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DJ's, I need a few suggestions/recommendations please.

 

Next weekend, I'm supplying the PA gear for an annual fund-raiser. The PA will be used for background music thru dinner, then door prizes will be announced. After dinner, most guests leave, but roughly 50 or so people stay for drinks and partying. Karaoke was very popular at last years' fund-raiser. Age group is roughly 40-60.

 

I'm looking for a few recommendations for background/dinner music, and for Karaoke. I was thinking perhaps some light jazz for dinner. I won't be "DJ'ing as such, just put an album on, and let it play through. At home, I'd generally tend to put on some latin-american jazz, Getz/Gilberto and the like. Anything else come to mind? What are your favourite "go to" recordings for this scenario?

 

As for Karaoke, last years' most popular discs were classic-rock. Mostly girls 30-45 singing, and they usually sing in groups. Songs like Steppenwolfs' "Born to be Wild" were very popular last year. What karaoke discs would you recommend?

 

Thanks,

 

Bob

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* disclaimer at end.

 

Sinatra works well at dinner, as does Dean Martin. Find songs themed appropriately for the event and the sponsoring organization. Lots of artists recorded old standards from the American Songbook in recent years. A great example* is Willie Nelson's Stardust http://www.amazon.com/Stardust-Anniversary-Legacy-Willie-Nelson/dp/B0017V8PKS/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1243263748&sr=1-3

 

Age 40 -60 should like disco as well for later. Popular disco groups include KC & the Sunshine Band and many more.

 

Check out this site where you can spend all day looking through specialized lists if you are so inclined: http://www.popculturemadness.com/Music/index.html

 

Mobile Beat's most popular songs at the moment in private events and wedding parties > This is from current requests to the dj made over the Internet by people planning parties including mixed ages and is compiled by computer from a nationwide service for djs.

 

 

