136. Rachel Lichtman Discusses The Anita Kerr Singers, Grow to Know Me

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Visual artist, writer, producer, director and filmmaker — and creator of Programme 4 and Easy AM 66 — Rachel Lichtman introduces Al to The Anita Kerr Singers’ 1971 album, Grow to Know Me. Rachel talks about the special role this album has played for her over the last few years, why she is a fan of vocal groups and easy listening and why we should appreciate Anita Kerr’s contributions to popular music more. She also talks about why she created Programme 4 and Easy AM 66 and what inspired their creation.

As Rachel mentioned, it’s best to follow her on Instagram:

@rachellichtman and @programmefour…

…but she’s also on Bluesky at @rachellichtman.bsky.social and on Twitter/X at @rachelichtman.

Al is on Twitter/X at @almelchiorBB and on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has accounts on Twitter/X, Threads and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.

Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter and participate in weekly chats about this podcast’s featured albums! https://youmealbum.substack.com/

Note: Tammy Faye Starlite did the Nico voiceover for the public service announcement.

1:16 Rachel joins the show

1:54 Rachel explains her affinity for vocal groups

5:35 Rachel explains why she chose to talk about Anita Kerr

8:25 The cover for Grow to Know Me primed Rachel to get excited about the album

11:58 Grow to Know Me strikes Rachel as a transitional album

15:07 Rachel talks about the different versions of the album

18:19 Is Grow to Know Me a concept album?

19:50 Rachel talks about why Grow to Know Me is special to her

22:23 Rachel discusses some of the songwriters and vocalists Kerr worked with

25:48 Why does easy listening get labeled as “uncool”?

35:42 The culture of easy listening was more accepting than rock culture

37:58 Rachel found easy listening comforting early on during the pandemic

39:40 A short break

40:57 Easy listening is already getting reevaluated

45:56 Al talks about a couple of tracks that defied his expectations

47:23 Rachel wants to hear a Flat Five version of “Blame It On a Monday”

49:44 The songwriters and vocalists represented on the album were versatile

54:02 Rachel has a remedy for overcoming a concern for “coolness”

58:46 Kerr may have suffered from getting pigeonholed

1:01:01 The songs on Grow to Know Me highlight the full range of Kerr’s talents

1:04:27 Rachel summarizes what Programme 4 is about and why she created it

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