Episode
Mood Elevators: Easy Listening from Muzak to Mancini w/ Dan Epstein, Rachel Lichtman and Michele Mantynen
- Published
- Jun 30, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 5688
- Processing state
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Summary
Frank is joined by radio host Michele Mantynen, author and music journalist Dan Epstein and writer-visual artist-comedian Rachel Lichtman for a fascinating, far-ranging discussion about the secret history of Muzak, the genius of Burt Bacharach, the "aspirational" music and culture of the space-age 60s, the heyday of regional TV advertising and the creation of Rachel's brilliant "world-building" satires "Programme 4" and "Easy AM 66." Also in this episode: Jackie Gleason introduces "musical wallpaper," Dan and Michele extol the virtues of Esquivel, Rachel teams with Aimee Mann and Michael McKean (among others) and the panelists try to teach Frank the distinction between Easy Listening, MOR, Adult Contemporary and Beautiful Music. PLUS: In praise of Montovani! Herb Alpert presents Sergio Mendes! Quinn Martin meets the 5th Dimension! "Hal Ashby's 'Shampoo' on Ice"! And Dan and Frank geek out over 1970s-era baseball! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices