Radio 2 appreciation thread

rickjames · 18 Nov 2015 at 10:13

As I work off my notice period in my current job AKA the longest 4 weeks of my life, I've taken to listening to the radio to pass the time better than just going through my own predictable playlists on Google Play etc.

Found myself going back to Radio 2 more often than not, even Chris Evans in the morning is tolerable, if only because you get hear Moira Stewart and her iconic voice as she reports the news.

Highlight of their programming though is 9:30am-midday when Ken Bruce takes over; great voice, right tone of humour and knows his listeners well. Plus you've got the Popmaster quiz and as always, an interesting and fairly good selection of music, although he can get a bit awful when he's churning out Simply Red. Eurgh.

Jeremy Vine takes it up a high brow notch, carries it very well, and then Steve Wright in the Afternoon is a great 3 hour ride.

So yeah, top work from Radio 2. Still a shame Wogan left all those years ago, but hey ho...

snips86x · 18 Nov 2015 at 10:18

Yup - another R2 listener here. I do enjoy Evans and he gives me a good laugh in the morning.

I love listening to Ken Bruce, he's very amusing to listen to and again provides me with a good laugh. I try and listen to Pop Master most days when I'm not on the phone - although I don't do well it's great radio.

Not a fan of Jeremy Vine, I've normally switched off at this point but the drive time is great to listen too. My favourite has to be the confessions

Much humour to be had.

McGray · 18 Nov 2015 at 10:59

I'm a big fan of the 7pm speciality shows, particularly Paul Jones.

Great station any time of the day really.

MissChief · 18 Nov 2015 at 12:20

The people on this thread http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=1545520 would beg to differ!

Personally I find Radio two to be still doing the same thing with the same presenter (more or less) for the past fifteen years. They badly need to change things up IMO. I have no real interest in 50's and 60's unless they're real classics. I'm too young for radio two and too old for radio one.

Scam · 18 Nov 2015 at 12:44

Chris Evans is way too energetic in the morning for my liking. It's just not right, there has to be something wrong with him...

rickjames · 18 Nov 2015 at 13:35

MissChief said:
The people on this thread http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=1545520 would beg to differ!

Personally I find Radio two to be still doing the same thing with the same presenter (more or less) for the past fifteen years. They badly need to change things up IMO. I have no real interest in 50's and 60's unless they're real classics. I'm too young for radio two and too old for radio one.

'50s and 60s' is a bit unfair. Today for example across the shows they've played Eurythmics, Kool & the Gang, George Michael, The Housemartins, Coldplay, One Direction, Iggy Pop blahblahblah. It's almost as eclectic as you can get...

Flibster · 18 Nov 2015 at 14:11

I've recently gone back to Radio 2 rather than a random streamed track from the server to wake up to. Radio set up across the room so I have to get up to turn Evans off first thing in the morning.

I tend to listen more to Radio4 and 4Extra comedy.

rickjames · 18 Nov 2015 at 14:15

Wrighty's kicked off the afternoon with some good ol' Swifty, yessssssssss. HATERS GONNA HATE.

Edinho · 19 Nov 2015 at 01:27

Does anyone in the country listen to Radio 1? I don't think i've ever listened to it, ever.

Oh my mistake I did in the 80's on the Sunday chart show. You know when 'pop'ular music was worth listening to.

D3K · 19 Nov 2015 at 01:38

Love radio 2. I sometimes flick over to radio 1 if there's a song I don't like, but never during the chat.

I find it hard to take Jeremy vine as seriously as I did before he went on strictly.

Cosimo · 19 Nov 2015 at 07:19

Can't remember the last time I listened to it. Radio 4 and Absolute are listened to these days.

Liefrich · 19 Nov 2015 at 23:07

Radio 2 is awful and needs a rethink. I do like my music but I find that all Radio 2's DJs talk vapid nonsense - especially Simon Mayo whose show I take a particular dislike to. There seems to be a huge gap in the market for anyone between 25-35 as Radio 1 has basically given up on anyone over 16.

I listen to Radio 4 on my commute and Radio 6 if I want music.

TurnipHead · 20 Nov 2015 at 01:25

Listened to Radio 2 after Chris Moyles left R1, it was bearable but no Moyles is back there's no place for it.

physichull · 20 Nov 2015 at 07:09

Used to be a radio 2 listener but now I've found radio 5, the film review, Danny baker, fighting talk, live sport.

oldbag · 20 Nov 2015 at 07:16

I've no idea who the music on radio 2 is aimed at. Most of the time they seem to play cheese.

One More Solo · 20 Nov 2015 at 11:33

6 Music should be the go to channel for the audience who dislike Radio 1 but feel too young for Radio 2. The breakfast show plays a good mix of everything but minimal cheesy crap.

MissChief · 20 Nov 2015 at 11:48

One More Solo said:
6 Music should be the go to channel for the audience who dislike Radio 1 but feel too young for Radio 2. The breakfast show plays a good mix of everything but minimal cheesy crap.

What FM frequency is that on?

this_is_gav · 20 Nov 2015 at 13:30

Radio 2 has gone downhill in my opinion. 15+ years back they had a great blend of good old classics and the better newer songs (not most of the stuff in the charts) but whenever I listen now it's very rare there's anything from the last couple of decades.

I can quite happily listen to Chris Evans in the morning though. The bloke doesn't grind me at all - it's just energetic and fun and puts a smile on my face - I fully understand that's not for everyone though!

There's a horrible hole in BBC's radio structure. Radio 1 only play chart music (though I do enjoy Greg James's show), 6 music only play new, discovered artists and Radio 2 rarely play anything later than the 80s (and the ones they do play are usually pop). It's impossible to find a half-decent balance of just good songs, even jumping between stations.

The old Virgin radio was half decent at it, but Absolute's playlist seems much smaller, though I suppose they do have their online stations for different decades, which is something of a sweetner.