Yacht-Pop

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Inspired by the thread "Yacht Rock".

Are you still acting hard? Why not take it in the other direction? Here's the soundtrack to your own Pacific Fantasy. Suggested accoutrements include sunsets, sea breezes, a glass of chardonnay, intimate companionship, perhaps a jaint, a bowl of kiwis... (hot tubs & terri cloth, that sort of thing). Alternately, these sounds go very well with the unexpected sun*RISE* that occurs just after a night spent partying on a Yacht, when you may be feeling a bit delicate.

"YACHT-POP" is:
1. melodic and smooth (the gentle vibe)
2. highly produced (usually 'tween '75 & '80)
3. often accompanied by wind, strings, or vibes
4. more jazz / pop / r&b, than "rock"
5. strong lyrical identification with themes such as: romantic love, freedom, nature.
6. a "coastal" thing.

Enjoy this mix: download or stream
(but please do so with sincerity)
60 minute, 14 songs, stereo mp3

ps: I wish Hubert Laws or Deodato were included, but the Creed Taylor/CTI thing is already well represented.
pps: the genre defining "Honolulu City Lights" comes in just after 30 minutes.

Bobby Peru (Bobby Peru), Tuesday, 6 December 2005 05:58 (eighteen years ago) link

When I listened to the first song on here, I thought 'hey, kinda sounds like mid 70's Joni Mitchell', and then it was "Help Me"! lovely!

derrick (derrick), Tuesday, 6 December 2005 22:00 (eighteen years ago) link

and now 'Angela'! i've always loved this song, known better as the theme from Taxi. the opening flute is so sad!

I think I have a new favourite genre. yacht pop seems like a misnomer to me, however. the music sounds so much more urban than that. you would listen to this in a crowded city, not on a boat. Yacht rock, I can get behind, but I don't know if yacht pop is as fitting.

derrick (derrick), Tuesday, 6 December 2005 22:08 (eighteen years ago) link

oh, and ending with Pat Metheny, from 'Offramp'!

thanks for this mix, it's very nice.

derrick (derrick), Tuesday, 6 December 2005 22:43 (eighteen years ago) link

Feist = Yacht pop's modern practitioner?

Yoshinorimike (Yoshinorimike), Tuesday, 6 December 2005 22:47 (eighteen years ago) link

Yeah, it's an imaginary genre. I was just playing off of the Yacht Rocker's search for smoothness. (Just drop the rock!) Any better names for this category?

Bobby Peru (Bobby Peru), Wednesday, 7 December 2005 00:08 (eighteen years ago) link

kiwi = "img src="http://www.arazpa.org.au/images/Kiwi%20Chick%20Facts%20(Auckland%20Zoo).jpg">

kiwifruit = http://www.biogro.co.nz/images/kiwifruit.jpg

so a bowl full of kiwi sounds like a silly idea

chris andrews (fraew), Wednesday, 7 December 2005 00:12 (eighteen years ago) link

Of course; Kiwifruit. Thank you for clearing that up. I should also add they should be skinned, and cut into 1.5 inch sections before placing them into the bowl. Now THAT is some lover shit right there.

Bobby Peru (Bobby Peru), Wednesday, 7 December 2005 00:19 (eighteen years ago) link

Christopher Cross "Sailing" pwnz

Shakey Mo Collier (Shakey Mo Collier), Wednesday, 7 December 2005 00:23 (eighteen years ago) link

Smoooth..

Baaderonixx weaves a daisy chain for... SATAN!! (baaderonixx), Wednesday, 7 December 2005 10:15 (eighteen years ago) link

Awesome. I haven't listened to it yet, but I am looking forward to it! I am imagining "Captain of Your Heart."

jaymc (jaymc), Wednesday, 7 December 2005 10:21 (eighteen years ago) link

Fuck. I was totally gonna say Christopher Cross.

