Dinner Music: The weekly lineup
americana funk, california yacht rock, the pioneer of dance music
This week is a different take on American music. It’s independence day tomorrow, after all. We begin with the inspiration of this project, Nancy Sinatra, whose music moved me to source sounds that gave off the same feeling as her own. The album holds her iconic song, but as a whole it’s mysterious, earnest and quintessentially pop music (what’s this country without pop music?). For everyone celebrating by a pool, I give you a yacht rock jewel by Salty Miller. This is music for a lake, a pool, an ocean or any large body of water. It’s full of sunshine and good feeling. Electronic music isn’t usually paired with beachside lounging, but I ask you to reconsider and put on Afternooners by Patrick Cowley. The sounds are paired back, yet big and danceable. He’s often considered a pioneer of dance music, alongside Giorgio Moroder. With the Blackbyrds, we get America’s best sounds. The album, City Life, has some of the best jazz-funk-R&B the 1970s produced. We end with America’s queen, Linda Ronstadt. Need I say more?
Enjoy.
The playlist is here
Monday
Boots - Nancy Sinatra (1966)
Spotify / Apple Music / YouTube / Other streaming services
Tuesday
Album #1 - Salty Miller (1980)
Spotify / Apple Music / Bandcamp / Other streaming services
Wednesday
Afternooners - Patrick Cowley (1979 - 1982)
Spotify / Apple Music / YouTube / Other streaming services
Thursday
City Life - Blackbyrds (1975)
Spotify / Apple Music / YouTube / Other streaming services
Friday
Silk Purse - Linda Ronstadt (1970)
Spotify / Apple Music / YouTube / Other streaming services
Pair with:
Korean potato salad. I’m not really a make your own potato salad kind of gal, but if you put “Korean” in front of anything I ate as a child, I’m intrigued.
Watermelon slushy. I was tipped off about this recipe from an eleven year old that saw it on tiktok and demanded we make it. Easy and refreshing. I’m not here to work hard on a holiday weekend.
Strawberry lemonade Aperol margarita. All of my favorite one words in one drink.
Disposable camera. My point-and-shoot film cameras keep breaking and I keep buying disposable ones, but truthfully the results from the latter are better. More contrast, more flash, more fun.
Have a great week.