Cooking meal for a girl: Background music?

[BigcookLittlecook]

[NOTE: We've moved this tangent from the thread at http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/868047 -- THE CHOWHOUND TEAM]

Ok Got my recipes and got my night planned. Going to get ingredients soon for a small trial cook.

What music would you guys recommend?
there has to be backround music.

[perrottwilliamson]

Vivaldi is always nice, anything truly classical, strings or orchestra. There is a CD called "Romantic Violin Music" that is really nice.

Or if jazz I'd recommend the Django & Grappelli CD/DVD.

[GraydonCarter]

The Four Seasons

[sunshine842]

the dinner was last week.

[sunshine842]

For those who aren't following the original thread concurrently:

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/8680...

Success!

[ellaf]

Thanks for steering me to the update. This are two of the funnier, sweetest posts that I've seen.

[Bill Hunt]

Seems like the two threads should be merged - however one is about food, and one is not about food, so I do sense a potential problem.

Hunt

[sunshine842]

they were one discussion, and were split because the music discussion veered way away from food.

[Vidute]

What the ptb have put asunder, let no man rejoin.

[mannnish]

Traditional Jazz

[beevod]

Do you have an accordion?

[LindaWhit]

Now this made me bark out a loud laugh!

[bobbert]

Me too...

[Vidute]

Hey...................it's bad enough I was ridiculed throughout my childhood, but, now, here, as an adult..................!!!!!!!!!!!!????

I'll have you know that the accordion is the most difficult instrument to play. You try hitting the correct buttons, that you can't see, with your left hand on a 120 bass (piano-key) accordion while only 2 of those buttons have slight indentations that give you some orientation of where you need to be in order to hit the correct button for the correct note. Not to mention the 41 piano keys and having to control the bellows. What would the dance of love and passion be without the accordion? The polka? Tejano? The chicken dance????? A band in a box!!

I, along with tens of Miss America hopefuls, take umbrage at your laughter, Lindawhit,. I challenge you to a duel of La Cumparsita at fifty paces!

Take a look at this musician, and I dare you to laugh at the accordion ever again.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScWDDN...

[Dagney]

I suddenly feel the need to watch Lawrence Welk.

[Vidute]

Seriously, take a look at this link. This is not your grandfather's accordion. You'll be asking yourself "Who is Lawrence Welk". Although, there are probably many here who are doing just that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScWDDN...

[lcool]

We have friend,neighbor in Italy who is a virtuoso on the instrument.All love when it's played for us,really sad when it's left home.

[bobbert]

Ok Vidute, I gave it a try with my wife thinking who knows, maybe the accordion is some sort of obscure aphrodisiac.Mind you, we are very appreciative of a wide variety of music and count three of our children as fairly accomplished musicians. Let's just say it was not too successful of an experiment.
2 minutes in: "what are you playing?"
4 minutes "can you please turn that down?"
6 minutes " I'm serious. Turn that down"
By 8 minutes she is begging me to stop - there is no mistaking that she is referring to the music.
By 10 minutes she is threatening to kill me.
By 13 minutes she is threatening to kill herself.
Assuming this is all part of accordion foreplay, I make my move.
I'll sum up the results with these words: stick with jazz.

[Bill Hunt]

Gosh, that sorta' sounds familiar.

If we were playing HER music, then all would be OK - say the "Mama Mia" soundtrack, but with MY music, then there ARE problems...

Hunt

[Vidute]

Ah, jazz.......why didn't you say so earlier.
http://www.gramophone.net/Search/Results/accordion+jazz

The Joe Mooney Quartet: When I Fall In Love
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFpwAws7ieE&feature=related

Barney Gilbraith and His Cocoanut Grove
From Monday On : https://onerpm.com/#/disco/album&...

[LindaWhit]

I know it's not easy to play (can't watch the video at work). I just thought it hysterical as a post in this thread for a 17yo's first date. :-)

[MGZ]

Better he should buy and learn to play a harpsichord?

[LindaWhit]

Silly MGZ. That is for afternoon tea.

[Bill Hunt]

Or, the harmonica.

Hunt

[Vidute]

Bolivian Love Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rREtqu...

[Bill Hunt]

Now, I do have some Andean Flute music. Wonder if that would work?

Hunt

[Vidute]

Maybe a tad soporific? But, definitely more appropriate than Bolero!

Now, what about the nose flute?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5CLb8...

[Bill Hunt]

It becomes more difficult for some young ladies, as there can be anatomical issues.

For me, my "musical instrument" is my iPod.

I will not go more deeply into this issue.

Hunt

[Vidute]

I was that young lady with the "anatomical issues". Not only couldn't I see the bass buttons, but I also couldn't see the piano keys on the right. Who's "Squeezebox" lyrics were changed to Vidute's got squeezebox she wears on her sqeezebox.

[Bill Hunt]

Grin!

Hunt

[Willa]

Vidute, I suspect you are right and I respect the instrument. I will say that, when I was in a solo and ensemble festival playing a clarinet trio, we played chicken reel (that might be like the chicken dance) and got a B, one of the judges commenting "Reely, girls.....". It must have been a difficult childhood for you but you seem capable of handling it. I'll bet you can dance, too. Am I right?

[Bryan Pepperseed]

If you're planning on doing Italian, here's a webpage with step by step instructions for "Anthony's Pasta Sauce, Meatballs & Braciole" that also includes a couple of hotlinks (right at the beginning of the instructions) to play some Italian music while cooking.

http://spaghettisauceandmeatballs.com/

While a quick glance at the recipe looked good to my novice eye, I'll leave it to those more in the know to tell you whether or not to pass on the recipe and just use the music for a different one.

[chartreauxx]

i still say that this is about him and her; she's probably way more interested in what music HE would choose, not what music his foodie internet friends would choose :-)

[hill food]

oh thx Captain "Buzzkill" Chartreauxx

(heh)

[chartreauxx]

sorry -__-;

[hill food]

I'm willing to bet 'Jake' isn't even reading this tangent thread.

so in that spirit:
KISS - 'Gonna Rock and Roll All Night'
Starland Vocal Band - 'Afternoon Delight'
WHO - 'Mama's Got a Squeezebox'

and it just gets worse from there. truly inappropriate 'impress' date music.

[Dagney]

Has there been mention of HOW the music will be played? Is this an I-Tunes situation? CD? Or vinyl? A good turntable can be a great ally.

[Dagney]

Hey Bigcook, for what it's worth, my husband tried to woo me with Spanish Guitar music during one of our first dates. I HATE Spanish Guitar music. I never told him this until after we were married and now it's a good story....;)

[pine time]

Mr. Pine is from India. When we first met, I tried to impress him by playing Ravi Shankar (I was 19 and thought I was so worldy). He can't stand sitar, prefering classical music.

[GH1618]

I'm getting this image of Frasier stressing about getting everything perfect to impress a woman, and then (naturally) blowing it. It's possible to overthink this.

[Bill Hunt]

Now, and remembering many of my comments above, I do think that you *might* be over thinking things a tad too much. OTOH, it does seem that many people do similar.

Way back when I WAS dating, I seldom thought that much about music. I played what I liked, and we discussed that. With my rather eclectic tastes in music, they might not have become a fan, but we had the ice broken, and had a common subject - Hunt's bad taste in music vs the rest of the world.

Hunt

[bobbert]

Jazz.
Or the soundtrack to "The Big Chill".

[Dagney]

The Big Chill? Oh my now we know how old you are. lol....

Hey what about this new Gangnam Style thing?

[Bill Hunt]

Oh, that would depend on the date. It could well be the theme from Tom Jones (thinking the oyster-eating scene)., or maybe Ravel's Bolero?

It just depends.

Hunt

[sunshine842]

Bill, I love you, but Bolero has been so overdone, I'd just burst into uncontrollable giggling.

[Vidute]

I think Tom Jones (movie and singer) and Bolero might have a more, ahem, advanced relationship connotation. This is a first dinner date, after all. If a movie soundtrack is used what about Big Night's?

[Chinon00]

I agree, nothing too suggestive.

[Bill Hunt]

Ah, first date then. Maybe one of the hot new rappers - the ones who many millions singing various misogynistic lyrics?

Personally, I am rather old-school, and have not dated in at least 4 decades, so I would go with Osamu Kitajima, and his "The Source" CD. Of course you youngsters will laugh at that.

Hunt

[Vidute]

I'll pass on the rappers, too. I prefer harmony as opposed to discordant anger

[Bill Hunt]

Well, for MY "discordant" tastes, I liked Curved Air, but wife hated them. OK, off to something else...

Now, if she had her way (cannot navigate the home, whole-house theater), she'd go with "Sleepless in Seattle," or "Mama Mia," but as I CAN run the system, those are down the list.

Remember, I have not had a "first date," in well over 40 years, so I am not the best source for music for "a new girl in my life." [Grin]

Hunt

[Bill Hunt]

Ah, depends on one's background.

Hunt

[pollymerase]

I'd a little more than a decade your senior, but unless she is a trained classical or jazz musician, stay away from those genres, it screams to me trying to hard to be a grown adult. Keep it as what it is, a young budding romance of teenagers. What music does she listen to? What music do you listen to? I like the suggestion of Jack Johnson, it goes well with most occasions. If you are worried that is too cliche, maybe the Head and the Heart or Tallest Man in the World. If also love having The Xx (a band, get your heads out of the gutters) playing for something like this, but that may be a bit out of there. My one throw back suggestion would be The Talking Heads Greatest Hits. There are enough songs that are familiar to most people and I think it's a great conversation maker.

[Jase]

Yeah, finally something that's more in the age range. I heartily second XX, Polica and Fleet Foxes would work too. Possibly Pains of Pure Pleasure and Violens for something more uptempo.

Or heck, just put on Pandora and leave it on the Chill Out Station.

[Bkeats]

Come on people. Aren't there any more suggestions from this century? I'm more than twice the Op's age and I don't get Barry White, Otis Redding, et al themes. When I'm out at my favorite restos these days, the music tends towards 80s, 90s stuff. 60s, 70s not so much.

[sunshine842]

We had OMD and Boz Skaggs....damned kids.

and stay off my lawn!

:)

[Bkeats]

Isn't Boz Skaggs what you get if you do too many OMDs?

[hill food]

we are being silly now. and yeah stay off the damn lawn. call us in a few days.

[JonParker]

Front Line Assembly.

[thatwhileifound]

HA! Perfect. Maybe some Venetian Snares and Merzbow while we're at it.

All depends on the girl, I guess. :D

[HoosierFoodie]

Whatever she likes.

[Dagney]

I vote for instrumental.
Maybe a CD of upbeat popular classical tunes or a soundtrack.

Phillip Glass is an excellent modern composer whose music would be perfect. His sound is calm enough to satisfy a conservative ear, but unusual enough to satisfy eclectic tastes.

[betsydiver]

seems to me phillip glass is somewhat sterile for a dinner date... i find his repetition annoying and cold... perhaps some older classical stuff . i.e. Brahms, others from romantic period...? diana krall or even her husband, elvis costello would be good...

[Bill Hunt]

Other than "Northstar," I would greatly agree. And besides, I think that Mike Oldfield's version of "Northstar" is better.

Hunt

[Willa]

Phillip Glass would send me running for the hills! Not on this date. Maybe later for some people. Not for me. If I were on this date and Phillip Glass was in the background, it would be a non-starter. Reminds me of my ex-brother-in-law, a music snob who could reach stunning heights of disdain for almost everything with tonality in any century. He had a lot of hand-made percussion instruments (I'm sorry, boards with nails in them and other such things) that he liked to place around him while he sat on the floor and bang them randomly with other crude tools. Whatever floats your boat. Betsydiver's suggestion of Brahms would be much better, but only if the date could take it and I really think the Ballades are the best way to go with Brahms -- Rubenstein playing brilliantly as only he can play Brahms.

I was actually cruising through this thread, marveling that it was still going strong, and writing about the benefits of vinyl when I hit a wrong key and lost my text. I'm ashamed, as a former music major gone wrong but still a musician, that I have not paid more attention to the sound differences. To Hunt, who said "maybe only a few of us notice the difference" I want to say, yes you are probably correct. But it reminds me of when I was in band, learning how to listen and how to discern correct pitch. After a little bit of training, it was both easy and painful to spot bad pitch. When I have some spare time, I'm going to make this issue an educational exercise. My 21 year old son will help. He has a great ear.

[hill food]

Willa - at least for a present you can always give your ex BIL a rare bootleg of John Cage's "4'33 (for Piano)"

I understand they can be found very affordably.

[Willa]

Ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ba, ha,ha! Sometimes, so much more fun than "lol". He loved, loved, loved John Cage. What an a...One night, a few of us settled in to the hot tub under the stars and creepy BIL came in, reluctantly donning a suit (he was a California style guy, sort of) to the great relief of the rest of us (had he not been there, suits might have been optional). Anyway, I took him on and started quizzing him about music. He has a classical collection. This evening, he sneered at Bach (I revere Bach), Beethoven, Mozart, all of the classical composers starting with the Baroque period. He gave a nod to Gregorian chant. Moving into the twentieth century, he was even reluctant to admit that Bartok had redeeming qualities. Too much tonality. I was surprised, given that he had made a gift to me of a few Grieg pieces for piano and certainly they are beautifully musical. Poulenc -- he was confused. Into pop, rock, folk, jazz, ....... sneers at the Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel, Bob Marley, Steve Goodman, Joan Baez, Pete Seger, Herb Alpert, Led Zeppelin, Moody Blues, the Stones, Sarah Vaughn, ....absolutely no support or affinity for any western music at all. Except the John Cage sort. I enjoyed the deposition because he came off as a true jerk, helping my sis make the decision to dump the creep.

[sunshine842]

heading off on a tangent -- have they released the new Stones single in the States yet?

Mick and the lads still rock a lot harder than kids young enough to be their grandkids!

[Chinon00]

That's because rock is no longer relevant.

[sunshine842]

then I'll have to be happy being irrelevant.

Funny how that doesn't sound so bad anymore.

[TeRReT]

whatever your generation is listening to and whatever she likes. When I am cooking for a woman typically I like something like Jack Johnson. His music is smooth, casual, can be a bit up beat but can easily be listened to quietly and in the background. Thats just me and my generation and the women I cook for love Jack Johnson so its all good.

[Chinon00]

Depends on the girl.

[antennastoheaven]

Like others have said, finding out what *she* generally likes is key. If you can share something that you really like that is new to her and you think she might like, that would be extra cool. It's a good conversation topic if nothing else.

Without any insight into what you guys like, I vote for something postrock-y and instrumental but not dark...Explosions in the Sky, perhaps?

[chefMolnar]

Am I the only one who thinks this thread has gotten out of hand? We seem to be naming the music we like, regardless of our age.

Besides, everybody knows the answer is Marvin Gaye.

[hill food]

alternated with Isaac Hayes

[Tripeler]

Go even further with Johnny Hartman. He did an album once with John Coltrane and it is exquisite. Never under estimate the power of a full, deep male voice.

[hill food]

I will have to look into this.

[Dagney]

and Barry White.

[sunshine842]

I was waiting for someone to mention Barry...he wasn't all that to look at, but oh, that voice.

Would kids today "get" Barry White?

I'll add Marvin Gaye back into the list (how is he creepy?), as well as some Boz Scaggs, Smokey Robinson (Baby, let's cruise away from here....) -- yikes. all these singers that poor Jake and his girl have never heard of.

Yep, we're old.

[lcool]

and now that it is 23:30 his time of the big day
all is moot

other than good wishes and kudus

[sunshine842]

it's 23:30 on SUNDAY.

But I think we're continuing on for the next time.

[lcool]

BcLc posted on the HC dinner thread

postponed,delayed until Thursday PM.......3 days to go

[sunshine842]

oh, maaaaan...all these Chowy Godparents sitting on pins and needles.

[hill food]

oh yeah Barry, but I'd save him for after dinner on the couch...(so to speak)

[Dagney]

And Sam Cooke.

[hill food]

or Lou Rawls

[Bill Hunt]

Hey, that IS a good choice, at least for one of my era.

Hunt

[ratgirlagogo]

Marvin Gaye is creepy, much like this thread. Otis Redding!

[chefMolnar]

Yep, definitely gotten out of hand.

[SAHCook]

I do love Otis Redding! I could listen to his songs all day!

[John E.]

This thread won't get really creepy until somebody suggests Ravel's Boléro. ; )

[sunshine842]

way too late. That was days ago.

[John E.]

I must have missed it but I thought I read all the posts.

I would play whatever music these two both of them like.

[thegforceny]

Men in their 60-70s suggesting music for a 17 yr old to seduce his teenage date got creepy a long time ago. (I personally found the apex was when someone asked if he intended to use an iPod , CDs or vinyl. Yeah, he has a turntable and records.)

[sunshine842]

actually, it's amazing -- I know a few kids who have turntables.

Nobody said anything about seducing...

[Vidute]

Vinyl's making a comeback.

http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/05/11...

Can cassette and eight-track be far behind?

[Bill Hunt]

I agree completely. Audiophiles are starting to rebel against the "astringent" CD sound. Time to hook up my Denon. Hope to do so, on a concrete column, with milled SS plate with my redo downstairs. Then, I will bring the vinyl out of my storage facility.

Hunt

[hill food]

I too like the 'scratch pop and fuzz' of old vinyl.

hope your storage facility (presumably in PHX) didn't melt the albums.

[Bill Hunt]

Actually, the storage is climate controlled, so hope that all will be fine?

Hunt

[hill food]

a dark, cool, dry place, should be fine. look at the mummies...

John E. - a friend in the 'biz' back in the early 90's was releasing on CD and highly limited pressings of vinyl, when everyone was going digital. guess which format goes for somewhere upwards of $60 now.

[John E.]

What is interesting is there are more vinyl albums being pressed now than there were several years ago.

Heck, CDs are also going away. MP3 files are not even as good as what the old 45 rpm records used to produce.

[Bill Hunt]

Yes, people are coming back to vinyl, and in surprising number.

Hunt

[Tripeler]

Came back? I never left. However, I don't listen to my analog cassettes much anymore, but I have a huge number of vinyl LPs that are not likely to wear out while I am still alive.

[John E.]

Your cassettes from the 70s and 80s are likely not in too good a shape any longer. Magnetic tape does deteriorate faster than vinyl records as long as the records do not get too hot.

[Tripeler]

I have a few cassettes I recorded in the mid 1970s which still play well. In fact, all the tapes I have are at least 20 years old, and the ones which invariably play well are all from quality Japanese manufacturers like Maxell and Teac.

[John E.]

You are correct in that the quality of the tape has a lot to do with how cassettes age. If you have any that are not replaceable, I'd digitize them because they will eventually deteriorate. (I understand that statement has a touch of irony).

[hill food]

John - ya got a link for info on that? I know video has a "firewire" but for audio most folks I know just chuck the tape and go back to vinyl or over to digital.

[John E.]

I don't have a link but you can do an internet search for RCA cable to USB cable. If you have a cassette player with an RCA cable to a USB cable there are lots of software programs that take it from there. It's been so long ago since I have done this the operating systems I used are long since put into the pasture.

[hill food]

that's kinda what I figured. I no longer have any tape equipment with anything more than a headphone jack. oh well. sooner or later it all shows up on the web anyway. less baggage. but thanks

[Vidute]

don't know if you're interested, but hammacher schlemmer has a tape converter that restores the cassette's quality and converts it to cd or mp3.

http://www.hammacher.com/Product/Defa...

[Willa]

Thanks! I'm not sure the converter would handle the tiny dictaphone tape. It's only about 2 inches long. I might consult my tech department at the office. I think this will be expensive no matter what but the tape is priceless!

[hill food]

I knew there had to be something out there.

[Googs]

If you have a headphone jack, you have audio out. If you have a computer, you have audio in. Cables can be complicated. You may have to boost or convert your signal, but these are quick and cheap add-on's . Only a test recording will tell. I have no doubt the Teac is a fine, fine product, but I'd say its worth one cheap shot first.

Here's a how-to link you may find useful.
http://www.ehow.com/how_5784511_conve...

[Bill Hunt]

Yes, my "metal" tapes are still sounding great. Glad that I recorded those.

Hunt

[Willa]

Oh, have so enjoyed the technical talk about sound. I intend to spend some quality time listening. I do have a turntable and vinyl. Now my question: I have a tiny tape that was used in a dictaphone when I was a young attorney and my 2 year old was at my office. I just recently found it. I used to sing to him. On the little tape is a complete version of little 2 year old Noah singing "Indiana Wants Me." Don't ask. In addition, I have a good portion of "The Shadow of Your Smile." Also performed by my 2 year old who is now 21. Of course,, I sobbed buckets. I used to let him sign into my dictaphone when I took him into the office. And I used to sing constantly. He picked up the words. Imagine a 2 year old -- "If a man ever needed dyin' he did.......No one had the right to say what he said about you......" Anyway, the question is, how can I preserve that tape? It is priceless!

[hill food]

oh god yeah, post a even bad dub to youtube and share the link. I'd love to hear that.

[LindaWhit]

As would I!

[Bill Hunt]

Willa,

Much will depend on the output connections on your deck, and then on the inputs to the other device, say a laptop computer. What sort of output connections does that deck have?

Ideally, hook it up to your computer, then capture that audio with a program, like the free Audacity, to your computer's HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and from there, burn a CD, or DVD of that captured file.

Good luck,

Hunt

[Willa]

I should look at the machine that plays the tape back for my assistant to type? That makes sense. If it has an output connection I may be able to attach it to an input connection on another device .... maybe with a program like Audacity. Did I say that right? Thank you so much for the advice! I knew there must be a way to capture this sound.

[Bill Hunt]

I think that you did. Audacity is a great, little, free program, for audio-editing. It has great power, and can "convert" all sorts of audio streams to something else. While I use Adobe Audition most often, Audacity has some great power.

Good luck,

Hunt

[Bill Hunt]

My reference was not aimed at you, but at the "buying public."

For most, CD's, SACD's, etc., and then the various flavors of MP3's almost completely replaced vinyl. Then, some people did critical listening, and understood that there WERE differences. Those people are now heading back to "record stores." They are again buying high-end turntables, and tone arms, plus cartridges.

You can see some of that CD/MP3 mind set, when you try to find a receiver with a phono input, and especially with a MM (Moving Magnet), or MC (Moving Coil) pre-amp. Some have been around, through the downturn, but most have yet to "catch back up."

You might not have given up on vinyl, but the vast majority of consumers DID.

Hunt

[John E.]

I know a few audiophiles who absolutely hate CDs (not to mention the much worse audio quality MP3 format) and are willing to spend thousands of dollars on equipment. Most of them don't even want their amps to have transistors, integrated circuits, etc. They love their Macintosh tube amplifiers.

[Bill Hunt]

John,

I am one of those, but some do say that I have a "tin ear." My main system has special compensation for CD and SACD source material, to process it into a steam, more like vinyl. MP3, is only used as a convenience for me. I hate the audio, but cannot bring my system onto an airliners, so just make do. I edit a lot of Audio, and eschew MP3, like the plague. Full DVD quality PCM/WAV 48 KHz 16-bit audio, DTS, or fully DD 5.1 SS AC3, is about all that I can enjoy. The MP3's are basically to drown out the drone of the jet engines.

Give me my system, my half-speed masters, and a great glass of wine, and I am in heaven.

Now, for great "food music," I do not demand vinyl, and will use CD's, or SACD's, depending on my collection.

As for MacIntosh, I am more a Carver fan, with four Krell's for amplification, but that is just me. Tubes ARE still great, but a solid state Class-A is good too. Now, I do often process to tube, but it is electronic, and just a good emulation. Maybe I DO have a tin ear?

Hunt

[Googs]

It's the compression and correction that kills me. Compression should only be used by experts not the everyone currently using it. Correction (hel-lo auto-tune) sounds like insects buzzing in my ears. Clearly audible and yet if you're raised with it and have never known pure voice or acoustic instruments it seems you're immune.

[Bill Hunt]

Yes. I agree that the current desire for high-compression kills so much music, but many do not seem to notice. Maybe it's just a few of us?

Hunt

[John E.]

I'm glad I'm not one of those men in their 60s and 70s suggesting music then.

[Bill Hunt]

Oh wait, they already have... [Grin]

Hunt

[beevod]

Rare is the woman who doesn't melt at the sound of a Haydn string quartet.

[sunshine842]

even one who's just 17?

[beevod]

Especially at 17.

[Chinon00]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7kc14...

[Willa]

Here is one last suggestion. Have a couple of back up activities planned. You don't want to end up sitting side by side on the couch in awkward silence. That is a very unlikely scenario, but it happens. If conversation slows, and romance is a ways off, maybe a walk after dinner? Also, you might want to have a game or two up your sleeve to break the ice if awkwardness develops. Sporcle is a lot of fun. It is an online quiz game that is timed and fun for two people to play together. My 21 year old showed me the game on a trip we took, and we were addicted. You choose from categories, like finish the lyrics, name that song, name all 50 states (that is harder than you think), literature questions,history, movies......It's fun! And, you interact and get to know each other quickly. Backgammon. Chess. Scrabble. Buy a kinex set and build a ferris wheel or a roller coaster with a motorized engine. Play karaoke revolution on playstation. You probably won't need these fall back ideas. But let me tell you, one time my sister went on a blind date with another couple to Cedar Point -- an amusement park about an hour away from home. The blind date never said a word. Sally and the date rode all the way to the amusement park never speaking. It grew more and more awkward the longer they went without speaking. Pretty soon, it was impossible to speak. They rode rides. But they never said a word to each other the whole day!

[Vidute]

Ok, Willa. Where do you live? Reason I'm asking is that I am soon to be unemployed because of Sporcle and I will be needing a place to live. Bad Willa! Bad Willa! ;)

[Willa]

Ok, Vidute. And where do you live? Your message raises so many questions! If you give me your email I will answer your question and ask some questions of my own. Oh, and I just happen to have an interesting house ...........not kidding ....needs a caretaker..... But no more on this thread.

[Vidute]

Hi, Willa.

I'm in Baltimore. And, my gosh, do you have a good heart! I'm really not in danger of losing my job, this was just my way of letting you know that I like your taste in websites and that I'm enjoying playing on Sporcle, maybe too much! It looks like I need to work on my comedic delivery. :) If you still want to chat, my email is [e-mail].

Thank you for caring and reaching out to help a stranger.

[Bkeats]

You're a Brit. Play British music. What came to mind for me is razorlight. Girl with the Golden Touch. I think that song would be perfect. I love that tune. Sets a great mood and it's so up tempo. Whenever it comes up on my iPod, I hit repeat.

[therealdoctorlew]

There is only one answer: Frank Sinatra

[Willa]

I touched on the subject of music about a half hour ago in one of my many previous posts! Do not go with Lady in Red. Please. When your girl arrives, you might want to be playing something fun and lively. Like Gypsy Kings! Adds energy to the room and has a touch of romance without being obvious. I wouldn't go with heavy metal, grunge, hard rock, acid rock as we used to call it.....If you like folk music, try Steve Goodman and John Prine. We used to play their music when we cooked while camping. If you want a little upbeat classical, try Bach or Vivaldi violin concertos. As I said earlier, your choice if you want to go the Glenn Close route in Fatal Attraction and blast some Madame Butterfly. I would think it was funny. But I'm 54 years old! Diana Krall. Tony Bennet and K.D. Lang duets. Simon and Garfunkel. Rufus Wainwright! Joan Biaz. Find the song "Jessie" that she sings. Some classical guitar could be nice, but if you don't listen to it regularly it is too obvious! Very important. Do not appear to be trying to romance her. The dinner is enough. Now be casual and nonchalant. If you play any of the Rat Pack, play Dean Martin's Sway after dinner. She might want to dance. Everyone does when they hear that song.

[LindaWhit]

I like the mix of music you mentioned, Willa. Gipsy Kings and some uptempo would be great for the start of the evening.

[Vidute]

Big fan of Gipsy Kings. Their music has a nice energy and since they sing in Gitane, you won't spend the meal mentally singing along instead of talking with your date.

[pine time]

Willa, we're in the same age range--BigcookLittleCook, have you heard of some of these? LOL about Dean Martin & Sway--one of the 1st songs I made Mr Pine dance with me! We were married a month later! :)

[Vidute]

You married Dean!!

