It was an eclectic show that mixed quirky tunes, comedic informational segments, whimsical monologues, and often humorous interviews with people from all walks of life.
The focus was often on people with unusual hobbies or interests; or who had devised strange inventions; or had offbeat stories to tell of things that had happened to them.
Basic Black was a 90-minute show broadcast on Saturday mornings on the CBC national AM radio network (later known as CBC Radio One) from 10:00 to 11:35 (with a five-minute break at 11:00 for news and weather).
Basic Black would usually feature an eclectic mix of offbeat songs (often folk, novelty, or blues numbers, and frequently by Canadian artists), interspersed with interviews.
In the last half-hour of the show Arthur Black performed a comedic monologue, often about minor everyday frustrations, and usually with a uniquely Canadian perspective.