Sweet and Sour (TV series)

Infobox Television
show_name = Sweet & Sour


caption = "Sweet & Sour TV Soundtrack" Album Cover
genre = 1980s Music, Drama
creator = Tim Gooding
Johanna Pigott
developer = ABC Drama Department
presenter =
starring = Tracy Mann
David Reyne
Sandra Lillingston
Arky Michael
Ric Herbert
Robin Copp
voices = Deborah Conway
John Clifforth
Cathy McQuade
(singing voices)
narrated =
theme_music_composer = Sharon O'Neill
Martin Armiger
opentheme =
endtheme =
country = Australia
language = English
num_seasons = 1
num_episodes = 20
list_episodes =
producer = Jan Chapman
executive_producer =
location = Sydney, Australia
camera =
runtime = 30 min
network = ABC TV
picture_format =
audio_format =
first run =
first_aired = 2 July 1984
last_aired = 2 August 1984
preceded_by =
followed_by =
related = "Countdown"
"Heroes" (NZ TV Series: 1984, 1986)
website =
imdb_id =0088212
tv_com_id =

"Sweet and Sour" was an Australian television series which screened on the ABC in 1984. [cite web |title=Sweet & Sour (1984) |publisher=OZTV Credits |url=http://www.lm.net.au/~fsteiny/sweetandsour_home.html |accessdate=2007-10-20 ] It was created by Tim Gooding and Johanna Pigottcite web |title=Sweet and Sour Credits |publisher=British Film Institute (BFI) |url=http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/title/363893?view=credit |accessdate=2007-10-20 ] [cite web |title=TV Australia Sweet and Sour |publisher=Memorable TV |url=http://www.memorabletv.com/australia/tvas3.htm |accessdate=2007-10-20 ] and was produced internally for the ABC by Jan Chapman. [cite web |title="The making of Jan Chapman AO" |first=Amanda |last=Macri |year=2004 |month=March |publisher=Arts Law Centre of Australia Online |url=http://www.artslaw.com.au/artlaw/archive/04JanChapmanAO.asp |accessdate=2007-10-20 ] "It was great fun, a mixture of drama and music." [cite web |title="Interview with Jan Chapman" |first=Rose |last=Capp |year=2002 |month=November |publisher=Senses of Cinema |url=http://www.sensesofcinema.com/contents/02/23/chapman_interview.html |accessdate=2007-10-20 ]

The 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."Detailed on first Album's insert called "Takeaways Biography"]

Plot & cast

In mid-1983 Sydney a band called The Takeaways is formed. Initially it consists of Carol Howard, Martin Kabel and George Poulopoulos.cite web |title="Sweet and Sour" cast list|publisher=Nostalgia Central |url=http://www.nostalgiacentral.com/tv/variety/sweetandsour.htm |accessdate=2007-10-21 ]

Carol Howard (Tracy Mann) ] 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) ] 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) ] 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) ] 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) ] 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) ] , 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 oultlines but with a reversed design. The neon outlines were also animated and used on their first promo video (see [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-6gn6ysYkM YouTube] ).

Other actors in the show included Megan Williams, Martin Vaughan as Christine's father Shrug ] , Jane Clifton, Daniel Abineri, George Spartels as Nick ] , George's older brother, Carmen Tanti and Michelle Stayner. ]

The TV series launched the career of David Reyne (TV Week Logie Award 1985 Best New Talent in Australia) [cite web |title=The 27th Annual TV Week Logie Awards (1985) |publisher=TV Week |url=http://tvweek.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=63347 |accessdate=2007-10-20 ] as the charismatic band member Martin, contrasting the introverted George (played by Arky Michael).

Musicians & songwriters

Numerous Australian and New Zealand musicians and songwriters were involved in this TV series.

