a little dinner music

I usually throw in a little Pantera "Cowboys from Hell". It sets the mood just right...

KiD

Concur with the "Carlos Jobim" recommendation, as it appeals to diverse taste. Classic staple, but amongst many. I'll even check out the other recommendations myself.

I often play classical or Spanish guitar for an evening dinner party. It's makes a nice unobtrusive background, and is also relaxing and stimulating at the same time. There have been at least two Spanish guitar threads in the not to distant past which provide some excellent selections. A new classical guitar release that I just happened upon at a favorite store is by Paul Galbraith - French Impressions (Debussy & Ravel) seems to meet your criteria well. Good luck.

John

Thanks everyone - now I'll have to have more dinner parties
Joe

Here are the ones, I usually have stacked next to the cd player, when friends come to visit us (more or less in alphabetical order)
- Ambersunshower: "Walter T. Smith"
- Jacques Brel: "J'arrive"
- Dave Brubeck Quartet: "Time Out"
- Ron Carter & Rosa Passos: "Entre Amigos"
- Paolo Conte: "Una Faccia in Prestito"
- DePhazz: "Death by Chocolate"
- Bill Evans Trio: "How my Heart Sings"
- Antonio Forcione & Sabina Sciubba: "Meet me in London"
- Norah Jones: "Come Away with Me"
- James Kline: "Music of J.S. Bach" (on classical guitar)
- Paul Kuhn Trio: "My World of Music"
- Daniel Lanois: "For the Beauty of Wynona"
- Wulfin Lieske: "What about this Mr. Tarrega?"
- Joni Mitchell: "Mingus"
- Modern Jazz Quartet: "Concorde" and "Django"
- Marc Moulin: "Top Secret"
- Joe Pass: "Virtuoso"
- Rosanna & Zelia: "Coisario"
- Sara K: "Hobo"
- St. Germain: "Tourist"
- David Sylvian: "Brilliant Trees" (OK, not very upbeat)
- Toots Thielemans: "The Brasil Project"
- Tuck & Patti: "Learning how to Fly"
To be sure, our dinner parties don't run long enough to play them all, we just let the evening inspire us what will eventually be chosen.
Oh, and if our best pal Luc comes to visit us and it needn't be soft - in any sense of that term - at all: The Clement Peerens Explosition: "Vindegij Mijn Gat" as I think one has a duty to cater for the guest who's bringing some of the rare and special wines and the culatello zibello, right.
Karel