Music

Music is the one ingredient that goes with everything you serve.  Whether it’s a dinner party for 10 or just yourself, music makes every meal better. I keep a collection of various playlists on my iPod that I can choose from whenever I’m  entertaining.  Each list is comprised of songs that can create a particular feel or mood.  I simply connect my iPod to my stereo, choose the right list, and I have hours of music to entertain by.

It would be great to share these playlist with you right over the internet, but record companies tend to frown on that sort of thing.  So  I opted for the next best thing.  Using some of my favorite playlists as models, I created several stations on Pandora Radio.  If you’re not familiar, Pandora is an Internet music service that lets you create radio stations based on your music preferences.   Simply type in the name of a favorite song or music artist, and Pandora begins streaming music with similar attributes.

Below is a list of the Pandora stations I have created using my playlists. To listen to a station or read more about it, simply click on one of the station names listed below.  You will be taken to Pandora, and the station will begin playing.  If you do not already have a Pandora account, you will need to create one in order to take advantage of all the features.  It doesn’t take any time at all to set-up an account and it’s free.  You will, however, be subjected to ads from time to time.  (It’s the price for a free music service.)  Since nothing can kill a dinner party like an ad on the radio, I recommend upgrading your Pandora account for just $36 per year, and you’ll have hours and hours of commercial free music.

Dinner at Windom Place

The Rat Pack and Ella set the tempo for this station of jazzy standards highlighted by strong brass ensemble with swing influences, mid tempo and smooth vocals. Think New York Jazz Club, white clothed tables with individual lamps and a cool martini waiting for you.

Einen Kleinen Nacht Musik

Whether its a formal affair or just a casual get together, classical music fits the bill. From string quartets to small wind ensembles to full symphony orchestras, nothing creates a better backdrop for dinner and conversation.

Miles & Co

I think jazz instrumentals are, perhaps, the best dinner time music. Be it winter, spring, summer or fall, jazz fits the bill. Here is a station based on songs by such greats as John Coltrane, Bill Evans, Charlie Mingus, Thelonious Monk, Dave Brubeck and, of course, Miles. Track sees for this station include So What (Davis), Blue Train (Coltrane), Goodbye Pork Pie (Mingus), Take Five (Brubeck), and Well You Needn’t (Monk). If you want to create the perfect atmosphere for dinner, this is your station.

Happy Holidays

At my house, Christmas music starts playing as soon as the tree goes up in early December and continues on until New Year’s. This station is based on a mix of pop, rock, country, jazz and traditional holiday classics. Song seeds include Frank Sinatra’s J-I-N-G-L-E Bells, Elvis’ Santa Claus is Back in Town, Ella’s White Christmas and Mariah’s Jesus, Oh What a Child. This station will bring back childhood memories of Christmas past and put the ‘happy’ into your holidays.

Jazz Christmas

Put the cool back into your yule! The jazz versions of Christmas classics are perfect for entertaining during the holidays. With limited vocals, the music never interferes with the conversation around the dinner table. You’ll hear jazz variations of many of your favorite holiday pieces by greats like Chet Baker, Dave Brubeck, Ellis Marsalis and more. It’s like having your own holiday jazz trio right in your dining room.

Chill Room #1

With both ambient electronic and Latin influences, this station creates the perfect setting for cocktails and company. Turn up the volume, light some candles,  pour the drinks, and you’ve got an instant party. It’s urban, hip meets tango, and it’s always fun. Turns any living room into a lounge at the ‘W’.

One last note: Some of these stations are under construction (UC).  So I can’t vouch for what you might hear. It takes a while to get the right balance.  In the process, Pandora can be quirky, throwing a curve ball every now and then.  So should a song start playing that seems inconsistent with rest of the music on that station, simply click the thumbs down button to skip the song and move on to the next one.