Yeah I was generally pleased with what was heard on the show - I've got to catch up with the last hour as I fell asleep! I especially like the featured album bit and the countdown, but wished she was playing the countdown songs in full instead of just clips.
God, it makes me feel old thinking that Karma Chameleon was number 1 30 years ago. Another song from that time that was high in the charts that totally passed me by at the time althogh I certainly knew their other hits, was Walking In The Rain by Modern Romance, Would love to hear Sara play that.
That scares the hell out of me, those 30 years have flown by, in 30 years time i'll be 87. Gulp!!
Always nice to hear Boy George, still a household name 30 years later. Something reassuring when you hear him talking that melts the years away, as I'd been feeling melancholic about it being 30 years when only a few days ago I was thinking about Karma Chameleon and it being exactly 30 years since it was No1 when I glanced through a home tape of mine, filled solid with hits taped from the Radio 1 chart show on 8th October 1983. Hits by Culture Club, David Bowie, Siouxsie & The Banshees, Paul Young, Peabo Bryson & Roberta Flack, David Essex, Genesis, Howard Jones, The Alarm....and who recalls Dolca Vita by Ryan Paris?
I remember Dolce Vita yes, that and Words by FR David are two stand out euro hits from 83
I didn't listen yesterday, but that was at least partly because it clashes with another BBC Radio programme, namely Diana Luke Loves the 60s on BBC Yorkshire stations. I may listen to Sara's 80s show on I-player later. I went to the Schedule page on the Radio 2 website in case the songs played were listed but this was not to be,
Enjoyed the show, although still trying to work out Midge Ure's 2 other number ones other than If I Was 😄
Not sure about calling that feature where Sara interviews somebody from the 80s Back Page to Middle Age. What about One Moment in Time? You could also use the chorus from Whitney Houston's hit to introduce it as that was out in the 80s too.
caught the show on Listen Again. Wasn't sure Sara Cox was the right choice given her age but the music choice and interviews with Aneka and Boy George were fun. I just wish it wasn't on at 10 on a Saturday night... rubbish scheduling. Ditch Dermot 'Yawnsville' O'Leary and put her on Saturday afternoons.
That scares the hell out of me, those 30 years have flown by, in 30 years time i'll be 87. Gulp!!
Scary is not an understatement, I really do find it very so. For me, I was a mere 14 when Karma Chameleon was top, so will be 74 in 30 years time. Boy George was just 22 at the time, and will be 82 in 30 years. Christ that makes time seem short. I do wonder if too much looking back and nostalgia like this is not great for ones mental health, combined with watching TOTP 1978 weekly too. It all makes the present seem totally inadequate. I saw a brilliant BBC4 interview with Bob Geldof tonight, a full one hour with Mark Lawson where he dismissed the idea of looking back and said he wasn't interested in it, and was only bothered about now. I then found out that he's reformed Boomtown Rats, much to my amazement, on condition that they are not going on the retro route. I must inform the TOTP 1978 thread, where they are about to gain their first No1 hit very soon!
caught the show on Listen Again. Wasn't sure Sara Cox was the right choice given her age but the music choice and interviews with Aneka and Boy George were fun. I just wish it wasn't on at 10 on a Saturday night... rubbish scheduling. Ditch Dermot 'Yawnsville' O'Leary and put her on Saturday afternoons.
I disagree, and it seemed a good time to sit and enjoy the show without other distractions. The 2 interviews were excellent. The Aneka one was nicely unexpected but welcome. If I recall at the time Aneka was promoted as the Scottish housewife who found herself with a No1 hit. She sounds lovely. I also learnt something new, in how she came to get that name. The trusty gaze through the phone book trick!
I'm not sure that playing the whole top five from this week in 1985 was worth doing. Clips were fine and just the full play of the number one song. Otherwise it's simply Pick Of The Pops isn't it? She played Stevie Wonder's Part Time Lover during that feature, and it's quite shocking that since that top five he has never again had another solo top ten single, and barely troubled the top forty much either. How did that happen?
