Jarvis investigates the sights, sounds and smells of the BBC Gramophone Library, at the BBC Archive Centre in Perivale. His guide is Broadcast Media Co-ordinator Nigel Griffiths. Nigel shows Jarvis some wax cylinders, including the first million-selling track from 1902 and The King of Italy's Message to Mr Edison. Jarvis asks what filing system could organise such a vast amount of material; whether they have a copy of every record ever made; and what's their oldest recording? They discuss why 78s outnumber vinyl records in the collection and sample the archive's highest and lowest notes. Jarvis admires some huge 16-inch LPs, used for storing dramas and other spoken word — he plays selections from the BBC's 50th anniversary gold disc. We also hear the world's smallest record, made for Queen Mary's dolls house. And what would a record collector make of this treasure trove? Jonny Trunk, founder of Trunk Records, challenges the archivists to locate some extremely rare gems. We hear spoken word by Bobby Charlton, and Margaret Thatcher narrating Copland's Lincoln Portrait. Jarvis closes by reading the sleevenotes from an archive find: Agemo's Trip to Mother Earth by Group 1850. Birthdays: Billy Fury, Lindsay Anderson and James Last.
The Smiths - William It Was Really Nothing
Jon Isherwood - The Cucumber Song
Dan Hill - Medley
Enrico Caruso - operatic aria
The Troggs - We Waited for Someone
Michel Legrand and Sally Stevens - Ask Yourself Why
Buzzy Linhart - End Song
Emile Berliner - The Lord's Prayer
Billy Fury - Deborah
Lol Creme and Kevin Godley - Consequences
Les Dawson - stand-up (Laugh with Les)
Lena Zavaroni - The Very Thought of You intro (from Hold Tight It's Lena)
Mike Taylor Trio - Abena
Mado Robin - high note
Tibetan monks low chanting
extract from Agatha Christie's Murder in the Mews
Group 1850 - Steel Sings
Scott Walker - It's Raining Today
Clips from 50 Years of the BBC gold record
God Save the King, from Queen Mary's dolls house record
???? [mystery song at 1h 18m 3s]
Bobby Charlton - Geordie Sunday
Alan Price - Oh Lucky Man
James Last - Happy Brasilia
Giuseppe de Luca (vocals Edda Dell'Orso, flute Gino Marinacci) - Theme from The Man with the Icy Eyes
The Paul Gonsalves Quartet - Boom Jacky Boom Chick
Serge Gainsbourg - Le Poinçonneur des Lilas
Eddie Warner (Illustration Musicale) - Manipulated Code
Mike Yarwood - Harold
LSO / Wyn Morris (narrator Margaret Thatcher) - extract from Aaron Copland's Lincoln Portrait
Basil Kirchin - Mind on the Run
Group 1850 - Reborn
