| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
Colin
Joined: 26 Sep 2013
Posts: 916
|
 Posted: Fri Dec 06, 2013 10:17 am Post subject: Dear Ken Bruce... |
 |
|
..... I switched on your show this morning as a respite from the factual stations whose presenters are all asking guests the exact same question: "Can you please give us your thoughts on the passing of Mr. Mandela?", but the first thing I hear is that irritating single by Olly Murs. Again.
I switched off before you had a chance to play One Direction. Again.
Yours sincerely
Mr. Angry of Tunbridge Wells |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Schizoidman
Joined: 20 Sep 2010
Posts: 1140
Location: Rural West Sussex
|
| Posted: Fri Dec 06, 2013 7:55 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Dear Ken, I only listen to you because I listen to Gingergob before you. But I will not listen to you if you persist in starting, as you did today, with Barry White YET AGAIN. I have nothing against 70s pop disco but a little variety might come in handy.
Furthermore I will not listen to you so long as you go on and on about Christmas. I have nothing against the festivities but you've been rambling on about Xmas since August. Give it a break. In your old age you're becoming a buffoon.
Yours, disgruntled listener. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
nod
Joined: 24 Dec 2006
Posts: 3558
|
| Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2013 1:01 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I get fed up with all the 'disco' Ken plays especially in the first 1/2 hour.
Can't they get someone else to choose the records ?, I am sure the show used to have more variety.
Ken is still one of the best on R2, BUT not the music he has to play 
I also agree with less Olly Murs, 1D, Leona Lewis. Gary Barlow etc etc . |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
gazmando
Joined: 15 Apr 2007
Posts: 560
Location: Huntingdon
|
| Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2013 5:39 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Dear Ken,
You are 20 years older than me so surely you must realize that music existed before the X Factor was on the telly.
You know, songs that had clever lyrics or great musicianship or great ballads that jolt memories of happy or sad times in your life.
Oldies means songs that are from all eras not just Scissor sisters, Cee Lo Green, Keane and Coldplay.
You are paid loads of money to be a presenter on a radio station that covers the whole country, so maybe you should appreciate that and just maybe put just a little bit of effort into picking music that will appeal to the age group you are supposed to be representing.
When you have contestants on popmaster and you ask them what music they like, how about noting some of their answers down for future reference.
Or when you have a celebrity on for tracks of my years you could note down their picks too as I can assure you they appeal to me and my workmates so much more than the 6 modern songs that you play every day for 7 weeks at a time.
Maybe you could have a word with your producer too and remind him that being a producer for a national radio show means that you are there to serve the public and not to CONSTANTLY KEEP PLAYING YOUR OWN FAVOURITE SMALL SELECTION OF RECORDS DAY IN DAY OUT.
Yours thankfully,
Gaz |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
mark occomore
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 9955
Location: UK
|
| Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2013 6:28 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Good grief a member of Steve Wright ex posse is writing to him. 
I don't know if he reads this forum. I suggest you email. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Lord Evan Elpuss
Joined: 10 Dec 2006
Posts: 3415
Location: Cloud Cuckoo Land
|
| Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2013 6:46 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| nod wrote: |
Can't they get someone else to choose the records ?, I am sure the show used to have more variety. |
I suspect that was the pre Gary Bones days, before he was swapped with Richard Allinson's, then Saturday afternoon show. And when Fleetwood Mac is played, which is often, why are the tracks never from the Peter Green bluesy era?
_________________
Lord Evan Elpuss, Your ideal job is a Lumberjack. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
gazmando
Joined: 15 Apr 2007
Posts: 560
Location: Huntingdon
|
| Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2013 6:54 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I've come out of retirement Mark, a Mr can only be Angry in private for so long!!!
