Reviving The Timeless Standards

May 26, 2008

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But first, a question. “How many songs do you know?” I know hundreds, easily. You, too? When I asked a dozen friends, this quickly became a much more interesting question: “What makes a song memorable?” Well, it’s complicated, I’m sure, but for a start we agreed it must include a combination of the melody, harmony, lyrics, what songs you already know, and what songs you enjoyed when you were young.

On a larger level, there’s something universal about remembering songs. Everyone does it, and whoever you ask will have some particular style they remember best. How about you? For many Americans living today, one favorite style emerged in the 1920s, 30s, and 40s. Think of the big dance bands, Hollywood movies, and Broadway musicals. Think of “It Had to be You” (1924), “Stardust” (1929), “Georgia on my Mind” (1930), “Embraceable You” (1930), “As Time Goes By” (1931), “I’ve Got the World on a String” (1933), “Blue Moon” (1934), “My Funny Valentine” (1937), “Over the Rainbow” (1939), “White Christmas” (1942), and hundreds more.

Year after year now, contemporary artists revive many of these old standards with a freshness that appeals to today’s listeners. Still, there’s a timeless quality in the best of these songs, which is why they’re called “Standards”. And every year one or two new songs outlive the “fad” stage, and join the ranks of these universally popular gems. Think of “Unforgettable” (1951), “Satin Doll” (1958), “Moon River” (1961), “Girl from Ipanema” (1964), “Yesterday” (1965), and “Spanish Eyes” (1965) to name just a few.

We specialize in bringing these lovely old standards to today’s parties. We’ve found they’ll create the right mood for any special event, whether it’s a formal business banquet, a sophisticated, romantic reception, or a lively, casual soiree. Guests relax with familiar music. They can chat comfortably or dance the night away.

Is a significant event coming up in your life? Throw a party, hire a band, and sing your favorite song. It’ll probably be one of these “Standards”.

Today I'm talking with people planning parties for July 4th and Labor Day. If you'll have a party on one of these days, or on any day in between, now's a good time to plan the details, including the music. June is prime time for private celebrations — weddings, anniversaries, and graduations — and you can preview us in Cupertino on the 4th of July. Click here for details.

In the meantime, call us at 408-245-9120. You'll love what we do. We're veteran party-goers, easy to work with, and we know what it'll take to make your party a success. We've entertained people since 1975, so let our experience help your next celebration.