1 AC/DC You Shook Me All Night Long

2 Timberlake, Justin Sexyback

3 Def Leppard Pour Some Sugar On Me

4 Morrison, Van Brown Eyed Girl

5 B-52's Love Shack

6 Lynyrd Skynyrd Sweet Home Alabama

7 Bon Jovi Livin' On A Prayer

8 ABBA Dancing Queen

9 Journey Don't Stop Believin'

10 Diamond, Neil Sweet Caroline (Good Times Never Seemed So Good)

11 Rihanna Don't Stop The Music

12 Sir Mix-A-Lot Baby Got Back

13 Sister Sledge We Are Family

14 Outkast Hey Ya!

15 Kool & The Gang Celebration

16 Clapton, Eric Wonderful Tonight

17 Commodores Brick House

18 James, Etta At Last

19 Black Eyed Peas Let's Get It Started

20 Jackson, Michael Billie Jean

21 Beatles Twist And Shout

22 DJ Casper Cha Cha Slide

23 Bee Gees Stayin' Alive

24 Foundations Build Me Up Buttercup

25 Brooks, Garth Friends In Low Places

26 Village People Y.M.C.A.

27 Temptations My Girl

28 Big & Rich Save A Horse (Ride A Cowboy)

29 Righteous Brothers Unchained Melody

30 Sinatra, Frank The Way You Look Tonight

31 Vanilla Ice Ice Ice Baby

32 Wild Cherry Play That Funky Music

33 Lauper, Cyndi Girls Just Want To Have Fun

34 Loggins, Kenny Footloose

35 Rascal Flatts Bless The Broken Road

36 Presley, Elvis Can't Help Falling In Love

37 Armstrong, Louis What A Wonderful World

38 Lonestar Amazed

39 Grandmaster Slice Electric Slide (Shall We Dance) '92

40 Dexy's Midnight Runners Come On Eileen

41 50 Cent In Da Club

42 Usher Feat. Ludacris & Lil' Jon Yeah

43 Jackson, Michael Thriller

44 Aerosmith I Don't Want To Miss A Thing

45 Cupid Cupid Shuffle

46 Adams, Bryan Summer Of '69

47 Nelly Hot In Herre

48 Checker, Chubby The Twist

49 Flo Rida Low

50 Isley Brothers Shout

51 Seger, Bob & The Silver Bullet Band Old Time Rock & Roll

52 Buffett, Jimmy Margaritaville

53 Beyonce Feat. Jay-Z Crazy In Love

54 KC & The Sunshine Band Get Down Tonight

55 Romantics What I Like About You

56 Jackson, Michael Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough

57 Rednex Cotton Eye Joe

58 House Of Pain Jump Around

59 Cheap Trick I Want You To Want Me

60 Prince Kiss

61 Rihanna Feat. Jay-Z Umbrella

62 Mcgraw, Tim With Faith Hill It's Your Love

63 Queen Crazy Little Thing Called Love

64 Journey Faithfully

65 Franklin, Aretha Respect

66 Big & Rich Lost In This Moment

67 Jones, Norah Come Away With Me

68 Springfield, Rick Jessie's Girl

69 Gaye, Marvin Let's Get It On

70 Timbaland Feat. Keri Hilson The Way I Are

71 Guns N' Roses Sweet Child O' Mine

72 Young M.C. Bust A Move

73 Green, Al Let's Stay Together

74 Johnson, Jack Better Together

75 Pink Get The Party Started

76 Black Eyed Peas My Humps

77 Rihanna Disturbia

78 Earth, Wind & Fire September

79 Sinatra, Frank Fly Me To The Moon

80 West, Kanye Feat. Jamie Foxx Gold Digger

81 Brown, Chris Forever

82 Gaynor, Gloria I Will Survive

83 Sorta Crackers Band Chicken Dance

84 Cash, Johnny Ring Of Fire

85 Four Tops I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)

86 Taylor, James How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)

87 Brooks & Dunn Boot Scootin' Boogie

88 Paisley, Brad She's Everything

89 UB40 Red Red Wine

90 Adams, Bryan (Everything I Do) I Do It For You

91 Madonna & Justin Timberlake 4 Minutes

92 U2 Beautiful Day

93 Buble, Michael Everything

94 Timberlake, Justin Rock Your Body

95 Kid Rock All Summer Long

96 Fergie Feat. Ludacris Glamorous

97 Mr. C The Slide Man Cha-Cha Slide

98 Violent Femmes Blister In The Sun

99 Beatles All You Need Is Love

100 Baby Bash Feat. T-Pain Cyclone

101 Los Del Rio Macarena

102 Medley, Bill & Jennifer Warnes (I've Had) The Time Of My Life

103 Rascal Flatts Life Is A Highway

104 West, Kanye Stronger

105 Idol, Billy White Wedding

106 Furtado, Nelly Feat. Timbaland Promiscuous

107 Rascal Flatts My Wish

108 Jackson 5 ABC

109 Buble, Michael Save The Last Dance For Me

110 Aerosmith Walk This Way

111 Gnarls Barkley Crazy

112 Dion Runaround Sue

113 White, Barry Can't Get Enough Of Your Love, Babe

114 Eagles Hotel California

115 Tone Loc Wild Thing

116 Krauss, Alison When You Say Nothing At All

117 Madonna Like A Prayer

118 Heartland I Loved Her First

119 Lifehouse You And Me

120 Salt-N-Pepa Push It

121 Mraz, Jason I'm Yours

122 KC & The Sunshine Band (Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty

123 Shakira Feat. Wyclef Jean Hips Don't Lie

124 Cascada Everytime We Touch

125 A-Ha Take On Me

126 Beach Boys Kokomo

127 Hot Chocolate You Sexy Thing

128 Sean Paul Temperature

129 Prince 1999

130 White, Barry You're The First, The Last, My Everything

131 Tone Loc Funky Cold Medina

132 Mcgraw, Tim My Best Friend

133 Metro Station Shake It

134 Simon & Garfunkel Cecilia

135 Lady Gaga Feat. Colby O'donis Just Dance

136 Martin, Dean That's Amore

137 Keys, Alicia No One

138 Travolta, John & Olivia Newton-John Grease Megamix

