We remember one of the creators of the Philly Sound: songwriter, arranger and producer Thom Bell. He died late last month, at the age of 79. He was a classically trained pianist whose inventive R&B arrangements included horns, strings, oboe, timpani, and more. Among the songs he arranged were “Drowning in the Sea of Love” by Joe Simon, and “Backs Stabbers” by the O’Jays. He also wrote and arranged for the Stylistics, the Spinners, and the Delfonics.
John Powers reviews the new film White Noise, directed by Noah Baumbach, now on Netflix.
