Full Version: Night Out In Grange Over Sands Anyone?
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Just got this email from the bride of the wedding a week on Sunday.
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| Hi Paul, We've been trying to think of the type of music we'd like on the night. It would be nice to greet people with some latin music - not Ricky Martin or Macarena style - more like the authentic cuban music from the soundtrack of the film Buena Vista Social Club, and some salsa. Followed perhaps by some groovy songs like Marvin Gaye, Barry White, Tom Jones, Kool and the Gang. Something from the Pulp Fiction soundtrack like the one where John Travolta and Uma thurman dance the twist, etc. Then if possible we'd like "One Step Beyond" from Madness to mark the beginning of the party. We're not sure when this should be (9:30, 10pm ??), we'll leave it to you. There will be a buffet meal between 9pm and 10pm. At some point we'd like an Irish 20-30 min or so (depending on people's reaction), with some good Irish rock like the Pogues. For the rest, a mix of 70s (Abba...), 80s, 90s, 2000s. Most of the young people there will have childhood memories of the early 80s. We love music but we're quite unable to dress a detailed list of songs or artists. Some music might be great to listen to, but not party material, so we'd rather leave it to you. Altogether, though, we'd like it to be more of a pop-rock experience. An indie touch here and there (Stone Roses, The Doors, Mercury Rev,...), an odd "humourous" song like, say, "Star-trekking across the universe" could be fun, and any unusual/different versions of classics would be great too. We may bring a CD of french music with us from France. |
I'm starting to panic a bit now
, maybe I'm a bit out of my depth on this one.Would anybody fancy joining me for a suitable reward.
The only bit that pleased me was
| QUOTE |
| an odd "humourous" song like, say, "Star-trekking across the universe" |
, at least I've got that one.
Obviously, I'm going to have to go and buy some music for this one and would be grateful for any suggestions for Latin, Authentic Cuban, Salsa CD's. And I certainly haven't got half an hours worth of Irish.
Obviously, I'm going to have to go and buy some music for this one and would be grateful for any suggestions for Latin, Authentic Cuban, Salsa CD's. And I certainly haven't got half an hours worth of Irish.
Dubliners,shamrock, will fill 10 mins.
I honestly think the bride will not notice if you play 15 mins or 30 mins,it's her big day,she's not going to have her stopwatch out(maybe later with the groom!)
I honestly think the bride will not notice if you play 15 mins or 30 mins,it's her big day,she's not going to have her stopwatch out(maybe later with the groom!)
Did a wedding at a Cambridge college a couple of years ago with Salsa requested. Just went to the local MBC shop and bought a couple of the less commercial more authentic Salsa CDs in the racks. Went down really well.
Try your local lending library for the Pogues etc. ( maybe Undertones & Boomtown Rats too? ) or otherwise they could be available on budget CDs. I've found a lot of traditional Irish and Scottish stuff in the local QD!
You should be able to find indie stuff like Stone Roses etc. in your local library. If not there are quite a few indie double CD compilations available. Or you could download a few things from Napster.
The Pulp Fiction track is Chuck Berry's "You Never Can Tell". You can probably get that from Napster too.
The other stuff is pretty mainstream and you've probably got it anyway.
Hope that helps.
Try your local lending library for the Pogues etc. ( maybe Undertones & Boomtown Rats too? ) or otherwise they could be available on budget CDs. I've found a lot of traditional Irish and Scottish stuff in the local QD!
You should be able to find indie stuff like Stone Roses etc. in your local library. If not there are quite a few indie double CD compilations available. Or you could download a few things from Napster.
The Pulp Fiction track is Chuck Berry's "You Never Can Tell". You can probably get that from Napster too.
The other stuff is pretty mainstream and you've probably got it anyway.
Hope that helps.
Although i really think its important to give the customer what she wants, i do feel the range listed is a bit varied? At the end of the day the bride and groom will want to see everybody up dancin and enjoying themselves, that to me is a playlist of typical wedding stuff .............most of us at a wedding gig will play the guarranteed songs they get up and boogie to!
