Radio 3 on Alexa

[SusanDoris]

For quite a few years now I have been unable to listen to Radio3 easily because by the time I've found the remote, pressed the wrong button and messed up set programmes, and had to wait for someone to re-set it for me, I've tended to give up! for the last few weeks though, since being given Alexa, I can say, Alexa, play radio3,' and have really enjoyed having it playing while I'm typing ... as I am doing at this minute.

for several years I tried listening to many different composers such as Zemlinsky and Schoenberg, helped tremendously by posters such as smittins, first on the BBC Radio3 message board and then on r3ok which carried on as a separate message board.
This opened up  new areas of musical pleasure  for me. At that time I was still buying new CDs. I think I'll start reading and posting on r3ok again.

On Wednesday, for instance, the choral Evensong  was playing and it was lovely listening to the singing. I cannot hear the words and I paid no attention to the readings etc:) but it's the music that counts.

[Udayana]

I usually listen to Radio 3 during the day but can't bear Choral Evensong, which, somehow, always seems to creep up on me! Have to turn off at that point.

[SusanDoris]

I usually listen to Radio 3 during the day but can't bear Choral Evensong, which, somehow, always seems to creep up on me! Have to turn off at that point.

well, I do agree mostly, but if it is just the music and the voices in the background I can ignore the words!
Is that your reason too?

[Udayana]

Yes. I quite like some choral music, eg. I have some CDs of Vespers, Ligeti, ... ( I can no longer stand Gorecki). But it is the booming, echoey, church sermon voice that really puts me off.

[john]

I love LATE JUNCTION although I listen to it retrospectively via the computer.

Through this diverse window I have found many new music interests.

I few years ago I was stuck snowbound on the M5 for many hours and listening to that show heard a track called BEHIND THE YASHMAK by THE ESBJORN SVENSOHN TRIO. I found it so haunting in these circumstances that not only did I seek out and buy the CD "Strange Place for Snow" that subsequently I bought all that groups CD's.

This was probably the most successful and greatest Jazz group ever to emerge from Europe, certainly in terms of number of records sold if nothing else. They are the only non American group to have a full feature in the prestigious Jazz Magazine.

It is very sad that Esbjorn himself died a couple of years ago in a scuba diving accident.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4f1Ef_7B30E

 

[Udayana]

Yes, it's great. In fact I like Late Junction, World on 3, Jazz, Hear and Now, The Essay ... most of it .. though usually have to compromise and fall asleep to R5

[SusanDoris]

My next step is to decide what subscription to choose. I'd like one where I can say, for instance, Alexa, play Rachmaninov Piano concerto No. 3, played by Nikolai Lugansky, or Ella Fitzgerald singing, Every time we say good bye,' or Bach solo cello suite' etc. My son thinks I would like to have access to audio books, but I need to think about that much more.

[john]

Hi SusanDoris

If you like a bit of Jazz may I suggest you try the free American JAZZ24 internet radio channel, it has no adverts, no news just jazz. They usually play about 3 tracks and then simply tell you what they were, although if you are playing the channel through your computer a display comes up with "now Playing" could your reader cope with that? They play a lot of Ella Fitzgerald and would give you another alternative listen.

You might have to have some one find it on the computer for you first time but there after ALEXA will connect you. Link below. Give it a go it really is a great channel.


http://www.jazz24.org/

Best Wishes John.
 

[SusanDoris]

John

Thank you for the suggestion. Do you think Alexa will play that without first paying a subscription?

[john]

Hi SusanDoris.

It is entirely free.

Shortly after I found the channel I emailed them to ask how they managed to provide such a wonderful station entirely free of adverts etc.

They were overjoyed to know that people in England were listening in and explained that in America listeners have to pay a small subscription charge which finances them but different internet regulations mean they cannot charge outside the US but that they are happy to broadcast worldwide for nothing. It seems that the people running it are just enthusiasts.

Give it a go

I haven't got ALEXA. But try asking it simply to find American radio channel JAZZ24.

Let me know how you get on

John

[wigginhall]

Thanks for that john.  What an amazing channel.   I wonder how they finance it, already answered.

[SusanDoris]

John

Thank you. That sounds very good and I will have a go and see if I can listen to it. My neighbour next door is quite good agt technical stuff, so I might ask her if I get stuck!

[jeremyp]

Thanks for that john.  What an amazing channel.   I wonder how they finance it, already answered.

In fact, the only way to improve it would be to stop playing jazz.

[Sebastian Toe]

John

Thank you. That sounds very good and I will have a go and see if I can listen to it. My neighbour next door is quite good agt technical stuff, so I might ask her if I get stuck!

Just say -

Alexa, play Jazz24.

That should do it for you.

[SusanDoris]

Thank you.

Okay, I  tried it straight away. sorry, I can't find the station jazz 24, said Alexa!! Tried again - same result. Any ideas?

[Sebastian Toe]

Thank you.

Okay, I  tried it straight away. sorry, I can't find the station jazz 24, said Alexa!! Tried again - same result. Any ideas?

Worked for me!
Do you have the Alexa app on your tablet or phone?

[SusanDoris]

Worked for me!
Do you have the Alexa app on your tablet or phone?

No! I do not have either tablet or phone! My son set it up when he was here a few weeks ago, so it is on his.