Review: Artie Shaw on BBC radio

Subject: Review: Artie Shaw on BBC radio
From: Flash Company
Date: 09 Mar 05 - 04:52 AM

Great programme on BBC radio 2 last night which I picked up on at the last minute. Interviews with the man about a year ago and lots of his music. Compiled by Russell Davies.
Came across as a perfectionist, always looking to improve on what he had done before and impatient with people who expected him to always play Begin the Beguine.
Said he once assembled a deliberately bad band, playing corny arrangements, just to see what happened. He said the American public loved it!
Also, after his period in retirement in Spain he was persuaded to return to the States by friends who said that the music business had improved since he left. He said 'I switched on the television and what do I find? Lawrence Welk and Liberace! Thats better?'
I'd love to know what happened to the manuscript of the semi autobiographical book he had been writing for about the last 30 years.

FC