R2OK!

iwarburton · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 2133 Location: Northumberland

There's an article in today's Telegraph about R2 presenters. It takes David Jacobs as its starting point but considers others, too. There's a fair bit with which I agree but unfortunately it takes a cheap shot at Brian Matthew for supposedly wasting his talent on SOTS.

How can two hours of superbly chosen music played by a warm, friendly and knowledgeable presenter constitute a waste of talent?

I may do a reply and of course would need to do this quite quickly. But I'd like to quote the listening figures for SOTS and don't have these to hand. Can anyone help?

Ian.

gfloyd · Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2007 9:33 pm Post subject:

According too (ironically enough the Telegraph)

"Brian Matthew, 77, who has been presenting Sounds of the 60s on Saturday mornings since 1990, added 170,000 fans, bringing his total to 3.5 million"

This is as of Aug 2006
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AndyAndy2 · Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2007 10:26 pm Post subject:

Yes, I read the article too, I thought it was well balanced and as you say came down bell on David Jacobs.
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nod · Joined: 24 Dec 2006 Posts: 3558

Toggy tea slurper · Guest

Not sure why nobody has posted the link Confused

you can read the article here.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2007/04/21/do2105.xml

gfloyd · Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 8:54 am Post subject:

Cherskiy · Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 9:01 am Post subject:

I think the article is pretty harsh on Maconie - I remember what he was like back in his R5 days and much of what he said was more or less tongue in cheek - the 'solicitors' comment no doubt being one example.

As for David Jacobs knowing his stuff, well, there are plenty of other R2 presenters who are similarly knowledgeable about their own niches - I'd put Bob Harris in that list, for example, and whilst he no doubt would be included by the writer in the 'never see 40 again' comment, BH is extremely knowledgeable and passionate about the music he plays and advocates.

Oh, and what does 'mardy' mean? Smile

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Toggy tea slurper · Guest

The word 'mardy' http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A769250

Cherskiy · Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 9:10 am Post subject:

MIKERAPHONE · Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 2:19 pm Post subject:

Spot on article.
The music DJ plays is great.
Well crafted songs with melody and meaningful lyrics with a singer who CAN sing.
Sinatra,Matt Monroe,Ella even Barbara Streisand appear regularly.
To me an excellent hour of truly great songs.
I only wish it was 2 hours.
Good on yer DJ the DJ
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firewirefred · Guest

If some p.illock writing for the Torygraph is having a dig at the older, more mature, r2 presenters then it must be a good reason to lend them an ear or two. Personally, I have total respect for DJ, BM and the others of a certain age. SOTS is one programme that I make a point of listening to every week and is one of the great things about BBC radio that you just dont get elsewhere. Long may Brian reign and long may the others continue.

Who cares what the DT has to say on the subject anyhow?

PS: Why is the word p.i.l.l.o.c.k in the word censor?

gfloyd · Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 3:33 pm Post subject:

firewirefred · Guest

I did read the article and it did not come across that way but maybe I should read it again.

gfloyd · Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 3:38 pm Post subject:

Cherskiy · Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 4:30 pm Post subject:

I would have thought BM wanted to take it a little easier after being ill for so long - anyway, SOTS is 'his' programme and I wouldn't like to see it suffer because he is involved with other projects at its expense.
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Rachel · Guest

It’s just one guy’s opinion; being in the Telegraph doesn’t give any more credence than if he’s posted his prose here. I take it the presenters he didn't mention are ok, in his opinion.

Lord Evan Elpuss · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 3417 Location: Cloud Cuckoo Land

I certainly can't agree with his views on Stuart Maconie.
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SantaFefan · Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 6:52 pm Post subject:

I've read the article twice now, and I can't really see what there is to make a fuss about.

It's a generational thing isn't it? I remember David Jacobs when I was a child back in the 50's and 60's and thought he was a really polite gentleman - always wearing a bow tie and suit.
Of course his music taste will reflect the main body of his lifetime and, in my opinion, those were indeed much better times in terms of musical quality and decency.

At 54, I find I can admire the likes of David for their style and manners but also easily tolerate the younger generation of presenters, or "small army of chirpers" as the writer puts it but, I really can't stand to listen to the Radio 1 or children's TV presenters of today!

So, he's just saying that David Jacobs is a class act playing class music unlike some others isn't he?

Ian Robinson · Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 6:56 pm Post subject:

mark occomore · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 9955 Location: UK

Oh dear radio 2 is crumbling with the new ones taking over from the oldies. Who's stepping on each others toes. Sounds like the atmosphere is leading to how the old Radio 1 ended up like at Egton House all those years ago. Shocked

gfloyd · Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 7:00 pm Post subject:

iwarburton · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 2133 Location: Northumberland

Not sure why nobody has posted the link you can read the article here.
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Sorry about that--you're quite right to point it out--but my repertoire doesn't yet stretch to doing links (my computer literacy and ability remain tenuous). Any tuition would be welcome!

Having re-read the article I now think that its writer was taking a shot at the BBC rather than Brian Matthew but I hope that BM will ignore his remarks and continue to delight us on SOTS for a long time yet.

Ian.

Cherskiy · Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2007 3:14 pm Post subject:

Ian,

I've dropped you a PM with a brief tutorial. Hope it helps.

Cheers,
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Author: “To the Ends of the Earth: A Snapshot of Aviation in North-Eastern Siberia, Summer 1992”
(Free to read via Kindle Unlimited)

iwarburton · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 2133 Location: Northumberland

I've dropped you a PM with a brief tutorial. Hope it helps.
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Received with grateful thanks. I'll have a practice when the opportunity arises.

Ian.

ip33 · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 16

My rule of thumb is, if Henderson dislikes it, it must be good!

Ian