Mathis! MATHIS! Mathis! MATHIS! Mathis! MATHIS!
February 3, 2025 12:37 PM Subscribe
Dial that dial to the smoothest radio station in the county, Your Beautiful Music Station, EASY AM 66. Two free 19-minute compilations of programming (and a third for sale) are available to listen to while the sedatives slowly take effect. It's light you can hear! An audio offshoot of Programme 4, which is equally as smooth and good and smooth.
Not to spoil things, but in case it gets a few more people to give this a shot, EASY AM 66 is a comedy album simulating the ad breaks of an impossibly smooth radio experience, from a world where it's been the 70s for at least fifty years, and the primary constant is a ubiquitous cloud of cigarette smoke.
Programme 4 is a similar kind of simulation of fictional swingin' 70s TV. Both are created by Rachel Lichtman, who's on Bluesky.
smooth
Not to spoil things, but in case it gets a few more people to give this a shot, EASY AM 66 is a comedy album simulating the ad breaks of an impossibly smooth radio experience, from a world where it's been the 70s for at least fifty years, and the primary constant is a ubiquitous cloud of cigarette smoke.
Programme 4 is a similar kind of simulation of fictional swingin' 70s TV. Both are created by Rachel Lichtman, who's on Bluesky.
smooth
"Some of our departing contestants will receive....
FLEXADRIN, the diet shake that drinks like dessert! When you've got a case of the chocolates, get a case of Flexadrin's rich and creamy motivational diet shakes! With vitamins, protein, and a secret, magic ingredient that promotes hours of short-tempered activity! Put your punishing personal goals within reach with FLEXADRIN! Get the shakes!"
posted by JHarris at 1:07 PM on February 3 [1 favorite]
FLEXADRIN, the diet shake that drinks like dessert! When you've got a case of the chocolates, get a case of Flexadrin's rich and creamy motivational diet shakes! With vitamins, protein, and a secret, magic ingredient that promotes hours of short-tempered activity! Put your punishing personal goals within reach with FLEXADRIN! Get the shakes!"
posted by JHarris at 1:07 PM on February 3 [1 favorite]
I really thought this was going to be an all Johnny Mathis playlist. My aunt is an absolute over the top superfan who goes to most of his shows.
posted by grumpybear69 at 1:53 PM on February 3 [2 favorites]
posted by grumpybear69 at 1:53 PM on February 3 [2 favorites]
Oh. my. god.
There's was some remarkable effort put into these recordings. I listen to real easy listening/beautiful radio music recordings from the era unironically, and these nail it so hard, I can't even...
Absolutely love it.
posted by 2N2222 at 2:53 PM on February 3 [4 favorites]
There's was some remarkable effort put into these recordings. I listen to real easy listening/beautiful radio music recordings from the era unironically, and these nail it so hard, I can't even...
Absolutely love it.
posted by 2N2222 at 2:53 PM on February 3 [4 favorites]
Johnny Mathis, like the Nat King Cole Trio, started out as jazz. Both men were later surrounded by syrupy orchestras. But that first Mathis album was arranged by Gil Evans among others.
Johnny Mathis -- So Easy to Love
Johnny Mathis -- It Might As Well be Spring
' -- I feel so gay...in a melancholy way'
posted by y2karl at 3:02 PM on February 3 [4 favorites]
Johnny Mathis -- So Easy to Love
Johnny Mathis -- It Might As Well be Spring
' -- I feel so gay...in a melancholy way'
posted by y2karl at 3:02 PM on February 3 [4 favorites]
Sorry about that grumpybear69, but if it's any consolation, the post title refers directly to a particular segment in both the first Easy AM 66 album and the Programme 4 video that your aunt might chuckle at.
posted by JHarris at 3:05 PM on February 3
posted by JHarris at 3:05 PM on February 3
Haha, it's not a bad thing. I've been to see him twice, once with her, and I got to meet him and get my photo taken. After the show, while we were having the photo op, I complimented him on his extremely accurate pitch center. He didn't know how to reply. He absolutely adores his fans - at least the ones who have been vetted. He's truly a generational talent.
posted by grumpybear69 at 3:13 PM on February 3 [3 favorites]
posted by grumpybear69 at 3:13 PM on February 3 [3 favorites]
Johnny Mathis is the GOAT. I wouldn't have said that growing up, with Mom playing his records incessantly while I was discovering, you know, "cool" music, but a few months ago I stumbled upon an interview with him and he he is just the sweetest, sweetest soul. I mean, not only was he blessed with a divine voice, but he has moved through the music industry for decades upon decades with his spirit and integrity intact and is just a delight to watch and listen to.
