View Full Version : Guilty Pleasures – What place ‘Easy Listening’?
Guilty Pleasures – What place ‘Easy Listening’?
My posting score has now reached its eighth khilad, so as is my custom on achieving a millennial post, I’ll ply you with another essay on a suitably contentious subject, which I hope will promote some discussion.
The subject is the enjoyment of music that is often pigeon–holed into the category of “easy listening”. In fact I have been meaning to write after having watched a television programme about the subject – I realised that I too enjoy occasional “easy listening”.
What prompted me to write was my surprise at a fellow member’s reaction when I mentioned I had just been listening to some Jacques Loussier ‘Play Bach’; he wrote that he would want to run from the room, vomiting, were he exposed to Jacques Loussier. An extreme reaction you might think: no doubt he regards Loussier’s jazz rendition of Bach pieces as a travesty and anathema. And I’m sure there are some jazz lovers out there who might agree and feel the same about the wordless a cappella singing of The Swingle Singers. Aren’t they all being a little ‘high brow’ and aloof about this?
http://uk.video.search.yahoo.com/search/video;_ylt=A9mSs3VTXH5TzzcAoKJLBQx.;_ylu=X3oDMTB2Z 2lpNDd2BHNlYwNzYwRjb2xvA2lyMgR2dGlkA1NNRVVLMjdfODg-?p=jacque+loussier
http://uk.video.search.yahoo.com/search/video;_ylt=A9mSs3VTXH5TzzcAoKJLBQx.;_ylu=X3oDMTB2Z 2lpNDd2BHNlYwNzYwRjb2xvA2lyMgR2dGlkA1NNRVVLMjdfODg-?p=jacque+loussier
http://uk.video.search.yahoo.com/search/video;_ylt=A2KLqIhaXH5T4CgA1mN2BQx.;_ylu=X3oDMTBnc GdyMzQ0BHNlYwNzZWFyY2gEdnRpZAM-;_ylc=X1MDMjExNDcxNzA0NgRfcgMyBGJjawM0MzBmNXIxOW1r czhtJTI2YiUzRDQlMjZkJTNES3YxMFlvbHBZRUtNREl6RXlrNV FEMjRNYV9US0V0SU55TlEtJTI2cyUzRGZrJTI2aSUzRE9YU2Z4 cnN2aXZiTEMxUXMzaUJ5BGZyAwRncHJpZANXWGh6UkpGcVNsVz lQSWY1UFJqQnpBBG10ZXN0aWQDbnVsbARuX3JzbHQDMzAEbl9z dWdnAzUEb3JpZ2luA3VrLnZpZGVvLnNlYXJjaC55YWhvby5jb2 0EcG9zAzUEcHFzdHIDc3dpbmdsZQRwcXN0cmwDNwRxc3RybAMy MARxdWVyeQNzd2luZ2xlIHNpbmdlcnMgYmFjaAR0X3N0bXADMT QwMDc5MDI4MDU0MQR2dGVzdGlkA251bGw-?gprid=WXhzRJFqSlW9PIf5PRjBzA&pvid=dE8SWDk4LjFBgeXYU2pxFgtxODYuMQAAAADcsPlv&p=swingle+singers+bach&ei=utf-8&fr2=sa-gp
When asked how members listen to music on their systems, it would appear that many say they only listen to music if they can give it their full attention: not have it on as a background or playing while they are doing something else, like for example cooking. Presumably those self-same members do not listen to a radio in the kitchen or listen to music in their car (the latter being unsafe since they are giving the music full attention and not their driving (?)). When I am at home my system is on for several hours each day, whether that is listening to the news, a radio play, a broadcast concert, a radio documentary or playing records and CDs. At times I will listen intently, at other time less so. When I want to simply relax, I might choose to play something that does not require intense scrutiny; is un-demanding and un-challenging. It will be “easy listening”. Yet the expression has become a term of opprobrium, synonymous with musical pap or elevator music and to the sort of music you might suffer whilst being put on hold. It is deemed not to be “serious” or worthy of the listener’s time!
So what is the “easy listening” I occasionally listen to? Well it might range from Dionne Warwick singing a Burt Bacharach/Hal Davis composition or Louis Armstrong singing ‘Wonderful World’ and ‘We Have All the Time in the World’ at one end, to Mongolian throat singing or Hopi Amerindian chants at the other (or any one of a number of “world music” recordings). The point is they are can all be listened to intently or not, yet none of them could be accused as not being serious. All music is serious!
http://uk.video.search.yahoo.com/search/video;_ylt=A9mSs2YpW35Tym8A8dRLBQx.;_ylu=X3oDMTB2Z 2lpNDd2BHNlYwNzYwRjb2xvA2lyMgR2dGlkA1NNRVVLMjdfODg-?p=dionne+wawick
Is there any music, which ought to be damned and consigned to Room 101 (and whose contents magically slip through fissures in the space-time continuum and pop out in charity shops up and down the country?) You know what I’m talking about.