The title song of the series was written by Sharon O'Neillcite web |title=Official Sharon O'Neill website |url=http://www.sharononeill.info/retro.htm |accessdate=2007-10-20 ] , who also recorded the song in 1987 as "In Control"cite web |title=Australasian Performing Right Asssociation |publisher=APRA |url=http://www.apra.com.au/cms/worksearch/worksearch.srvlt |accessdate=2007-10-20 ] (on album "Danced In The Fire") ] . Deborah Conway (Do-Re-Mi)cite web |title=Australian Rock Database |publisher=Magnus Holmgren |url=http://hem.passagen.se/honga/aussie.html |accessdate=2007-10-20 ] was actor Tracy Mann's 'singing voice' and sang the hit "Sweet & Sour" (# 13 Australian National Chart).cite web |title="Sharon O'Neill" |publisher=Muzic Net NZ |url=http://www.muzic.net.nz/artists/264.html |accessdate=2007-10-20 ] 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." ]

Music was directed by Martin Armiger (The Sports, Stephen Cummings Band) ] who also provided backing vocals, lead guitar, bass guitar, keyboards, drums and lyrics. Associate Music Director: Graham Bidstrup (The Angels, GANGgajang) ] also provided backing vocals, keyboards, percussion and lyrics. 1n 1980, Bidstrup had produced a single, "Russia Rocks" for an Australian group The Takeaways. ] 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) ] , Eric McCusker (Mondo Rock), Red Symons (Skyhooks), "Freddie" Strauks (Skyhooks) ] , Todd Hunter (Dragon, XL Capris) ] , Rick Grossman (Divinyls, Hoodoo Gurus) ] , Mark Edwards (The Runners) ] , Tony Buchanan (Billy Thorpe & The Aztecs mk2) [cite web |title="Billy Thorpe & The Aztecs" |publisher=MILESAGO - ICE Productions |year=1999 |url=http://www.milesago.com/artists/thorpe.htm |accessdate=2007-10-21 ] and Reg Mombassa (Mental As Anything).

Cathy McQuade (Deckchairs Overboard) ] was Sandra Lillingston's 'singing voice' and John Clifforth (Deckchairs Overboard) ] was David Reyne's 'singing voice' (both Reyne and Herbert sang backing vocals on some tracks). ]

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. [cite web |title="GANGgajang History" |publisher=GANGgajand Official website |url=http://www.ganggajang.com/history.html |accessdate=2007-10-21 ]

"Countdown" links

As an ABC 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"cite web |title="Countdown" 12/8/1984 episode" |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) |date=2006 |url=http://www.abc.net.au/rage/guest/2007/retro1.htm |accessdate=2007-10-21 ] and is available on YouTube; [cite web |title="Sweet & Sour" (single) promo clip |url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-6gn6ysYkM |accessdate=2007-10-21 ] 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 ] were O'Neill performing "Power" and Stephen Cummings performing "Gynasium" (Armiger as producer/musician/songwriter) ] . "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"cite web |title="Countdown" 7/10/1984 episode" |publisher=ABC |url=http://abc.net.au/rage/guest/2005/retro3.htm |accessdate=2007-10-21 ] is also on YouTube. [cite web |title="Glam To Wham" promo clip |publisher=YouTube |url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEXS39cC2go |accessdate=2007-10-21 ] 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 rarely sang lead. Also on the 7 October episode ] was Cummings performing "Another Kick to the Head" (Armiger as producer/musician/songwriter) ] .

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 a guy called Marty Shiel from Juggernaut as well as many other fine support actors. Another link to "Countdown" was the briefing of songwriters by Countdown Awards co-producer Carolyn James, who also negotiated a "No Favoured Nations" contract for songwriters to receive royalties over limited time frame rather than ABC purchasing songs outright. This meant signed and unsigned writers received same revenue and so provided significant income to lesser-known songwriters such as David McComb of The Triffids.

