As I walk through this wicked world, I have found that light orchestral easy listening instrumental music can be very comforting. No hard edges, nothing shocking or discordant, just mellow flowing gentleness. A soft warm blanket that helps take my mind off the planetary suffering for a little while.
The Hollyridge Strings was a studio orchestra that made easy listening covers of popular songs. The main conductor and arranger was Stu Phillips, but Mort Garson and Perry Botkin Jr. were also involved.
Their version of Strawberry Fields Forever enhances the beauty and dreaminess of the original John Lennon composition. The saxophone that opens the first verse at 0:13 is almost too sultry, but the strings soon appear, along with the cool quiet little "chik" guitar and drums. The section from 0:42 - 1:07 is easy listening heaven, it oozes sweet aching romantic softness. It's all draped with reverb to give it that drifting through an empty shopping mall feeling.
Want more easy listening music? There is a great internet station called Instrumental Hits Radio. And you can find lots more Hollyridge Strings Beatles covers on youtube.
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