Cameo appearances from other Australian musicians include, The Johnnys playing Slip Slap Fishin' and Rebel Yell live in Episode 3 and Richard Clapton playing acoustic in the street in Episode 6. Kirk Pengilly from INXS appeared in Episode 7 and Chrissie Amphlett from the Divinyls popped up in Episode 8. Countdown linksAs an ABC TV show, there was a natural tie-in to Countdown, with guest appearance by Ian "Molly" Meldrum. "Sweet & Sour" (lead vocal Conway) was shown on the 12 August 1984 episode of Countdown.[17][18] The promo clip does not show The Takeaways' 'bass player' George (Arky Michael), but does include a juggler, acrobat and stage magician. On the same Countdown episode[17] were O'Neill performing "Power" and Stephen Cummings performing "Gymnasium" (Armiger as producer/musician/songwriter).[12] "Glam To Wham" (lead vocal Conway, backing vocal McQuade) was broadcast Countdown on 7 October 1984, with guest hosts Michael, Lillingston and Herbert of The Takeaways (during which Herbert refers to Arky Michael as "Spartels").[19][20] It shows Lillingston miming to Conway's vocals; however, in the "Sweet and Sour" TV series Lillingston's vocals were supplied by McQuade and she only sang lead on "Digging A Hole" and "On The Street Where You Live". Also on the 7 October episode[19] was Cummings performing "Another Kick to the Head" (Armiger as producer/musician/songwriter).[12] The pilot episode was directed by Grant Rule, an Executive Producer of Countdown, it was shot in an old warehouse in Pyrmont and starred Terry Serrio from the Elks and Joy Smithers, who would later star in Bangkok Hilton mini series with Nicole Kidman. The guitar player was Marty Shiel (Juggernaut). Another link to Countdown is the selection and briefing of songwriters by Countdown Awards co-producer Carolyn James, credited as researcher on the LP sleeve. On advice from Peter Hall at Rondor Publishing, Carolyn also negotiated with Jan Chapman a first for ABC drama. Instead of a one-off single payment for a song, a "No Favoured Nations" contract was offered to all songwriters. This meant the music budget stretched much further, and that signed and unsigned writers received ongoing royalty payments for each unit sold and so provided significant income to lesser-known songwriters such as David McComb of The Triffids. Graham Thorburn came up from producing and directing Countdown to direct four episodes. New Zealand's TVNZ series Heroes, released 21 October 1984, "is about a group of musicians just getting started as a rock 'n' roll band".[21] It ran for 8 episodes in 1984 and 6 in 1986. Actors included Michael Hurst, Jay Laga'aia, Margaret Umbers and John Gibson. Creators, Writers, and DirectorsTim Gooding and Johanna Pigott were members of Sydney post-punk band, XL Capris (1978–1982). Dragon bassist Todd Hunter later produced the band before joining the line-up. Pigott and Hunter wrote "Rain" for the reformed Dragon, and "Age of Reason" for John Farnham.[22][23] Gooding and Pigott both wrote for the TV Series Heartbreak High[24][25](Hunter composed its music)[26][27] and for Mortified.[28] Writers for Sweet and Sour were Gooding, Pigott, Michael Cove, Paul Leadon, David Poltorak, Bert Deling, Forrest Redlich and Debra Oswald.[2] Directors were Geoffrey Nottage,[29] Riccardo Pellizzeri,[30] Graham Thorburn,[31] Posie Graeme-Evans[32] (aka Posie Jacobs)[2] and Helena Harris.[2] DiscographySweet and Sour – TV SoundtrackSweet and Sour – TV Soundtrack by Takeaways & Various Artists, ABC Records L-38159, Cassette C38159 © 1984.[33]
Charts
Sweet and Sour Volume Two – TV SoundtrackSweet and Sour Volume Two, ABC RML 53143 © 1984.[33] Track listing
Singles
References
External links
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