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". [cite web |title="Heroes" (1984) |publisher=Internet Movie Database (IMDb) |url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0452723 |accessdate=2007-10-21 ] 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 & Directors

Tim Gooding and Johanna Pigott were members of Sydney post-punk band, XL Capris (1978-1982), record producer Todd Hunter joined them on guitar. Pigott and Hunter wrote "Rain" for Dragon and "Age of Reason" for John Farnham. [cite web |title="Dragon History" |publisher=Dragon on line |url=http://www.dragononline.com.au/history-of-dragon-music.html |accessdate=2007-10-21 ] [cite web |title="Performer of the week - Dragon" |date=2006-11-05 |publisher=ABC |url=http://www.abc.net.au/sydney/stories/s1781454.htm |accessdate=2007-10-21 ] Gooding and Pigott have both written for the TV Series Heartbreak High [cite web |title="Hearbreak High" episode 31" |publisher=ABC |url=http://www.abc.net.au/heartbreak/episode/hh31.htm |accessdate=2007-10-21 ] [cite web |title="Hearbreak High" episode 34" |publisher=ABC |url=http://www.abc.net.au/heartbreak/episode/hh34.htm |accessdate=2007-10-21 ] (Hunter composed its music) [cite web |title="Love is in the Air" Episode 4: I should be so lucky" |publisher=ABC |url=http://www.abc.net.au/tv/love/episodes/s977818.htm |accessdate=2007-10-21 ] [cite web |title="Heartbreak High" (1994) full cast and crew |publisher=IMDb |url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108800/fullcredits#writers |accessdate=2007-10-21 ] and for Mortified. [cite web |title="Mortified" episodes"|publisher=Australian Television Information Archive |url=http://www.australiantelevision.net/mortified/episodes.html |accessdate=2007-10-21 ]

Writers for "Sweet and Sour" were: Gooding, Pigott, Michael Cove, Paul Leadon, David Poltorak, Bert Deling, Forrest Redlich and Debra Oswald. ] Directors were: Geoffrey Nottage, [cite web |title=Geoffrey Nottage |publisher=IMDb |url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0636616 |accessdate=2007-10-21 ] Riccardo Pellizzeri, [cite web |title=Riccardo Pellizzer |publisher=IMDb |url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0671226 |accessdate=2007-10-21 ] Graham Thorburn, [cite web |title=Graham Thorburn |publisher=Australian Film Televison and Radio School (AFTRS) |url=http://www.aftrs.edu.au/index.cfm?objectId=BD91A9AD-D0B7-4CD6-F9B060739E2E871D |accessdate=2007-10-21 ] Posie Graeme-Evans [cite web |first=Alexa |last=Moses |date=2005-05-21 |publisher="Sydney Morning Herald" |title="The queen of causing a scene" |url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/TV--Radio/The-queen-of-causing-a-scene/2005/05/20/1116533521852.html |accessdate=2007-10-21 ] (aka Posie Jacobs) ] and Helena Harris. ]

