Introducing Dinner Playlists

For many people, music is an essential part of entertaining. Whether you’re hosting a four course meal or a simple cocktail party, music can create just the right atmosphere. To that end, we are starting a new section here at David’s Table devoted to our favorite music playlists. These are some of our favorite recordings all selected and grouped to help you create just the right mood when entertaining guests. We will post a new playlist at least once a month. So please check back from time to time. Just click on the tab marked “Playlists”.

All of the songs listed in our playlists are available for download at Amazon, but if you prefer the old school method of CDs and don’t want to buy a handful of them to complete the list, we will provide a few alternative CDs with similar styles to the music in the list. And finally, if you want to explore beyond the list, we have provided a link at the end of each list that will take you to Pandora where we have created stations based on the songs in the lists.

So let’s get things rolling.

Playlist # 1: Dinner at Windom Place

My friend Mike Schwartz owned a beautiful home on Windom Place in Washington, DC. The dining room was one of my favorite part s of the house. It was filled with built in bookshelves that Mike had filled with some of the most interesting books. On several occasions, I had been invited to dinner at his place, and as we ate food and sipped wine, my eyes would sweep across the book spines and run away with the titles. It was always a pleasure.

On the last of these occasions, as I entered Mike’s house, I happen to say in passing, “I’ve always loved your house.” Mike’s reply seemed a little odd to me, but I didn’t think too much of it at the time. “Perhaps,” he said to me, “this will be your house one day.” I don’t know where that came from, but maybe Mike knew something I didn’t.

Several months later, I came to Mike seeking real estate advice. I had found a home for sale not far from his that was well below my price range but would need several thousand dollars in renovation. Mike did a little math and said, “For that amount, you could buy this place.” I had never really imagined it was possible, but as fate would have it, I bought that house on Windom Place, and before we ever moved in, I put together this playlist just imagining what it would be like to entertain my own guests in that wonderful dining room with these songs playing in the background. I think it’s only fitting it should be the first playlist we post.

The Rat Pack, Nat King Cole, Bobby Darin and Ella all set the tone for this collection of mid tempo songs with swing influences, smooth vocals and strong brass section. Think Sands Hotels circa 1960, the age of Mad Men, and cold martinis. It was a great time to be a bachelor. We hadn’t heard of hippies, Woodstock or Vietnam. The kids were listening to Rock n’ Roll, but the adults were listening to this music.

Menu Suggestion:

Start with a salad of mixed greens, pears, blue cheese, walnut and raspberry vinaigrette. The main course is thin sliced flank steak that is marinated and grilled to perfection. Served with a side of white cheddar mashed potatoes and oven roasted asparagus. And don’t forget the martinis.

Enjoy,
Dave

Ain’t That a Kick in the Head – Dean Martin
The Way You Look Tonight – Franks Sinatra
Shoo Fly Pie & Apple Pan Dowdy – June Christy
L-O-V-E – Nat King Cole
A Fine Romance – Ella Fitzgerald
Me & My Shadow – Frank Sinatra & Sammy Davis Jr.
Beyond the Sea – Bobby Darin
Big Spender – Peggy Lee
Is You Is or Is You Ain’t My Baby – Dinah Washington
Firefly – Tony Bennett
It Had Better Be Tonight – Lena Horne
It’s Been a Long, Long Time – Keely Smith
A Lot of Livin’ – Sammy Davis Jr.
Swinging on a Star – Frank Sinatra
Sway – Rosemary Clooney
Call Me Irresponsible – Bobby Darin
I’m Gonna Sit Right Down (And Write Myself a Letter) – Nat King Cole
Blue Skies – Ella Fitzgerald
You’re Nobody ‘Til Somebody Loves You – Dean Martin
The Best is Yet to Come – Frank Sinatra

Note: The original play list included a version of Me and My Shadow that is difficult to find. It’s a duet by Frank and Sammy, and we took it from Frank Sinatra: The Reprise Collection. Unfortunately this CD set is no longer available. We were unable to find an MP3 version of the song. The version included here is a live version, which we are not particularly fond of. Click here to listen to the version included in our original playlist available at hypem.com.

CD Alternatives:

The truth is that any Frank or Ella CD will pretty much set the same mood, but if you want a variety of singers, the Wild, Cool & Swingin’ series from Ultra Lounge has a lot of the songs from this playlist.

Frank Sinatra: Nothing But The Best
Dino: The Essential Dean Martin
Eee-O-11: The Best Of The Rat Pack
Best of Ella Fitzgerald: First Lady of Song
Ultra-Lounge, Vol. 5: Wild Cool & Swingin
Ultra-Lounge, Vol. 15: Wild Cool & Swingin’ Too