You're kidding yourself if you think Level 42 is yacht-pop. They're too edgy..... nervous..... 'angular'.....

Mestema (davidcorp), Wednesday, 7 December 2005 15:49 (eighteen years ago) link

Love Meeting Love fits as much as anything else.

Andy_K (Andy_K), Wednesday, 7 December 2005 15:56 (eighteen years ago) link

"Summer Breeze"

Mike O. (Mike Ouderkirk), Thursday, 8 December 2005 01:59 (eighteen years ago) link

six months pass...
'tis the season.

Bobby Peru (Bobby Peru), Monday, 19 June 2006 23:11 (seventeen years ago) link

Speaking of imaginary genres, a friend and I came discovered the English equivalent of Yacht Rock, namely Houseboat Folk.

Although the only artist we can think of squarely in this category is Nick Drake. Any other suggestions of what to listen to while cruising through the canals and locks of the British waterways?

Rombald (rombald), Tuesday, 20 June 2006 06:04 (seventeen years ago) link

mmm i can't wait to listen to this.

(houseboat folk: i'd say the incredible string band. or the holy modal rounders?)

trees (treesessplode), Tuesday, 20 June 2006 06:30 (seventeen years ago) link

(houseboat folk: i'd say the incredible string band. or the holy modal rounders?)

Maybe they're both a bit too weird... I was thinking of folk with a jazzy element and/or smooth string-laden production. Perhaps Davy Graham? I could see playing Angi and Ballad of a Sad Young Man on my houseboat...

Rombald (rombald), Tuesday, 20 June 2006 06:49 (seventeen years ago) link

houseboat folk as played by friends who actually live on canalboats (and whatever you do DON'T call them barges, if theres one thing that get 'em mad etc etc) :
Nick Drake (obv)
ISB
Dr Strangely Strange
Bridget St John
Vashti
Shirley Collins
Mr Fox
they all really like Espers as well, but hate Devendra, Joanna etc


zappi (joni), Tuesday, 20 June 2006 07:56 (seventeen years ago) link

You forgot XTC ("Yacht Dance").

Though in (Iffley Lock) reality (before they all got evicted) such people listen to Beverley Craven and Van Morrison.

Marcello Carlin (nostudium), Tuesday, 20 June 2006 08:08 (seventeen years ago) link

Bobby, can you post a tracklist, please? And pass me another wine cooler while yer up, thanks.

nancyboy (nancyboy), Tuesday, 20 June 2006 08:17 (seventeen years ago) link

http://rateyourmusic.com/album_images/62729.jpg

Stewart Osborne (Stewart Osborne), Tuesday, 20 June 2006 09:10 (seventeen years ago) link

The Roches could Houseboat Folk, maybe.

Makrugaik (makrugaik), Tuesday, 20 June 2006 16:50 (seventeen years ago) link

I'm not sure I see a difference between the Rock & Pop element on this voyage, but what the hell. Let's add some yacht folk, yacht country, yacht jazz, yacht soul, and yacht funk too:

Chicago - Colour My World
Gordon Lightfoot - If You Could Read My Mind
James Taylor - Fire and Rain
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band - Mr. Bojangles
Brewer and Shipley - One Toke Over the Line
Elton John - Daniel
Jackson Browne - Doctor My Eyes
Jim Croce - Time In a Bottle
Seals & Crofts - Summer Breeze
Todd Rundgren - Hello It's Me
Albert Hammond - It Never Rains in Southern California
Carly Simon - You're So Vain
Chicago - Just You 'N' Me
Jim Croce - I'll Have to Say I Love You
Chicago - (I've Been) Searchin' So Long
Chicago - Call on Me
Chicago - Wishing You Were Here
Gordon Lightfoot - Sundown
Terry Jacks - Seasons in the Sun
Al Stewart - Year of the Cat
Ozark Mountain Daredevils - Jackie Blue
Sammy Johns - Chevy Van
Boz Scaggs - Low Down
Dr. Hook - When You're In Love With A Beautiful Woman
Gary Wright - Dream Weaver
Seals and Crofts - Get Closer
Starland Vocal Band - Afternoon Delight
10cc - The Things We Do For Love
Chuck Mangione - Feels So Good
Paul Davis - I Go Crazy
Al Stewart - Time Passages
Gerry Rafferty - Baker Street
Gerry Rafferty - Right Down the Line
Kenny Loggins - Whenever I Call You Friend
Little River Band - Reminiscing
Player - Baby Come Back
Cliff Richard - We Don't Talk Anymore
Herb Alpert - Rise
Quincy Jones & James Ingram - One Hundred Ways
Robbie Dupree - Steal Away
Rupert Holmes - Escape (The Pina Colada Song)
Al Jarreau - We're in This Love Together
Paul Davis - Cool Night
Al Jarreau - Mornin'

