I have always thought that both the band and the singers are excellent.

I don't think they're as bad as people make out.

Spot on! I actually think the band is better than OK.

It also doesn't help that some of the re-arrangements to fit a particular dance don't do the song any favours.

The pros - who choose the songs - could be a bit more cunning in their choices. They need to account for the dance, their celeb and the known capabilities of the singers.

The massacre of "Waterloo" for Tom's jive last year still lives on in my memory.

I should have added that singing live is exceptionally difficult, and even though they don't always sounds very good on the night, it's hard to see how they could do much better. I think the task they've been assigned is too much.

The producers actually pick the songs, as each has to be copyright-cleared. The pros pick a list of songs at the start of the series; from this they are told which song will be used, for which dance, but - of course - they only get given the dance choice at the end of the Saturday show the week before.

The band itself only get to rehearse on the Saturday.

Hayley, Tommy and co are all well-respected session singers; part of their talent is to be ABLE to sing pretty well any song at short notice, to a particular and exact temp.

So all in all, they do pretty well.

JJ

I tend to agree. I think the band do a good job considering all the music genres they have and the little time they have to rehearse.

I was amazed at the speed Dave Arch wrote the notes down on ITT!

Exactly. My friend has worked with the band many times and he says they are excellent singers and musicians. Very talented indeed. I trust his judgement.

Ok, so let others pick the dances, but I'd like to hear the difference if the singers were allowed to choose the keys and the numbers they had to sing.

Kj

So have I . Occasionally they have a poor number , but that's par for the course .

I remember so many of the couples really praising the band , Mark and Karen did so many times when talking to Tess .

It's a peculiar situation.

The band and singers are hidden.

In dance halls of the thirties/forties/fifties the bands were highlighted on stage and the singers spotlighted when they sang. In many instances the patrons would actually stop dancing to watch and listen to the singer.

The SCD band would not be criticised if they were allowed to play "proper" ballroom dance music and not be expected to try to replicate more contemporary songs to "engage" a younger audience who'd probably prefer to watch X-factor or go down the pub.
In the situation for which this band is used, to provide music for couples who are to be judged, there's little point in having singers at all. They're just a distraction.

But it's the BBC, as always, trying to be all things to all people and particularly increase, the ratings of this programme and making a hash of it.

Mmm, but would you buy their album if they put one out?

Exactly!

I'd say the band for the most part is competent, no more than that and that's good enough for what they are used.

There's nothing they've played, or Hayley's sung that hasn't been done better by many well known bands and singers and few would even buy those albums these days.

Those who think differently, with all respect, "should get out more."

I have caught the odd bit of DWTS and couldn't see a band on there but it did sound like cover versions of the songs were used....could someone enlighten me as to whether a live band is used on the American show?

They sounded a whole lot better than Nelly Furtado and her flat buddy last week - and better than Andy Williams and the Bee Gees too.

Actually, Hayley's new cd is on my Xmas list - she does a gorgeous version of Moon River. It was the track of the week on Jazzfm. I believe they have quite a lot of listeners, so I'm sure she'll a shift a few copies.

I've mentioned this before, she reminds me a bit of Jamie Cullum, who was described by someone on another board as;"a Stars in Their Eyes" performer.. "Tonight Matthew, I'm going to be...."
On that particular track she sounds like Stacey Kent.
But that's the problem if you're always trying to sing stuff on SCD like the "original artist."

But good luck to her, she gets a lot of stick on here for attempting to sing some stuff outside her comfort zone or range. But that's the fault of the producers, who I believe choose most of the tunes despite what the (contracted this year) pros say.

And who provide a ridiculously small amount of preparation time for the amount of material they have to perform.

I've always wondered if this is one of the reasons why Laurie Holloway, a much more well-known musician, composer and arranger than Dave Arch (with all due repect) called it a day after three series.

As often happens, the BBC economising in the wrong places?

Possibly Laurie saw the light and decided enough was enough,

I love Jamie Cullum. And Stacey Kent. I can usually tell it's them - can't say I think of Stacey when I hear Hayley, tbh. Brian Fortuna said that on DWTS they're given the songs but he's been pretty consistent, as have other Pro's, that they submit the songs on SCD and then it's one of those that's given back to them. There's just one reported case (no names) of a couple being given a stock song cos they couldn't have one of their choices.

Apparently a lot of the pro's wanted Mercy last year but Ola ended up with it, presumably luck of the draw.

And I think the celebs can get a say too - Anton and Kate danced to Dancing Queen for their samba because it's her favourite, apparently. And Louisa and Vincent changed their samba song quite late because she didn't like the choice, if I recall correctly.

So whilst they may have to compromise on some occasions, for the most part I'm happy to believe the Pro's. Can't think why they'd need to/want to lie about it.

That might have been due to a music rights issue

I'd say so, yes - or like the music guy on ITT said, if it was so electronic based they couldn't re-write for the band

I think they're great, they can turn their hand to any song, and do a really good job. Well done.

they have got the job of backing Bette Middler this week see how they cope

So what's so special about the vocal talent of Bette Middler?
Why shouldn't they cope, exactly?