{
  "id": 229132,
  "title": "Photay – “Land Of Make Believe” (Chuck Mangione Cover)",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/06/photay-land-of-make-believe-chuck-mangione-cover",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-06T17:06:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Stereogum",
    "slug": "stereogum",
    "url": "https://stereogum.com/2507517/photay-land-of-make-believe-chuck-mangione-cover/music/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Photay, the LA-based electronic musician formerly known as Evan Shornstein, has recently released a captivating cover of Chuck Mangione's \"Land Of Make Believe.\" The original track, a live rendition from 1973 recorded at Toronto's Massey Hall, was performed alongside vocalist Esther Satterfield. Photay has expertly transformed this classic into a club-ready synth symphony, evoking the sound of Todd Terje.\n\nIn sharing his cover, Photay writes with deep emotion about the profound impact of this song. He notes how it serves as a \"true gift\" to discover a piece of music that lifts one's spirit at precisely the moment it's needed most. This sentiment resonates with many, as \"Land Of Make Believe\" has touched the hearts of numerous listeners since its debut in 1973.\n\nPhotay's dedication to paying tribute to Mangione's iconic version is evident in his rendition. He aims to honor the song's persistent samba rhythm and full orchestra embrace, hoping that future generations will be able to appreciate the unconditional warmth and genuine hope contained within the music. A heartfelt farewell is offered to the late Chuck Mangione, whose timeless gift continues to resonate with audiences worldwide.\n\nBelow, take a moment to listen to Photay's cover alongside the original track as well as his own distinctive \"drumapella\" arrangement. Stay tuned for the most significant music stories and the most amusing music memes of the week.",
  "summary": "It's been a minute since we checked in on Photay, aka LA-based electronic musician Evan Shornstein. In fact, last time we posted about him , he was Woodstock-based electronic musician Evan Shornstein. But we're locking back in on the Photay frequency today. It's time to pull up a seat and listen to a lovely cover tune this guy cooked up in tribute to one of his musical heroes. The post Photay –…",
  "key_points": [
    "Photay covers Chuck Mangione's \"Land Of Make Believe\"",
    "Original 1973 live rendition from Toronto's Massey Hall",
    "Photay aims to honor Mangione's iconic version and samba rhythm"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Photay's cover of Chuck Mangione's \"Land Of Make Believe\" breathes new life into the 1973 classic, reimagining it as a synth-heavy tribute that preserves the song's timeless warmth and hopeful spirit.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}