Easy AM 66 shares Top 25 of the year's smoothest hits

You can tune in to Rachel Lichtman's beautiful music station Easy AM 66 right here. Check out the Easy AM 66 Vol. 3 LP below.

 

Get a limited edition copy of Easy 66 AM Vol. 3 compilation on vinyl via Bandcamp right here. 

Rachel Lichtman's Programme 4 issues limited-run Easy AM 66 promo LP

The Easy AM 66 Promotional Album, Vol. 3 features Aimiee Mann, Michael Penn, Kelley Stoltz, Ted Leo & Patton Oswalt!

Here's the scoop...

Programme 4 and New Dimension Records present the EasyAM 66 Promotional Album Vol. 3, brought to you by MagiClean® Carpet Cleaning Services.

Yes, now you can lay back anytime, and enjoy the soft, gentle sounds of Easy AM 66, Golden Sands’ very own Beautiful Music radio station. This exciting promotional album is available for immediate digital download OR as a special LIMITED EDITION numbered vinyl record today (Friday, December 6). And as a special promotion—five lucky vinyl orders will include complimentary tickets to see Paul Mauriat & His Orchestra in 1977! Get a digital or limited edition vinyl copy of the Easy AM 66 Promotional Album Vol. 3 via Bandcamp right here here. 

To listen to Easy AM 66 Vol. 1 & 2 FREE, go to Programme4.tv/easyam66

EasyAM 66 Promotional Album Vol. 3 was produced by Rachel Lichtman for MagiClean®. 

Starring (in order of appearance) Rachel Lichtman, Rich Koz (Svengoolie), Dio Deltoro, Tammy Faye Starlite, Michael McKean, Randy Sklar. Jason Sklar, Ted Leo, Aimee Mann, Michael Penn, Chris Murphy, Dag Juhlin, Kelley Stoltz, Trace Beaulieu, Frank Conniff, Patton Oswalt & liner notes by Jim Gavin, creator of Lodge 49! 

Easy AM 66 is just one of the happening presentations of Programme 4, an independent, local market station broadcasting an inter-dimensional signal of audio/visual deep shag magic from Centre 4000 Plaza in Golden Sands.  

All the exquisite programming on this station is available for you to experience without a paywall.  Programme 4 is a member supported station that can only exist and evolve through donations from Affiliates like you. 

Independent artistic endeavors need your support, now more than ever. Programme 4 is produced by one lady, with contributions by brilliant performers who generously lend their talents. It takes a tremendous amount of time, dedication and creativity to produce this kind of work — and there is so much more groovy, analog entertainment under way!

See what's happening on Rachel Lichtman's Programme 4

Celebrating the birthday of the amazing Rachel Lichtman with some entertaining Programme 4 footage. Watch it right here. 

Find out more about the limited-edition EasyAM 66 Promotional Album, Vol. 3 available December 6th right here. 

Kelley Stoltz shares video for "Hide in a Song" directed by Rachel Lichtman

Kelley Stoltz wisely enlisted Programme 4's Rachel Lichtman to get the period-perfect 70s look for his "Hide in a Song" video clip.  

Here's the scoop...

In anticipation of the new album La Fleur by San Francisco psych-pop ace Kelley Stoltz, comes the glorious pop single "Hide in a Song," and a new promotional film bathed in the cosmic radiance vision of director Rachel Lichtman (Programme 4).  

Kelley Stoltz has spent the past two years steadily writing and recording his 18th album, La Fleur. The dazzling 12 song collection will be released on Friday (June 7) by Agitated in Europe/UK and Dandy Boy Records in the USA.  "Hide in a Song" features Jason Falkner on electric guitar. You can pre-order Kelley Stoltz's La Fleur album via Bandcamp right here. Watch the video for "Hide in a Song" below. 

La Fleur – Kelley Stoltz

La Fleur' finds Kelley Stoltz once again playing nearly all of the instruments on the album – though a new friendship with pop guru Jason Falkner has led to Falkner appearing on two songs, “Hide In A Song” and “Make Believer” respectively. There’s the requisite 60’s meets 80’s pop rock confections that Stoltz favors with a new focus on out front vocals and perhaps a bit shinier production. Pandemic era blues, politics and fatherhood are lyrical touchstones throughout. 

The album’s first single “Reni’s Car” is the jangle rock lead single based on an actual event of Kelley riding around Manchester in the Stone Roses drummer's car. The accompanying music video was shot (partially) on location. “About Time” marries Twin Peaks synths to Fleetwood Mac and Avalon era Roxy Music in a cautionary tale to Stoltz's young daughter. “Human Events” puts revolutionary prose to a Moody Blues strum that floats off into Osees territory …and do I hear a nod to Gershwin in there? 

