Help me pick out music for a party


I am hosting a party for my wife's 50th birthday party. Most of our guests are the same age and probably same musical tastes: rock from the late 60's 70 and 80's (u2, jackson browne, peter gabriel, etc), jazz (miles, carter, metheny).

It is not a dance party (buffet dinner and few people sitting down) and I would appreciate suggestins for the evening. No disco, no hiphop or rap.

Thanks

Richard Bischoff
rbischoff
Beatles, Beach Boys, Elvis, Stones. Hermans Hermits, Buckinghams, Kinks, Who.............look up some hits from the mid to late 60's- early 70's- should bring back many memories for all of you.
Verve has a fantastic 4-CD compilation set out called "A Night Out With Verve." It is divided into "Wining", "Dining", "Dancing" and "Romancing." Great for both background and serious listening with a wonderful array of jazz classics.

You might also check out any of the Rhino "Masters of Jazz" series.

All of the above give you a very nice "mix" without you having to work at it.

Finally, don't overlook your library. I've been visiting the one down the street from my house and have made some pretty interesting finds.
John Coltrane "Ballads" always works for dinner.It can be played low without putting anyone into snooze mode.
Glenn Fry "The Heat is on"
Londonbeat "I've been thinking about you"
Roachford "Family Man"
Peter Gabriel "Sledgehammer"
Tom Petty "Learning to Fly"
Paul McCartney "Live and Let Die"
Beatles "When I'm sixty Four"
Simple Minds "Don't you forget about me"
The Go Go's "Our lips are sealed"
Phil Collins "Against all Odds"
Gary Numan "Cars"
Katrina and the Waves "Walking on Sunshine"
The Bangles "Walk Like an Egyption"
Tommy Tutone "867-5309...I got your number"
Grace Jones "Slave to the Rhythm"
Queen "Crazy little think called love"
Bon Jovi "Wanted Dead or Alive"
The Clash "Rock the Casbah"
David Bowie "Ashes to Ashes"
Aerosmith "Sweet Emotion"
Joan Biaz "Diamonds and Rust"
Average White Band "Pick up the Pieces"
Frank Sinatra "It was a very good year" and "Fly me to the Moon"
Bob Dylan "Man in the long black coat"
Gene Kelly "Singin' in the Rain"
Robbie Williams "Mr Bojangles"
(these last five becuase you liked Jazz - I'd never play pure jazz for a mixed group of guests as it is a sure way to have everyone asleep by 10)
Supremes "You can't Hurry Love"

...I tried to stick with stuff that Women will like and songs that marked their time (but were not overplayed). No point playing too much U2 perhaps "I still haven't found what I'm looking for" but the early stuff is a bit "rebellious" for a buffet dinner party...better in a smokey pub drinking guinesses.
Richard, how about a little piano in the background --

Bill Evans -- Conversations with Myself or Waltz for Debby