Listen "Episode 3: Nelson Riddle"
Episode Synopsis
pplpod Episode 3 dives into the elegant craft of Nelson Riddle—the arranger who reshaped American popular music from the 1950s onward. We trace his early years and Capitol Records breakthrough, then unpack the sound that made him indispensable: sleek brass, velvet strings, and rhythmic lift that gave singers room to breathe. You’ll hear how Riddle’s collaborations with Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, and later Linda Ronstadt set new standards for phrasing, mood, and cinematic color. We also explore his film and TV scores, the quiet discipline behind his charts, and the late-career renaissance that introduced his genius to a new generation. Along the way, we break down signature arrangements, decode why they work, and map Riddle’s lasting influence on producers, orchestrators, and pop storytellers today.
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