Obviously you need to keep them happy so irish could be played, but only a few good dancy ones in my view..... tell me ma by shamrock shake
The pouges....Irish rover is good, (cotten eyed joe goes well in this set too) Wild rover is ok but a bit slow! but there is 15/20 min?
My opinion reckons salsa will be a flop! Maybe the odd track but genrally not for me at a wedding?
Im in southport an hour away, give me 200 notes and will bring me lappy!
Obviously you need to keep them happy so irish could be played, but only a few good dancy ones in my view..... tell me ma by shamrock shake
The pouges....Irish rover is good, (cotten eyed joe goes well in this set too) Wild rover is ok but a bit slow! but there is 15/20 min?
My opinion reckons salsa will be a flop! Maybe the odd track but genrally not for me at a wedding?
Im in southport an hour away, give me 200 notes and will bring me lappy!
I don't blame you for panicking Paul - that letter sepaks volumes about the client to me. Firstly, they've provided you with about two to three hours worth of music but also added they'll leave it up to you...leave what exactly?
Funny songs have a time and a place - Star Trekkin is a great song if everyone knows it. You can't dance to it unless someone is showing you the actions (like they did at the kids club on holiday) and you can't sing it unless you know the words.
I'd get the soundtrack to Buena Vista Social Club, and perhaps some other latino films. Maybe listen to some Fun Lovin Criminals too.
The next bit is quite easy - 70's soul and disco, followed by Madness to get the party going. Irish is really good - Tell Me Ma, Irish Rover, Thin Lizzy, Boomtown Rats, Corrs, Westlife, Boyzone, etc. Plus you could play some proper Irish jiogs and reels. If there are Irish present they might like some proper traditional music too - easily picked up in bargain buckets everywhere. Or just go to Asda!
The rest is easy - you're just working through the genre's. As for the different version of classic's...you need some Brian Setzer Orchestra for Stray Cats or Glenn Miller or Frank Sinatra stuff, Westlife or Robbie also for Sinatra stuff, Hayseed Dixie for AC/DC or Queen or Darkness or Run DMC, etc. Perhaps start a new thread for that one.
If you would like some company for moral support then I may be able to join you, let me know and I'll run it past the boss to see if I'm busy!
Funny songs have a time and a place - Star Trekkin is a great song if everyone knows it. You can't dance to it unless someone is showing you the actions (like they did at the kids club on holiday) and you can't sing it unless you know the words.
I'd get the soundtrack to Buena Vista Social Club, and perhaps some other latino films. Maybe listen to some Fun Lovin Criminals too.
The next bit is quite easy - 70's soul and disco, followed by Madness to get the party going. Irish is really good - Tell Me Ma, Irish Rover, Thin Lizzy, Boomtown Rats, Corrs, Westlife, Boyzone, etc. Plus you could play some proper Irish jiogs and reels. If there are Irish present they might like some proper traditional music too - easily picked up in bargain buckets everywhere. Or just go to Asda!
The rest is easy - you're just working through the genre's. As for the different version of classic's...you need some Brian Setzer Orchestra for Stray Cats or Glenn Miller or Frank Sinatra stuff, Westlife or Robbie also for Sinatra stuff, Hayseed Dixie for AC/DC or Queen or Darkness or Run DMC, etc. Perhaps start a new thread for that one.
If you would like some company for moral support then I may be able to join you, let me know and I'll run it past the boss to see if I'm busy!
Didn't mention this bit from an earlier email.
| QUOTE |
| It's going to be quite an international wedding, though small. There will be about 50 people, a lot of italian (like the groom), english (like the bride), some french, german, maybe greek. Most people will be 25-35yrs old, some will be 55-65. Very few children if any. |
BigBen Posted on Aug 2 2005, 11:31 PM
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| If you would like some company for moral support then I may be able to join you, let me know and I'll run it past the boss to see if I'm busy! |
Cheers Richard, I think it is moral support I need more than anything else.
