[IainJohnston]

After 2 weeks beetling around “sur le Continente”, there are so many radio stations in Europe that use English-language lyrics or tag-lines/slogans in their (often European or in-country produced) jingles and IDs.

There is a wealth of jingle audio that we don’t often get to hear, in whatever language.

English-fluent JMers from the Netherlands, Belgium, etc contribute a great deal here.

But there must surely also be collectors galore in places like France, Italy, etc.

How do we find a way to “tap in” to the many excellent jingles that are “out there” just a little nudge outside of the domainating influence of the US producers?

[loujosephs]

I know when I was consulting fun in France they thought it was cool to have some English.so I did a bunch of IDs and sweepers for them.

[michiMember]

In Japan, English is “cool”.. Most of the jingles produced for the Japanese market are in English. It’s the English language-based stations that play Japanese pop that think it’s cool to put Japanese lyrics in a jingle.
Embedded at home.recnet.com/soundcloud

[LenGroat]

Michi – I LOVE the pure MELODY on those cuts – instantly catchy & memorable!

[michiMember]

I really love the TM Channel 4 Hot AC package. I have already bought 3 cuts from it. Once the budget looks good again, I am going to get the other 2. Honestly, when I first got this cut, I had my doubts. I needed the cut to grow on me and it did. I challenged iJingles/TM to do a Japanese jingle and they delivered.. and the world loves it!

Cut 5:
Embedded at home.recnet.com/soundcloud

Cut 1:
Embedded at home.recnet.com/soundcloud

And especially if you listen to Cut 1, you can see how you can move the slogan, frequency and tag around and make a whole new sounding cut. Currently of the 3 different cuts, there are over 100 different variations on the air right now on J1 (along with some JAM stuff).

[rakMember]

Love the J1 cuts, michi. They sound great!

On the subject of France, I remember having a family holiday in Brittany in 1985, and recording some radio. It was the most bizarre radio I’ve ever heard – lots of random snippets of US radio, inc clips of KIIS FM with JAM jingles. I have no idea why! I do still have some tapes of this stuff.

Just had a quick listen to NRJ online ahead of travelling to the Alps next weekend, and musically it has gone downhill, though I think I heard them still using the JAM sonovox from many years ago, and the TOTH was quite nice, as they always have been. They’ve been using HIT MUSIC ONLY for eons (with a silent ‘S’)

Any networks worth a listen while I’m there, Iain?

[IainJohnston]

David – We were at Lake Annecy then Interlaken – but “ears on” travelling down through Belgium & France then across to Switzerland, and back.

Nostaligie is a permanent “time-warp”, NRJ indeed now a bit tired (Hit Music Only needs a fresh direction indeed – but they’re also “into” using a mixture (and cross-mixes) of jingles they’ve had for years – hope JMW is getting his play-per pennies for the sono!), Cherie FM is the “heart” of France but far better than the UK equivalent. But the “principle” of “a jingle or sweeper between EVERY record” still applies on the big “reseaux” as well as the smaller independants (e.g. Plus (La Radio de Votre Region), Champagne FM) and the regionals.
Great listening everywhere for any jingle anorak! And very different from USA airchecks shall we say?

RFM and RTL2 both with very fresh yet traditional Freeway cuts that “work well on air”. Some Paris stations seem to have now got network licences “out of town” – was weird hearing the very lively Latina in sleepy lakeside Doussard!

Rhone FM around Martigny for “how to buy the wrong jingles” just because “well, other stations “like” them?”)

Prize for a station that “makes BBC local Mc&sso stuff sound exciting” goes to “BEO” – Radio Berner Oberland” in the Swiss Bernese Overland around Interlaken/Jungfrau – their one (???) sung jingle would have made Evans & Martin cringe!

Some Swiss stations had merely a 2/3-worded dry sweeper between records. Dull. Ugh.
I’m sure Sean M must hear a lot more “hip” output around Lac Leman!

If you’re “going up the mountains” (don’t know where in the Alps you’re headed???), Jungfraujoch (Eiger, Jungfrau, Monch) by Swiss railways from Interlaken Ost station is HIGHLY recommended – got Bossjock to much thank for that one! – buy your “regional Pass” and off you go – utterly spectacular from 11,733 feet “up the top” (but Jonno, the observatory wasn’t open so I couldn’t “gatecrash” on my DB Astronomy Club card…)!

Radiowise, in these places, its let the car scanner do its stuff, and start latching the “preset” buttons!

[rakMember]

Thanks for the French radio info, Iain. We’re going to Annecy, as it happens! We’re going on the French version of the Megatrain (iDTGV), so won’t get to hear much radio, other than FM on the phone.

I suspect RTL2 will be the best listen as we’re driving around locally. May get up to Lake Geneva for a day, so will check out the Swiss offerings as well.

I remember Sean playing some TM “The Bee” cuts for a station called WRG – possibly World Radio Geneva (I may be wrong), so I’ll listen out for that as well.

[IainJohnston]

David, if its any use to you, I have a listing file of the stations/frequencies for the Annecy area if you want it emailed ?

Annecy things-to-do…

1) big cruiser around the lake – you’ll see them from the canal beside the park
2) dinner “in town” – Venice-like canal area around the old gaol & old town hoaching with excellent restaurants (but avoid the Baron whatsit – too damn dear and pretentious!) Loads of excellent ice-cream shops (I tried one with 58 flavours…) – none of the white whippy chemistry-lab guff the Brits eat).
Great atmosphere after dark. Lot of “arty” street entertainers stuff, little jazz bands, etc etc.
3) South-east end of the lake – go up Col De La Forclaz mid-morning, park, and keep on going up “Hang-glider Hill” (“paraventes” fill the sky like butterflies) – spectacular views of the lake from before and up at the launch-ramps, and if daft enough can get a “bapteme” of being piggy-backed on various types of hang-glider.
4) Chamonix reachable – big cable car up to les Aiguilles du Midi (Midday Needles) – wow!

[Editor:- what do you think this is IJ, Tr*pAdv*s*r??? – Get Orrfff!]

If you get a chance to visit Sean, please give him my regards

[IainJohnston]

David – some silly holiday pics in your Dropbox now – including some daft Scottish eedjits going up mountains or getting within 3 feet of some French cycing race thing

Annecy radio file will appear there shortly.
ODS particularly had some good jingles.
IJ

(PS – did you get my email about Tour de F TV video feeds?)

[rakMember]

Thanks for the info re Annecy. Planning to drive up to Col De L’Aulp to walk up La Tournette. Aguille du Midi on the agenda as well, possibly. Staying in Talloires, just by the paragliders’ landing field.

Got the email, thanks. Will reply tomorrow, and let the others get this thread back on topic Apologies from us both for going off-topic.

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