One word of caution however. When Absolute 80's began broadcasting I started listening and loved it, for about 2 or 3 months, then stopped and never tuned in again. It suddenly became very repetitive after a short time on air I thought, with the same old stuff re-appearing again and again. Hopefully Sounds Of The 80's can avoid those pitfalls as it develops.
I put this on expecting to listen to 20 minutes or so and, two hours later, it was suddenly midnight.
A lot of the songs, I didn't even like (especially the featured album by Spandau Boring) but there were still some interesting gems in there.
The Boy George interview was quite good (and not as self-indulgent as he usually is) and his choice of song was inspired - I don't think I've heard that *since* the 80s.
It was also fascinating to hear the real person behind Aneka (even if we did have to put up with her hit). I didn't know she'd given up performing completely
As sounds of the 80s is only a 2 hour show a week, there's no excuse for playing the same songs over and over again. I don't see the point of the countdown unless she's going to play all the songs. I don't really think that it has to tread on POTP shows, as long as it doesn't do the same 80s year that POTP might have done earlier - and sometimes not all the top 5 are played on POTP anyway. Perhaps she could call it Sara's mini pick of the pops.
It was good to hear Aneka, though Sara told Steve Wright she was going to be on so it wasn't a surprise to me to hear her.
Was it my imagination, or did Radio 2 change their processing for Sounds of the 80s? Even the news bulletin before it seemed to be sharper with more treble than usual.
Were they trying to replicate the sound of Capital FM in the 80s/90s? It certainly sounded sharper than I remember Radio 1 back then.
As sounds of the 80s is only a 2 hour show a week, there's no excuse for playing the same songs over and over again.
I think that's why they avoided the obvious choice of a Duran Duran record on the first show, along with any Mel & Kim or obvious Stock, Aitken & Waterman. The Donna Summer track was a good toe in the water.
Ultimately, it's an 80s nostalgia show, so it'll inevitably repeat a lot of favourites, but being the BBC I hope they do make it a lot more varied than Absolute 80s. I'm hoping it'll be to Absolute 80s, what Sounds of the 60s is to Gold, rather than an Absolute 80s clone or merely Pick of the Pops for a younger audience.
I've only just managed to catch up with this and, while generally enjoying it, I thought there was way too much chat and inane chatter. (Is there anything lazier or more boring on radio than reading out listeners' text messages?) A bit more music would have been nice.
I've only just managed to catch up with this and, while generally enjoying it, I thought there was way too much chat and inane chatter. (Is there anything lazier or more boring on radio than reading out listeners' text messages?) A bit more music would have been nice.
Yeah, don't you just hate the bloody interaction between presenter and listener. The presenter should just stick to saying 'that was and this is'.
I've only just managed to catch up with this and, while generally enjoying it, I thought there was way too much chat and inane chatter. (Is there anything lazier or more boring on radio than reading out listeners' text messages?) A bit more music would have been nice.
If you prefer that style of radio then Absolute 8s maybe your thing.
In recent years, Sara Cox has perfected engaging with the listener in my opinion (post Breakfast Show days I mean), so interaction is a huge part of that.
Yeah, don't you just hate the bloody interaction between presenter and listener. The presenter should just stick to saying 'that was and this is'.
Not at all. I really enjoy interaction between the presenter and listener - that's precisely what differentiates Radio 2 from its commercial competitors. But just how many "hilarious" perm stories do we need to hear?
Perhaps I was just expecting someone as knowledgeable, interesting and engaging as Brian Matthew and Johnny Walker.
Yeah, don't you just hate the bloody interaction between presenter and listener. The presenter should just stick to saying 'that was and this is'.
Spot on.
This is meant to be an interactive show and is all the better for it, especially if you are listening alone. I personally hate those automated sounding radio shows. I've got my iPod if I want to listen to a simple uninterupted run of 80's, or any other music. Also it is nice to know we have a presenter talking live to us and can play a part, especially on shows of this nature.
