Colin Berry - a little light music
Posted by Radiocafé on 31 Dec 2008 at 4:52 pm |
Category: 3. Light & Easy, 1. General Music
What a pleasure it was to hear Colin Berry’s recent local radio show entitled “A Little Light Music”. A superb selection of classic tunes and themes, most of which were never released commercially. And all presented by one of the country’s remaining gems of radio - the perfect combination!
The show included some marvellous tracks from the leading session and light music orchestras of yesteryear. We were treated to many non-commercial tracks, tv themes and testcard pieces (was strange but wonderful to hear the full World of Sport theme on our radios!).
We would… Continue reading
(2 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
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Dance bands are the latest to get the chop from the new “supercool” Radio 2. Malcolm Laycock’s producers have decided to (or, we suspect been forced to) dump the dance band section of his 10-11pm show on a Sunday evening. The first half hour is now dedicated to the modern swing bands instead. What a shame for the genre!
Probably Radiocafe’s favourite Roy Ayers recording, the 1980 classic “No Stranger To Love” is now available on CD. You will have to fork out for a Japanese import, but if you are a fan of the good groove and are not familiar with this Roy rarity, it is twenty quid very well spent indeed.
Did anyone catch the fantastic concert on BBC Four recently featuring Judy, Frank and Dean? This was entertainment at its very best. Three of the finest singers, each at his or her peak, with sublime arrangements and spine-tingling performances.
Jazz FM is back on air, and this time it is everything it should be. The new line-up includes legendary presenters such as Robbie Vincent, Peter Young and Ralph Tee.
The world of soul and jazz- funk owes so much to Robbie Vincent, who has pioneered the good music cause for decades. And, following hundreds of emails and posts to us at Radiocafe from fans who missed his presence on our airwaves, Robbie is now back doing what he does so magnificently - see the update at the end of this article with news of where you can now find Robbie. Below you can also read earlier comments from those who so passionately supported the our campaign to “Bring Back Robbie Vincent”. 
It always amazes me when I stumble across a pile of lovely old records in second hand shop. I’ve found loads of classic Capitol years Sinatra, loads of great 80s soul music, heaps of Nat King Cole and many a classic rarity lurking in an unsuspecting crate - all usually looking like they have never actually been played.
According to 
As great voices go, few match that of Glenn Jones. Why Glenn is not listed among the leading soul singers of all time remains one of music’s mysteries. This is a man who has produced album after album of gems, has filled dance-floors with the most incredible soul tracks, and has worked with some of the biggest names in the business.
In today’s current climate of manufactured bands and genetically modified music I find myself constantly disgruntled and wondering “Whatever happened to the SOUL?” Whatever happened to the goose bumps, the prickles on the back of your neck and the urge to shout out loud “sing it sister/brother…I feel you”, when that certain song would play? When you would close your eyes with arms extended outright into the air absorbing the sensations emitted by soulful vibrations. Remember soul?
With vinyl record sales up more than fifteen percent over last year’s totals (858,000 ‘units’ bought in 2006 versus 990,000 in 2007, according to Nielsen Soundscan), has the comeback of this historical audio medium reached its pinnacle? No one can say for sure, but one thing is certain, these sales figures are not a full indication of just what is happening in the ‘vinyl world’ and how many records have truly been sold.
(4 votes, average: 4.75 out of 5)
Album cover art has a fascinating and long history. From the days of Alex Steinweiss to pop artists like Andy Warhol and Roger Dean, album cover art has evolved; with some highly praised covers (i.e. the Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper LP) to the controversial, including Jimi Hendrix’s “Electric Ladyland” that featured nude women.
In a few short years, analogue radio as we know it will vanish into the ether, becoming white noise and making way for the brave new world of digital broadcasting. The pops, crackles, whistles and hiss that have lived with me for so long will disappear forever. Most of all, it is the Frequency Modulated band, the soundtrack to my generation, that will be most sorely missed when it eventually disappears, never to be heard again. Looking back on things, it’s been one hell of a journey.
Rosemary Squires, the only singing star of her era still touring, continues to earn first rate reviews. It’s over 60 years since her first broadcast at the age of 12 and she remains in peak form, giving immense pleasure not only to those of a certain age group but also to their grandchildren who recently rated her “real cool”.