During the 2010s Kelley played live as a sideman with Rodriguez and Echo & the Bunnymen, as the 2020s dawned he was invited to support Pavement on their big reunion tour. He’s also been heard playing drums live with Robyn Hitchcock as well as adding sitar to Hitchcock's last two albums. In 2022, Stoltz was championed with a live appearance on Marc Riley’s BBC6 show. As producer, he has recorded the new album by Brigid Dawson formerly of the Ohsees. 

In my ears, Stoltz rarely does any wrong, and these comparisons are only just that little fruit to get you curious- he is still one of a kind. An under the radar hero to a few, and still after all these great songs, deserving of more. Climb on the bandwagon - as ever it’s quite pleasing here. – George Cloud, San Francisco, CA 2024  

Christmas Album's We'd Like To See: Scott Walker

For those who always wondered what Scott Walker would find at the emotional core of "Frosty The Snowman" – here you go... 

Watch the TV ad spot for the Scott Walker Christmas Album created by Rachel Lichtman and her Programme 4 crew right here.

Iraina Mancini turns back the clock for Undo The Blue videos

The 70s throwback style of Iraina Mancini's recent clips suggests she shares an aesthetic with Programme 4's Rachel Lichtman.

Programme 4 cleverly celebrates/skewers 70s shag-carpet culture

Rachel Lichtman's brilliant Programme 4 parodies of 70s television shows and advertising should delight fans of SCTV.  

Writes Programme 4 creator Rachel Lichtman...

I am thrilled to announce the launch of Programme 4, an independent television channel that I created and have been working on for over 3 years. It clocks in at 58 minutes and has been described as a “portal”, so light some candles and settle in! I will have more to say about it in the coming weeks, but for now: 

Programme 4 has begun its broadcast day. See what’s happening! 

Check it out right here. 

Watch Rachel Lichtman's stylish video for Aimee Mann's "I See You"

"I See You" is from Aimee Mann's Queens of the Summer Hotel album, inspired by Susanna Kaysen's memoir Girl, Interrupted.

Writes Rachel Lichtman...

"I am SO thrilled to finally present this video, created for the incomparable Aimee Mann, in the style of opening titles for a motion picture version of Queens of the Summer Hotel, featuring its beautiful theme “I See You.” This project has meant so much to me, personally & emotionally, and I am truly honored and grateful to Aimee/SuperEgo Records to have been able to manifest this idea."

Aimee Mann's new concept album Queens of the Summer Hotel is available from her site right here.  

New video for Local H's "Winter Western" channels The Electric Company

Rachel Lichtman's colourfully crafty video treatment for Local H's "Winter Western" employs a 70s Electric Company aesthetic.

Network 77 turns back the clock with Easy AM 66

Listen to Joyce Vann make it mellow for an entertaining faux-broadcast on Easy AM 66 right here. 

Michael Penn shares optimistic new song and video for "A Revival"

"A Revival" is his first new tune from Michael Penn in 15 years. Watch Rachel Lichtman's video treatment below.

 

Joe Pernice knocks out Barry Manilow tribute album

The stylish cover of Joe Pernice's forthcoming album Could It Be Magic was designed by Network 77's Rachel Lichtman. 

Here's the scoop...

Barry Manilow’s music is a part of anyone and everyone who was anywhere near a radio in the 70s and 80s and the decades since. I’m not saying I was a big fan, growing up. But Manilow was the sonic, floral wallpaper of the era, as ubiquitous as the airwaves on which it sailed. Back then, I hadn’t yet picked up on Frank Sinatra’s ring-a-ding, either, but both artists were already linchpins of the American songbook. Of Manilow, Sinatra once said, “He’s next.” 

They are both, of course, quintessential showmen. Some years ago, I saw Manilow perform at the Illinois State Fair in a milk-of-magnesia-blue blazer; He immediately commanded his audience, putting on a dazzling performance of hits. Yet, despite the pageantry and the lights, the sequins and sing-alongs, aside from the intricate and uniquely Manilow melodies, I felt as if he was transporting me to moments in his life, a life of hope and despair, longing, believing, dancing. And love—when you’re ready to take a chance. 

While Manilow is a great songwriter, many of his hits were written by others. Which also strikes me as important. He didn’t write them: He chose them. He selected honest, generous, intelligent music with story and style, delivered it with passion and gusto and showbiz razzle. He’s had tremendous highs and his share of lows, and he finds music that bares his soul—I think, to help us feel, too. 

