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Tracks of my years

 
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gazmando



Joined: 15 Apr 2007
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Location: Huntingdon

PostPosted: Mon May 21, 2007 10:58 pm    Post subject: Tracks of my years Reply with quote

Is anyone else sick of hearing fantastic records chosen by guests being followed up by a piece of tat chosen by Ken Bruce.
Today we had Aretha Franklin and Lonnie Donegan chosen by Joe Cocker followed by some ex member of the sugababes.
Every time a guest picks a record Ken always goes on about what a great track it is or what a fantastic vocalist they are but then proceeds to never play any of the songs himself.
I can remember Badly Drawn Boy picking Roger Whittaker and the Carpenters,Fran Healy picking Barry Manilow,the lad out of the Kaiser Chiefs picking Glen Campbell,Damon Albarn picking the lark ascending, I could go on forever.
All of the above names must be about 20 years younger than Ken(as I am) and they aren't scared to pick diverse records that aren't deemed cool unlike Ken whose MAJORITY of records consist of commercial radio fodder a la Keane,Coldplay,Maroon 5 etc.
Honestly what chance have you got of hearing a record from the 50's or 60's on Kens show?Yet he never gets any stick on the boards.
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Lord Evan Elpuss



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PostPosted: Tue May 22, 2007 7:39 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

In the prime time shows (such as Ken's) I don't think the presenter gets very much choice at all on what music is played. Most of it comes from the programme's production team.
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Toggy tea slurper
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PostPosted: Tue May 22, 2007 7:45 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Can't say I'm bothered really but as Lord Evan Elpuss said I don't think the choice of music is down to the presenter.
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Ian Robinson
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PostPosted: Tue May 22, 2007 8:32 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yeah, it's all the fault of the producer Gary Bones. I'm sure he's a nice bloke, but he does just play the same records over and over. Under the previous producer Ken Phillips the morning show was a lot more varied and interesting.

The current listing does no-one any favours, especially Ken Bruce who knows so much more about music than the stuff he has to play.
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Lord Evan Elpuss



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PostPosted: Tue May 22, 2007 9:32 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I don't think he's the only guilty one.
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RockitRon



Joined: 07 Dec 2006
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PostPosted: Tue May 22, 2007 9:34 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Just had a look at the last week's tracklistings. Apart from the Tracks of my Years" feature, the only song recorded earlier than 1972 (Popcorn - Hot Butter) played was The Flowerpot Men's "Let's Go To San Francisco" (1967)
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gazmando



Joined: 15 Apr 2007
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PostPosted: Tue May 22, 2007 7:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I apologize to Ken if the music is not picked by him,please direct my anger at Gary Bones if that is the case.
How comes when Johnny sits in for Terry he has a great variety of records, which I'm sure a lot of which are picked by him though?
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Toggy tea slurper
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PostPosted: Tue May 22, 2007 7:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Terry & Johnnie have different producers so I guess that's why the music is different. Maybe JW has more input into what is played whereas Terry relies on Alan Boyd to choose the music for him.
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Mark Mayhew



Joined: 11 Dec 2006
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PostPosted: Tue May 22, 2007 8:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

It will be interesting to hear the music content next week when Richard Allinson sits in for Ken Bruce.

Richard is certainly very passionate about his music so will be interesting to see what influence he has on what's played-I suspect a great deal of input /influence unlike Ken Bruce.
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Lord Evan Elpuss



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PostPosted: Wed May 23, 2007 7:01 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Assuming Gary Bones is producing, it will be a re-uniting of the old firm from when Richard had his three hour Saturday show. The 'Oh No Not All Of It' & 'Big Wall Of Sound' days. Gary was Richard's producer then.
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Mark Mayhew



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PostPosted: Wed May 23, 2007 7:09 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks LEE. As one of Richard's biggest fans I should have known that really-sorry.

Indeed I used to love the Wall of Sound segment in Richard's Saturday afternoon show-I thought it was brilliant.

I listen every day to Richard on BFBS Radio 2 and then at the weekends re Allinsons Albums. I have to say Richard certainly likes playing a far selection the "new releases" which I think is great. I have noticed he does spin some of these new songs when he sits as cover on Radio 2-it will be interesting to see how much of this he does next week when working with Gary Bones. For example Richard played the new forthcoming single from Paul MCartney yesterday which is due for release in mid June I believe-will he play this next week I wonder.

