The Stirrer Recommends…

20-12-2007

CHARLES HAZLEWOOD (Radio 2, Wednesday nights)

Fed up of all that computer generated pop pap clogging up the airwaves? Sick of hearing shows presented by wage slaves who hate the music they play but haven’t got the bollocks to walk out of the door? Good! Then you’ll probably enjoy Charles Hazlewood.

He’s only on for an hour, once a week, on Thursdays but after just one listening, I’d rate his programme as unmissable. Don’t worry that it’s on the at relatively obscure time of 10pm – thanks to wonders of the internet, you can “listen again” at any time you like.

What’s so good about it? Simple. Hazlewood has a refreshingly high quality threshold and wonderfully diverse taste, meaning that in the space of a single show you can hear Radiohead, Joni Mitchell, The Doors, Nina Simone, Beirut, Ute Lemper and Billy Bragg’s latest venture, the Imagined Village Collective. If there's a folkish tinge to the proceedings, you suspect it's because the presenter, above all else, values music with passion.

Don’t worry if you’ve never heard of Hazlewood before – I hadn’t either, although it turns out that he’s a highly-rated conductor and was named Sony Music Broadcaster of the Year in 2005 for his programme exploring great orchestral works.

The greatest music presenters expand your range of listening with their enthusiasm, knowledge and challenging combinations – John Peel naturally springs to mind. It’s not overdoing it to say that Hazlewood keeps the great man company.