My son was going to be doing it with me but he's chickened out after seeing the email.
Thats settled then, dancin queen....ymca....cha cha.....girls just wanna av fun....ace to base....etc etc....with a mixture of people like that you need to play the well known guarranteed bopping music
Cha cha mmmmmm dont know about that actually, the kids love it anyway!
Cha cha mmmmmm dont know about that actually, the kids love it anyway!
BigBen Posted on Aug 2 2005, 11:31 PM
| QUOTE |
| Irish is really good - Tell Me Ma, Irish Rover, Thin Lizzy, Boomtown Rats, Corrs, Westlife, Boyzone, etc. Plus you could play some proper Irish jiogs and reels. |
Doh
Daft as it sounds, I never thought of all these. Yes, Tell me ma, Irish Rover, but completely forgot about Corrs etc. I think I'd got it into my head that it had to be "authentic" type Irish music. I have a CD of Irish Dance music which is purely instrumental and has things like Siege of Erin on it, but I would have thought to only play one or two of these if they were specifically requested.I think the only bit that's bother ing me now is the Latin and authentic Cuban style music.
Guess where I'll be for my lunch breaks this week
Mmmm
Yea go to hmv ect for a latin compo. I don`t think you`ll need to do an hours of Irish. As Jeff said its good to play what the customer wants but don`t forget there is other people there as well.
Her email does state a couple of time `I`ll leave it to you`. Go with the crowd and do your own thing but do however throw a couple of Irish , Indie in for the B & G.......
I attended a wedding in May where the bride said to the DJ no cheese. The day after I went to see the bride and groom at there home they said they wish I did the disco as the DJ was rubbish. I wonder why? I told her if she had asked me and said "no cheese", I wouldn`t of done it. The moral of this story is play to the crowd and it will be enjoyed by all. At the end of the day the B & G wants everybody to have a great night .
Yea go to hmv ect for a latin compo. I don`t think you`ll need to do an hours of Irish. As Jeff said its good to play what the customer wants but don`t forget there is other people there as well.
Her email does state a couple of time `I`ll leave it to you`. Go with the crowd and do your own thing but do however throw a couple of Irish , Indie in for the B & G.......
I attended a wedding in May where the bride said to the DJ no cheese. The day after I went to see the bride and groom at there home they said they wish I did the disco as the DJ was rubbish. I wonder why? I told her if she had asked me and said "no cheese", I wouldn`t of done it. The moral of this story is play to the crowd and it will be enjoyed by all. At the end of the day the B & G wants everybody to have a great night .
We play a lot of irish gigs and, no, it's not all trad.
Try the Saw Doctors, U2, Joe Dolan etc
By the way, if they ask for trad watch out for rebel songs. Can cause problems!
Try the Saw Doctors, U2, Joe Dolan etc
By the way, if they ask for trad watch out for rebel songs. Can cause problems!
| QUOTE (High Fidelity @ Aug 2 2005, 09:30 PM) | ||||
Just got this email from the bride of the wedding a week on Sunday.
I'm starting to panic a bit now , maybe I'm a bit out of my depth on this one.Would anybody fancy joining me for a suitable reward. The only bit that pleased me was
, at least I've got that one. Obviously, I'm going to have to go and buy some music for this one and would be grateful for any suggestions for Latin, Authentic Cuban, Salsa CD's. And I certainly haven't got half an hours worth of Irish. |
I play loads of Latino stuff, but it sounds like they're not after anything that specialised. My advice would be to get the Buena Vista soundtrack and also something called the Beginner's Guide to Salsa. It's a 3 CD compilation (by one of my friends). It's only about 7 quid in HMV, I think, and pretty much every track is a killer track. That's general Salsa (I think mainly from Colombia and New York). There's also a Beginner's Guide to Cuba, which (obviously) only contains Cuban music, but I'd go for the general Salsa compilation for this gig (sounds like she's got some interest in Salsa, but if she was after a full on Salsa thing, she'd have gone for a specialist Salsa DJ).