Richard Allinson rocks.
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RockitRon



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PostPosted: Wed May 23, 2007 8:27 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Mark Mayhew wrote:
For example Richard played the new forthcoming single from Paul MCartney yesterday which is due for release in mid June I believe-will he play this next week I wonder.


Very probably. Although it's not on the "Playlists" it is getting played already (not sure it would if it were by anyone other than P McCartney though).

Richard Allinson rocks? So did Val Doonican Wink
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Ian Robinson
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PostPosted: Wed May 23, 2007 8:30 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

The music will be exactly the same next week as it is this week, because Bones has no imagination. He brought the "long song" over from Allinson's Saturday show and just basically plays the same songs and type of music as when he was over there.

The only time there's been real change in the morning music is when Maconie has sat in, but even then it was only slight.
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Mark Mayhew



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PostPosted: Wed May 23, 2007 2:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ian-I think you may have hit the nail on the head here so as to speak.

There is something which I could never put my finger on but I have to say I have never really enjoyed Richard in the Bruce slot-it's perhaps not down to Richard but perhaps the producer and his style/control etc. I have always felt Richard is a little stiffled in the mid morning slot on Radio 2. I contrast this with his much more open style say when he sits in for Steve Wright-it seems the producer on that show just lets Richard get on with it/plays the records he wants to.

FYI Richard has just reintroduced the long song feature to his daily BFBS Radio 2 show-the feature now always starts the 2nd hour off. Richard likes this feature because he always advises "I am going to play the proper long version and not the normal radio cut down version"-we have enjoyed some corkers already since he brought this feature back.
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Ian Robinson
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PostPosted: Wed May 23, 2007 2:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Mark Mayhew wrote:
FYI Richard has just reintroduced the long song feature to his daily BFBS Radio 2 show-the feature now always starts the 2nd hour off. Richard likes this feature because he always advises "I am going to play the proper long version and not the normal radio cut down version"-we have enjoyed some corkers already since he brought this feature back.

Is it just Layla, Hotel California, Desperado, Scenes From An Italian Restaurant, Bat out of Hell etc? Or any chance it's something rare?
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Mark Mayhew



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PostPosted: Wed May 23, 2007 2:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ian-None of these as yet.

More like Stairway to Heaven, Radar Love, Freebird, On the Beach-Richard only chooses excellent records for the "long song" feature etc.
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Ian Robinson
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PostPosted: Wed May 23, 2007 2:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

They're all regulars on Ken's show too (straight after Popmaster) and not to my taste, I'm afraid. That's my time to make a brew.
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RockitRon



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PostPosted: Wed May 23, 2007 3:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Suggestions for him -

The Carpenters' Yesterday Once More medley
The Beatles Abbey Road medley (Mean Mr Mustard, Polythene Pam, She Came In Through The Bathroom Window)
Porcupine Tree - Fear Of A Blank Planet.

If he plays the last one I'll eat me hat Laughing
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Lord Evan Elpuss



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PostPosted: Wed May 23, 2007 8:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The only person I've known to play any Porcupine Tree is Bob Harris on Saturday night.
How about Pink Floyd.... Another Brick In The Wall pts 1&2 with 'The Happiest Days Of Our Lives' sandwiched in. i.e. as it is on The Wall.
Chris Rea......The Road To Hell Pts 1&2 joined together.
Neil Young..... Love To Burn. From Ragged Glory
Sheryl Crow...Am I Getting Through pts 1&2 from The Globe Sessions

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Helen May



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PostPosted: Wed May 23, 2007 9:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Mark,

I'm slightly bemused by your enjoying Richard Allinson on Saturdays when his producer was Gary Bones, however when Ken plays the same songs with Gary as his producer you don't.....

H
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AndyAndy2
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PostPosted: Wed May 23, 2007 10:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Helen,

Point well made. However, not speaking for Mark, but as a RA fan, I personally think the enjoyment would be down to the DJ here. Richard doesn't just play the tunes but also gives us some background to the origin of the tune an trivia around it.

