I want to assemble a setlist for piano + voice for an old-timey venue.

August 9, 2010 1:43 PM

I want to assemble a setlist for piano + voice for an old-timey venue.

A bar recently opened near me with lots of wood and brass, and an old-timey but atemporal vibe (a mix of old west, prohibition, steampunk, et cetera. lots of faded painted text and brass and polished wood) and they have a small stage out on the patio. I'd like to whip up a set of songs with my piano-playing accomplice that is similarly old-timey but not tied to a specific time period to perform there. So far i have:

• A Kiss to Build a Dream On - Louis Armstrong
• Paper Doll - Mills Brothers
• You Rascal You- various

Any other suggestions? I am a male singer with a voice that overlaps the top of a baritone and the bottom of a tenor.

posted by thedaniel to media & arts (11 answers total)

How about some Stephen Foster? For example, "Open Thy Lattice, Love", or even "I Dream of Jeannie with the Light Brown Hair".
posted by amtho at 2:03 PM on August 9, 2010

For a somewhat ironic choice, I would suggest "The Piano Man" by Billy Joel.
posted by grizzled at 2:25 PM on August 9, 2010

Those were the days (Archie & Edith)
posted by ouke at 2:30 PM on August 9, 2010

I think it'd be cool to hear One More Kiss Dear by Skellern & Vangelis (from Blade Runner).
posted by Sutekh at 2:44 PM on August 9, 2010

Something from the Inkspots like Whispering Grass
posted by bonobothegreat at 2:48 PM on August 9, 2010

If I was in your audience I'd appreciate hearing "It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry" or "Black Crow Blues" and "Let's Go Get Stoned" or "Shake a Tail Feather".
posted by McGuillicuddy at 3:27 PM on August 9, 2010

Fats Waller is your new best friend.
posted by timsteil at 3:35 PM on August 9, 2010

Fats Waller is your new best friend.

Absolutely! In particular I recommend My Very Good Friend the Milkman.
posted by No-sword at 4:00 PM on August 9, 2010

Polkadots and Moonbeams, my favorite Sinatra song. (Also performed by Anthony Perkins!)
posted by coolguymichael at 4:13 PM on August 9, 2010

- Don't Get Around Much Anymore--Duke Ellington & Ella Fitzgerald (!!!--it also works well as a fast swing)
- The Way You Look Tonight--Harry Connick, Jr
- On the Sunny Side of the Street--Billie Holliday
posted by smirkette at 4:32 PM on August 9, 2010

Something from Three Penny Opera (not necessarily Mack the Knife)

Rocky Racoon by the Beatles

Pick a 1980's tune and sing it in a 1920's style
posted by baxter_ilion at 7:40 PM on August 9, 2010