Tag Archives: creative dancing NYC

Top Selling Albums of All Time: A Professional DJ Review

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A professional DH review of Top Selling Albums of All Time.

I thought it would be fun to take a look at which albums are the highest selling ever in The USA. I was surprised to find out it was The Eagles Greatest Hits. I thought it was Michael Jackson Thriller.

 

Of the albums that are NOT collections, greatest hits or live, M.J. is the highest with two rock classics being Led Zeppelin IV and Pink Floyd The Wall not far behind. The surprising thing about The Wall is that it is a double album, meaning that it sold over 23 million copies of a double album costing almost twice as much!

 

It is nice to see two Country titles right up there with the Pop and Rock top sellers by crossover stars Garth Brooks and Shania Twain. The top two soundtracks are The Bodyguard by Whitney Houston and Saturday Night Fever by The BeeGees.

 

Which albums surprised you?

29 Million Albums Sold

  • Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975 – Eagles (Elektra)

27 Million Albums Sold

  • Thriller – Michael Jackson (Epic)

23 Million Albums Sold

  • Led Zeppelin IV – Led Zeppelin (Swan Song)
  • The Wall- Pink Floyd (Columbia)

21 Million Albums Sold

  • Back in Black – AC/DC (Elektra)
  • Greatest Hits Volumes I & II – Billy Joel (Columbia)

20 Million Albums Sold

  • Double Live – Garth Brooks (Capitol Nashville)
  • Come On Over – Shania Twain (Mercury Nashville)

19 Million Albums Sold

  • The Beatles – The Beatles (Capitol)
  • Rumours – Fleetwood Mac (Warner Bros.)

17 Million Albums Sold

  • Boston – Boston (Epic)
  • The Bodyguard (Soundtrack) – Whitney Houston (Arista)

16 Million Albums Sold

  • The Beatles 1967-1970 – The Beatles (Capitol)
  • No Fences – Garth Brooks (Capitol Nashville)
  • Hotel California – Eagles (Elektra)
  • Cracked Rear View – Hootie & the Blowfish (Atlantic)
  • Greatest Hits – Elton John (MCA)
  • Physical Graffiti – Led Zeppelin (Swan Song)
  • Jagged Little Pill – Alanis Morissette (Maverick)

15 Million Albums Sold

  • The Beatles 1962-1966 – The Beatles (Capitol)
  • Saturday Night Fever (Soundtrack) – Bee Gees (Polydor/Atlas)
  • Appetite for Destruction – Guns ‘N Roses (Geffen)
  • Dark Side of the Moon – Pink Floyd (Capitol)
  • Supernatural – Santana (Arista)
  • Born in the U.S.A. – Bruce Springsteen (Columbia)

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

The Professional DJ Is Not Always The Expert

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If you are a professional DJ like me, you look forward to the process of co-creating the music for each event.  It may look to the guests at the party or wedding that the DJ just shows up and follows what the crowd is enjoying. In many cases this is true. In most where it is an single event like a wedding or retirement party, we have had extensive contact and conversation with the event planner or host, especially The Bride and/or Groom when a Wedding DJ.  Together we mutually determine the basic playlist.

 

As a professional DJ who began this process over thirty years ago, I am not short on experience or knowledge but I do not know your guests, you do. There is where the collaboration process developes. You begin by offering some broad strokes of genre(s) and even specific ‘must-have’ songs.  The next step may include me recommending a few pieces that I think will compliment what you have shared with me.   If I am correct, we add to the list from there. If I am incorrect that means we need to continue our conversation to make sure I have a clearer picture of the kind of music you have in mind.

 

Here is an example:

Recently I was gettig ready for a First Communion Celebration.  Through several emails the mother and I were working on the music for the event. She had said on the phone that she wanted “Eighties music and some new stuff”.  This is a normal response. You can see how this can lead to an incorrect description of what music they wanted at the party.

 

I answered, “Do you mean like Michael Jackson, Madonna and Prince?”

 

“No. I mean like AC/DC and Meat Loaf and music like that.”

 

“Oh OK, I understand now. That is easy I have a ton of that kind of music. And for current music do you mean Rock also?”

 

“No. For current music I wold like dance stuff like Jennifer Lopez, Edward Maya, Usher and whoever does that that song ‘We No Speak Americano’.”

 

“That song is by an Australian group named Yolanda Be Cool & DCup. I have all the current hits and I will make sure I keep moving back from the older stuff to the newer stuff to keep everybody interested and dancing. What about music for the kids?”