I’d heard “Mandy” a thousand times, and never caught that “nothing is rhyming” line until Joe sent me some demo recordings for this album. Devastating. It is Music, not Manilow nor me or Pernice that writes the songs, and the day could come that Music declines to provide. The boy with the schnozz from the then-rough neighborhood of Williamsburg, Brooklyn certainly knows that sad songs, they say so much. 

So, what does Joe Pernice bring to the picture with this beautiful collection? From a man whose Pernice Brothers music I’ve loved for years, the joyously jangly guitars, soaring harmonies, and arch, sardonic lyrics, this homage to someone else’s work is, in some ways, the most personal music Joe has released. For me, his vulnerable interpretations strip away the showbiz entirely, invite us into a quiet room with two very soft and comfortable chairs. Maybe Joe pours us some tea, and then, he plays this music as simply as it could possibly be played; no sequins, no orchestra, just Joe and you. 

The plan was to call this album, “Barely Manilow,” but Joe discovered that a tribute band had already claimed that name. And now, he’s pleased to have dropped the jokey title. “I want to avoid even a whiff of irony,” he says. “I remember hearing ‘Mandy’ as a kid, and it was so beautiful, I cried—and I was surprised by the tears. So I wanted to treat these songs with the same respect Barry did. I'm hoping my interpretations help them get inside people in a different way.” 

There it is. In your hands, a statement of love for music and humanity, at a time when a lot of us could really use it. Even the sad songs make you not only feel, but feel better. 

Like so many things you realize with the passage of a few years, I’ve come to realize that I’ve always loved Barry Manilow’s music. And, here, Joe Pernice offers an intimate, carefully curated set of songs that feel—feel—like you’re hearing them the moment they were written.  —Ted Allen 

You can order a copy of Could It Be Magic from Joe's Bandcamp page. Check out Joe performing some of his Barry Manilow faves solo acoustically on Vimeo right here. And watch Rachel Lichtman's fab K-Tel inspired promo clip for Could It Be Magic over there. Too good. 

Watch Kellen Of Troy's video for "Some Tune We Already Know"

See if you can spot the Gumnaam homage in Rachel Lichtman's video for Kellen Of Troy's new tune off his Vanity Project album. 

Network 77's new Musique program is just what we need right now

Ever wonder what SCTV's Gerry Todd would do with his own 30-minute variety show?  It might look a bit like Rachel Lichtman's retro-fabulous Musique. 

Over the last few months, future media mogul Rachel Lichtman has been working on a music-oriented plank of her brilliant Network 77 platform which she just launched as Musique.

Drawing on the inspiration of both 70s TV variety shows and the commercial advertising spots which accompanied them, Musique presents swank period-perfect video clips for contemporary artists like Ted Leo, Juliana Hatfield, Joe Pernice, Eszter Balint and Liam Hayes – with cameos by Aimee Mann and Luther Russell – all gorgeously styled and every bit as sun-bleached and shag-carpeted plush as you would hope. The crazy rare vintage clip of Margo Guryan fits in seamlessly.

Musique seems like a godsend to independent and reissue labels looking for an appropriate outlet to reach culturally-sussed folks of a certain generation and everyone else right now who could use a tuneful, colour-saturated reverie to escape the shut-in doldrums of our shared pandemic predicament.

Now if only some visionary executive at Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, HBO, Apple TV Plus or even say, PBS had the sense to see the enormous potential Musique offers... well, in the meantime, just watch the pilot episode of Musique right here.

Evidently, Rachel has quite a bit of great stuff which didn't make it into the pilot. So if you enjoyed the first episode of Musique and would like to help fund a second – Rachel bankrolled the whole shebang herself – you can make a donation through Network77.com (there’s a donate tab in the navigation). You'd think this would be something that that the shrewd operators behind labels like Light In The Attic, Numero Group, Omnivore, Sundazed, Vampi Soul, Ace Records, BBE, Drag City, Anthology Recordings, Cherry Red, Dust-To-Digital, Tompkins Square, Third Man, etc would be happy to support.

LINKS
WFMU-FM Evan Davies chats with Network 77's Rachel Lichtman about Musique

Happy Birthday Rachel Lichtman!

Cheers to documentary filmmaker and Network 77 mogul Rachel Lichtman on her birthday. Check the clips below. 

LINK
Aquarium Drunkard Network 77 – Escalator To The Stars

Watch Ted Leo's K-Tel inspired video for Can't Go Back

Full marks to director Rachel Lichtman for getting the proper 70s TV ad look for Ted's new clip (below). 

The Hanged Man LP is out September 8. Ted Leo plays Lee's Palace September 19.

Billy Corgan talks Gish & Siamese Dream reissues