Gransnet forums

Ask a gran

Can't remember their name, HELP.

(23 Posts)
NanKate Sat 11-Feb-17 20:01:59

We were given for Xmas by our DS an Echo machine that plays all the music you could want, well that is if you can remember what you want. hmm

There was a Band of middle age (I think) men in the 2000s who played middle of the road music, maybe with a Latin flavour. We loved the Band but have no memory of its name. I have trawled the Internet to no avail. I thought they sang Mambo No 5 but I was wrong, but that sort of music.

Any mind-readers amongst you who remember their name ?

Coolgran65 Sat 11-Feb-17 20:07:04

Could it have been The Mavericks

NanKate Sat 11-Feb-17 21:10:10

Well done Coolgran spot on. We shall be listening to them tomorrow thanks to you. flowers

Greyduster Sat 11-Feb-17 21:58:15

I love the Mavericks 'Dance the Night Away'!

absent Sun 12-Feb-17 02:26:57

I really liked the Mavericks' recordings but I was dreadfully disappointed when I went to a concert. They were truly awful.

Jane10 Sun 12-Feb-17 08:32:07

Ah the Mavericks! Such cheerful music. I loved it. What a shame they were a disappointment live.

NanKate Sun 12-Feb-17 09:26:41

Absent I read on Wikipedia that they had reformed a few years back, but one of their members was heavily into drugs and his playing had gone downhill and he was sacked. I suppose you may have seen him perform. They have now disbanded.

Yes Greyduster I have been bopping around to 'Dance the Night Away', care to join me? grin

jacq10 Sun 12-Feb-17 09:44:46

Thanks NanKate for this post. When my husband retired 20yrs ago he asked what I wanted to do for a wee celebration and I said "Go to see The Mavericks" Who? says he. They were in the Royal Concert Hall in Glasgow and had the place jumping. The audience won't let them go and their encore was nearly all Latin American music - fantastic weekend.

Alima Sun 12-Feb-17 09:46:37

Love that song. Wasn't it one of the many great ones championed by the great Terry Wogan on his brilliant show?

MissAdventure Sun 12-Feb-17 10:15:49

Ah, sir Tel!
I used to love his show. wink

Thingmajig Sun 12-Feb-17 10:55:05

Ahhhh, the fantastic Mavericks!!! I saw them a couple of times back in the day and their concerts were just wonderful, the whole arena was dancing for the entire concert.
Saw them again a couple of years ago, but sadly the miser husband got us seats way to the side and almost behind the stage so the sound wasn't good. Even with the overly heavy base though ... brilliant!

Enjoy NanKate! smile

Cherrytree59 Sun 12-Feb-17 10:58:20

Hi Nankate
GN did it again!

Can you tell me about your echo machine.
I have just recently read about one from amazon.
Its sounds interesting.
I don't at present have any down load music
Still listening to CDs bought or burn off.
(DH has an ipod)
So for instance this morning you wanted to listen to the Mavericks
Did you buy a download CD and if so where from ?
And was that via the echo machine?
I'm a bit of a dinosaur I'm afraid.

NanKate Sun 12-Feb-17 11:34:17

Hi Cherry I will do my best to explain the workings of Echo.

We bought it at John Lewis for about £150.00 worth every penny IMO as I love music.
My son bought us a small add on which means I have a mini Echo in two rooms.
DS linked it up to our Wifi
DS pays about £3.99 a month to Amazon for us to have Unlimited Music. I do not buy any extra music from Amazon it all comes from the £3.99 a month.

This is how it works, very much like talking to a robot.
I say to the Echo cylinder 'Alexa play me music by the Mavericks' she then replies 'Shuffling music by the Mavericks'
I may say 'Alexa repeat the last song' and she does.
'Alexa play 50s music'
Here are other commands 'Alexa volume up/down',
'Alexa what is the weather today?'
'Alexa play me meditation music'
'Alexa play the soundtrack of West Side Story'
'Alexa play Radio 4, radio 2, Jazz FM' so it is a radio as well.
'Alexa put the timer on for 10 minutes'

My 6 and 4 year old GSs give Alexa commands all the time. grin

It does many more things, but this will do me for now.

All you need is someone to set it up for you.

I love it !

MissAdventure Sun 12-Feb-17 11:50:14

Wow! That sounds amazing!

Cherrytree59 Sun 12-Feb-17 12:12:30

Thanks for your time Nankate that has given me a good insight.
I have read that it can also control heating /hot water!

I have a birthday in April so food for thought!

MissAdventure agree WOW

Cherrytree59 Sun 12-Feb-17 12:17:43

Another thought it would be good for people (like my MIL) with dementia who need prompting for tablets and food also
And controlling their heating to make sure they stay warm.

NanKate Sun 12-Feb-17 12:47:48

My son has his lights connected to it so when he comes down in the morning he tells Alexa to switch on a particular light. Amazing.

MissAdventure Sun 12-Feb-17 12:54:07

I can't believe technology nowadays!
How fabulous!

Auntieflo Sun 12-Feb-17 13:25:06

Doesn't she annoy you? When I saw the TV adverts, she put my teeth on edge, but I do admit that it sounds very clever.

jacq10 Sun 12-Feb-17 14:17:38

Yes, Cherrytree59 - this type of thing would be great for dementia sufferers. We put our TV on Freecyle as we had to upgrade due to husband's eyesight problems and the chap who came explained he needed to upgrade his MIL's to a newer flat screen type so he could set up her programmes to come on and off and they were able to do this and other helpful stuff using some kind of gadget.

Jane10 Sun 12-Feb-17 15:25:42

Our friends have this in their house. Unfortunately, the husband has problems pronouncing his Rs. Alexa can't understand what he is saying!!

NanKate Sun 12-Feb-17 16:32:03

I have to admit I have said a very rude word to Alexa, but on the whole she is very useful.

NanKate Sun 12-Feb-17 20:25:19

For any of you with Alexa if you like the theme tune from Unforgotten it is called 'All we do' by Oh Wonder. I am sure you could get it on YouTube too.