 

“They want all Hip Hop.”

 

“You mean like Kanye West, A Tribe Called Quest, OutKast and Run-DMC?”

 

“NO! Nothing hard like that. I mean more like Rihanna and Kesha. And they also like Katy Perry too.”

 

“OK I got it now. You want me to play the most popular clean songs for the kids to dance to.”

 

“Exactly! Perfect!”

 

You can see how easily this can happen. If you want your professional DJ to play the right music, make sure they take the time to be clear about what kind of music it is you want. Please don’t assume that terms like ’80’s music’, ‘Hip Hop’ and ‘clean’ mean the same thing to everybody. If you want your event to be just the way you envisioned and even better, I invite you to have plenty of conversation with your professional DJ and if they tell you they have it covered, check and make certain you are both on the same page. Remember, it is your event and you are hiring us to make it fantastic, as professional DJs it is our job. But, it is your event.

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

A Professional DJ for First Communion Celebrations

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This past Saturday I was able to provide professional DJ music and entertainment for two First Communion Parties. Since they were both located in Central NJ, I knew there would be a large population of Italian-Americans present. I was correct and felt right at home. Being born into a bi-racial, bi-religious family, I appreciate any chance I get to be to be in the company of either of these cultural groups. My Mom is Italian, born and raised in Newark, NJ. I too was born in Newark. I grew up eating predominantly Italian food although she was a very adventurous cook and incredibly talented in the kitchen. She taught me well and I often feel most comfortable throwing together some fresh vegetables and pasta in the kitchen.

 

The first party was at 3B’s Bar and Bistro in Lakehurst, NJ.  It was a nice small but cozy room with good food and good service. As expected, there was a nice selection of appetiezers including Mussels Marinara and Clams Oreganata which were both delicious. The main course featured several dishes with my favorite being the pasta. If I go too long without eating pasta, I miss it as I did when I lived in Asia for one and a half years where getting the right ingredients was difficult. The family was very nice, the kids had fun playing games I provided and everybody had that special feeling that religious celebrations carry.

 

The night party was predominantly Italians and they were a lot of fun from the minute I turned the professional DJ music on. This was a larger group held at The Hall at Jackson Crossing in Jackson, NJ.  Since it was at night and folks were drinking and dressed for a Saturday night party, it did not take long for the requests to start filling up my DJ Request List I keep on the table with me.  We had a lot of fun as the night weaved between DJ music and activities for the teens & kids and back to adults and both. I even had the opportunity to facilitate first a kids version then an adults version of musical chairs with the music cranked up. I think the adults had even more fun than the kids! Music throughout the night moved from Top 40 to R&B to Classic Disco, Elvis, Sinatra and of course all the great dance tunes from the last fifty years.

 

It was like being at a house party for a large Italian family but in a nice venue of excellent catered food with several of my favorite dishes including Eggplant Parmigiana and Stuffed Shells. They treated me like I was one of the family and shared with me many stories and experiences that added to the celebration by dedicating songs to this family member or that old friend.

 

As a professional DJ, I enjoy participating in parties for religious celebrations as I mentioned above.  When there are people who want to have fun and enjoy each other’s company as much as these did I am reminded how important old friends and family really are. I drove home Saturday night thinking about Mother’s Day and growing up in a family where food and meals were at the root of life.  Seeing other families enjoying these same traditions left me with such a positive feeling about being a professional DJ and getting to share my gifts and experience with others.

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

A DJ At A Bingo Fundraiser? Really?

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I was skeptical at best about performing as professional DJ at a Bingo Night Fundraiser but wanted to support my friends at Ticket 2 Eternity Productions. They are a group of fun and talented actors and writers who also happen to be gorgeous. But a professional DJ at a Bingo Night? Really?

 

Really. It turned out to be so much fun! It was at Jimmy’s #43 in NYC.What we did is played a game of bingo followed by a small dance break with DJ music. We even had background DJ music during the bingo games themselves.  Who knew you could dance at a bingo fundraiser? They did; further proof of their creativity and playfulness.

 

One of the things I tried to do was to keep it interesting during the games by playing low volume music from around the globe. For each game I chose either a new genre and a different continent to draw DJ music from. I used the subcontinent of India as its own continent since they have such a large scope of music and current popularity. Also I had two games of Latin music to express different moods with even a set of Flamenco!

