R2OK!

becky sharp · Joined: 01 Dec 2008 Posts: 6815

Talking to Phil William on 5 Live - 7th April 2015

Phil speaks to British record and radio producer Phil Swern, who used to wrestle with Reg Dwight for records in the London shop they both spent hours in. Reg went on to become Elton John, and Phil Swern went on to produce top ten hits before joining the BBC to produce the likes of Brian Matthew, Bob Harris, Alan Freeman and he writes the questions for Ken Bruce's PopMaster Quiz. He is to this date the only man in the world with every uk top 40 single dating back the chart's inception in 1952. He currently produces Pick of the Pops and Sounds of the Sixties for Radio 2.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/williams

childprufe · Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 212 Location: lincolnshire

And given the opportunity (as he is every Saturday morning) - he will compile a list of the B sides of the cover version of every minor hit of the 1960's. Shooting's too good for him.
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becky sharp · Joined: 01 Dec 2008 Posts: 6815

Angela W · Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 7202 Location: North Yorkshire

I like SOTS just the way it is........... and then she ducks for cover! Smile

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becky sharp · Joined: 01 Dec 2008 Posts: 6815

unclebuck · Joined: 19 Apr 2010 Posts: 276 Location: Warwickshire

I'm afraid I'm another who can't forgive what he has done to SOTS - that level of self-indulgence should never be allowed on a national station.

It would appear that his approach to acquiring music is entirely consistent with his approach to producing SOTS - ie. taking an archivists view of music, rather than a music lover's view.

Schizoidman · Joined: 20 Sep 2010 Posts: 1140 Location: Rural West Sussex

I always enjoy SOT60s, which we need, bearing in mind the endless tripe from the 80s that daytime radio 2 is obsessed with. Must we listen to drivel like Don't You Want Me Baby and It's A Sin every day? I hope SOTS continues for another 25 years to make up for the station's many shortcomings.

However, as I've said before, the show does contain far too many obscurities such as b-sides of failed singles from 1961. It's good to hear some obscurities such as the nice Helen Shapiro song played yesterday, something about a calendar, but not too many. SOTS really should play more recognisable music from the late 60s to compensate for the station's weaknesses. After all, when did we last hear a Small Faces or Cream song on daytime radio 2? Too busy playing rubbish from Human League and the appalling Pet Shop Boys. That's why SOTS is so necessary.

Good music is more important than Phil Swern's ego.

ruddlescat · Joined: 16 Sep 2010 Posts: 18010 Location: Near Chester

SOTS has quite simply become a vehicle for the self obsessed Mr Swern to indulge his own minority preferences in the music of that decade rather than producing a rounded show with fair coverage of the music that people of my age actually remember with affection

I have no objection to a FEW obscurities each week but as has been mentioned here many times before the balance is totally wrong and if I'm fortunate enough to hear the odd edition which suits my taste then it's more by good luck than anything else

A new producer is needed sooner rather than later Sad

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becky sharp · Joined: 01 Dec 2008 Posts: 6815

Well Mr Swern,on the off chance you're looking in, I don't think you'll find many listeners to your interview on this thread. Wink

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19335 Location: Cheshire

Fog on the Tyne · Joined: 09 Dec 2006 Posts: 1090

I've given up on SOTS on Saturday mornings, prefer the insanity of Danny Baker but I wake up to the last half hour of the repeat and sadly find little to like.. too obscure and too much very early 60s.
I'm not asking for all top ten hits bit there are many seldom played songs that only got to the lower reaches of the charts without resorting to assorted b sides. In most cases there are reasons why they are b sides - they're not that good.
Definitely needs improving
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