Great idea for a show, not sure Sara Cox is the right choice of presenter though. I admit I am a bit biased as I have never liked her on the radio anyway.
Surely someone older who was DJing during the 80s would have been more suitable.
And I don't understand why Dave Pearce needed to be bumped off for it.
Definitely, she was only 5 when the decade started and 15 when it ended, so no real experience of the decade.
I thought the same. There are millions who experienced that decade of music directly. I was one and the programme isn't designed for me. It is not as if she is a music historian. It is like a kid teaching the parents about the parents' music.
She's there for three years maximum in my view before becoming the voice of "Sounds of the 90s". Then they will ditch the 60s and 70s generations by merging Sounds of the 60s and Sounds of the 70s or they'll simply kill off both shows.
It's not her fault. It is a political decision to recruit more women. Fair enough but BBC heads are only aware of six or seven women DJs. They to them are what women are. Which is a shame because few of the half dozen are suitable for R2.
For example, to hear Jo Whiley "bigging up" all the bands she mocked - often wisely - in her youth is a nauseating wonder to behold. There are potentially hundreds of women who would be a better fit but that would require a bit of imagination.
In terms of a female who would make a perfect presenter on a show such as this I thought of Kim Wilde, who has done some presenting in the past hasn't she?
Just a word about the show it replaced, and 2 weeks ago my freeview guide said that the show would be returning in April 2014, so am unsure if this is just a 6 month fixture in the schedule on Radio 2 anyway, or intended for a longer duration.
In terms of a female who would make a perfect presenter on a show such as this I thought of Kim Wilde, who has done some presenting in the past hasn't she?
Just a word about the show it replaced, and 2 weeks ago my freeview guide said that the show would be returning in April 2014, so am unsure if this is just a 6 month fixture in the schedule on Radio 2 anyway, or intended for a longer duration.
Kim Wilde. Very well done. Cautiously I endorse. Please arrange.
I think the programme will be back and forth before settling, sort of.
Sort of because R2 execs haven't quite decided yet how to cater for their 11-95 age demographic.
And to keep themselves employed, they never will. :rolleyes:
Kim Wilde. Very well done. Cautiously I endorse. Please arrange.
I think the programme will be back and forth before settling, sort of.
Sort of because R2 execs haven't quite decided yet how to cater for their 11-95 age demographic.
And to keep themselves employed, they never will. :rolleyes:
Thanks. She was just a name that popped into my head without really trying too hard to think of anyone. Often how to get the best answer!
Regards the Radio 2 demographic, it is hard to tell exactly who Radio 2 is meant to appeal to, but I see that as a strength, not a weakness and if it's 11 to 95 then so be it. Far too much trying to focus on a very select age range and kind of listener nowadays elsewhere.
Comments
That scares the hell out of me, those 30 years have flown by, in 30 years time i'll be 87. Gulp!!
I remember Dolce Vita yes, that and Words by FR David are two stand out euro hits from 83
lol, "I am jussst a musssique mannn, melodiesss I call my best friend".
Was that 83? Blimey, I remember that, I was 6...
Not sure about calling that feature where Sara interviews somebody from the 80s Back Page to Middle Age. What about One Moment in Time? You could also use the chorus from Whitney Houston's hit to introduce it as that was out in the 80s too.
I disagree, and it seemed a good time to sit and enjoy the show without other distractions. The 2 interviews were excellent. The Aneka one was nicely unexpected but welcome. If I recall at the time Aneka was promoted as the Scottish housewife who found herself with a No1 hit. She sounds lovely. I also learnt something new, in how she came to get that name. The trusty gaze through the phone book trick!
I'm not sure that playing the whole top five from this week in 1985 was worth doing. Clips were fine and just the full play of the number one song. Otherwise it's simply Pick Of The Pops isn't it? She played Stevie Wonder's Part Time Lover during that feature, and it's quite shocking that since that top five he has never again had another solo top ten single, and barely troubled the top forty much either. How did that happen?
