Wedding Music: Single Works
All occasions album. RTV Communications : CD-8504
Several good performances of wedding standards: I love you truly (Nelson Eddy); Sunrise, sunset (Jim Nabors); Daddy's little girl (Mills Brothers); Dear little boy of mine (Good Time Singers).
John Arpin. Someone to watch over me. Reflections, p1993 : RD 6119.
Lots of love songs plays on solo piano: Unchained melody; When I fall in love.
Manuel Barrueco, Manuel Barrueco plays Lennon and McCartney, EMI, p1994 : 7243 5 55228 2 5
Like guitar music? Want a nice, soft sound for prelude or reception music? Try this disc. Manuel Barrueco plays popular music on guitar without making it sound like elevator music. Top choices for a wedding: Here, There and Everywhere, Michelle, and Yesterday. Pretty stuff.
Boston Pops Orchestra. Romance classics. Philips, p1997 : 456 079-2.
Orchestral arrangements of romantic standards: Unchained melody; Evergreen; Romeo and Juliet; Where do I begin.
Liona Boyd. A guitar for Christmas. CBS, p1981 : MK 37248.
Not just for Christmas anymore. This album has some beautiful pieces. Also great for Christmas weddings: In dulci jubilo (J.S. Bach); What child is this? (Greensleeves); Sheep may safely graze (J.S. Bach); Blessed Jesus (J.S. Bach).
Andre Bocelli. Sueno Sony, p1998 : 314 547 224-2
Opera phenomenon Andre Bocelli sings a number of lovely songs on this album including the Oscar-nominated hit "The Prayer," which he sings with Celine Dion.
Sarah Brightman. Time to Say Goodbye, Angel, p1997 : 7243 5 56511 2 9
Sarah Brightman has a beautiful voice, no doubt about it. This collection of songs covers a lot of territory, but includes a couple of gems that might make a pretty addition to any wedding. Try No one like you, or Mozart's Alleluja.
And for something sure to move anyone, try her beautiful duet "Pie Jesu" with Paul Miles Kingston on The Premiere Collection.
Bill Broughton. Fine Romance Intersound, p1995 : CDB 8408
This disc collects music from mid-90's movies. The selection of interest here is an instrumental version of "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" from The Lion King.
Michael Crawford. With love. Atlantic, p1992 : 82430-2.
Broadway's popular Phantom of the opera does love songs on this disc: What are you doing the rest of my life?; With you I'm born again; When I fall in love; If; Why did I choose you; Come rain or come shine.
Placido Domingo. Perhaps love. CBS, p1981 : MK 37243.
Duets with John Denver highlight this disc: He couldn't love you more; Annie's song; Perhaps love; To love; My treasure.
Carmen Dragon. Harp by candlelight. Good Music Record Co., p1995 : 140624.
Looking for harp arrangements for background music. Try this one: Theme from love story; Lara's theme; Through the eyes of love; All I ask of you; Somewhere in time; Pachelbel's canon; A time for love; Wind beneath my wings; Water music; Somewhere out there.
Eh, Paisano!" Rhino, p1997 : R2 72577
Well, I grew up in an Italian neighborhood, so I HAVE to include an Italian collection for the reception! This one is a lot of fun, with selections performed by the original artists. It includes Dean Martin's "That's Amore," "Cara mia" by Jay and the Americans, and "Just a gigolo" by Louis Prima. Great stuff!
Endless love: passion and romance. St. Clair Entertainment Group, p1995 : INS18172
Elevator versions of classic love songs: Endless love; Moonlight serenade; Greensleeves; Lover.
Virgil Fox. Encores. BMG, p1993 : 09026-61251-2
Really good selection of organ classics: Jesu, joy of man's desiring (J.S. Bach); Trumpet voluntary (Purcell); Toccata from Symphony no. 5 (Widor).
James Galway. The wind beneath my wings. BMG, p1991 : 60862-2-RC.
Arrangements for flute of popular love songs played by the master: Unchained melody; Perhaps love; Wind beneath my wings.
Etta James. Etta James, Her Best. Chess, p1997 : CHD 9367
OK, I've been told by my recently-married friends that the must-have first dance for weddings is Etta James' At Last! I can believe it, because she sings it with such passion that it has to be perfect. The song is on several of her albums, but this one may be the easiest to find. Highly recommended!
Klezmer Conservatory Band. A Taste of Paradise. Rounder, p2003 : 11661-3189-2
Klezmer music is a must for Jewish wedding. This collection has a couple of nice wedding selections including "Dovidl Bazetst Di Kale" (David Seats the Bride) which can be used for this traditional part of the ceremony, and a version of "The Sabbath Prayer" from "Fiddler on the Roof." Lots of nice love songs and rousing dance tunes.
Carole Koenig. After shadows. Carole Koenig, p1990 : CCD-1007.
If hammered dulcimer is your choice, this album, as well as Koenig's others, is perfect. This one includes 19th and 20th century classics, accompanied by harp, strings, clarinet and flute: Reverie (Debussy); Gymnopedie no. 1 (Satie); Nocturne no. 4 (Satie).
