R2OK!

davem · Joined: 13 Mar 2009 Posts: 115

Not a very often mentioned name on here but one of my top five R2 shows,is anyone else an avid listener?

John W · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 3367 Location: Warwickshire, UK

I'm not an avid listener on Sunday, I used to be, but lost interest when Y100BT and Melodies For You (pre-titch) went off, and now Laycock has lost the dance bands.

So Russell's show is the only Sunday one that really might interest me, but I don't always remember to listen in these days, and tend to check his playlist and use iplayer in the week - I suppose that counts as being a regular listener? Smile

I like his songwriter themes in which he'll feature some great singers from US and UK that you don't hear anywhere else on the BBC, or anywhere else in fact.

Although I might only really enjoy two or three tracks per show I do appreciate very much that he gets to play mainly pre-1960 music. But I liked only a couple of tracks Sunday before last, and not really anything the last show.

John

Mark Mayhew · Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 2897

Absolutely not-John Wright's observations are very accurate/ in line with my own.

I myself tried getting into this show a few years ago-I lost interest early doors.Can't understand the apppeal-appreciate others must enjoy this show-hence whilst its still in the schedules.

If I was offer my true observations-Russell Davies is not a natural presenter imho-too scripted/stilted for my liking.

He should stick to his day job.

davem · Joined: 13 Mar 2009 Posts: 115

For myself i find it an excellent show,ive no grounding in the type of music played being bought up in the sixties/seventies,i spend the last two hours or so of sunday night in my workshop and his show and Malcolm Laycocks show set me up for the monday to come.Criticise away if you want ive no feelings to be hurt by you doing it,i know Russell Davies show can be a bit 'rarified' or highbrow but i really like it i'd hate to see it go and some mediocre attempt to boost ratings take its place.

colby · Joined: 06 Feb 2009 Posts: 1216

I very rarely listen to Russell Davies (in fact the only times I have are when the radio stays on in the background) but what I do respect about R2's more "specialised" and "niche" programming is that it adds to the range and diversity of output we should expect of a national radio network. I don't want such output to be sacrificed in favour of the kind of banal, "populist" output that's much in evidence at drivetime weekdays.
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gfloyd · Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 6:58 am Post subject:

colby · Joined: 06 Feb 2009 Posts: 1216

MadeinSurrey · Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 7:47 am Post subject:

Russell's show is always informative and enjoyable, with an "off-the-wall" mix of music and anecdotes. Long may it continue!
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MiS

Ian Robinson · Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 12:24 pm Post subject:

I'm not really a big fan of the sort of music he plays, but I do find Russell's comments very informative and friendly. He's the sort of presenter who should be on the BBC, and Radio 2 benefits from his knowledge.

RockitRon · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 7646

I agree. I only very occasionally get to hear him but he does come across as very well informed, and articulate. He is a writer, so it's only natural that he might sound scripted, but they're excellent scripts (he also writes for some other presenters, Clare Teal's Jazz Divas series, for example).

He's most notable in my mind for having introduced me to the Australian jazz/easy singer Janet Seidel and her album Moon of Manakoora, a collection of standards arranged for a backing which included the beautifully mellow concert ukelele.
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Ron

gfloyd · Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 8:16 pm Post subject:

colby · Joined: 06 Feb 2009 Posts: 1216