Something I’ve noticed about the BBC lately and it’s nothing to do with their programmes. Well, not directly.
When I’m watching TV, I tend to notice a lot of the background music either in adverts, trailers or in an actual programme and it seems to me that someone at the BBC in charge of incidental music, or however it’s known, has been listening to a lot of Craig Armstrong.
Now I don’t expect many of you to know who he is or to have heard much of his music outside of films – he did the music for the wonderful Plunkett & Macleane for example and also for Love Actually. Recently I’ve heard his music during coverage of Euro 2004, Wimbledon, those “dramatic” looking things for Eastenders, and I think on a couple more commercial adverts.
I’ve nothing against his work being used in this manner; it’s great to see him get some recognition. It just makes me wonder why so much of his stuff is being used in quick succession, almost as if someone somewhere has discovered his music and is determined to use it as often as possible!
I’m not sure how I can describe his sound – to me it’s very distinctive because I’ve heard so much of it. None of his work sounds the same but a lot of it has the same feeling about it. He produces some emotionally driving material that gets you going! I think that’s the best way to put it.
I’m aware that this update hasn’t been one of the more interesting ones – a lot of people have rubbished the Royal Mail in recent times and even more so the BBC. [Originally this was part of one update to the old style site – Feb 2005] But at least you know what the BBC uses for its music! Craig Armstrong, go and buy some of his stuff… I can highly recommend his 2002 album As If To Nothing.
[Update – Feb 2005: I’ve now noticed that Top Gear use his work a lot. If you see an atmospheric shot with choral music in the background, chances are it’s Craig Armstrong’s stuff]