Bonus Mathis: "What's In My Bag?"
posted by vverse23 at 3:33 PM on February 3 [6 favorites]
Bonus Mathis: "What's In My Bag?"
posted by vverse23 at 3:33 PM on February 3 [6 favorites]
I caught him on some live afternoon show from KTRK-TV in Houston in the mid-1950's. We had a tall directional antenna and could watch Houston TV in Huntsville. Even as a mere school kid I was impressed by his voice. I have no memory of what he sang, however...
posted by jim in austin at 7:02 PM on February 3
posted by jim in austin at 7:02 PM on February 3
I have nothing against Johnny Mathis, I kind of wish I hadn't echoed that gag from the album though, there's a whole lot more to engage with in it. There's a bit in the middle of Programme 4 that's like asking "What if The Prisoner were a sitcom?"
posted by JHarris at 7:22 PM on February 3
posted by JHarris at 7:22 PM on February 3
(...3 ...2 ...1 ...) And now someone will say "It isn't one?"
posted by JHarris at 7:23 PM on February 3 [1 favorite]
posted by JHarris at 7:23 PM on February 3 [1 favorite]
WJIB.
Beautiful Music.
Clang Clang
This existed and was part of my childhood.
posted by not_on_display at 10:48 PM on February 3 [2 favorites]
Beautiful Music.
Clang Clang
This existed and was part of my childhood.
posted by not_on_display at 10:48 PM on February 3 [2 favorites]
(...3 ...2 ...1 ...) And now someone will say "It isn't one?"
posted by JHarris at 19:23 on February 3
*canned laughter*
*applause*
posted by otherchaz at 1:50 AM on February 4 [1 favorite]
posted by JHarris at 19:23 on February 3
*canned laughter*
*applause*
posted by otherchaz at 1:50 AM on February 4 [1 favorite]
If you're talking about how it seems to be made of ads, promos and show beginnings and endings, that's the point really. They're laid back comedy performances with the theme of being a smooth 70s broadcast station. There is music there, but it's used for the theme and mood, as a background.
posted by JHarris at 4:23 AM on February 4
posted by JHarris at 4:23 AM on February 4
I really, really liked their fake ad for The Prisoner.
posted by grumpybear69 at 7:04 AM on February 4 [1 favorite]
posted by grumpybear69 at 7:04 AM on February 4 [1 favorite]
I really like Rachel's stuff, and she has a lot of cool friends that helped out with these things. If you can find her older Network 77 production it's crammed with Ted Leo, Jon Wurster, Aimee Mann + Michael Penn, Juliana Hatfield...
I think it was all on Twitter when we discussed it last.
posted by JoeZydeco at 7:53 AM on February 4 [1 favorite]
I think it was all on Twitter when we discussed it last.
posted by JoeZydeco at 7:53 AM on February 4 [1 favorite]
I feel like Northwoods Baseball would be the next station over on the dial.
Is there a name for things like this? I feel like this stuff is in the same headspace as those Dead Mall Ambience videos you find on YouTube.
posted by omegajuice at 4:07 PM on February 4 [3 favorites]
Is there a name for things like this? I feel like this stuff is in the same headspace as those Dead Mall Ambience videos you find on YouTube.
posted by omegajuice at 4:07 PM on February 4 [3 favorites]
I don't know, but it's a nice aesthetic.
This is the kind of thing where i feel like, if I had made it, it'd get a total of 17 views over five years. I admire people who can make these things and actually become known for it and grow a fanbase. That kind of thing has always seemed impossible to me. i figure they have a really good support network of friends helping to boost them, or else, actual professional connections.
posted by JHarris at 10:46 AM on February 6 [2 favorites]
This is the kind of thing where i feel like, if I had made it, it'd get a total of 17 views over five years. I admire people who can make these things and actually become known for it and grow a fanbase. That kind of thing has always seemed impossible to me. i figure they have a really good support network of friends helping to boost them, or else, actual professional connections.
posted by JHarris at 10:46 AM on February 6 [2 favorites]
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posted by JoeZydeco at 12:48 PM on February 3 [2 favorites]