|
I think the best music for dinner parties is jazz. It's got a beat to it that usually keeps people feeling awake, yet in most cases, you're dealing with instrumentals - meaning there aren't any lyrics that your guests may pick up on and distract from conversation.
My favorite CDs to play during dinner parties are:
Dave Brubeck: The Essential Dave Brubeck (piano based jazz with occasional vocals, horns as well)
Oscar Peterson Trio: Night Train (this is just piano, drums and bass)
Charlie Hunter Trio: Bing! Bing! Bing! (this is more modern jazz, features the horns and even a great jazz cover of Nirvana's "Come As You Are")
Charlie Hunter and Pound For Pound: Return of the Candyman (same as above, except instead of horns, the main instrument is a vibraphone (sounds kinda like a xylophone but without sounding like a toy))
If you are looking for vocals, I'd suggest pretty much any CD by Frank Sinatra (Songs for Swingin' Lovers! is a good one), Norah Jones (a little softer tempo) and today's jazz genius, Diana Krall (I'd suggest "Live in Paris" which has audience ambience, that always keeps the mood light.)
Good luck and let us know what you go with!
__________________
You have to laugh at yourself...because you'd cry your eyes out if you didn't. - Emily Saliers
|