I had to go to work early on Saturday and the music on Richard Allinson's and Anneka Rice's shows were a lot more varied than Ken Bruce's, why can't their producers get a look in on the weekdays? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Ian Robinson
Site Admin
Joined: 11 Dec 2006
Posts: 3598
Location: Chorley, Lancashire
|
| Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2013 6:59 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Lord Evan Elpuss wrote: | | nod wrote: |
Can't they get someone else to choose the records ?, I am sure the show used to have more variety. |
I suspect that was the pre Gary Bones days, before he was swapped with Richard Allinson's, then Saturday afternoon show. And when Fleetwood Mac is played, which is often, why are the tracks never from the Peter Green bluesy era? |
Yep. Under Ken Phillips the Bruce show was a lot more interesting and varied, and unpredictable. But the bosses didn't like this so got Gary Bones in specifically because of the bland, narrow output he was producing for Richard Allinson (I'm told from an insider his actual remit was simply "more of that unoffensive stuff"). For us it's been downhill ever since - but listening figures have gone up, so what do we know? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Helen May
Joined: 10 Dec 2006
Posts: 19333
Location: Cheshire
|
| Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2013 7:56 pm Post subject: |
|
|
He had a female producer between those 2, she was there I think when I visited R2 first time. Having a senior moment as I can't recall her name. I have a feeling she did Sarah Kennedy and more recently Elaine Paige. Somebody must know ???
H
_________________
88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!
I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Colin
Joined: 26 Sep 2013
Posts: 916
|
| Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2013 8:07 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Mark, I was thinking of Mr. Angry being one of Kenny Everett's characters, but now you've got me wondering! Steve Wright has undoubtedly been influenced by Kenny's style so maybe Our Ken should get the credit! Should he? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Helen May
Joined: 10 Dec 2006
Posts: 19333
Location: Cheshire
|
| Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2013 8:14 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Didn't Noel Edmonds have a Mr Angry as well??
H
_________________
88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!
I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Colin
Joined: 26 Sep 2013
Posts: 916
|
| Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2013 8:16 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Blimey, this gets more complex by the minute! Okay, mine was Our Ken's because he was the more innovative presenter! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Lord Evan Elpuss
Joined: 10 Dec 2006
Posts: 3415
Location: Cloud Cuckoo Land
|
| Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2013 8:16 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Ian Robinson wrote: | | Lord Evan Elpuss wrote: | | nod wrote: |
Can't they get someone else to choose the records ?, I am sure the show used to have more variety. |
I suspect that was the pre Gary Bones days, before he was swapped with Richard Allinson's, then Saturday afternoon show. And when Fleetwood Mac is played, which is often, why are the tracks never from the Peter Green bluesy era? |
Yep. Under Ken Phillips the Bruce show was a lot more interesting and varied, and unpredictable. But the bosses didn't like this so got Gary Bones in specifically because of the bland, narrow output he was producing for Richard Allinson (I'm told from an insider his actual remit was simply "more of that unoffensive stuff"). For us it's been downhill ever since - but listening figures have gone up, so what do we know? |
The funny things. When Richard Allinson's Saturday afternoon show was a three hour affair, it was a 'must listen' for me, as there was regularly a gem or two included that I hadn't heard in many a year and it was a great show generally. As I remember this did carry over into Ken's show to start with, but seems gradually to have stagnated over the years, to the point where we have now got stuck in a rut. Please can you inject a lot of the bite into Ken's show that you put into the old Richard Allinson Saturday afternoon show that I loved.
_________________
Lord Evan Elpuss, Your ideal job is a Lumberjack. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Colin
Joined: 26 Sep 2013
Posts: 916
|
| Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2013 8:19 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| I used to listen to that as well, your Lordship. By comparison, the show by the wittering O'Dreary is unbearable. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Helen May
Joined: 10 Dec 2006
Posts: 19333
Location: Cheshire
|
| Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2013 8:20 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Yes Richard Allinson's Saturday show always had several gems for me too.
H
_________________
88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!
I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Schizoidman
Joined: 20 Sep 2010
Posts: 1140
Location: Rural West Sussex
|
| Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2013 9:22 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Yes, I enjoyed Richard Allinson's show as well. I didn't know Gary Bones produced that! In which case he should know better and choose some decent music for poor old Uncle Ken.
Isn't it time Bones had a holiday? Every Friday KB says the show has been produced by Gary Bones. I recommend he has a holiday of 52 weeks a year.
Actually the One Direction song isn't that bad. Certainly better than The Feeling and Maroon 5 which Bones is obsessed with. And it makes a change from gay 70s disco pop. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Schizoidman
Joined: 20 Sep 2010
Posts: 1140
Location: Rural West Sussex
|
| Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2013 9:26 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Lord EE. I presume Gary Bones has never heard of the Peter Green Fleetwood Mac, hence it's always cheesy old Rumours.