139 K-Ci & Jojo All My Life

140 Pussycat Dolls Don't Cha

141 Spears, Britney Gimme More

142 Queen Another One Bites The Dust

143 Smith, Will Gettin' Jiggy Wit It

144 Beatles I Saw Her Standing There

145 Weather Girls It's Raining Men

146 Stefani, Gwen Hollaback Girl

147 Jet Are You Gonna Be My Girl

148 Digital Underground The Humpty Dance

149 Madonna Holiday

150 Aguilera, Christina Ain't No Other Man

151 Akon Feat. Eminem Smack That

152 Idol, Billy Mony Mony

153 Connick, Jr., Harry It Had To Be You

154 Strait, George I Cross My Heart

155 Gap Band You Dropped A Bomb On Me

156 Jackson, Michael Beat It

157 Spears, Britney Toxic

158 James, Rick Super Freak (Part 1)

159 Right Said Fred I'm Too Sexy

160 Cash, Johnny I Walk The Line

161 Soulja Boy Tell'em Crank Dat (Soulja Boy)

162 Cherry Poppin' Daddies Zoot Suit Riot

163 Beastie Boys Brass Monkey

164 Setzer Orchestra, Brian Jump Jive An' Wail

165 Journey Open Arms

166 Sledge, Percy When A Man Loves A Woman

167 Orbison, Roy Oh, Pretty Woman

168 Sade By Your Side

169 Soft Cell Tainted Love

170 Temptations Ain't Too Proud To Beg

171 Deee-Lite Groove Is In The Heart

172 Brown, Chris Feat. T-Pain Kiss Kiss

173 Rihanna Pon De Replay

174 Fergie Feat. Will.I.Am Fergalicious

175 ABBA Take A Chance On Me

176 Checker, Chubby Let's Twist Again

177 Prince Let's Go Crazy

178 Sinatra, Frank New York, New York

179 Wang Chung Everybody Have Fun Tonight

180 Urban, Keith Making Memories Of Us

181 Black Eyed Peas Pump It

182 Morrison, Van Moondance

183 Savage Garden Truly Madly Deeply

184 Beatles In My Life

185 Summer, Donna Last Dance

186 Sinatra, Frank Come Fly With Me

187 Bangles Walk Like An Egyptian

188 Jackson, Alan & Jimmy Buffett It's Five O'clock Somewhere

189 Ne-Yo Closer

190 Madonna Vogue

191 Bee Gees You Should Be Dancing

192 Presley, Elvis All Shook Up

193 Gabriel, Peter In Your Eyes

194 Caillat, Colbie Bubbly

195 Rascal Flatts I Melt

196 Meat Loaf Paradise By The Dashboard Light

197 Kelis Milkshake

198 U2 With Or Without You

199 Jackson, Alan Remember When

200 Manilow, Barry Copacabana (At The Copa)

 

To include your clients' requests in the real time Top 200 tally, please add the DJ Intelligence music request system to your website.

 

REPRODUCTION: Anyone may republish this list on their website for non-commercial reference purposes. We require you to provide credit to both Mobile Beat Magazine and DJ Intelligence in the form of visible text hyperlinks to http://www.mobilebeat.com and http://www.djintelligence.com. You may prefer to link directly to this page from your site.

 

 

KARAOKE -

 

If you are starting from scratch on this, you might try searching EBAY for this:

 

SCDG NUTECH KARAOKE PARTY PACK VOL 1 & 2 & 3 SUPER CDG

+/- 3,700 SONGS

 

They play off windows, so you can use a computer instead of getting specialized karaoke equipment.

 

A word of advice: put a compressor/limiter in the system and if you hand a bunch of drunks a microphone, you can expect all sorts of interesting things to happen to your microphone and none of them are all that good. Keep them away from the speakers while they are singing....

 

Good Luck!

 

* disclaimer.

By nationwide or any reference to nation, I mean the USA (and sometimes I mean Texas) with no offense to Canada. Music preferred in Canada might be somewhat different and there are regional bands and regional artists and hits which can not be ignored. In Texas, Willie Nelson works in a great variety of settings not only because he is a great artist, but because there is a national identity among Texans and all the folks down here were given a dose of Willie with mother's milk.

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Great suggestions guys. Keep 'em coming.

 

I'm basically looking at this event in two parts;

 

First, guests will be arriving for dinner and the awarding of prizes for the golf tournament which will be held earlier that day. There probably will be a lot of noise and conversation going on at the tables, and for that part of the event, I was thinking "soft background music", almost like "Muzak" (elevator music :)) The folks will be more concentrated on what's going on at their tables, not listening to or concentrating on the music per se. I was also thinking that instrumentals would work better than music with vocal content for this segment of the evening. Something along the lines of "The Boston Pops plays the Beatles classic hits" if ya catch my drift.

 

After dinner, and the awarding of prizes, the crowd starts to thin out, and roughly 30-50 people should stay for the remainder of the evening. Noise level drops appreciably, and folks are more inclined to focus on the music. This is usually when a few folks express interest in Karaoke.