It’s all about enjoyment, so all you closet lovers of Mantovani, James Last, Burt Kampert, etc (or in Marco's case: Kajagoogoo) don’t feel guilty about not listening to, say, Webern or Steve Reich, or Ornette Coleman or Sun Ra – draw the curtains, wave two fingers to the music snobs and sit back with a smile on your face.
Interesting post, Barry.
You seem to be connecting two things:
1) The practice - apparently rejected by some - of listening to music without giving it one's full attention.
2) The kind of music one listens to when one engages (1).
I certainly engage in (1) - I mostly work from home, and my listening room is my study, so I have music on all day while I work - but any music that I listen to like this is also music to which I'd happily give my full attention; there's nothing that I enjoy in the background but then dislike in the foreground! There is, though, music which isn't suited to the background, since it would be too distracting if I played it whilst trying to do other things. So, in my case, there's the music that I enjoy in both the background and the foreground, and the music that I enjoy only in the foreground. I don't think that I have any music which is solely for the background.
But you also introduce a distinction between listening to music which is demanding/challenging and listening to music which is not, and I'm not sure how this is supposed to interact with the distinction between listening attentively and not (perhaps it isn't).
Gordon Steadman
23-05-2014, 08:50
Good thread.
I have loads of easy listening stuff on the Mac. It means I can browse the net or do exiting things like playing card games but half listen to music at the same time. Most pop music is really 'easy listening' i.e. undemanding.
If I find something grabbing my attention, I usually down tools and go and listen properly in the music room.
There is far too much musical snobbery about - yes there are some things that descend too much into the mire - Oasis anyone? - but in general we should allow for other tastes. I speak as someone who has just digitised a friend's music collection which includes such joys as the 'World of Paddy Roberts'. Even I spluttered a few suitable adjectives over that one.
As for Play Bach (not back please) being sacrilege.... nonsense. Its brilliant interpretations which I listen to on a regular basis. I'm quite sure that Bach would be swinging if he were alive today, most of his music is pure jazz. Bach is god as far as I'm concerned and any way his music gets played is OK with me. If you care about such stuff, its also a good test of bass and piano response on the equipment.
Louis Armstrong was a much under rated player. His forays into 'popular' music no doubt damaged his reputation amongst the musical snobs.
Interesting post, Barry.
You seem to be connecting two things:
1) The practice - apparently rejected by some - of listening to music without giving it one's full attention.
2) The kind of music one listens to when one engages (1).
I certainly engage in (1) - I mostly work from home, and my listening room is my study, so I have music on all day while I work - but any music that I listen to like this is also music to which I'd happily give my full attention; there's nothing that I enjoy in the background but then dislike in the foreground! There is, though, music which isn't suited to the background, since it would be too distracting if I played it whilst trying to do other things. So, in my case, there's the music that I enjoy in both the background and the foreground, and the music that I enjoy only in the foreground. I don't think that I have any music which is solely for the background.
But you also introduce a distinction between listening to music which is demanding/challenging and listening to music which is not, and I'm not sure how this is supposed to interact with the distinction between listening attentively and not (perhaps it isn't).
Hi Tom,
I confess I didn't distinguish between the two. There is music that will be played in the background and I will not be giving it my full attention because I will be doing something else at the same time: reading; talking to friends who have may have called in; cooking, or sat at the computer as I am at the moment. All this kind of music will be that which can be listened to and given the full attention which some might say it deserves. Then there is the more demanding and challenging music that must be listened to with concentration: usually 2nd Viennese school classical, or avant-garde jazz - it would be pointless playing this sort of music in the background.
Then there is what I call "easy listening" - music simply to relax to. It doesn't require one's full attention, so could be included in your first category. I do not dismiss it as being 'unserious', trivial or any other pejorative term one might choose. There is a place for such music, it is not to dismissed as being of inferior quality; looked down upon by music snobs, and one ought not to feel any sense of guilt in admitting to the enjoyment of such.
And, by the way, such “easy listening” is just as worthy of a good reproduction as music from any other genre.
