A month or so ago, I was enjoying a fine steak dinner at El Chorro in Scottsdale. Although they went through a complete renovation and updated their menu, they still knew that they couldn’t compete in the trendy market like Culinary Dropout or Olive & Ivy. But they also knew that their longtime fans probably look like this …
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So they played it smart by going for the more recent retirees. The crowd there was definitely on the old side, but not as old as when I went to Naples, FL a couple years ago. This got me excited, because when we were in Naples one of the restaurants there was playing some really kick-ass modern music in the dining room. So with this “younger” crowd, I was thinking maybe we’d get some Young Jeezy or Panic! at the Disco.
Here’s what came on during one stretch –
Seals and Crofts – Get Closer
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I don’t know what’s more disturbing – Seals’ looks, Crofts’ voice, or the lack of eyebrows on Carolyn Willis. (Answer = all of the above)
America – Sister Golden Hair
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Nicolette Larson’s Lotta Love
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Gary Wright’s Dreamweaver
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and one of my favorites of all time, Todd Rundgren’s Hello It’s Me. Feel free to throw this video in the face of any Baby Boomer who ridicules Lady Gaga’s clothes or makeup.
Obviously, I was digging the music a lot more than my dining companion…
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So maybe the fogeys just aren’t as hip in Arizona. But the music selection was just like El Chorro’s menu – generally outdated, but pretty damn good.
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Do you remember those songs? What other songs from that era would you add to the playlist?
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Ooh, awesome dining soundtrack. I looooove Hello it’s Me. So good!
That song is incredible. I dug up my cd collection to load more Todd on the iPhone – just one victory, bang the drum, I saw the light
I’m not familiar with most of his stuff. Thanks for the suggestions!
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You can blame me, because as a hedonist I like the old style steak houses that only play music from the Rat Pack, or a classic Italian eatery that only plays Italian singers.