[chartreauxx]

this is just me, but... why don't you just, uh, play some music you like? part of the point of this is that you like this girl, right? i know you want to impress her and stuff, but it seems like a large part of this is simply getting to know one another. the more honest you are, and open you are, about who YOU are, the better, imho. that includes picking music and food that are true to who you are (i think anyway).

i'd play what you like to listen to, and try to find something within what you enjoy that you think she'll like, too.

[Googs]

No, it isn't just you chartreauxx. I would have to agree. BigcookLittlecook should play what he likes. You never truly know a person until you've been to their home and music is a part of that discovery. The only thing I would add is this: The music played while he's cooking should relax him. The music played when they're dining should relax her.

[eepi]

I would go for instrumental music. Would be kind of cool to have the music match the cuisine. In case you want something more general, though... You can't really go wrong with classical guitar / fingerstyle / flamenco. Richard Gilewitz, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Tommy Emmanuel, Eric Fernandez, Leo Kottke, Muriel Anderson, Andres Segovia would all be good choices if you go for a guitar playlist.

[hill food]

Astor Piazolla ("feel the PAIN that is tango") Stan Getz/Joao Gilberto and something goofy. you'll look not trendy.

personally I think Tom Waits is good dinner music, but others disagree.

[MelMM]

>personally I think Tom Waits is good dinner music, but others disagree.

Only if dinner consists of whiskey and cigarettes.

[hill food]

and Filipino Box-Spring Hog.

got a problem with that? (smirk)

[Big Bad Voodoo Lou]

Eggs and sausage, coffee and a roll, hash browns over easy, chili in a bowl...

[mcf]

You make that sound so unusual. ;-)

[MelMM]

Well, in my case, it would be just whiskey... the cigarettes would just get in the way. And it's perfectly legit, in my book.

[mannnish]

that is funny but I do like Tom Waits......and whiskey

[latindancer]

<personally I think Tom Waits is good dinner music, but others disagree>

LOL!! I love him, always have....

[sunshine842]

for you, eepi.

Whatever SHE likes is what should be in the background.

[eepi]

Playing whatever she likes would certainly be another way to handle the music. I am not sure I'd go so far as to say that's how it SHOULD be, however. And he did ask for suggestions...

I offered some suggestions for guitar music that's purely instrumental but in a variety of styles so that it wouldn't necessarily carry the formality of an all-classical playlist for example. I chose things without lyrics so that it would serve as background in a less potentially-distracting way than songs with lyrics but that is just one way to think of background music of course.

Perhaps the girl hates guitar music in which case you certainly could go wrong with this approach.

[inaplasticcup]

I second sunshine.

Actually a mix of whatever downtempo music you like with whatever downtempo music she likes at a just audible volume. I think that shows her you're paying attention, and it also tells her a little more about you.

[MelMM]

I'm going to second instrumental music. It would be great if you already know of some instrumental pieces that you like. The problem with vocal music is that the lyrics can interfere with the mood. There are a lot of Celtic songs that just make me want to slit my wrists, they are so depressing. Beautiful, but real downers. And even upbeat songs can backfire. When I was not much older than you, my then boyfriend had carefully put together a collection of songs for one of our dates. Just as things were heating up, on comes this song that I happened to find very, very funny. I kept cracking up laughing, which wasn't really the best thing for the romantic mood.

[The Dairy Queen]

Jake, we're all dying to know what your planned menu is! What are you leaning towards right now? This is all very exciting. And, yes, there must be some music playing super softly in the background.

~TDQ

[anthony.izzo]

Yeah, what's in store for this (very lucky) gal?

[LindaWhit]

I say let him get through the evening first, because people here are bound to make more suggestions to tweak his menu, which could cause even more angst. Sounds like he got lots of great suggestions on the original thread.

And some nice jazz music would be nice - you want it in the background; not overwhelming. David Benoit, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Chris Botti, David Sanborn, The Rippingtons are the first that came to mind...

[The Dairy Queen]

I was relying on people's good sense to not offer additional suggestions once he said he was overwhelmed with our ideas and only offer specific suggestions in response to additional questions he asks (such as this one, about music). :). Hopefully Jake's testing is going well.

~TDQ

[LindaWhit]

Oh, come on TDG - you *know* 'Hounds can't help but give their opinion(s). And then some. LOL!

[hill food]

well Linda you want to know what I think about that? let me just say...

(smirk)