At least SOTS 60s played Man Of The World last week |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Colin
Joined: 26 Sep 2013
Posts: 916
|
| Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2013 9:39 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Yes, I often feel that the original (and vastly better) Fleetwood Mac has been erased from the Radio 2 history of music. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Schizoidman
Joined: 20 Sep 2010
Posts: 1140
Location: Rural West Sussex
|
| Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2013 7:43 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Perhaps little Ken reads these messages. He started this morning's show by saying he didn't like people who didn't celebrate Christmas. Nothing wrong with that, but EVERY song he played was a Christmas song, ranging from the very good (Driving Home For Christmas by Chris Rea) to that awful Boney M song.
Am I alone in thinking it's a little early to bombard us with non stop Xmas songs? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Colin
Joined: 26 Sep 2013
Posts: 916
|
| Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2013 7:58 pm Post subject: |
|
|
How funny - these are my thoughts entirely! I too hate the same-old, same-old Christmas songs - with the exception of Chris Rea's which is the only such song I like as it reminds me of driving back home to Devon on Christmas Eve to stay with family and meet up in the pubs of Plymouth with my old mates.
I didn't listen to Ken today because Woman's Hour and You and Yours on Radio 4 was much more exciting and far less predictable than Ken's roster of tired Christmas Toons.
And Boney M.................. aaaaaaaargggghhhh!  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Nickbucks
Joined: 30 Dec 2006
Posts: 100
|
| Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2013 8:04 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Yes the tedium of the much too early Xmas fare was relieved by an excellent popmaster with two good contestants.
Slightly off topic I know but what is the most recent Xmas record that is regularly played year in year out ? Would it be the re-issue of "Do they know its Christmas " . Christmas tunes at least are one genre when you get lots of 60's/ 70's and 80's hits. I cannot remember any from 2000
onwards ! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Colin
Joined: 26 Sep 2013
Posts: 916
|
| Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2013 8:08 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Thirty years from now we'll be hearing Leona Lewis' 2013 offering in every high street shop from Nov 1st onwards - thus securing her pension! Or maybe not........ |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ruddlescat
Joined: 16 Sep 2010
Posts: 18010
Location: Near Chester
|
| Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2013 8:11 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Don't Let The Bells End by The Darkness which is actually one of my favourite festive tracks
_________________
Are you ready for a Ruddles? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Colin
Joined: 26 Sep 2013
Posts: 916
|
| Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2013 8:20 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Before my son bought his own house and moved out he used to play that at full volume. I got to like it! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Helen May
Joined: 10 Dec 2006
Posts: 19333
Location: Cheshire
|
| Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2013 8:25 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I like that one as well
H
_________________
88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!
I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
SantaFefan
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 11258
Location: top of the cliffs in Norfolk
|
| Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2013 8:59 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Yes, it was good to hear The Darkness again and, one of my favourites yesterday - "Christmas Wrapping" by The Waitresses.
However, I'll admit I could hear Slade's "Merry Xmas Everybody" almost any day 
_________________
Johnnie Walker read out my message on Pirate Radio! 13/8/07
I have heard how radio should be. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Colin
Joined: 26 Sep 2013
Posts: 916
|
| Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2013 9:03 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| SantaFefan wrote: | | However, I'll admit I could hear Slade's "Merry Xmas Everybody" almost any day |
That's the one that I hate more than almost any other! It drives me nuts. If I hear it in a shop I walk out. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
SantaFefan
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 11258
Location: top of the cliffs in Norfolk
|
| Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2013 9:06 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Why do you hate it?
I'm just curious as it's a pretty good song with a driving beat ( am I on Juke Box Jury! ) and it always reminds me of having a really good time back in the 70s... it works for me.
_________________
Johnnie Walker read out my message on Pirate Radio! 13/8/07
I have heard how radio should be. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Toggy
Joined: 18 Aug 2008
Posts: 1239
|
| Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2013 9:10 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I can't bear it either, that and wonderful Christmastime, I wish it could be Christmas every day and Step into Christmas.
Most other Christmas songs I find just about bearable |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ruddlescat
Joined: 16 Sep 2010
Posts: 18010
Location: Near Chester
|
| Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2013 9:14 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I think whether we like a certain track does to a some extent depend on our memories from the time of original release
Merry Christmas Everybody is a great Christmas pop track but it's become irritating these days because it's so overplayed on radio in shops and probably even in outer space
One of my favourite Christmas tracks is probably one which few of you will have heard of - 'Christmas Time is Here Again' released in 1970 by The Flirtations
Now when I hear that being played in my local supermarket - that's when I really will get worried
_________________
Are you ready for a Ruddles?
