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BBC 6 Music to close down!

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UPDATE - 26 February 2010:
The BBC is set to close the unpopular BBC 6 Music, as part of sweeping changes to TV and radio services which are to be announced next month.  The Times is also reporting that the BBC Trust has acknowledged that “it must pick up more listeners over the age of 65 and become more distinctive“, with the review ordering “Bob Shennan, the station controller, to air more jazz“. 

Our article from 2008 (below) highlighted some of the failings of 6 Music - we are not surprised this decision has been made. … Continue reading

7 votes, average: 4.43 out of 57 votes, average: 4.43 out of 57 votes, average: 4.43 out of 57 votes, average: 4.43 out of 57 votes, average: 4.43 out of 5 (7 votes, average: 4.43 out of 5)
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Calling all talented young singers!

Tell_Us.gifI think there is a place here at Radiocafe for young talented singers (I mean people who would like to sing / record and write good songs) to have their say. Although the great song writers of the past had the first crack at writing popular songs for wonderful singers there are in my opinion young people around today who are equally talented. When I was starting out in the business the BBC was a great supporter and developer of young talent. Because Radio 2 changed its music policy that path is now… Continue reading

1 votes, average: 5 out of 51 votes, average: 5 out of 51 votes, average: 5 out of 51 votes, average: 5 out of 51 votes, average: 5 out of 5 (1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
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BBC confirms Radio 2 overlooks older listeners

BBC_logo.jpgThe BBC has published the results of its 2009 consultation on audience views on Radio 2 and 6 Music. The good news for many of us is that it recognises that Radio 2 is not serving the needs of older listeners. It also highlights that music from the 40s, 50s and 60s are no longer sufficiently featured in Radio 2’s programming.

So what does the report say? As expected, the slant of the report is very much on the good things that respondents said about Radio 2 and 6 Music. We’ve extracted some of… Continue reading

1 votes, average: 5 out of 51 votes, average: 5 out of 51 votes, average: 5 out of 51 votes, average: 5 out of 51 votes, average: 5 out of 5 (1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
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STREET RADIO: Back In The Days - edition 1

1.jpgIf you reviewed the radio listings of the Radio Times for the first week of May back in 1986, the options for those who prefer their music on the soulful or funky side would have been as follows: Sunday at 9pm, Robbie Vincent (having moved on from BBC Radio London) with a 2 hour slot on Radio 1; Jeff Young (replacing Robbie on London), with a lunchtime Saturday show; and… that was it. Commercial radio didn’t fare much better either: Greg Edwards soldiered on with his Soul Spectrum on Capital Radio; and… Continue reading

3 votes, average: 5 out of 53 votes, average: 5 out of 53 votes, average: 5 out of 53 votes, average: 5 out of 53 votes, average: 5 out of 5 (3 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
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Legends of British broadcasting

RADIOCAFE.jpgRadiocafé is proud to present the definitive list of some of the broadcasters, presenters and other individuals who have made a wonderful contribution to the popular music cause.  Sadly, many of these individuals are no longer with us, but their memory will live on for many years to come. We hope you agree that their excellence deserves to be celebrated, as each of them made it to the top of their chosen field and have brought pleasure to so many of us.  If there is anyone who you feel we have missed off this… Continue reading

2 votes, average: 5 out of 52 votes, average: 5 out of 52 votes, average: 5 out of 52 votes, average: 5 out of 52 votes, average: 5 out of 5 (2 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
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The best of BBC radio

lockedon.jpgClick below for Radiocafé’s DEFINITIVE list of national and local BBC radio shows playing “our kind of music”.  For those who appreciate quality light and easy music in the true, traditional sense, including a portion of jazz, dance bands and big bands, there are many highlights still to be found on BBC radio.  Sadly, few are available on the national network and we would like to see a greater portion of the broadcasting spectrum dedicated to this kind of output.  If the BBC could bring together as one station all the local shows listed… Continue reading

2 votes, average: 5 out of 52 votes, average: 5 out of 52 votes, average: 5 out of 52 votes, average: 5 out of 52 votes, average: 5 out of 5 (2 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
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Malcolm Laycock - why the BBC should be ashamed of itself

malcolm.jpgThe sad death of Malcolm Laycock represents the final chapter of one of the most sorry stories in the recent BBC’s history. Last night (15 November, 2009) it paid tribute to the broadcaster by repeating part of a show of his from April. It was introduced by Clare Teal, the young personality who replaced him a few months ago. She announced that “the word presenter somehow does not do justice to talent like this”, and indicated the high esteem in which the BBC held Malcolm Laycock.

