Sweet and Sour (TV series)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sweet and Sour was a 20 episode Australian television series which screened on the ABC in 1984. It was created by Tim Gooding and Johanna Pigott and was produced internally for the ABC by Jan Chapman. The main storyline of the series followed the efforts of a fictional band, The Takeaways, to break into the Sydney music scene.

The title song of the series was written by Sharon O'Neill who also recorded the song in 1987. Deborah Conway was actor Tracey Mann's 'singing voice' and performed the hit Sweet & Sour. Music was directed by Martin Armiger. The list of recording musicians includes Tommy Emmanuel, Chris Bailey, Graham Bidstrup, Eric McCusker (Mondo Rock), Red Symons (Skyhooks), Todd Hunter (Dragon, XL Capris) and Reg Mombassa (Mental As Anything). Actors in the show included Robin Copp, Ric Herbert, Sandra Lillington, Tracy Mann, Arky Michael, David Reyne, Megan Williams, Jane Clifton, Daniel Abineri. Cathy McQuade (Deckchairs Overboard) was Sandra Lillington's 'singing voice' and John Clifford was David Reyne's 'singing voice' (although David sometimes sang backing vocals).

The show launched the career of David Reyne as the charismatic band member Martin, contrasting the introverted George (played by Arky Michael). The soundtrack album went platinum, selling over 70,000 copies. As an ABC show, there was a natural tie-in to Countdown, with guest appearance by Ian "Molly" Meldrum. The pilot episode was directed by Grant Rule, an Executive Producer of Countdown.

The pilot was shot in an old warehouse in Pyrmont and it starred Terry Serrio from the elks and Joy Smithers, who would later star in The 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.

The executives of the series gave it the nod to go ahead, and thought a cast change would help it. Sweet and Sour certainly pioneered the way for further local/music productions and helped the executives in TV to take a few more chances in creativity in music programmes, though many are left to wonder about the naming of the series, and had it been named better, could it have been more success?

Tim Gooding and Johanna Pigott were members of Sydney post-punk band, XL Capris (1978-1982). Their record producer Todd Hunter joined them on guitar. Pigott and Hunter co-wrote: "Rain" for Dragon and "Age of Reason" for John Farnham. Gooding and Pigott have both written for the TV Series Heartbreak High (Hunter composed its music) and for Mortified.

[edit] Discography

[edit] Albums

"Sweet & Sour - TV Soundtrack" by "Takeaways & Various Artists"
ABC Records L-38159, Cassette C38159 © 1984
Track listing
Side 1 SMX-61725

1. "Sweet & Sour" (O'Neill) - 3:03 °
2. "Hip Romeo" (Jennifer Hunter-Brown) - 2:21
3. "Moon And Stars" (Billy Miller) - 2:17
4. "Chicken Feed - Part 1" (Words: Gooding, Music: Armiger) - 0:25
5. "Singing In The Shower" (Michael Walker, Glenn Muirhead, John Barnes) - 2:43
6. "It's A Game" (Don Walker) - 2:31
7. "Glam To Wham" (O'Neill) - 4:10 °

° lead vocals by Deborah Conway
Side 2 SMX-61726

1. "Heart Plays Tricks" (Mark Callaghan, Kay Bee, Bidstrup) - 2:47
2. "On The Street Where U Live" (David McComb) - 2:50
3. "Too Hot To Move" (McComb) - 4:16
4. "Little Boxes" (Words: Debra Oswald, Music: Armiger) - 1:04
5. "No Worries" (Mombassa) - 2:20
6. "Party On Wheels" (Bailey, Callaghan, Bidstrup) - 2:31
7. "Sweet" (Pigott, Hunter) - 2:50

"Sweet & Sour Volume Two"
ABC RML 53143 © 1984

1. "Sweet & Sour Theme Tune"
2. "No Focus"
3. "Crocodile Shoes"
4. "The Kiss"
5. "Image Of An Angel"
6. "Down The Road"
7. "Psychosis"
8. "Popstars And Politicians"
9. "Bill Posters"
10. "Can't Imagine"

[edit] Singles

"Sweet & Sour"/"Image Of An Angel"
"Glam To Wham"/"Can't Stand Still"
"No Focus"/"Down The Road"