The big Latino music at the moment is Reggaeton, but that might be a bit too extreme for this. In the UK, the big Reggaeton track is Gasolina by Daddy Yankee (currently about 5 or something in the singles chart) - but like I say, it might be a bit extreme (although it was all over Latin America last year, so you get the "holiday" thing - pretty much every time I've played it outside a Latin club someone has come over and asked me what it was - before it was released here - because they'd heard it while they were on holiday in the Dominican Republic or Puerto Rico or somewhere).
Just another thought - there's a band called Salsa Celtica who play tunes which mix Salsa and Scottish music. I know Scottish music and Irish music aren't the same, but some of the tracks may go down well. I've never played any (they would most definitely not be appreciated) but they may work for your crowd.
Just picked up the "Buena Vista Social Club" CD from the library, together with "Salsa - The essential album". Just had a quick listen and the Buena Vista seems to be mainly background type music, so should be no problem as she's requested this for when people are arriving.
Have to say, I'm not half as nervous of this gig now after talking to you folks.
Have to say, I'm not half as nervous of this gig now after talking to you folks.
I ment to mention this before but there's a great series of CD's
called 'Beginners Guide' - they have about 3 discs on them and
include titles like:
Beginners Guide to Africa
Beginners Guide to Reggae
Beginners Guide to Salsa
...
etc.
The good thing about them is that they seem to be compiled by people
who know what they're talking about and they come with really
detailed sleeve notes so by the time you've listened to them over a
weekend you can bluff your way through a 20 minute chat to an expert
(I did this with a Cuban friend after listening to the Salsa CD).
here's a links to the Salsa compilation:
http://www.reviewcentre.com/reviews43713.html
PS - they're cheap too 8)
called 'Beginners Guide' - they have about 3 discs on them and
include titles like:
Beginners Guide to Africa
Beginners Guide to Reggae
Beginners Guide to Salsa
...
etc.
The good thing about them is that they seem to be compiled by people
who know what they're talking about and they come with really
detailed sleeve notes so by the time you've listened to them over a
weekend you can bluff your way through a 20 minute chat to an expert
(I did this with a Cuban friend after listening to the Salsa CD).
here's a links to the Salsa compilation:
http://www.reviewcentre.com/reviews43713.html
PS - they're cheap too 8)
Here's a better link - just look at the other customer ratings:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B...8165171-7063018
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B...8165171-7063018
| QUOTE (High Fidelity @ Aug 3 2005, 01:34 PM) |
| "Salsa - The essential album" |
That looks to have a good variety of tracks on it (although not all Salsa, despite the title). The Africando track was popular in the clubs a year or so ago, so that's a safe bet. Oye Como Va is a classic (although most people would know the Santana version rather than the Tito Puente original), but is a Cha Cha Cha rather than Salsa. Beny More is from way back and is pretty much deified in Cuba. The rest of the stuff all looks good too. I'd still recommend the Beginner's Guide to Salsa though. Another nice thing about that set is that the CD's are broken down by tempo, so CD1 is a warming up CD, CD2 is mid-tempo and CD3 is full-on.
Should have added The Dropkick Murphy's for 'end of night stuff'. Their "Drinking Song" went down very well at my Irish gig last year, as did "Kiss Me I'm S***faced". One word of warning, following the Irish wedding I did neither myself or the hotel will do an Irish wedding again. About 100 guests had arrived the previous night and had been drinking for almost the whole time. Consequently there was a lot of arguments - no trouble - but I had a guy emptying his pockets on my CD's asking me not to stop at 1am. As I pulled the plugs he got offensive calling me all sorts of stuff - five minutes earlier I was his mate and the best dj he'd ever heard.
This is not intended to put you off, up until midnight they had been a really friendly great crowd. Then they asked for religious based songs....even though I'd been told to steer clear of these by the groom earlier that day, it was he who was telling me to play them now.
This is not intended to put you off, up until midnight they had been a really friendly great crowd. Then they asked for religious based songs....even though I'd been told to steer clear of these by the groom earlier that day, it was he who was telling me to play them now.