S'like Time-Life's doctor's office collection. Hell, that Carley Simon track opens with a line about a yacht.

PappaWheelie 2 (PappaWheelie 2), Tuesday, 20 June 2006 22:54 (seventeen years ago) link

Hell, yeyeah! That's my new playlist right there (Herb for shurb).

Here's the old playlist:
Lady Love - Jon Lucien
Help Me - Joni Mitchell
You Make Me Dance - Grover Washington Jr.
Angela (theme from Taxi) - Bob James
Hello Like Before - Bill Withers
Half Forgotten Daydreams - John Cameron
Baby (1971) - Os Mutantes
Honolulu City Lights - Keola & Kapono Beamer
Mystic Voyage - Roy Ayers
Mystic Brew - Ronnie Foster
Pretty Bird - Terea
Haunted House - Lee Oskar
How Deep Is Your Love - Bee Gees
Are You Going With Me? - Pat Methany Group

Bobby Peru (Bobby Peru), Wednesday, 21 June 2006 05:13 (seventeen years ago) link

kiwi fruit's original name: the chinese gooseberry. brought over from the low valleys of the chinese province of Xian Xian it thrived in the subtropics of beautiful new zealand. since so many rugby players enjoyed its taste while "killing" wee men they renamed it the kiwi fruit.

turtledoveDIES! (turtledoveDIES!), Wednesday, 21 June 2006 05:50 (seventeen years ago) link

Elton John - Daniel
Player - Baby Come Back
Ozark Mountain Daredevils - Jackie Blue

The three of these are so utterly, totally, OTM I'm amazed none of them have shown up in the Yacht Rock shows to date, not even as incidental or transitional music. Not so sure on Albert Hammond though - I think he kind of loses the smooth on the chorus. It's a great song, but from a sailor's point of view it's too much rock, not enough yacht.

Doctor Casino (Doctor Casino), Wednesday, 21 June 2006 07:19 (seventeen years ago) link

Gracias, but I'm still waiting for my Bartles & James. Passion Fruit if there are any left, otherwise Kiwi Fruit is fine, thanks.

nancyboy (nancyboy), Wednesday, 21 June 2006 08:39 (seventeen years ago) link

Thx Bobby!

def zep (calstars), Wednesday, 21 June 2006 11:29 (seventeen years ago) link

Ozark Mountain Daredevils, Dr Hook, Atlanta Rhythm Section and Marshall Tucker Band are Southern Yacht Rock, not Yacht Pop. Their nexus was Mojo Goldberg's boathouse at the marina in Hilton Head.

novamax (novamax), Wednesday, 21 June 2006 11:51 (seventeen years ago) link

Jackie Blue rocks twice as hard as It Never Rains in Southern California to my ears. Just 'cause he's daddy of The Strokes...

Jackie Blue is the only song that should be removed from my list.

