Mood Albums

With the rollout of commercial LP in 1948, record labels sought ideas to build up their popular music catalogues by recording mood albums, or background music, for specific activities states mind.1 Background workspaces and businesses had become more common following World War II, postwar radio was increasingly organizing programs around times day including uninterrupted stretches continuous late-night listening. The afforded longer listening time, companies marketed that consumers could now purchase home. Between 1949 1954 albums social gatherings, housework, study, cooking, romance, relaxation flooded market.2 Columbia, RCA Victor, Capitol, Mercury, MGM Decca collectively released one hundred seventy-five thirty percent Victor’s non-classical sales were (excluding show albums) they accounted eight out ten Columbia’s best-selling LPs.3 In general, mood’s musical aesthetic comprised song forms with no words (but frequently wordless vocals), prominent melody, strings, muted brass, winds, piano, limited percussion (with exception Latin-themed songs). Even number artists variety arrangements, over time has interchangeable easy listening, Muzak, elevator (Sterne 1997; Lanza 2004). This type can often signify bland (occasionally insidious) white middle class conformity devoid any ethnic, racial, sexual difference. One way understanding emergence popularity extension its aesthetic, is consider music’s hypothetical foreground during this period.Background embraced defense industries as a maintaining morale, relieving boredom, boosting production. Studies conducted determine parameters “music work by.” Some indicated songs vocals “stopped production lines dead,” but choral groups voices used instruments acceptable.4 Rhythm considered distracting those doing jobs required precision detail, should only be workers involved mass production.5 That rhythm would singled disrupting factor surprise. discourses disposition believed an inherent biological difference between African Americans European Americans, associated not dancing, uncontrollable body. As genre yet emerge viable style, selections factory gleaned from major labels, polls, suggestion boxes.6 1941 President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 8802 banned discrimination industry which opened path factories, it unlikely preferences polls boxes.During period, changes formatting further facilitated workspaces. Disk jockeys took on role playing recorded replacement non-musical moving broadcast television.7 DJs local affiliated stations spoke directly listeners throughout requests news updates. KSFO San Francisco’s Jack Gregson Revue described “easy ears nerves…slanting his chatter so delineates personality sponsors, most are shops, auto repair similar service salons.”8 What Gregson’s delineated open interpretation, reasonable assume these auditory spaces racially segregated.With organization directed at workspaces, people them, concept emerged. Prior 1949, after 10:30 pm “strictly fringe area,” families watching television peak times, networks began focusing “late hour” music.9 Late night such WTAM Cleveland’s Midnight Moods billed “semi-classical” “easy-to-take jive, syncopating tempo.”10 Keir Keightley (2008) suggests period adjective “easy” contexts subjective quality, notably opposition “difficult” art music. If we heard segregated, stands reason also alluded absence syncopation other characteristics signified black idioms. Jonathan Sterne points examination programmed public spaces, “the act designates whole range heterogeneous involving perception sound.”11Conceptions what aesthetically constituted circulating when Paul Weston Capitol beginning Music Dreaming (1945). earliest related modes; quiet romancing, relaxing, dreaming. built romantic appeal introducing Jackie Gleason’s provocative Lovers Only (1952), Change Her Mind (1955). album covers liner notes suggested alcohol, cigarettes, explicit non-marital sex. Trade magazines making connection sexy covers. ensuing debate, some executives claimed “pulchritudinous girls” simply underlined nature adding “touch oo-la-la.”12Around 1953 idea accompaniment escapades, domestic activities. Capitol’s four-volume set Music: Blended Mix Gracefully Social Gatherings (1953), advantage anxieties, particular hostess. troublesome details volume (is too loud soft?) (why can’t everyone agree?) avoided albums. featured photographs happy much like documentary photos found Life Magazine. five-volume series, Gracious Living (1955), conceived towards suburban lifestyles club meetings, card parties, buffets, barbeques. full Kodachrome color scenes right Better Homes Gardens. liners offered “recipes” snacks, drinks, patio planning, dance suggestions remodeling hints, practical exposition building playroom. novelty marketing strategy lost reviewers: “what just another medley twelve standards, assumes greater proportions added merchandising values social, hobby, gastronomic peg.”13 Album significant part reinscribing segregated living backgrounding.By 1958 merited short-lived category own chart best-sellers. Debates covers, lack regulation, critiques about artistic integrity continued 1950s. Mood “demonstrably nude music” reviewer noted.14 becoming caricature former self tongue-in-cheek titles played genre’s associations, Serenades Sex Kittens (1958), Playboys Play (1957). Henri René’s Weaker (1958) illustrates attempt adapt teenage market, enlisting June Bundy Csida write album’s notes, era’s politics well.15 based “mood” male artists, features attractive lingerie clad young woman cover surrounded pieces sheet each labeled single recognizable name: “Bing, Perry, Frankie, Harry, Tab, Eddie, Mario, Pat, Dino, Nat, Johnny, Elvis.” Rock ‘n’ roll provided exciting counter languid may have begun represent side expanding generational divide. By 1964 witty quips soporific character joke; Nudge You Sleep (1964), promotional sleep drug Placidyl. listed favorites “Stardust,” “I’ll See My Dreams,” long list pharmaceutical study citations put even stubborn insomniac sleep.Today, embedded media landscape countless YouTube videos Spotify playlists, understood predecessor genres ambient chill meant context albums—who recordings, perspective did emerge, who for—is important. Tia DeNora (2000) linked settings, impart knowledges according original use. historically defined forces us take closer look process cemented culture.