 

Between games during our DJ dance sets, each break was a different genre. A fun and inspiring DJ challenge to meet the needs and moods of an electic bunch of high energy people.

 

If you are planning a fundraiser and are wanting to do something a little more creative, I invite you to try a Bingo night with a professional DJ. It is fun, playful and raises money easily while smiling and laughing with some dancing as an added bonus.

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

DJ Mystical Michael – Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ Fundraiser in NYC 4/20/2011

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Ticket 2 Eternity Productions (formerly Playing with Meds) presents BINGO Night DJ Fundraiser!

So we’re hosting a BINGO night! The real deal…balls and all:)

Wednesday, April 20 at 7pm to Midnight.
Drop by anytime. Stay for awhile or a game or two!

Jimmy’s No. 43 on the LES.
43 e 7th st btw 2nd and 3rd ave.

Fun times!
Our lovely hosts for the night include our very own David Marshall and Christina Klessig.

And DJ Mystical Michael is back! So there will be DJ music and dancing! Yeah!

Fun prizes to be won! Drink specials and comraderie! Special guests!!!

No cover. $5 per bingo card game and a chance to win some awesome prizes!

Prizes include shopping tours, personal training, personal designated driver for the night, yoga sessions, products and much more.

PRIZE Just added….ABC tour with anchor, Ken Rosato and a seat at the Colbert Report taping on May 11!

$1 off beers and house wines

Come support our theatre company!
Love,
Adyana and Company

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=115684171845246

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

How To Contact A Professional DJ For A Quote

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The other day I receiveed a fantastic professional DJ quote request from my website that had me smiling from ear to ear and back again.

 

As a professional DJ who happens to be a writer, I get excited about posting and wrtiting blogs as well as DJing. It provides an opportunity for me to share my talent with others in a productive, practical manner. Typically I write flash fiction, essays, memoirs and novels. Writing for my blog and the blogs I post on Top Wedding Sites allow me to write for function as well as artistry.

 

 

The DJ Contact/Quote Request I recceived from the young couple is exactly what I hoped for when I started adding these blog posts to my site. I would like to share the request with you. I will add astericks where information is shared that is not meant for public reading to respect the couple’s privacy.

 

 

“Questions or A Quote:
Hi DJ Mystical Michael,
I’d like a quote for a wedding happening very soon… Not sure you’d be available. My fiance and I are planning on just using an ipod, but I love your website and read the blog article you wrote about why not to just use an ipod. Obviously we don’t have a huge budget if we were planning to go with an ipod in the first place, but getting closer tot he wedding I am wondering if it is a good idea. Let me know if you are available and a quote. I would be excited to have you as our Wedding DJ, based on the website and your great reviews!

Time and date of event:
May 21, 2011

Location including venue if known:
****** *******, New Brunswick, NJ

# of guests and where they are coming from:
about 200

Event theme:
Wedding (with hints of Katamari Damacy)

Your favorite DJ songs and/or musicians (Wedding Song):
The Flaming Lips, Super Furry Animals, Animal Collective, Wilco, Justice, Gorillaz, Daft Punk, MIA, Phoenix, Bird and the Bee, Joanna Newsome, Lily Allen, The B 52’s, just to name a few – we are very ecclectic- (Our Wedding Song is The Flaming Lips’ cover of “Borderline” by Madonna)

What type of Event:
Wedding”

 

 

To me that is how you write a professional DJ for a quote!

 

 

They were clear in what they want, how they want it done, what they are looking for and added some personality to let the professional Wedding DJ know what kind of people and wedding they are. It is to easy think that we professional Wedding DJs just are machines that crank out songs and playlists without any concern for whom they are for. This is not true. The more you share about yourself, your event and the theme; the better we will do at offering you a quote and response that is genuine and directed to you specifically.

 

Show your colors so we can show ours in return. Together we can co-create a fun, enjoyable event for all!

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

New Professional DJ Gear – Focusrite Saffire 6!

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This past Friday I received a package in the mail I was very excited to get, my new piece of professional DJ equipment the Focusrite Saffire 6! It is a neat little box that allows me to connect my BOSE L1 with Bass from the USB output on MacBook now.

 

I got a chance to hear it in action on Saturday at The Old Pine Community Center in Philadelphia. As expected, the sound quality was even cleaner than before and the volume increased. I am always looking for ways to improve the sound of my professional DJ equipment. Even though I use the Bose L1 system, which I know is better than most of the stuff out there that is not a reason to constantly upgrade and adapt as new professional DJ gear comes out.