But just look at how the BBC… Continue reading

4 votes, average: 4 out of 54 votes, average: 4 out of 54 votes, average: 4 out of 54 votes, average: 4 out of 54 votes, average: 4 out of 5 (4 votes, average: 4 out of 5)
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Dance Bands - Malcolm Laycock

UPDATE: dance.jpg10 November 2009: We are sad to learn that Maclolm Laycock passed away on 8th November 2009. Malcolm was one of the finest broadcasters, and has been greatly missed from the airwaves since his recent departure from BBC Radio 2.  We are so very sorry to hear of this news, as Malcolm was a true gentleman and pioneer of the dance band cause.  We were fortunate enough to meet him a few years ago, which was a privilege for us.  There were few broadcasters with his vast knowledge and experience and we wish to… Continue reading

18 votes, average: 4.22 out of 518 votes, average: 4.22 out of 518 votes, average: 4.22 out of 518 votes, average: 4.22 out of 518 votes, average: 4.22 out of 5 (18 votes, average: 4.22 out of 5)
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Why we need BBC Eight Light

Radio8.jpgBBC radio currently fails to offer anything for a large and significant population: older listeners. While music preference should be independent of age, it is evident that the BBC provides handsomely for the youth audience: they get Radio 1, 1Xtra, 6 Music and the BBC Asian Network. And while Radio 2’s offering is aimed at the over-35s, much of the music offered is in fact aimed at attracting a younger audience. Much of it is completely unattractive to the over-70s.

What it does is cater only for a certain type of over 35… Continue reading

4 votes, average: 4 out of 54 votes, average: 4 out of 54 votes, average: 4 out of 54 votes, average: 4 out of 54 votes, average: 4 out of 5 (4 votes, average: 4 out of 5)
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LEGEND PROFILE: Ray Moore

raymoore.jpgFew broadcasters are more fondly remembered than Ray Moore, who entertained millions of listeners for years with his regular early morning show on Radio 2.

Ray looked after the 5 to 7.30am slot throughout the seventies and eighties in his uniquely special way.  He was one of the highlights of radio, even managing to make travel forecasts and sports reports entertaining.

Common Moore references included “Gatport Airwick”, “Moore’s ‘Orse”, “Old Moore’s Alma Nag” (a pun on the name of his beloved wife, Alma) and referring to a fellow broadcaster, “the Truckers’ Flussey” (Sheila Tracey). 

Part… Continue reading

6 votes, average: 5 out of 56 votes, average: 5 out of 56 votes, average: 5 out of 56 votes, average: 5 out of 56 votes, average: 5 out of 5 (6 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
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Vinyl records are a sound investment

Record PlayerIt 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.

I do sometimes wonder why anyone would want to discard of such gems. Naturally many have long since got rid of their record player, replaced once by a midi system, then by a… Continue reading

2 votes, average: 5 out of 52 votes, average: 5 out of 52 votes, average: 5 out of 52 votes, average: 5 out of 52 votes, average: 5 out of 5 (2 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
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Who are the new Frank Sinatras and Julie Londons?

steve.jpgFor those of us who like the likes of Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Julie London and Ella Fitzgerald, who are the up and coming popular song stars of today? We are looking for your recommendations of singers who are made out of the same sort of stuff as Frank and Julie.

For starters, of course we have Harry Connick Jr, Michael Bublé and Diana Krall. All have done much to raise the profile of “our kind of music”, and proven that there is still a massive market for this kind of recording, which… Continue reading

1 votes, average: 5 out of 51 votes, average: 5 out of 51 votes, average: 5 out of 51 votes, average: 5 out of 51 votes, average: 5 out of 5 (1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
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LEGEND PROFILE: David Jacobs CBE DL

david160.jpgDavid Jacobs is worthy of every superlative. He is quite simply one of the finest broadcasters we have ever produced; his weekly BBC Radio 2 show remains one of the few, true gems on air. He has been broadcasting for over half a century, and his charm, knowledge and professionalism make every show completely special.

Not all that long ago, David had a lunchtime show every weekday on Radio 2, in addition to his infamous Saturday morning slot. As one listener put it: “such a civilised way to spend lunchtime”. And how right… Continue reading

6 votes, average: 4.33 out of 56 votes, average: 4.33 out of 56 votes, average: 4.33 out of 56 votes, average: 4.33 out of 56 votes, average: 4.33 out of 5 (6 votes, average: 4.33 out of 5)
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Les Adams - Dancefloor Classics

Les.jpgExcellent news for fans of soul and jazz-funk: Les Adams’ all new Dancefloor Classics website opens up a world of quality music for fans of the genre.  If you are yet to hear the Dancefloor Classics show, set aside 8-10pm next Saturday, tune into Solar Radio and then turn up your volume.  Your neighbours will soon coming knocking to ask you to turn it up some more, since this is one of the definitive soul shows on air.  

Les is a true icon of soul… Continue reading

5 votes, average: 4.8 out of 55 votes, average: 4.8 out of 55 votes, average: 4.8 out of 55 votes, average: 4.8 out of 55 votes, average: 4.8 out of 5 (5 votes, average: 4.8 out of 5)
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Is the BBC ageist?

BBC_logo.jpgArlene Phillips may be grabbing all the headlines, but the suspicion that the BBC may be guilty of ageism is nothing new. Let’s fact it, what’s been going on at Radio 2 in the past decade hardly favours anyone over the age of 50 does it?  In the past few years, we’ve seen older presenters farmed off to local radio or handed their P45s, and in many cases their replacements seem to have been chosen as much for their youth as their talent. Recent examples include:

• Sheila Tracy’s role on Big Band… Continue reading

3 votes, average: 3.67 out of 53 votes, average: 3.67 out of 53 votes, average: 3.67 out of 53 votes, average: 3.67 out of 53 votes, average: 3.67 out of 5 (3 votes, average: 3.67 out of 5)
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