 

This segment of the evening is very loosely structured. The Karaoke is not really a "show" aimed at an audience, but rather, for the amusement of the participants themselves. Some of the crowd may watch the karaoke, but most of them will be chatting in small groups, or hanging around at the bar. I'll probably be turning the speakers inward (toward the performers, like monitors) for this part of the evening. There will most likely be only a half dozen or so people doing Karaoke, and usually a "group" of 3-4 girls will be doing the bulk of the singing. The party can get pretty rowdy at this point.:)

 

Getting back to the "background music", it's been 15 years since I've bought new music. I'm simply not current. I'm thinking Diana Krall or the like, would be a good buy. "Easy listening" type of music. I'd like some mellow jazz instrumentals as well. Any really smooth sax players you can recommend?

 

Thanks,

 

Bob

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What does this thread have to do with live sound and production.
:confused:

 

I worked with a great all around wedding, festival, show band where I had to provide production before the band started. I had a great collection of smooth jazz for these types of events.

 

It's all connected. ;)

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A mix of Diana Krall, Norah jones and Micheal Buble works well while people are mingling. Mix in some instumental - good sounding jazz (or elevator music) and you should be fine. Even good quality lounge music can work. Check the songs quickly before hand and choose the ones with less dynamic range OR/AND avoid songs with louder trumpet/saxophone as these can be distracting to people who are mingling. If you can ''normalize'' your CD/mix so the volume is not continuously fluctuating, people will appreciate. As for karaoke, it is pretty easy to find some ''Party Packs'' filled with the classics : YMCA, Love shack etc... Even Wal Mart will usually have these.

 

Best of luck,

 

Al - Party-Time! DJ Services

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For mingling and dinner music you want to shy away for anything with lyrics. It interferes with conversation. Piano, bass and small kit (brush) or these plus (or exchance with piano) sax. I recommend David Benoit, David Foster, Kenny G (Yes, Kenny G) and others. Weed out the faster tempo ones. Musak (types) are too sterile and cheezy. You want an intimate feel.

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That's basically what I'm thinking too. I want the music to go largely un-noticed, but create a "mood" during dinner. Folks will be conversing/joking around, etc.

 

I don't mind vocals, as long as it's non-intrusive, such as the Getz, Gilberto, Jobim style.

 

After dinner, it's a different setting. I can go to more "attention grabbing" music.

 

As for the karaoke discs, I just want to avoid buying cheesy-sounding discs. I have no experience choosing karaoke discs, and the last thing I want, is to buy versions of songs that are played on a single instrument, like some cheesy keyboard. I want discs that sound exactly like the original "hit", but with only the vocals removed.(drums/bass/guitar, etc). I suppose like anything else, there are good and bad karaoke discs. My problem is, I just don't know what "good ones" to look for.

 

Bob

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See if you can rent discs for the night. I don't know if they do that but you really need 3-4K tunes to have anything useable for a party. I compiled about 4K worth of tunes (buying CDG's) right before I divorced, I didn't keep them but noticed that under 2500 or so tunes there wasn't enough to pick from.

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Well guys, the gig has come and gone for another year. It was a resounding success, and I have a few points I'd like to mention.

 

The Yorkville NX55p's sounded just bloody amazing. I am soooo pleased with these speakers. I had them mounted on stands, and no sub, and still, plenty of bottom-end for the needs at that venue, I actually had to run them with the 100hz low frequency filter engaged, and a slight reduction in LF on the speakers' EQ. I got quite a few compliments on the sound quality.

 

The vocal mic which was used for karaoke, was a Sennheiser MD 416 u. Mic was awesome. virtually zero sibilance, despite the inexperience of many of the users. There was very little, if any, problem with proximity effect. I was tickled pink about that. The performers just had a blast, and the whole place was swinging. We had a GREAT time.

 

As for background music selection during dinner, the most compliments came when I played a Sade disc which I had forgotten I owned; a perfect choice for the situation and demographic. Some David Sanborn went over well too.

 

It was a very modest set-up; just a pair of NX55p's, and the mic and disc player plugged into the NX55p's mixer. Frankly, anything more would have been unnecessary. The results were fantastic. I'm really looking forward to next years' event.

 

Thanks for all your help.:thu:

 

Bob

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