Haselsh1
23-05-2014, 15:26
I frequently listen to Acoustic Alchemy and give it my full attention but I still consider it 'Easy Listening'
Good thread.
I have loads of easy listening stuff on the Mac. It means I can browse the net or do exiting things like playing card games but half listen to music at the same time. Most pop music is really 'easy listening' i.e. undemanding.
If I find something grabbing my attention, I usually down tools and go and listen properly in the music room.
There is far too much musical snobbery about - yes there are some things that descend too much into the mire - Oasis anyone? - but in general we should allow for other tastes. I speak as someone who has just digitised a friend's music collection which includes such joys as the 'World of Paddy Roberts'. Even I spluttered a few suitable adjectives over that one.
As for Play Bach (not back please) being sacrilege.... nonsense. Its brilliant interpretations which I listen to on a regular basis. I'm quite sure that Bach would be swinging if he were alive today, most of his music is pure jazz. Bach is god as far as I'm concerned and any way his music gets played is OK with me. If you care about such stuff, its also a good test of bass and piano response on the equipment.
Louis Armstrong was a much under rated player. His forays into 'popular' music no doubt damaged his reputation amongst the musical snobs.
Hi Gordon,
Oops – sorry about the typo. It is of course Play Bach (though I’m sure “Play Back” must have been used somewhere else by marketing men). Yes I’m sure Bach would have approved of Loussier’s interpretation, and a large number of jazz performers today will readily acknowledge the sheer genius of his writing.
I must confess I do have a couple of Oasis albums. Not because they are great albums, but the music reminds me of a time and place in the late ‘90s when I was going through a watershed period of my life - Sort of nostalgia if you will.
Well I’m off to listen to some Astrud Gilberto and some more Dionne Warwick/Burt Bacharach.
Happy listening
dantheman91
23-05-2014, 19:43
ABBA :uhho:
:)
The Grand Wazoo
23-05-2014, 23:10
Excellent landmark post Barry!
I used to have guilty pleasures aplenty. But that was when I didn't know any better!
Del Amitri
Dusty In Memphis
James Taylor are the first three that come to mind.
I wouldn't call any of them Easy Listening with a capital 'E' and a capital 'L' though
As for doing other things while playing music, well...........doing the washing-up to the strains of 'Return of the Son of Monster Magnet' is like a walk in the park to the likes of me!
Funcha, funcha veni meh ka em ma ka-ta-cheek
Flashing, man!
Flashing . . . flashing . . .
Moy jing-ya veraña ba keesh-eet (faster)
Moytch moytch ver-rate ver-rate (faster, higher)
Ba-yay-ga va-yay . . .
Faster, faster, faster, faster, faster, higher, higher, faster, faster, higher, higher, higher, higher
Flashing . . . flashing . . . flashing . . .
Creamcheese, creamcheese, cream . . .
Creamcheese, creamcheese, creamcheese,
I suppose that the only real guilty pleasure I have nowadays is cheesy surf guitar cover versions........especially surf-style covers of Zappa songs!
CbCl_Dcw8yk
Oh my, how we laughed!
Got family visiting for the bank holiday & cuz said he's daughters had never heard vinyl so I duly stuck some Johnny Mathis on :eyebrows: (only records I had to hand). We all really enjoyed it (apart from when one of the girls poked the counterweight making the needle bounce over two tracks saying 'what does this bit do?' :doh:). Anyway cuz's missus now wants a 'record player' :D
Well as most of you know I have little music taste in many eyes (ears?) so it will come as no surprise I like Easy Listening... I even have a selection of "test card" music which I often listen to... Or maybe that should be Elevator Listening? :scratch: Do love a bit of Carpenter as well...
Hi Tom,
I confess I didn't distinguish between the two. There is music that will be played in the background and I will not be giving it my full attention because I will be doing something else at the same time: reading; talking to friends who have may have called in; cooking, or sat at the computer as I am at the moment. All this kind of music will be that which can be listened to and given the full attention which some might say it deserves. Then there is the more demanding and challenging music that must be listened to with concentration: usually 2nd Viennese school classical, or avant-garde jazz - it would be pointless playing this sort of music in the background.
Then there is what I call "easy listening" - music simply to relax to. It doesn't require one's full attention, so could be included in your first category. I do not dismiss it as being 'unserious', trivial or any other pejorative term one might choose. There is a place for such music, it is not to dismissed as being of inferior quality; looked down upon by music snobs, and one ought not to feel any sense of guilt in admitting to the enjoyment of such.