Looking at the list it would be quite enjoyable but you can just see some one at some point of the evening coming up and saying "This music's crap put some Abba on" just as you was getting to ABBA. The dance floor fills and that person comes over and says told you so, call yourself a DJ.
Keep up the good work though...just remember who is the customer and who was invited.
Rather you that me!
Keep up the good work though...just remember who is the customer and who was invited.
Rather you that me!
Reading Richards reply made me think.
On the original contact she's made no mention of Irish people attending. Lot's of other nationalities, so why ask for Irish music.
I'll be replying to her tonight to re-assure that everything will be OK and raise some finer points with her.
I'll be sure to let you all know how it goes.
Thanks for all the help people.
On the original contact she's made no mention of Irish people attending. Lot's of other nationalities, so why ask for Irish music.
I'll be replying to her tonight to re-assure that everything will be OK and raise some finer points with her.
I'll be sure to let you all know how it goes.
Thanks for all the help people.
I would welcome a letter like that to be honest, I wish all my clients were more like that.
| QUOTE |
| Hello Paul, Thanks for your email. About the Irish music, I wasn't really thinking of the Corrs or Chris de Burgh, something more like the Pogues (more of an Irish sound to it with fiddles etc.). No Irish guests but the italians will like it, and my family has Irish origins so it will be ok. Just listened to some Shamrock, just the thing! |
So I still need some more help here folks.
All I seem to have are:
The Irish Rover - The Pogues & The Dubliners
Fiesta - The Pogues
Tell Me Ma - Sham Rock
and an instrumental CD by Michael O' Donohoe which is just accordian and drums with tunes like Cloneen Jig, Two Hand Reel, Siege Of Ennis etc.
So can anyone suggest a good CD, or 2, that I could nip and get from HMV, Music Zone, Woolies etc in town, that would match her requirements for "like the Pogues (more of an Irish sound to it with fiddles etc".
A compilation CD rather than the likes of "The Pogues Greatest Hits" would be best.
think youll struggle to find the irish up beat fiddles type music other than those 3.
Some not so upbeat but sing along jobs
Whisky in the jar,pouges
**** you im drunk Irish drinking song
the leaving of liverpool pouges
wasnt that a party irish rovers
the unicorn song irish rovers
the wild rover Dubliners
flogging molly irish drinking song
spanish lady Dubliners
beer beer beer irish drinkin song
St patricks day stomper mix is good but it has lord of the dance in the mix which may not work?
fergal sharky, a good heart RWL mix ok too
Some not so upbeat but sing along jobs
Whisky in the jar,pouges
**** you im drunk Irish drinking song
the leaving of liverpool pouges
wasnt that a party irish rovers
the unicorn song irish rovers
the wild rover Dubliners
flogging molly irish drinking song
spanish lady Dubliners
beer beer beer irish drinkin song
St patricks day stomper mix is good but it has lord of the dance in the mix which may not work?
fergal sharky, a good heart RWL mix ok too
If you think its Irish reels and jigs that they'll be looking for, you could do well do grab this one
I used it for a do a couple of years back where they wanted about half-hour of that stuff.
(The host and wifey were a bit of an Irish dancer - don't ask me which bit though,
)
I used it for a do a couple of years back where they wanted about half-hour of that stuff.
(The host and wifey were a bit of an Irish dancer - don't ask me which bit though,
)
Try Shamrocks & Shenanigans, pogues, saw doctors, boomtown rats etc, some great tracks in trad themes.
Amazon
Amazon
Just thought I'd let you all know how this went.
Turned out to be surprisingly good eventually.
After travelling up the M6 for one and a half hours I was set up by 7pm, ready for the 8pm start.
8:35 I was still sat outside the french doors having a smoke and nattering with the venue staff while background music played to an empty room.
8:45 the groom came to me and said he would try to coax the guests inside, so I switched the music over to the cuban/latin stuff as the bride had requested.