PappaWheelie 2 (PappaWheelie 2), Wednesday, 21 June 2006 16:08 (seventeen years ago) link

Barry - thanks for the compilation. I listened to it on the way to work (unfortunately I had to take the bus, rather than my yacht). Some great and not-so-great stuff on there ;o)

Particularly memorable was Pretty Bird, which I rather admired for its determination to get every last possible lyric from the 'bird in a cage' metaphor. I also dug the fantastically un-spooky Haunted House. "You remind me of a haunted house I once was in" - is that some kind of Peter Venkman pick-up line?

I drew the lina at How Deep Is Your Love, however!

Rombald (rombald), Wednesday, 21 June 2006 19:21 (seventeen years ago) link

I think Oh Lori by Alessi fits the original poster's criteria in just about every way.

eyesteel (eyesteel), Wednesday, 21 June 2006 20:52 (seventeen years ago) link

Another Southern Yacht Rock classic-Wet Willie, "Keep On Smilin'"

Chairman Doinel (Charles McCain), Wednesday, 21 June 2006 21:25 (seventeen years ago) link

Anyone feels like compiling Pappa Wheelie's list? The initial mix veers a bit too much into smooth jazz to really fit the yacht thing. More moustaches, please.

Baaderonixx immer wieder (baaderonixx), Thursday, 22 June 2006 07:00 (seventeen years ago) link

the Great Moustache Comeback?

PappaWheelie 2 (PappaWheelie 2), Thursday, 22 June 2006 13:39 (seventeen years ago) link

Jackie Blue rocks twice as hard as It Never Rains in Southern California to my ears. Just 'cause he's daddy of The Strokes...

I admit I haven't heard the entirety of "Jackie Blue" in a long time. All I can picture in my ears is the "ooh-hooo, Jackie Blue..." stuff which is smooth as can be. Now that I think about it though, there might be some wailin' guitar stuff going on - sort of a Moody Blues/BOC thing? Yeah, I guess it's out. But "It Never Rains"...just has too much of a stomp and a shout-along-chorusness to it. It also sounds much more like a 60s piece of work to me.

Their nexus was Mojo Goldberg's boathouse at the marina in Hilton Head.

This concept is going to need some more articulation. I'm not entirely sure I imagine Southern Yacht Rock as a genre rallying around a Jewish music mogul on the coast - although I don't mean to assign anti-semitism to any specific bands. Hilton Head may be the wrong angle too - I picture these bands forming at marinas on Rural Electrification lakes further inland - Lake Lanier, maybe? Pontoon boats, Bud Lite, and country-fried sensibilities, but still a humble, sweet joy for the peace that can only be found out on the water. Oh, the fiberglass can do miracles...

Doctor Casino (Doctor Casino), Thursday, 22 June 2006 15:30 (seventeen years ago) link

Hmm, I always imagined the Yacht genre implying some sort of affluence. I can't really get my hear around a hillbilly yacht rock scene.

Baaderonixx immer wieder (baaderonixx), Friday, 23 June 2006 07:05 (seventeen years ago) link

my "head" too, I guess

Baaderonixx immer wieder (baaderonixx), Friday, 23 June 2006 07:07 (seventeen years ago) link

What are you talking about? Back in the day, these were the only records sold at Sears and K-Mart. Also, "hillbillies" go boating and fishing. Maybe they don't have yachts, but they have boats.

ed slanders (edslanders), Friday, 23 June 2006 10:49 (seventeen years ago) link

Dude, Boston Whalers are, like, super cheap.

nancyboy (nancyboy), Friday, 23 June 2006 10:58 (seventeen years ago) link

How about Mussel Shoals? Tennessee River, right?

Houseboat Rock maybe could be the name...rock to bass fish to

The specter of Buffett loomsover the whole genre. Thematically, he's got the goods, but too much of his music is too raucous. The man was very seldom smooth. "Come Monday" is pretty much in the sweet spot, though.

Maybe he could be the Loggins-like turncoat/agent of temptation.

novamax (novamax), Friday, 23 June 2006 22:13 (seventeen years ago) link


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