Radio 2 - Soul Cities With Tony Blackburn, 22Nd December

[Rick Cooper]

Just noticed these programs on Radio Two.

Soul Cities with Tony Blackburn- TB celebrates three key American cities known for their soul.

Monday 22nd, 12- 2pm Chicago

Tuesday 23rd, Philadelphia

Friday 26th, Detroit

At two hours each should be able to go beyond the obvious, but we'll see.

Rick

Edited December 21, 2014 by Rick Cooper

[Bobby Dazzler]

First hour not too bad - Laura Lee, Jackie Ross, Jamo Thomas and the Staple Singers - can't remember when I last heard these on radio 2, if ever!

[Pete S]

Those were followed by Tyrone Davis and Wade In The Water Ramsey lewis

[Ady Croasdell]

Not heard it but an encouraging notion

[Quinvy]

I though Tony would have dug a little deeper. Just the obvious stuff.

 

Still much better than the usual programs though. 

[Guest Mr Ms DJ]

wonder what he plays on the detroit show    

[Bobby Dazzler]

Still much better than the usual programs though. 

 

Agreed.  Anything's better than the dreaded Jeremy Vine show which usually occupies the same slot.  Radcliffe and Maconie on 6 Music are a reasonable alternative to that and Stuart sometimes manages to play a Northern track or two.

[Pete S]

I though Tony would have dug a little deeper. Just the obvious stuff.

 

Still much better than the usual programs though. 

 

He's playing to a Radio 2 audience so it has to be popular, and I bet only 1% of them had ever heard Tyrone Davis singing before...it was a perfect mix.

[Quinvy]

He's playing to a Radio 2 audience so it has to be popular, and I bet only 1% of them had ever heard Tyrone Davis singing before...it was a perfect mix.

Yeh don't get me wrong Pete, I enjoyed it.

[Pete S]

Yeh don't get me wrong Pete, I enjoyed it.

 

No what I mean is, he's playing to a massive audience in the prime time slot so he has to at least put in some tunes that people will know.  Blimey that Laura Lee "Rip Off", what a track!

[oldsteve woomble]

It was really good IMHO. And finishing off with Soulful Strut was nice....

 

I'll definitely be tuning in tomorrow.

[Ncfc]

Gene Chandler sounded good on the site radio

[Ady Croasdell]

wonder what he plays on the detroit show

Ravins and Margaret Little, I'd imagine

[Chatty]

Mentioned "soul producer Ian Levine".

[Guest kev such]

I didnt want it to end. Was dancing around an empty bungalow, marvelous. Great to hear Secret Love on conmmercial radio. Wonder what'll be on the playlist for tomorrow.

[Rick Cooper]

For prime time, national radio it was excellent. Major Lance, Billy Stewart, Dee Clark, Maurice and Mac and loads of others on radio, what's not to like?

A bit of a grumble when he played R Kelly- If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time, but then all forgiven when he followed this with Tyrone Davis-Turn Back the Hands of Time.

Tony got across his love for the music and put a few facts in, OK no mention of song writers, producers and musicians but the lunch time audience wouldn't have been interested .

Just hope Philly isn't all Gamble/Huff and Detroit not just Motown.

Tony said he was sorry not to be able to play Lenny Gamble but Lenny was not a native of Chicago.

Rick

[Grayman45]

For prime time, national radio it was excellent. Major Lance, Billy Stewart, Dee Clark, Maurice and Mac and loads of others on radio, what's not to like?

A bit of a grumble when he played R Kelly- If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time, but then all forgiven when he followed this with Tyrone Davis-Turn Back the Hands of Time.

Tony got across his love for the music and put a few facts in, OK no mention of song writers, producers and musicians but the lunch time audience wouldn't have been interested .

Just hope Philly isn't all Gamble/Huff and Detroit not just Motown.

Tony said he was sorry not to be able to play Lenny Gamble but Lenny was not a native of Chicago.

Rick

Though he can't resist the accent.

[Cunnie]

For prime time, national radio it was excellent. Major Lance, Billy Stewart, Dee Clark, Maurice and Mac and loads of others on radio, what's not to like?

A bit of a grumble when he played R Kelly- If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time, but then all forgiven when he followed this with Tyrone Davis-Turn Back the Hands of Time.

Tony got across his love for the music and put a few facts in, OK no mention of song writers, producers and musicians but the lunch time audience wouldn't have been interested .

Just hope Philly isn't all Gamble/Huff and Detroit not just Motown.

Tony said he was sorry not to be able to play Lenny Gamble but Lenny was not a native of Chicago.

Rick

Grumble?

Thought it was inspired to follow R Kelly with Tyrone Davis. Was also pleasantly surprised to hear him mention Happy People by R Kelly.

A great show from start to finish with no grumbles whatsoever IMO.

[kevinsoulman]

Still much better than the usual programs though. 