Carole Koenig. Encore: Renaissance and baroque music on hammered dulcimer. Carole Koenig, p1988 : CCD-1006.
Bouree (Handel); Rondeau (Mouret); Menuet I ~II (J.S. Bach).
Carole Koenig. Past times present: Medieval ~Renaissance music on the hammered dulcimer. Carole Koenig, p1987 : CCD-1004.
Late night guitar. Platinum Disc Corporation, p1995 : SLNG 102.
Popular favorites on guitar, including David Gates' "If".
Henry Mancini. As Time Goes By. RCA, p1992 : 09026-60974-2
The master of movie music has a nice, romantic collection here. Good dance music for the reception. Titles include "As Time Goes By," "Everything I do (I do it for you)," "Crazy World," and "The Second Time Around." Second wedding anyone?
Johnny Mathis. 16 most requested songs. CBS, p1986 : CGK 40217.
No one can croon 'em like Johnny: Chances are; Wonderful wonderful; Twelfth of never; Evergreen; Love theme from Romeo and Juliet; Love story.
Cynthia McQuillen. Dreams of fortune
This tape comes from the science fiction/filk community and includes the song "I would walk with you." A truly beautiful song which is perfect for weddings. Cynthia McQuillin wrote it for her significant other and says she's glad to know it's being used for weddings.
More Songs for Sleepless Nights Sony, p1993 : EK 57682
Here's a pretty good collection of reception music. The gem is Tony Bennett's "Just in Time."
Music for all occasions. K-tel, p1991 : 30022.
Standard stuff, but includes a relatively hard-to-find rendition of the Wedding Song by the Lettermen.
Music for all occasions. RCA, p1993 : 09026-61488-2
Usual wedding classics but has nice version of the Hallelujah Chorus to use as a recessional: Wedding march (Mendelssohn); Bridal chorus (Wagner); Hallelujah chorus (Handel).
101 Strings. Candlelight and romance. Madacy Entertainment, p1996 : AL-2-2439
Need some romantic mood music? If you life the elevator variety, try this album that has lots of romantic selections such as "Stardust," "Embraceable You," and "Deep Purple." Best for weddings? "Now is the Hour."
Christopher Parkening. Parkening plays Vivaldi. EMI, p1994 : CDC 5 55052 2 4
Guitar virtuoso Parkening plays Vivaldi and others in this beautiful recording. Try snippets of some longer pieces for prelude music: Suite in D from Terpsichore (Praetorius); Concerto in D (Vivaldi).
Party dances. BMP Productions, p1996 : CD 6001.
Hard to find dance favorites for the reception: Electric slide; Chicken dance; Hokey pokey; Bunny hop; Stripper; Hora medley.
Stevan Pasero. Christmas classics for guitar. Sugo, p1986 : SR8602
Don't let the title throw you. This album contains some of the most beautiful arrangements of classical pieces for solo guitar I've heard: Allelujah (Handel); Jesu, joy of man's desiring (J.S. Bach); Canon in D major (Pachelbel); Greensleeves; Ave Maria (Schubert).
Shelley Phillips. The fairie round. Gourd Music, p1990 : GM 105.
Shelley Phillips plays beautiful classical and folk melodies on a number of period instruments ranging from English horn to harp. This album is loaded with acoustic gems: The water is wide; Pastorale; Chanter's tune; Skye boat song.
Emeralds. Polka's Greatest Hits Step One Records, p1995 : SOR-0089
Polkas: 16 Most Requested Songs CBS, p1989 : CK 45107
I'm including these two polka collections for use at receptions. Between the two, they seem to cover most requests for polka music. After all, what wedding reception would be complete without "In Heaven There is No Beer?"
Andre Rieu. Romantic Moments. Philips, p1998 : 314 557 914-2
OK, he's pretty schlocky, but if pretty background strings are what you're looking for, try this album. In addition to a few light classical numbers, Andre does a pretty nice "Romeo and Juliet."
Romantic guitars. Good Music Record Co., p1994 : 139725-1
Instrumental guitar arrangements of a number of romantic favorites: Annie's song; When I fall in love; And I love her so; The first time ever I saw your face; Love story; Concerto no. 21 in C (Elvira Madigan); Ave Maria; Here, there and everywhere; Danny boy; Nights in white satin; Air on the G string.
Take it Off: Strip Tease Classics Rhino, p1997 : R2 72724
I include this disc for only one reason: it includes David Rose's "The Stripper." The DJ's always seem to want this one for throwing the garter. Whatever works!
Ronan Tynan. My Life Belongs to You. Sony, p1998 : SK 89863
Anyone looking for lovely vocal performances of classic songs can do far worse than to pick up this disc. Irish tenor, Ronan Tynan does a wonderful job on such cuts as "My Life Belongs to You," "Because You're Mine," "Ave Maria," and "Beloved." Gorgeous!
Todd Wilson. In a quiet cathedral. Delos, p1994 : DE 3145
Great selection of organ classics. Nice if you're looking for all-organ prelude music: Jesu, joy of man's desiring (J.S. Bach); Irish air from County Derry; Adagio for strings (Barber); Clair de lune (Debussy).