 

It worked great and can’t wait to use it again!

 

If you have any suggestions, please share them.

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Professional DJ For Fundraisers

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Yesterday I had the opportunity to provide professional DJ music and MC services for Alex’s Lemonade Festival, a fundraiser at Old Pine Community Center in Philadelphia.  For those who are not familiar with Alex’s Lemonade Stand, this is from their website:

http://www.alexslemonade.org/

“Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) shares the vision of our founder and creator, Alexandra “Alex” Scott—a cure for all children with cancer.

When Alex, who was diagnosed with childhood cancer just before her first birthday, was four, she told her parents she wanted to set up a front-yard lemonade stand. Her plan: to give the money to doctors to help them find a cure. Her first “Alex’s Lemonade Stand” raised an astonishing $2,000 in one day. While bravely fighting her own cancer, Alex continued to set up lemonade stands every year. As news spread of the remarkable girl so dedicated to helping other sick children, people everywhere were inspired to start their own lemonade stands—donating the proceeds to her cause.”

 

It is an honor to be able to offer my professional DJ skills, experience and time to support such a positive organization as a professional DJ.  It is unfortunate that many DJs do not make themselves available for their communities. We our a very valuable commodity that community non-profit and charitable organizations can benefit from our professional DJ music, MC services and DJ equipment for their fundraisers, especially since there are many budget cuts.

 

I encourage all professional DJs to offer their services at least once a month to do our part in making sure these kinds of organizations are able stay around and make sure we all have them there when we need them.

 

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

A Great DJ Gig!

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At the end of every gig, a professional DJ gets the opportunity to observe how the guests and dancers have enjoyed the night. We look for the color in their skin, brightness in their cheeks and eyes and the ‘vibe’ of thorough enjoyment.  We can see in your whole being when we have done a great DJ job successfully. Lately I have been fortunate enough to witness this on a regular basis. I do not know what I am doing different but it seems something is happening to facilitate such contentment and joy on so many faces. It is such a treat for me to be able to do my part as a professional DJ to help make great events even greater.

 

On Saturday night I was again DJ at the Barefoot Boogie in NYC.  It is a freestyle dance event that is fun, creative and an environment for suppopprtive community building. We have a great time. This past event was even more so than usual. I left feeling as if I had somehow taken the gift of DJ to a new level. While I was packing up gear, several of the dancers appraoched me with phrases like “Heaven, just Heaven DJ Michael”, “That was such an amazing DJ set Michael!”, “Can you come to my house and do this every night so I can go to sleep with a smile on my face like tonight?” and “Thank you. I want to say more but really thank you is the only thing that is appropriate.”.

 

We had a good night and the beaming faces full of life and vitality were the evidence I needed as we turned out the lights and filed into the 10th floor elevator out of Insight Meditation Center. Another great gig for me to participate as professional DJ.

www.barefootboogie.org

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Preparing For The Professional DJ Season

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As the snow has melted away here in New Jersey and the days are getting longer and warmer, professional DJs take steps to prepare ourselves for the beginning of the event season. Winter is fading and Spring is waiting around the corner. For me the season professional Wedding DJ begins this Saturday night with my first wedding of the year. I am excited because it means I will be doing my thing each weekend now and the opportunity to share my gifts with others and watch them have fun and enjoy the Wedding DJ jams.

This wedding in particular should be fun for several reasons. The first is they are all Vietnamese and after spending one and a half years in Asia, I embrace the opportunity to be with them and share good times and special celebration.The couple getting married are really nice young people. They have chosen fun and very danceable Wedding DJ music for their friends and family. And there will be an eight-course native Vietnamese meal that I can’t wait to experience!

This is followed by at least one professional DJ gig per week through the Spring till the wedding, graduation and summer seasons are in full swing. I know it is corny but I love weddings. If I could DJ a wedding every Friday, Saturday and Sunday I would be full of smiles. Tired but smiling. I would miss the birthday parties, reunions, anniversaries and teen parties but weddings are my favorite professional DJ gigs.

Speaking of which, I thought it was really interesting to hear that that cable TV station TLC is looking to throw royal weddings at Times Square in NYC in April for FREE! If interested, let me know!

DANCE_AT_SUNSET_SEA_1440_X_1080_resized.jpg

The beach is only a few months away!

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