Thursday, August 7, 2008

What I've Recently Found

ON the WorldWideWeb, there are so many things to see that it simply boggles the mind. That includes music sites, information galore, and literally thousands of places where you'll read comments from bloggers and/or letter-writers & commentators. I'll tell you about my "site of the week" for the past several days.

I was reading the Brian Wilson "blue board" message board and someone posted that this digital online UK radio station has a host/DJ who has been playing a track from Brian Wilson's upcoming "That Lucky Old Sun" CD/DVD/Vinyl (yes, limited record supply, too!) set to hit stores on 2 September 2008. So, naturally I wanted to hear this DJ and radio station. I searched David "Kid" Jansen's name and found this link. When I put it on the computer, I was instantly loving the music mix. I stayed up pretty much all-night the other night...well...that should say SOMETHING right there --- I go to bed usually before midnight (and miss Craig Ferguson regularly because of it!) and rise usually between 4 and 6 o'clock most mornings. That particular night was an exception --- because the music mix is exceptional to a person of my age. Generally it's music from the 60s, 70s, 80s --- pop music with that UK flair and flavour (have to spell it the UK way, ya know) --- from Elvis to Erasure, the Beatles and Beach Boys, and the occasional newer song from well-established artists. Hence, it seems, the reason that David Jansen plays the Brian Wilson track. Well, I didn't hear that particular song, but Jansen did promise he would play a new Van Morrison tune (I actually left the room and missed it, so I cannot tell you anything about it) that morning (he's on from 10am to Noon in London...that, my friends, is between 4am and 6am in St. Louis).
Anyway...I wanted to share --- especially for you who enjoy a mix of music like this: Crispian St. Peters "Pied Piper", Elvis "Stuck Like Glue", whoa..."Boogie Oogie Oogie"..."Words" by BeeGees, "Say A Little Prayer" by Aretha..."Cry" by Godley and Creme..."Hello I Love You" by The Doors...this station is so different..."Let Your Yes Be Yes and Your NO be No" by The Pioneers..."Sometimes" by Erasure..."Mind Games" by John Lennon..."Cecilia" by Simon & Garfunkel...I can't tell you how this UK version of "Classic Hits" means "real hits" - the UK version includes songs only charting in the UK, so you can be assured you won't know all the songs - instead of the stuff you get on American FM radio which claims the "classic hits" moniker, yet only plays rock songs and all but ignores pop music. This Gold Music channel is the FOR REAL station for music fans who want variety and at least a large chunk of music from that era. They do occasionally throw in a 50s tune or a 90s tune, and as I stated a new track from an artist when they have one that hits their fancy...but the majority of their music is 1962-1989.
Go ahead and go there, and open up the media player --- make sure you crank up your speakers loud when you're moving around the house doing housework or just sit online reading your emails and favourite blogs.

http://www.mygoldmusic.co.uk/Article.asp?id=484860&spid=18956

They have UK news and sports, commercials (not many, but it is interesting to hear a furniture company commercial for a British store), and the personalities are well tuned-in to the local scenes (okay, the entire regional scene, I'd say because they're a region-wide station). I'd love to have this station ON THE AIR in the US!

Have a listen and let me know what you think!

JRJ