TV and Movies

[Oznell]

Music channels on TV are such a pleasant switch-up from the usual.  They can bring tranquillity, especially when the world seems "in flux".

In their wisdom, DirecTV 'giveth some' to us, and 'taketh away' some from us, in our particular channel package! 

You probably get a lot of the same ones, whether you have DirecTV or a different system.  (My channel numbers are the DirecTV ones though--  yours may be entirely different.)

Of the ones I can get, my top fave is:

"Jazz Vocal Standards"   Channel 855    But you probably guessed that, from the images I'm scattering around.  And we can get:

"Jazz Vocal Hits"   Channel 850, quite good.      But we can't get the plain "Jazz" channel, rats!   And I'm not overly keen on their "Smooth Jazz" one. 

Could someone who does get just "Jazz", please review it here, (she asked plaintively).

On to the classical channels, we get:

"Symphony",  Channel 864,  which is quite good.  But we don't get--

"Classical Masterpieces",  Channel 865.  We DO get--

"Light Classical"  Channel 866, which isn't as watered down as you'd think, from the name and is actually pretty good...

Under "miscellaneous",   we do get:

"Coffee Shop Cuts" Channel 836,  which is so disappointingly banal!  What a waste of a good title for a music channel! 

"Gospel Hallelujah"  Channel 828,  is great, and both stirring and soothing.

"Contemporary Instrumentals", Channel 820    An OK channel.

"Music Choice Classic Christmas"  Channel 858    Christmas music all year round!

"Big Band"  Channel 801     It's good, so far, has surprisingly swingy and bluesy aspects.

"Singers and Swing"  Channel 807  is uneven, sometimes good!

Here's a total sleeper:

"Soundscapes Ultra"   Channel 857-1  

I'm surprised I don't hate "Soundscapes Ultra", but it acts like a calming sedative.  It has tranquil, sort of "outer space" music, BUT it also has graphics, usually of beautiful nature scenes.  And in one corner, they have little quotes, what they call "Daily Inspiration",  from everyone from Epictetus to Booker T. Washington, to Nathaniel Branden-- quite a mix.

Got carried away with my retro images tilted toward all my personal faves, but they make me happy.  The good thing about the music channels is, that once you browse them, almost anyone can find what they like, whether it's "Brazilian Pop",  "Today's Country",  "Funk",  "Broadway",  "R&B Classics" or "Taste of Italy".....

Anyone who is able to get just plain "Jazz" on their system,  please supply your review, if you'd be so kind!

Edited to add--  I originally had two identical pix of Judy and Mel warbling together on here, ha.  Can't have too much of a good thing...

[On It]

@Oznell Thanks for the reminder. I used the music often for a time, but lately I have neglected it. I am searching to see what is currently available on my cable.

[spiderw]

The music choices on TV are a good mix.  I do get just a Jazz station .  Listening so far, Harry Connick, Ahmad Jamal ,Art Blakey.  I don't listen to the music stations that much I admit but the Jazz station would be a choice for me.  It probably covers a lot of greats and different decades.  Without steadily listening I can't give a review but I love jazz so it all is appealing for me. Actually this music is great for a relaxing back round but also very entertaining.

By the way I enjoyed the photos you posted of some of the great singers.  They are all legends, timeless music!

[GingerPeach]

You're right, @Oznell , there are plentiful choices.

My cable system has a lot.

I like the smooth jazz genre, but I'm still not over it being yanked fromFM stations so many years ago. I especially enjoyed the clever, bright DJs on our local FM smooth jazz station and miss the insight and background and humor they would bring.

They also hosted a lot of concerts (which I attended from time to time) and contests (which I often won, getting a free brunch at a SF hotel a couple of times). 
But the best was knowing there was a partner in life, so to speak, that could accompany you throughout the day, whether at home or while driving.

Though they do bring the music, these cable music stations and even streaming versions aren't quite the whole package the FM experience used to be.

Sigh . . .

[Oznell]

@On It,  I've gotten away from it for awhile too, but lately seem to crave the wider music options it provides.  Plus liking the simplicity of just turning on the TV and bingo, it's there.

@spiderw,  thanks for your feedback on the regular Jazz channel;  I'm going to guess it might be the same one we'd have if our DirecTV package included it.... maybe I'm wrong, but was thinking that all the systems use the same music channels, but hubby tells me, don't be so sure. 

I love photos of artists of the past too, esp. while they're in the grip of performing, like the ones of exuberant Gene Krupa and Oscar Peterson... 

I'm sorry you've lost your beloved "Smooth Jazz" station, @GingerPeach ,  what a bummer.   Do you get satellite radio, by any chance.  We do, and the Pittsburgh Jazz Channel that comes via that, WZUM, is one that I really like.  Your point is well-founded though, that music that comes by way of TV is not the same as top-notch, community-based, and community-friendly, radio, or even streaming.

For some reason, I'm sort of primitive about this, and don't have any sophisticated devices I receive music on.  I like the simplicity of just punching in a channel and while I'm working around the house, I can have that background music underpinning things...   But better radio music offerings while I'm in the car would be welcome!

[GingerPeach]

Thank you, @Oznell 

I've looked into and am aware of the options, but don't listen enough to pay for satellite radio.

We lost our smooth jazz station back in the 90s. One day, poof, it was gone. Many were heartbroken, some were angry, too.

I know the genre got flack from jazz purists, but it had carved out a popular niche and didn't deserve to be yanked.

A different era.

[justashopper]

I like the soundscapes, too!  

[Spacrazy]

Yes, we like to take turns picking the music channel when we do our heavy cleaning on Saturday.

You can find almost every genre you can think of - it's good.

[AngelPuppy1]

We listen to music all the time on our t.v.  At least that is one good thing about our cable provider!  My favorite is the soft jazz channel.  It plays pretty much contemporary musicians, but I love it.  DH will alternate with the channels - the 70's, 80's, country and ones from the 50's and 60's, etc.  Another nice thing is they have music channels for the seasons --- Christmas, Halloween, etc.  

[just bee]

@Oznell 

Comcast offers about 50 music options but I usually find myself tuning into "Singers & Swing" -- the Big Band/Swing channel.  Sometimes I wander over to "Jazz" or "Smooth Jazz."

Another dependable resource for music is YouTube.  Yesterday I was in the mood for movie soundtracks so I listened to Road to Perdition, Glory, Braveheart, The Green Mile and The Shawshank Redemption.

Quite the variety on YouTube.  Last week I listened to Richard Cheese & Lounge Against the Machine.  Now that was time well spent.