Discography

Albums

"Sweet & Sour - TV Soundtrack" by "Takeaways & Various Artists" ABC Records L-38159, Cassette C38159 © 1984.cite web |title=Sweet and Sour |publisher=Australian Television Memorabilia Guide |url=http://www.tvmem.com/OZST/tv/A-Z/S/SWEETAND/SWEETAND.html |accessdate=2007-10-21 ]
Track listing
# "Sweet & Sour" (O'Neill) - 3:03 Lead vocal by Deborah Conway
# "Hip Romeo" (Jennifer Hunter-Brown aka Jennifer Jewel Brown ] ) - 2:21 Lead vocal: Conway
# "Moon And The Stars" (William 'Billy' Miller (The Ferrets) ] - 2:17 Lead vocal: Conway
# "Chicken Feed - Part 1" (Words: Gooding, Music: Armiger) - 0:25 spoken by Ric Herbert and Tracy Mann
# "Singing In The Shower" (Michael Walker, Glenn Muirhead, John Barnes) (all in Solid Citizens) ] - 2:43 Lead vocal: Conway. Solid Citizens released their own version as a single. ]
# "It's A Game" (Don Walker (Cold Chisel) ] - 2:31 Lead vocal: John Clifforth
# "Glam To Wham" (O'Neill) - 4:10 Lead vocal: Conway, backing vocal: Cathy McQuade
# "Heart Plays Tricks" (Mark Callaghan (Riptides) ] , Kay Bee aka K Bidstrup ] , G Bidstrup) (all in GANGgajang) ] - 2:47 Lead vocal: Conway
# "On The Street Where You Live" (David McComb (The Triffids) ] ) - 2:50 Lead vocal: McQuade
# "Too Hot To Move" (McComb) - 4:16 Lead vocal: Conway. The Triffids recorded their own version on "The Black Swan".
# "Little Boxes" (Words: Oswald, Music: Armiger) - 1:04 spoken by David Reyne and Megan Williams
# "No Worries" (Mombassa as Christopher O'Doherty) ] - 2:20 Lead vocal: Clifforth
# "Party On Wheels" (Bailey, Callaghan, G Bidstrup) (all in GANGgajang) ] - 2:31 Lead vocal: Clifforth
# "Sweet" (Pigott, Hunter) - 2:50 Lead vocal: Conway
"Sweet & Sour Volume Two" ABC RML 53143 © 1984. ]
Track listing
#"Sweet & Sour Theme Tune" (O'Neill, Armiger) - 0:57 (instrumental)
#"No Focus" (Steve Leeson, Sally Ford) ] both from The Kevins ] - 2:33 Lead vocal: Conway
#"Crocodile Shoes" (Edwards) - 3:08 Lead vocal: Clifforth
#"The Kiss" (Deling, Armiger, Gooding) - 1:20 spoken by Sandra Lillingston and Arky Michael
#"Image Of An Angel" (Roger Hart-Wells (Little Heroes) ] aka Roger Wells ] ) - 3:05 Lead vocal: Clifforth, McQuade
#"Down The Road" (Callaghan) - 2:41 Lead vocal: Clifforth
#"Good Advice" (McCusker) - 2:29 Lead vocal: Conway
#"Psychosis" (Symons) - 3:17 Lead vocal: Daniel Abineri
#"Popstars And Politicians" (Pigott, Liz Munro aka E Kalkipsakis) ] - 3:01 Lead vocal: Conway
#"Digging A Hole" (McComb) - 2:28 Lead vocal: McQuade
#"The Rain" (Armiger) - 0:23 (instrumental)
#"Can't Stand Still" (Armiger) - 2:00 Lead vocal: Clifforth
#"Two Of The Boys" (Armiger, Michael Cove, Gooding) - 1:12 spoken by Mann and Lillingston
#"I'm A Genius" (Pigott, Hunter, Gooding) - 2:18 Lead vocal: Conway
#"Bill Posters" (Armiger) - 1:07 (instrumental)
#"Can't Imagine" (Pigott) - 2:39 Lead vocal: Conway

ingles

"Sweet & Sour" (O'Neill) - 3:10 /"Image Of An Angel" (Hart-Wells) - 2:51 Reached #13 Australian National Chart. ]
"Glam To Wham" (O'Neill) - 4:17 /"Can't Stand Still" (Armiger) - 2:16
"No Focus" (Steven Leeson, Sally Ford) - 2:33 /"Down The Road" (Callaghan) - 2:41

Other songs

"Back Tonight" (Armiger, Conway, Clifforth, Kim Deacon) ]
"Love So Sweet" (Anthony Backhouse) ] performed by Renée Geyer
"Romeo Romeo" (Ford, Leeson)
"That's The Way" (Ken Campbell, Paul Hester, McQuade, Clifforth) written & performed by Deckchairs Overboard. Available on [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oIo3614uZg& YouTube]

References

External links

* [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088212 "Sweet and Sour" (1984)] entry at Internet Movie Database
* [http://colsearch.nfsa.afc.gov.au/nfsa/search/display/display.w3p;adv=yes;group=;groupequals=;holdingType=;page=0;parentid=;query=138466;querytype=;rec=0;resCount=10 Sweet and Sour at the National Film and Sound Archive]
* [http://www.myspace.com/sweetandsourtakeaways Sweet and Sour at MySpace]