One word of caution however. When Absolute 80's began broadcasting I started listening and loved it, for about 2 or 3 months, then stopped and never tuned in again. It suddenly became very repetitive after a short time on air I thought, with the same old stuff re-appearing again and again. Hopefully Sounds Of The 80's can avoid those pitfalls as it develops.
A lot of the songs, I didn't even like (especially the featured album by Spandau Boring) but there were still some interesting gems in there.
The Boy George interview was quite good (and not as self-indulgent as he usually is) and his choice of song was inspired - I don't think I've heard that *since* the 80s.
It was also fascinating to hear the real person behind Aneka (even if we did have to put up with her hit). I didn't know she'd given up performing completely
It was good to hear Aneka, though Sara told Steve Wright she was going to be on so it wasn't a surprise to me to hear her.
Were they trying to replicate the sound of Capital FM in the 80s/90s? It certainly sounded sharper than I remember Radio 1 back then.
I think that's why they avoided the obvious choice of a Duran Duran record on the first show, along with any Mel & Kim or obvious Stock, Aitken & Waterman. The Donna Summer track was a good toe in the water.
Ultimately, it's an 80s nostalgia show, so it'll inevitably repeat a lot of favourites, but being the BBC I hope they do make it a lot more varied than Absolute 80s. I'm hoping it'll be to Absolute 80s, what Sounds of the 60s is to Gold, rather than an Absolute 80s clone or merely Pick of the Pops for a younger audience.
Yeah, don't you just hate the bloody interaction between presenter and listener. The presenter should just stick to saying 'that was and this is'.
If you prefer that style of radio then Absolute 8s maybe your thing.
In recent years, Sara Cox has perfected engaging with the listener in my opinion (post Breakfast Show days I mean), so interaction is a huge part of that.
I think the show will settle down in a few weeks
Perhaps I was just expecting someone as knowledgeable, interesting and engaging as Brian Matthew and Johnny Walker.
Spot on.
This is meant to be an interactive show and is all the better for it, especially if you are listening alone. I personally hate those automated sounding radio shows. I've got my iPod if I want to listen to a simple uninterupted run of 80's, or any other music. Also it is nice to know we have a presenter talking live to us and can play a part, especially on shows of this nature.
Surely someone older who was DJing during the 80s would have been more suitable.
And I don't understand why Dave Pearce needed to be bumped off for it.
I thought the same. There are millions who experienced that decade of music directly. I was one and the programme isn't designed for me. It is not as if she is a music historian. It is like a kid teaching the parents about the parents' music.
She's there for three years maximum in my view before becoming the voice of "Sounds of the 90s". Then they will ditch the 60s and 70s generations by merging Sounds of the 60s and Sounds of the 70s or they'll simply kill off both shows.
It's not her fault. It is a political decision to recruit more women. Fair enough but BBC heads are only aware of six or seven women DJs. They to them are what women are. Which is a shame because few of the half dozen are suitable for R2.
For example, to hear Jo Whiley "bigging up" all the bands she mocked - often wisely - in her youth is a nauseating wonder to behold. There are potentially hundreds of women who would be a better fit but that would require a bit of imagination.
Just a word about the show it replaced, and 2 weeks ago my freeview guide said that the show would be returning in April 2014, so am unsure if this is just a 6 month fixture in the schedule on Radio 2 anyway, or intended for a longer duration.
Kim Wilde. Very well done. Cautiously I endorse. Please arrange.
I think the programme will be back and forth before settling, sort of.
Sort of because R2 execs haven't quite decided yet how to cater for their 11-95 age demographic.
And to keep themselves employed, they never will. :rolleyes:
Thanks. She was just a name that popped into my head without really trying too hard to think of anyone. Often how to get the best answer!
Regards the Radio 2 demographic, it is hard to tell exactly who Radio 2 is meant to appeal to, but I see that as a strength, not a weakness and if it's 11 to 95 then so be it. Far too much trying to focus on a very select age range and kind of listener nowadays elsewhere.