Thread: Restaurant Music...HELP!!!

I've been dancing at this restaurant for almost a year now and I'm out of music....or at least really sick of all of mine. I am looking for very upbeat tunes...they are not crazy about classical (sadly) or anything of slower/ medium tempo...so that has really narrowed my options....I've been dancing to songs of the (Mezdeke- Rakkas), (telegrafin telleri - turbo tabla) or Chicky-oojami) varieties....so fast paced and very upbeat...even slightly techno. But...I am out of ideas and inspiration . Any suggestions of artists or songs that get you moving? Anything would be greatly appreciated...thanks

I found some great new pop at maqam.com with the CD's "Now That's What I Call Ariabia Vol 9" and "Dance Arabia 2007". Almost exclusively upbeat, dance friendly tracks on there.

Anything from Adam Basma's CDs have served me well in restaurant gigs. They're a nice blend of upbeat music. Great for intro-songs.

Also, the Bellydance Superstars (all 4 volumes) have lots of good stuff.

Happy music hunting!

I hunt around on itunes a lot. I dance in Persian restaurants and they prefer their songs to be upbeat, pop songs. Try Sahar Nagy, Amr Diab, Moustafa Amr, DJ Wassi and Shereen Wagdi. I think all of these you can find on iTunes. ITunes also recommends other things that are similar to what you're searching, so spend some time and hunt around on there by searching key words or artists and checking out the other similar songs/artists. I think you have to have version 7.2 (or something recent like that) to get the recommendations, but the upgrades are free!

I love maqam.com!!!!! Thanks for suggesting it. It is great to be able to sample some of the music before buying...I hate buying cds in hopes that you can find one or 2 songs on it that will work.

Nukleopatra, your name RAWKS!

The establishment has to remember that YOU are the professional. I'm not saying to completely ignore the proprietor's wishes, but sometimes they do ask for ridiculous stuff that is impossible and impertinent to the dance.

Sometimes people say they don't want "slow", only !fast! music; however, for a show to be effective and varied, there has to be some slow music. I just tell them there is a difference between "slow" and "dragging", and I avoid the latter.

Or just cross your eyes and smile, and do your originally planned fantastic show!

I think most proprietors are worried about things being boring, but we should all know how to avoid that.

A great non-traditional, Arabic-style drum song is "Snakefood" by Safriduo. It should be easily downloadable if you put it in google.

Originally Posted by lallakahina

A great non-traditional, Arabic-style drum song is "Snakefood" by Safriduo. It should be easily downloadable if you put it in google.

Ooh, just the kind of song I've been looking for for weeks now. Thanks for posting!

Originally Posted by Queenie

Ooh, just the kind of song I've been looking for for weeks now. Thanks for posting!

You're welcome! I remember using this at a party and it was loads of fun ,r:;

1001 Nights "Mille et Une Nuits" (iirc) is good. They're techno mixes of classical songs for the most part. Bellyliscious has got a good mix of Sawwah and some other good ones. Natacha Atlas is good for variety (which is what I like rather than a steady pounding rhythm) as is Amr Diab.

Thanks : )

I found Snakefood" by Safriduo....and I LOVE IT Thanks so much for the suggestion.