Big Bangs

Shortly before I got to know Howard Goodall on Ovation TV late in elementary school, I watched just a few seconds of the introductory part of the first episode on musical notation in HOWARD GOODALL'S BIG BANGS, I switched channels, thinking the show would be too boring. It took me just a matter of weeks (if not days) to become so deeply involved in watching the entire series. Since fifth grade, the show still beckons me to be viewed I'm more than very impressed with Goodall, who turned out to be one of my role models from real-life since that time I first got to know him! He not only presents the series like any other presenter in an often ennui-laden documentary but he presents it with visual and auditory interest. He plays various keyboard instruments, catnaps on a rowboat, blows an animal horn, plays in a gamelan orchestra (He used to be a percussionist as well as a clarinetist in his county's youth orchestra.), plays telephone with the choristers, and even rides a pedalboat! But my favorite aspect of his presentation in it is his remarkable singing voice - and I absolutely love it when he sings! For example, in the episode pertaining to recorded sound, a tuxedo-clad Goodall croons a la Sinatra his rendition of "It Had to Be You" through a microphone. The parts when he sings in the series are like addictive drugs to me - I just can't resist them! I'm so happy that Kultur recently released the DVD of the series and I'm looking forward to buy it at least during holidays! I recommend it to any music lover, music instructor, or Howard Goodall fanatics like me! This is rated a full-out 10/10 stars, HANDS DOWN!