And, by the way, such “easy listening” is just as worthy of a good reproduction as music from any other genre.
Interesting. I'm not sure I understand entirely what demanding/challenging amounts to in this context, but - in my case - I find that at least some music to which these adjectives could easily be applied can work very well in the background.
For background music for working (which mostly involves reading and writing), I like more or less anything that can establish a certain mood or tone within my workspace, without also inserting itself into the foreground and irresistibly pulling on my attention. I find that anything embodying certain kinds of melodic structure - typical of, say, pop or rock - or that emphasises vocals (esp. if these are in English) is highly unsuited to this. But some of the music that works best is certainly 'challenging' on a standard understanding of that term, - say, free Jazz, or noise music - precisely because, like much purportedly difficult music, it lacks a strong melodic component.
For background music for cooking/cleaning, I like anything with a little bounce or oomf, and more melodic stuff works very well.
As for easy listening, considered as music simply to relax to, this can be more or less anything for me - difficult music can be very relaxing or 'easy', if that's what I'm in the mood for.
On the general point, though, against musical/intellectual snobbery, I'm with you entirely :)
Excellent landmark post Barry!
I used to have guilty pleasures aplenty. But that was when I didn't know any better!
Del Amitri
Dusty In Memphis
James Taylor are the first three that come to mind.
I wouldn't call any of them Easy Listening with a capital 'E' and a capital 'L' though
As for doing other things while playing music, well...........doing the washing-up to the strains of 'Return of the Son of Monster Magnet' is like a walk in the park to the likes of me!
I suppose that the only real guilty pleasure I have nowadays is cheesy surf guitar cover versions........especially surf-style covers of Zappa songs!
CbCl_Dcw8yk
Oh my, how we laughed!
Chris – only you would choose ‘Return of the Son of Monster Magnet’ as music to accompany the washing up! What do you listen to whilst ironing – the Beach Boys, imagining you are surfing on the ironing board?
In mentioning “cheesy covers” you have made me aware of another sub-stratum in music taxonomy: ‘cheesy music’. How about Zappa’s do-wop numbers, such as ‘WPLJ’?
The Grand Wazoo
24-05-2014, 23:27
What do you listen to whilst ironing – the Beach Boys, imagining you are surfing on the ironing board?
Do you know what? It's funny that you should say that......
http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?10-Spinning-Today-What-Are-You-Listening-To-Right-Now&p=220399&highlight=ironing#post220399
http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?10-Spinning-Today-What-Are-You-Listening-To-Right-Now&p=50843&highlight=ironing#post50843
http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?10-Spinning-Today-What-Are-You-Listening-To-Right-Now&p=50986&highlight=ironing#post50986
http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?3122-Getting-There&p=51006&highlight=ironing#post51006
In mentioning “cheesy covers” you have made me aware of another sub-stratum in music taxonomy: ‘cheesy music’. How about Zappa’s do-wop numbers, such as ‘WPLJ’?
Surely everyone by now knows that cheese is part of my staple diet!
Well as most of you know I have little music taste in many eyes (ears?) so it will come as no surprise I like Easy Listening... I even have a selection of "test card" music which I often listen to... Or maybe that should be Elevator Listening? :scratch: Do love a bit of Carpenter as well...
Oh I never said I had any taste Alex. I have already admitted I have a couple of Oasis discs (as well as a Coldplay disc)!
As the Romans would have said: De gustibus non est disputandem. (In matters of taste there is no dispute.) :)
Anyway, I will always be grateful to you for putting the title to ‘Slip into Something More Comfortable’:
oonHquCgFl4
(Damn it, just listening to it makes me want to go on holiday again!)
walpurgis
24-05-2014, 23:38
I have already admitted I have a couple of Oasis discs (as well as a Coldplay disc)!
Oh the shame! I'd have kept quiet about that Barry. :D
Do you know what? It's funny that you should say that......
http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?10-Spinning-Today-What-Are-You-Listening-To-Right-Now&p=220399&highlight=ironing#post220399
http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?10-Spinning-Today-What-Are-You-Listening-To-Right-Now&p=50843&highlight=ironing#post50843
http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?10-Spinning-Today-What-Are-You-Listening-To-Right-Now&p=50986&highlight=ironing#post50986
http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?3122-Getting-There&p=51006&highlight=ironing#post51006
Surely everyone by now knows that cheese is part of my staple diet!
I see I replied to a couple of those posts, so subconciously that is where I must have got the idea from. Not so original after all.
The Grand Wazoo
24-05-2014, 23:42
!
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