Last edited by ruddlescat on Mon Dec 09, 2013 9:20 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Colin
Joined: 26 Sep 2013
Posts: 916
|
| Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2013 9:17 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| SantaFefan wrote: | | Why do you hate it? |
I just do. I dislike the predictability of it played everywhere as soon as we enter November and the retailers are trying to condition us into spending money we don't have on their tat. I just link the two in my mind, and that's why it gets my goat. It's a case of "Here we go again" really.
I used to like it when we were having a pub-crawl on Xmas Eve and it was blasting out of the juke box in every pub we visited on the night, but it's been played to death in the many intervening years. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
SantaFefan
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 11258
Location: top of the cliffs in Norfolk
|
| Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2013 9:34 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Fair point... luckily for me, I've got right out of shopping and going into stores all year round so I don't get bugged by it.
Maybe it's because I don't really listen to Radio 2 much now but I can honestly say today was the first time I've heard it on the radio.. 
I was just trying to think of some songs I've been put off through hearing them too much. The one's I did think of initially, I possibly didn't like that much to start with. "Mull of Kintyre" is one...
_________________
Johnnie Walker read out my message on Pirate Radio! 13/8/07
I have heard how radio should be. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Toggy
Joined: 18 Aug 2008
Posts: 1239
|
| Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2013 9:35 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| I think with the Slade song the overplaying of it does not help, then again I hear A Spaceman came Travelling and Stop the Cavalry a lot but I like those. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Colin
Joined: 26 Sep 2013
Posts: 916
|
| Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2013 9:40 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| SantaFefan wrote: | | I was just trying to think of some songs I've been put off through hearing them too much. The one's I did think of initially, I possibly didn't like that much to start with. "Mull of Kintyre" is one... |
I really liked Macca's solo stuff in the 70s - except that one! The absurd promo video comes to mind, and to this day I think the song is such a dirge. When you think that he was also responsible for the great Band On The Run album only three or four years earlier....
My mother-in-law liked it though! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Lord Evan Elpuss
Joined: 10 Dec 2006
Posts: 3415
Location: Cloud Cuckoo Land
|
| Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2013 9:55 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Colin wrote: | | SantaFefan wrote: | | I was just trying to think of some songs I've been put off through hearing them too much. The one's I did think of initially, I possibly didn't like that much to start with. "Mull of Kintyre" is one... |
I really liked Macca's solo stuff in the 70s - except that one! The absurd promo video comes to mind, and to this day I think the song is such a dirge. When you think that he was also responsible for the great Band On The Run album only three or four years earlier....
My mother-in-law liked it though! |
Now when you compare it to this, which was the flip side: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROsvQjXHHeI Johnnie Walker played it two Sunday's ago. I should think that was the first time I've heard it on the radio since the 1970s! I don't remember if I named it as my track of the day at the time. If I didn't, I should have done. It would have been remiss of me!
_________________
Lord Evan Elpuss, Your ideal job is a Lumberjack. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
SantaFefan
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 11258
Location: top of the cliffs in Norfolk
|
| Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2013 10:02 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Excellent, thanks for that LEE.. I'd forgotton all about that one!
_________________
Johnnie Walker read out my message on Pirate Radio! 13/8/07
I have heard how radio should be. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Lord Evan Elpuss
Joined: 10 Dec 2006
Posts: 3415
Location: Cloud Cuckoo Land
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Colin
Joined: 26 Sep 2013
Posts: 916
|
| Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2013 10:25 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Yes, I always liked Lamarr's radio shows - especially the Xmas ones. His music tastes are too left-firld so it was inevitable that he'd be too good for Radio 2. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Lord Evan Elpuss
Joined: 10 Dec 2006
Posts: 3415
Location: Cloud Cuckoo Land
|
| Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2013 10:37 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I saw these lovely lasses live a few years ago. I don't think there are too many songs about new year, but here are The Unthanks singing one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pks0D2xBfI
_________________
Lord Evan Elpuss, Your ideal job is a Lumberjack. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
