Most of us enjoy to listen to the radio now and then, whether it’s at home or in the car. But if you’re fed up of the nonstop ads and shouty presenters and playlists of songs you are fed up of, there are other options.
If you like world music, know that Putumayo World Music Hour is syndicated to 100 stations around the world. This record label (which creates beautifully illustrated compilations of the best world music artists) is a revelation. Once you hear this music, you likely won’t want to listen to much else!
Because mainstream radio tends to always play the same songs over-and-over, it’s worth looking for alternative methods of listening. This may be having to resort to Internet radio, unless you have really good Internet TV or high-techy radios that pick up all the channels.
Easy Radio is a good website. Just go to the home page and choose the easy-listening radio station you would like to listen to, from ‘crooners’ (like Sinatra) to folk, jazz, reggae or by artist (Andrea Bocelli, Bread, Carly Simon, Cat Stevens, The Carpenters). This is a find! We loved every single artist we clicked! The list goes on – Carole King, Enya, Eva Cassidy, Doris Day, Elvis, James Taylor, Perry Como, Jack Johnson.
Feeling nostalgic for yesteryear? Serenade Radio is nice, offering older music from the 30s and 40s. Unforgettable Radio is similar. When we clicked, they were playing Nat King Cole, Diana Krall and Harry Connick Jnr.
Also look online for your local community radio stations. These are by local people who know the area, and often are missed by most listeners. We randomly clicked on West Kent Radio and found Sister Sledge singing a nice ditty. Waiting for the presenter to talk, he seems to just play records (no shouting or singing over the records). In fact, we gave up as all we heard was good music after good music! This is what radio should be!
Wind-up, Solar and Free Radios
If you’re out-and-about, consider investing in a wind-up radio as then you don’t have to worry about batteries. iGadgitz Xtra Wind Up Radio has in-built speakers and can also run on solar power, with USB back-up.
These emergency power radios are American (but are sold in the UK online so presumably work here fine too, as it’s only a one-time purchase). They include phone chargers and flashlights, ideal for when you’re out and about and need to listen to the weather forecast, as well as favourite music. One even has a loud siren for emergencies.
British Wireless for the Blind offers radios on free loan to those who need them, including one that stores up to 40 stations and can swiftly navigate between DAB and FM stations. Simple to use, just switch it on and it will automatically tune in available stations, and adjust the time. Then just store your favourites.
