Radio update

Just a follow up to a previous post. Talksport and XFM are now officially off the list. The latter just can't get past its samey playlist and as for Talksport, now Ronnie Irani might be from Leigh but he certainly isn't a broadcaster. All he does on air is agree with everything Alan Boozil says, winds him up over his drinking habits or just asks banal questions. Not good for a national station.
The Revolution just seems to be wanting to be XFM lite and seems to be disappearing up its own bum hole so its GMR all the way for me.
Eamonn O'Neil and Dianne Oxberry are quality radio. Empathetic with the listeners, informative, even Eamonns old jokes get me laughing. They have a good team esp when they include the newreader Faye Ruscoe into their show. It certainly cheers up the drive through the traffic in the morning.
Terry Christian is still on GMR, he now does the drive show and is just the typical Terry, loud, opinionated and pretty funny. He even plays a Manchester tune everyday at 5.15 and not just the typical Momdays, Roses, Morrissey neither.
It maybe the BBC but GMR is at the moment a great listen and long may it continue.

What the crivens is going on??

What is it with this country and January these days. I remember there used to be a bit of snow round my birthday (this Sunday hint hint!!) but for the last couple of years all we have had is rain and wind. Any day now I expect 4 people on horseback to appear on the horizon and then it is curtains for the lot of us.
On Monday I did the usual walk from the workhouse to the Betamax shop for that dinnertime pick me up of chocolate and I was nearly washed away as the Irwell was, shall we say, pretty high. In fact I read that the Mark Addy is actually flooded, which doesn't surprise me. It was looking that if it got much worses they would have to evacuate the Lowry Hotel. Now what a shame that would have been looking at the the rock stars, D list celebs and footballers with their clothes horse other halves standing outside trying to avoid the shopping trollies, McDonald litter and condoms that were washed up from the river.

Am I getting old?

I finally think I am you know. I have started listening to Radio 4 and not just for test match special. I don't read tabloids anymore and go for broadsheets (this may just be common sense I suppose) and I have also reinvigorated my passion for golf, well of sorts.
I spent last weekend on a freebie at The Belfry. Now whilst I didn't play any rounds, I had a bash on the driving range and have now decided that I am going to dust the clubs down this year and get back playing. I haven't played in about 4 years but fully intend to get right back into it.
I am even, as I type, wearing a jumper and polo shirt combo.
I'll be namedropping Brucie, Tarby and Lynchy if I am not careful

Writing on the Wall for Afflecks?

Well it looks like that is it for Afflecks. The stallholders have been given 2 weeks notice it seems to vacate the premises.
Now to be honest I haven't been an Afflecks customer for years, not since the heady days of Madchester when I used to go there most Saturdays in the summer (Winter was for football) and get my hands on some live bootleg tape or vid or some rare record or other. But it has always been a Manchester institution and as such its possible closing should be mourned.
Fingers crossed a compromise can be reached but sadly it doesn't look like it and once more we will the erosion of Manchester and the continuation of its decline into just another city centre.

New Year, new blog....

I have just realised I haven't posted on here since March last year. Not really sure why, think it was more that I started my book in the summer and so forgot about it. I am going to try and get onto it more this year I reckon.
Keep your eyes peeled for more from this on a regular basis (fingers crossed)

Subway grrr

No picture on this one as I am annoyed!!
There used to be a little toffee shop on the East Lancs, next to Moorside High. Been there for ages, years I should think.
Went past it this morning on my way to the workhouse, it now has a Subway sign on the side, and the shopfitters have kitted it out in the usual way.
What is going on in Manchester?
Why why why does it have to turn into the same as everywhere else.
Why are little shops being forced to turn into Subways.
Not happy!!!

Manchester Radio

On the way into the workhouse in a morning, I like to flick through the channels on the radio, in order to try to raise a smile before the drudge begins.
Sometimes I listen to national radio such as Talksport, but as it is fast becoming the Daily Star of the radio, its time for something else.
Now as a fan of many music genres but particularly Manchester music, I have been cocking my ear to XFM. Now I know it is a part of a national group but I when it started I expected it to reflect the local area and culture. I listened on its 1st morning, it listed the greats of the city, good start, The Stone Roses 1st song, going well. Now? Wall to wall Razorlight and Keane. Indie music for delivery drivers and salesmen. Bet Alan Partridge loves it.
So now onto The Revolution. Again I started on this pretty early, and it was poor, same music as all the others just with a bad reception. Then it started. "We play what we want!" Yes yes yes, and you know for about 18 glorious months, it did and it was superb. Clint Boon in the afternoon, on pc at work, headphones on. Superb. Rebellious jukebox, oh aye.
Then it started......first Smug Roberts, Boon left (to join XFM!!) then an influx of Manc comedians and now? Well its just seems to be a chat station, well an unfunny joke station, full of comedians who don't actually know what they are talking about (Its Kooks with an oooo not with an uk, John Warburton!!) and it seems to be lurching into XFM territory.
I'll keep with it for a bit, but its soon going the same way as XFM if it isn't careful.
So what is left?
You know what I regard as the best programme coming out of Manchester radio is at the moment? The Terry Christain breakfast show on GMR with Michelle Adamson.
Its funny, the banter between Terry and Michelle works well. Christian has a good grasp of current affairs and encyclopedic knowledge of the local area. All this means that the hour sitting in the A580 traffic in a morning is spent listening to a BBC chat station. Who would have thought it in the days waiting for XFM to start? I even have a dabble listening to Heather Stott on the way home (but only breifly I have to say)
Having said that, Michelle Mullane at weekends on XFM and Gay Garveys payola on a Sunday also on XFM are worth a listen.
But its safe to say the days of KFM and Sunset 102 are long long gone.