I love Arthur Lyman (refer back to "What Frank is listening to #67") and I have long been devoted to exotica (refer to my "What Frank is listening to #21" where I discussed Martin Denny and exotica).
For those who are to lazy I said this back in #67, "To some this is "exotica", to others it is "lounge music", "popular", "muzak", "mood music", "background music", "easy listening", "instrumentals" – these are all terms which can be applied, though those terms also define specific and distinct styles under the general banner of "lounge music". The term "Exotica" is best applied to Denny as most of his career he spent re-interpreting native ( Polynesian, African, Hawaiian, Caribbean etc sounds) ….. it's not folk music as it is distinctly western with a hint of jazz but what Denny did was take the "mood" of those "exotic" sounds and fuse them in with his western upbringing. To enhance the effect ( or mood) he would use "strange" instruments or sound effects.
The same applies to Lyman though Lyman stuck mainly to all things Hawaiian and exotic as he was born and bred there ( native, Portuguese, French etc).
Hawaii was the perfect launching pad fro Lyman and the cacophony of nature sounds ( the birds, winds, sea etc) that make up a lot of "exotica". Those natural sounds really must have impressed Lyman's ears from his childhood on, and better than most he manages to tap into the feel of the islands. Having said that he never looses the 50s slightly cool jazz and even adds a touch of Latin which was starting its ascent to popularity in 1959 ( as well as a little Caribbean – which was popular then too). The other thing I like is the sense of "drama" he brings to a tune, there is danger out there in the wilds amongst the wonder. Where's my Stones Green Ginger wine ….."
There is no change here with the exception that this album is, apparently, recorded live before an audience at the Crescendo on Sunset Strip in Hollywood … "The applause was later deleted to preserve the exotic mood!". I don't know if this is or true or not but I will say that with the exception of some sound effects (birds, dogs etc … which incidentally appear on this album) Lyman tended to record live anyway.
It matters not as this album is solidly played and wildly exotic though not as inventive as his earlier material. Also, if the liner notes are correct then maybe he was playing it safe with the "movie colony" crowd who came to see him as there are quite a few familiar movie songs covered. I do note that on this album he also traverses the world for exotica inspiration rather than sticking to the one (or two) usual locales.
Tracks (best in italics)
- Similau – exotica with the kitchen sink thrown in – lots of bird calls and maybe a monkey or two. A little bit Polynesian and a little bit African. You've got to love it. Possibly the best track.
- The Days Of Wine And Roses – the Henry Mancini-Johnny Mercer classic from the film of the same name – a film about alcoholism. Do you love the irony … a song from a film about alcoholism on a exotica album – the perfect music to drink to.
- Te Manu Pakarua – from the film "Mutiny on the Bounty" – some sort of crazy Irish goes troppo exotica jig.
- Waltz Latino – it's in the title
- China Nights – again the title says it all
- Night Train – a big band swing done as exotica
- Pu Pu Hino Hino – a gentle romantic lullaby … though for all I know "Pu Pu Hino Hino" could be some German-Polynesian sex act.
- Crickets of Karachi – lots of cricket sounds in this song, not surprisingly.
- Cindy Oh Cindy – a slight calypso feel.
- Cast Your Fate to the Wind – a early version of a song by Vince Guaraldi that became a jazz standard … lyrics were subsequently added and the song was covered by many pop bands (We Five, The James Gang)
- Song Of Delilah – from the film "Samson & Delilah" – sound effects run rampant but I'm not sure what birds of paradise were doing in in the ancient Philistine Canaan of the middle east.
- Slaughter On Tenth Avenue – another film track and despite the instrumentation nothing is added to the otherwise well known versions. In any event I tend to associate the song with an urban setting …
And …
Not the best Lyman but with enough joys to make it a keeper.
Chart Action
No chart action whatsoever here.
Sounds
Similau
Crickets of Karachi
attached
more live Arthur:
Review
Bio
Trivia
- The material was later released on LP again under the title "Cast your Fate to the Wind"(1965)
(Originally posted: 21/10/2009)
