Here’s a first– a playlist from an event at which I was not DJ’ing. How can this be? Read on!
When I’m not being a DJ, I run a mobile speakeasy. That’s a fancy way of saying that I show up at a space where there is no bar (usually a home, office, or rented party space) and transform it for an evening into a fun, and often swanky, cocktail lounge. I will often provide a background soundtrack to accompany the drinking, and thought it would be an interesting change of pace to share last night’s playlist.
Even though I wasn’t actively mixing back and forth on the decks, I think this one can still be illustrative of the sort of music I can provide during a cocktail or dinner hour on the occasions when I’m not behind the bar. I think it’s also a great example of the variety and fun I can have when making people dance is taken out of the equation, though one could certainly dance to much of what I played.
Here then, without further ado, are the 50 songs that provided 3 1/2 hours of atmosphere at last night’s speakeasy in San Francisco.
Better Git It in Your Soul – Charles Mingus
Charlie Brown Theme – Vince Guaraldi Trio
Jane-O – Zoot Sims Quartet
Take Five – The Dave Brubeck Quartet
St. Thomas – Sonny Rollins
Summer Madness – Kool & The Gang
“T” Plays it Cool – Marvin Gaye
Pass the Peas – The J.B.’s
My Thang – James Brown
Bra – Cymande
Mango Meat – Mandrill
Let me Take You In My Arms – The Detroit Emeralds
Let’s Stay Together – Al Green
These Arms of Mine – Otis Redding
When You Come to The End of Your Road – Bobby “Blue” Bland
Magnificent Sanctuary Band – Donny Hathaway
Boogie Down Bronx [feat. Freeze Force] – Man Parrish
The Dominatrix Sleeps Tonight – Dominatrix
Thieves Like Us – New Order
A Little Bit of Love – Brenda & The Tabulations
Collapsing New People – Fad Gadget
The Men All Pause – Klymaxx
State of Shock – The Jackson Five
The Killing Moon – Echo & The Bunnymen
Tour De France – Kraftwerk
Sailing By – Ronald Binge and His Romantic Strings
Et Si Je M’en Vais Avant Toi – Francoise Hardy & Etienne Daho
Barato Total – Gal Costa
Nautilus – Bob James
Cruising Heavy – Sheila Crute
Living on a Thin Line – The Kinks
Rock & Roll – The Velvet Underground
I’m a Man – Chicago Transit Authority
Hong Kong Bar – Tim Buckley
Into the Mystic – Van Morrison
Nashville Parthenon – Casiotone for the Painfully Alone
Perfect Dear – The Softies
After Hours – The Velvet Underground
The Stars of Track and Field – Belle & Sebastian
Falling From Grace – The Gentle Waves
Keep It Clean – Camera Obscura
My Little Corner of the World – Yo La Tengo
Marble House – The Knife
Hey Lover – The Aislers Set
Heartbeats – José González
Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want – The Smiths
Know By Heart – The American Analog Set
Fade Into You – Mazzy Star
Flightless Bird, American Mouth – Iron & Wine
Peace Piece – Bill Evans