I had no idea what I was playing. I could have been playing stuff like "You ugly cow, why have I married you" for all I knew . Any way, the foriegn hotel staff liked it, and there were no complaints from the guests. In fact I noticed quite a lot of foot tapping going on.
9pm the buffet opened so played normal background music for this, putting in beatles, stevie wonder etc, which had been mentioned by the bride.
During the buffet started to get some request slips back for when the party started, and things started to look good, with requests for YMCA, Grease, Raining Men, Uptown Girl etc.
Started the party off at 10pm with One step beyond as requested by the bride and immedietely got a busy dance floor. Followed this with On My Radio and House of Fun, which had them all prancing/jumping round the room, then into all the ussual party tunes.
About 11pm decided to play the guest provided CD's. Had no idea what they were as they were foreign, but suspected they may be Latin type music, so I led into them with It's a Feel Good Thing - S Club 7. This went down a storm and was probably the most succesful track of the night.
Again, playing the guest supplied tracks, I had no idea what I was playing, but I did recognise one of them. A foreign version of "Simon Says"
Was asked by the bride to finish at midnight instead of 12:30 , as the guests were getting tired. Asked her if she wanted to finish the night on slowies or party and she said party.
So I finished the night on Mysterious Girl, Sex on The Beach and Venga Boys -Boom Boom Boom. (How cheesy can you get).
Incidentally, ended up playing no indie, and for the Irish music just played Ce's La Vie and Tell Me Ma.
All in all a very enjoyable evening with thanks from the grooms mother and the bride and groom.
And the hotel staff were excellent too.
Turned out to be surprisingly good eventually.
After travelling up the M6 for one and a half hours I was set up by 7pm, ready for the 8pm start.
8:35 I was still sat outside the french doors having a smoke and nattering with the venue staff while background music played to an empty room.
8:45 the groom came to me and said he would try to coax the guests inside, so I switched the music over to the cuban/latin stuff as the bride had requested.
I had no idea what I was playing. I could have been playing stuff like "You ugly cow, why have I married you" for all I knew
. Any way, the foriegn hotel staff liked it, and there were no complaints from the guests. In fact I noticed quite a lot of foot tapping going on.9pm the buffet opened so played normal background music for this, putting in beatles, stevie wonder etc, which had been mentioned by the bride.
During the buffet started to get some request slips back for when the party started, and things started to look good, with requests for YMCA, Grease, Raining Men, Uptown Girl etc.
Started the party off at 10pm with One step beyond as requested by the bride and immedietely got a busy dance floor. Followed this with On My Radio and House of Fun, which had them all prancing/jumping round the room, then into all the ussual party tunes.
About 11pm decided to play the guest provided CD's. Had no idea what they were as they were foreign, but suspected they may be Latin type music, so I led into them with It's a Feel Good Thing - S Club 7. This went down a storm and was probably the most succesful track of the night.
Again, playing the guest supplied tracks, I had no idea what I was playing, but I did recognise one of them. A foreign version of "Simon Says"
Was asked by the bride to finish at midnight instead of 12:30
, as the guests were getting tired. Asked her if she wanted to finish the night on slowies or party and she said party.So I finished the night on Mysterious Girl, Sex on The Beach and Venga Boys -Boom Boom Boom. (How cheesy can you get).
Incidentally, ended up playing no indie, and for the Irish music just played Ce's La Vie and Tell Me Ma.
All in all a very enjoyable evening with thanks from the grooms mother and the bride and groom.
And the hotel staff were excellent too.
Sounds like a great night Paul !! Do you think it was worth all the effort?
| QUOTE |
| Do you think it was worth all the effort? |
Yes, I think it was.
I must admit that I probably spent too much time and money on the Irish stuff, but, at least I'm well stocked for the next one, and it helped me be more relaxed knowing that I had a good selection if anybody asked for more.
| QUOTE (High Fidelity @ Aug 16 2005, 06:19 PM) |
| spent too much time and money |
Isn't it this 'quality' that makes us DJ's?
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