Sadly, it took the BBC (and not one of our lazy American media outlets) to have the wisdom to fully investigate the rise and success of the easy listening movement, but now that their ninety minute documentary is on YouTube (in six parts, unfortunately), you can watch and listen as Richard Carpenter discusses the genius of arrangers like Percy Faith and Bert Kaempfert.
This article appears in Jun 16-22, 2011.
If you want some 2011-style “easy listening,” check out tracks 4-5 & 6 of Acorn Bcorn’s new EP. Great stuff.