Members ShiftChange564 Posted July 13, 2009 Members Share Posted July 13, 2009 We are playing a few weddings in the near future and the couples are asking if we can supply "soft" background music during dinner and before guests arrive. Just wondered what you guys did for that situation. What artists or compilation CDs did you play? I'm assuming some light Jazz or pseudo elevator music. I'm kinda at a loss as to where to buy this music or what goes over well. As always your thoughts much appreciated. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members boomerweps Posted July 13, 2009 Members Share Posted July 13, 2009 John Tesh is your friend! Great background music. I use a bit of Kenny G, too, but that horn can get bothersome in large doses ;>( Also look for various Wedding compilation CDs at WalMart, the ones with the wedding marches and stuff. Usually a bunch of good orchestra/chamber music that can be used for dinner background music on them. Boomerweps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Axisplayer Posted July 13, 2009 Members Share Posted July 13, 2009 Andreas Vollenweider Natalie ColeNorah JonesMichael FranksDionne WarwickMichael Buble Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members crazyswede Posted July 13, 2009 Members Share Posted July 13, 2009 I like using stuff from Stanley Jordan also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members W. M. Hellinger Posted July 13, 2009 Members Share Posted July 13, 2009 I'll throw on some big band swing music. Some seeming favorites: 1) Take the "A" train2) A string of pearls3) Chattanooga Choo Choo4) Begin the Beguine5) American Patrol6) Litle brown jug7) Pennsylvania 6-5000 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jgthatsme Posted July 13, 2009 Members Share Posted July 13, 2009 Some easy listening music and/or light/soft jazz with or without vocals works great during the cocktail hour. Light/soft jazz instrumentals work best during the dinner hour. The vocals tend to get in the way of people chit-chatting during dinner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CMS Author Craig Vecchione Posted July 13, 2009 CMS Author Share Posted July 13, 2009 I agree that instrumentals > vocal arrangements for dinner and probably for cocktail hour as well. Agreed too on all above suggestions. Except Kenny G. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators ThudMaker Posted July 13, 2009 Moderators Share Posted July 13, 2009 Having DJ'd a few, smooth jazz, such as the Rippingtons/Benoit Freeman Project, etc. goes over well, as does Sade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members madryan Posted July 13, 2009 Members Share Posted July 13, 2009 Some Jesse Cook is good. He's a flamenco guy that does alot of new-age style arrangements and is a great guitarist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Miket156 Posted July 13, 2009 Members Share Posted July 13, 2009 Don't forget The Carpenters. Yeah I know, but its more "modern" easy listening music, and some of the songs titles are very appropriate for weddings, like "We've only just begun". You can do them as instrumentals and people will recognized the songs. Weddings can be great gigs, be sure to charge a LOT of money. People are only suppose to get married once, so make them pony-up. Mike T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Shaster Posted July 13, 2009 Members Share Posted July 13, 2009 Diana Krall, Michael Buble, George Benson, Tony Bennet (still "hip"), Jobim, Jesse Cook, and a sax player or two - maybe Dave Koz, and Sanborn, but not you know who just on principle:) 1 or 2 instrumentals for every vocal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members hrnlip Posted July 13, 2009 Members Share Posted July 13, 2009 You can't go wrong with some Chris Botte! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members agedhorse Posted July 13, 2009 Members Share Posted July 13, 2009 If you want to move into something a little more adventurous, you can try some stuff off the Narada label, as well as Chet Atkins, barney Kessel, Tom McDurmott, Tommy Emanual, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members abzurd Posted July 14, 2009 Members Share Posted July 14, 2009 We offer this as part of our wedding service. I have a little netbook that I have everything on, including first dance, cake cutting, intro tunes, and then let them choose the style they want for cocktail and dinner. Alternatively, they can mail me a CD 30 days in advance. For $14.95 mo you can subscribe to napster and download all the songs that you want. They'll work until you cancel your subscription. Or just pay as you go to download songs. For instance, if this couple wants "big band" then just buy an hour or so of big band music. If next time, they want Sinatra then buy those then. Really, all that stuff can be can bought on CD pretty cheap too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members JohnnyGraphic Posted July 14, 2009 Members Share Posted July 14, 2009 I'll have to throw in some Dean Martin to the mix too! Also, for instrumentals, I like to use some Johnny A. Especially his take on The Beatles Yes It Is. Another one is Walk Don't Run. Very cool, laid back and mellow. Another vote for Jesse Cook. I also like to throw in Brian Setzer's version of Sleepwalk. Johnny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members agedhorse Posted July 14, 2009 Members Share Posted July 14, 2009 Lawrence Juber is another. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Shaster Posted July 14, 2009 Members Share Posted July 14, 2009 If you want to move into something a little more adventurous, you can try some stuff off the Narada label, as well as Chet Atkins, barney Kessel, Tom McDurmott, Tommy Emanual, etc. Saw Kessel doing the three guitar thing (Kessel, Ellis and Byrd?) years ago - great. I've also seen Tommy Emmanuel live two or three times and attended a couple of his seminars, what an amazing guitar player (and a pretty good drummer too). His records don't really do him justice. Forgot to add Peter White (played with Al Stewart years ago) and Grant Geissman as two other "dinner music" or smooth jazz options. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members agedhorse Posted July 14, 2009 Members Share Posted July 14, 2009 I've worked with both Tommy Emanual and Peter White, both are really good players and really nice guys too. 25 years ago, I did a string of Al Stewart shows with Peter White playing lead and I was impressed then too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Shaster Posted July 14, 2009 Members Share Posted July 14, 2009 I've worked with both Tommy Emanual and Peter White, both are really good players and really nice guys too. 25 years ago, I did a string of Al Stewart shows with Peter White playing lead and I was impressed then too. That must have been great. Back in the eighties I was in a band that opened for Al Stewart on a two day stint (I believe) in a large nightclub. Peter was really inspiring, and as you mentioned both he and Mr. Stewart were friendly and down to earth. Al even let us partake of his rider! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members agedhorse Posted July 14, 2009 Members Share Posted July 14, 2009 Share and share alike. Reminds me of a New Riders of the Purple Sage date we did a very long time ago. Too much sharing made it hard to stay awake at FOH. John Dawason was another very nice guy, but hardly wedding music I'm afraid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members fireax Posted July 14, 2009 Members Share Posted July 14, 2009 Funny you should ask.Here's what I always play for pre-parties, and get togethers. Avenue Blue with Jeff Golub.I just put all his albums on Ipod shuffle.Also, some Danny Gatton. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CMS Author Craig Vecchione Posted July 14, 2009 CMS Author Share Posted July 14, 2009 Ah, forgot to add, it *usually* can't hurt to throw in some classical and especially chamber arrangements. But I'd suggest that the playlist always be run by the PIC for approval, just in case our idea of good isn't the same as theirs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members srp72ee Posted July 14, 2009 Members Share Posted July 14, 2009 Spyro Gryra is pretty decent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Axisplayer Posted July 14, 2009 Members Share Posted July 14, 2009 Too much sharing made it hard to stay awake at FOH. Thats sound like a Quicksilver Messenger Service show... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ShiftChange564 Posted July 14, 2009 Author Members Share Posted July 14, 2009 Weddings can be great gigs, be sure to charge a LOT of money. People are only suppose to get married once, so make them pony-up. Mike T. Thanks for the advice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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