This is a perfect example of substance over content, not to put Ken down but play the same songs with 2 dj's and see which is the preferred outcome.

Although I will listen to KB, my preffered choice will always be RA.

Sorry, for getting slightly off topic - you noticed long threads do that? Embarassed
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firewirefred
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PostPosted: Wed May 23, 2007 11:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

There probably is not a producer on the whole R2 staff who has a better musical knowledge than Johnnie Walker so I am sure the running order is the result of a production meeting the previous day in which he takes Johnnies suggestions. I can imagine that JW also has a bit of flexibility to throw in a few impulse plays depending on how the programme is going.

I think it is clear from the diversity and quality of music played which presenters have a direct input in the choice of music and those who really do not care much. Sarah Kennedy comes to mind as someone who simply leaves that stuff to the producer. She really does not seem to have much of an understanding of much of the stuff she plays apart from musicals.
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Helen May



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PostPosted: Thu May 24, 2007 8:26 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

AndyAndy2 wrote:
Helen,

Point well made. However, not speaking for Mark, but as a RA fan, I personally think the enjoyment would be down to the DJ here. Richard doesn't just play the tunes but also gives us some background to the origin of the tune an trivia around it.

This is a perfect example of substance over content, not to put Ken down but play the same songs with 2 dj's and see which is the preferred outcome.

Although I will listen to KB, my preffered choice will always be RA.

Sorry, for getting slightly off topic - you noticed long threads do that? Embarassed



Well a record is the same whoever plays it, as when the same producer selects it for different shows, you either like it or not. It really seems to boil down to the presenter not either of the above!

Thanks for replying as well Andy.

H
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AndyAndy2
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PostPosted: Thu May 24, 2007 9:11 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Cheers, H Wink elen. I always like to put my twopenneth in!
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Ian Robinson
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PostPosted: Thu May 24, 2007 12:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

AndyAndy2 wrote:
Richard doesn't just play the tunes but also gives us some background to the origin of the tune an trivia around it.

This is a perfect example of substance over content, not to put Ken down but play the same songs with 2 dj's and see which is the preferred outcome.

Every time, I would prefer Ken. Richard usually comes out with the one thing you know about that record. Last time he sat in for Steve I was able to correctly guess most of the things he would say after a record.

By contrast, Ken is often enlightening, surprising, and funny. Which is why it's a great shame he's being restricted in what he can play.
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Mark Mayhew



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PostPosted: Thu May 24, 2007 8:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi Helen-How are you-long time no speak etc-sorry for the delay in responding to your earlier posts.

Regarding Richard Allinson just a couple of points if I may.

In respect of Richard's former Saturday show starting at 3.30pm. Do you know I never used to think about Richard's producer Gary Bones at the time. When a Saturday came around I used to just crank up the volume in my household to a very high level and just enjoy 3 hours of pure fantastic entertainment/music played -it seemed to me that Richard was the main man with total licence/freedom regarding the various features/music played.

On the other side of the coin from memory Richard's performances re sitting in for Mr Bruce have never stuck me as memorable-too much perhaps in a strait jacket re music played-too much adherence to the playlist of the day/at the time etc.

However as you quite rightly point the producer at the time re RA's Saturday afternoon shows and sitting in quite regularly for Bruce at the time were one Mr Bones. Can I explain why I so much enjoyed RA on a Saturday but not so much sitting in for Bruce- sorry no-however Mr Bones is the producer in common-perhaps he used to chill out more at the wekends as opposed to weekdays.

Still looking forward to RA on the mid morning show next week-it will be interesting to review his performance/possible influence of the producer at the end of the 5 day stint.

Best
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Behind Geddon's Wall



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PostPosted: Fri May 25, 2007 7:34 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I don't normally listen to Ken ( work commitments) however, the mp3 radio might get some use on radio next week.
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Ian Robinson
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PostPosted: Fri May 25, 2007 8:36 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Mark Mayhew wrote:
Can I explain why I so much enjoyed RA on a Saturday but not so much sitting in for Bruce- sorry no-however Mr Bones is the producer in common-perhaps he used to chill out more at the wekends as opposed to weekdays.

Hmm. Maybe the music choices work better on a weekly basis, but become dull when subjected to the daily grind?
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