Singer-songwriter Caroline Sallee just released her third album as Caroline Says, The Lucky One, via Western Vinyl. This is her first album since moving from Austin to Brooklyn (she’s originally from Alabama), and she wrote, performed and recorded it herself. It’s perfect fall album, with a pretty, melancholic feel as her breathy harmonies and acoustic guitar are augmented by strings, gentle percussion, and pedal steel. It’s a lovely album and you can listen below.
Meanwhile, Caroline has made us what she calls “The Perfect Dinner Party Playlist,” where she pairs songs by Yo La Tengo, Neil Young, Emmylou Harris, Broadcast, Karen Dalton, The The and more to appetizers, cocktails, the main course, and post-meal dancing. There’s even a song to clear everybody out of your house. Though at just 34 minutes, the phrase “well, that escalated quickly” comes to mind. Listen to the playlist and read her commentary on all the tracks, below.
Caroline Says – The Perfect Dinner Party Playlist
1. Yo La Tengo – Green Arrow
Party time! Welcome your guests with this classic party starter. Serve with some sort of tropical drink.
2. Sparklehorse – It’s A Wonderful Life
We have now started eating snacks. This song will help keep the small talk conversation going as the late guests show up.
3. ANOHNI ft. Rufus Wainwright – What Can I Do?
Has anyone at this party heard of amaro/aperitifs? What are they? This is the perfect song to play while you show them your small collection of amaros you’ve been trying, explain what they kind of taste like, and ask them if they would like to try any of them. People will be impressed.
4. Broadcast – O How I Miss You
It’s just about time for salad. Serve this song with some sort of fancy salad and a good piece of bread and everyone will be reenergized for more small talk.
5. Karen Dalton – Katie Cruel
Serve a really good glass of red wine, and be sure to explain why it’s good and why it’s different than other wines. As long as this song is playing though, everyone will have lifted spirits already.
6. Emmylou Harris – Where Will I Be
This is the main course. The feast has been served. The small talk will continue and the dinner will be enjoyed by all.
7. Neil Young – Birds
Another drink? Things are getting rowdy. Everyone is having fun though, and some people are even dancing.
8. Bruce Springsteen – Highway 29
Okay, everyone is dancing now, including you. You really expected people to just go home soon after dinner, but everyone is having too much fun.
9. Elizabeth Cotten – Nobody’s Here But The Baby
Things are getting out of control. As if things couldn’t have gotten more rowdy, this song pops on and everyone loses their minds. Someone just accidentally ripped the curtains off the wall and then almost broke a glass.
10. The The – Bluer Than Midnight
Everyone is totally wasted. This song really brings the whole group together as everyone scream-sings along at the top of their lungs. A night to remember.
11. Ginuwine – Pony
Whenever you’re ready for the party to wind down, put this song on and people will leave.
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Caroline Says plays NYC’s Heaven Can Wait on January 11 with Eyas and Raybody.