 

Agreed.  Anything's better than the dreaded Jeremy Vine show which usually occupies the same slot.  Radcliffe and Maconie on 6 Music are a reasonable alternative to that and Stuart sometimes manages to play a Northern track or two.

used to enjoy maconies northern show on radio 2 must dig the tapes out and play them through again

kev

[Winsford Soul]

i,m recording all the shows.

 

Steve

[Rick Cooper]

Grumble?

Thought it was inspired to follow R Kelly with Tyrone Davis. Was also pleasantly surprised to hear him mention Happy People by R Kelly.

A great show from start to finish with no grumbles whatsoever IMO.

I really liked the R Kelly track but would have been gutted not to have any Tyrone Davis on a Chicago soul show.

Rick

[Mark R]

Grumble?

Thought it was inspired to follow R Kelly with Tyrone Davis. Was also pleasantly surprised to hear him mention Happy People by R Kelly.

A great show from start to finish with no grumbles whatsoever IMO.

You beat me too it mate.........of course there's been no soul out of Chicago since the 70's/80's!! :-)

Cheers,

Mark R

[Mark R]

BTW, I was very lucky to end up catching this, and thought it was great.......and Gene Chandler did sound mighty fine!!

Cheers,

Mark R

[Ted Massey]

here's the link  https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04ttvh0

[Mark S]

Lenny got soul

[Eddie Hubbard]

No what I mean is, he's playing to a massive audience in the prime time slot so he has to at least put in some tunes that people will know.  Blimey that Laura Lee "Rip Off", what a track!

Laura Lee was Noel Edmunds record of the week on it's release , great track ...

[The Happy Hooker]

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm,

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/programmes/schedules/2014/12/26

 

been mislead all this time

Edited December 23, 2014 by the Happy Hooker

[Back Street Blue]

Missed it yesterday....just put it on to hear the Philly stuff.

Hoping to hear Arnold the dog?

[Dave Pinch]

the philly ones a bit hit and miss up to now  imo.... but its prime time radio 2 so i spoze we have to be greatful

Edited December 23, 2014 by dave pinch

[Guest Polyvelts]

I'm loving it ! Hearing records I havnt played myself for years, grooving right now to 'look me up' great sound !!!

[Guest Polyvelts]

And now ' win, place or show' come on, this is great !!

[Guest johnny hart]

Radio 2 ,s Paul O, Grady regularly does a Northern Spot and wait for it he did go to Wigan Casino!

[Pete S]

This is another superb show, thanks to radio 2 for these.  The Formations, what a record...

[Phil]

Tunes galore loving the Jill Scott version of lovely day and yes the formations one of my faves

[Steve S 60]

Love that Jill Scott cover of Lovely Day.

[Dave Pinch]

it got better for sure

[Pete Eccles]

Enjoyed that,

[Steve S 60]

Yes, a welcome change from Jeremy Vine.  looking forward to the Detroit session now.

[Pete Eccles]

Yes, a welcome change from Jeremy Vine.  looking forward to the Detroit session now.

 

As much as I don't mind it, a welcome change from Talksport, the only radio I seem to listen to nowadays

[Steve S 60]

As much as I don't mind it, a welcome change from Talksport, the only radio I seem to listen to nowadays

 

Normally listen to Solar at home.  R2 or Smooth in the car since Jazz FM deserted us up north.

[MikeHinNewJersey]

Just listening to the Chicago show again, TB said "sharing my passion for soul music with you"

[Mark R]

Another brilliant two hours, and as I said on Facebook, what and inspired piece of DJ'ing squeezing some Jill Scott into a prime time R2 spot by playing her cover of Bill Withers.

Superb show.....

Cheers,

Mark R

Edited December 23, 2014 by Mark R

[Chalky]

I have listened to both shows whilst driving today, superb both of them with some quite pleasant choices.  Nice to see the BBC making an effort.  The Atlantic Records Story, the two Sam Cooke shows and now this.

[Shinehead]

Have not listened to any of the shows yet , i'll pick them up on catch up but it's great to hear that everyone on here has given these programmes so much praise . 

[Grayman45]

I will never call Tony Blackburn again. Really enjoyed what I've heard of both days' broadcasts.

[Mark R]

Interesting that Blackburn made reference to having tried to get the music more airtime over the years but that it's not been easy!!

Cheers,

Mark R

[Winsford Soul]

I will never call Tony Blackburn again. Really enjoyed what I've heard of both days' broadcasts.

Tony Blackburn played Sandi Sheldon. On radio 1 way back in 1974. I was off school with glandular fever and once I was released from hospital was told to get as much fresh air as possible so spent the next three months fishing and listening to the radio.

Steve

[Jimmy Mack]

just listened to the "detroit" show on the tv and it has on the screen philadelphia home of the famous motown sound WTF,the shows been crap ,wilson pickett ,al green nothing to do with the motown sound rant over 

[Dave Pinch]

it coulda been the golden hour...... all chart hits pretty much....still very enjoyable...............wow westbound number 9..one of my all time faves of any genre

[Dave Pinch]

if there is one type of music/genre that is timeless and still stands up it is  soul music.... i think thats why we have people coming onto the scene that were never here before