I love Arthur Lyman.
But, he put out a lot of albums and I only have just over a half, and one quater of those are unlistened to. So, with that it mind, and with an insatiable appetite to hear more Lyman I have dug into the "pile" to pull out this slab of exotica.
To recap from my earlier posts … refer back to "What Frank is listening to #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 …
Exotica was going through a crisis in 1966 I suspect … where was its market?
Lyman addresses that by covering all bases on this LP. There are pop tunes (The McCoys, Beatles, Don Ho), Broadway tunes (Sound of Music), traditional Hawaiian, Hawaiian pop, popular standards, soundtrack songs (Zorba), and continental numbers (Spanish Eyes). It is a tribute to him that most of it is not hokey. The playing once again is faultless … and even though the exotica sound effects are restrained there is quite a vibe going on.
Tracks (best in italics)
- I'll Remember You – Lee – the much covered Kui Lee song but most famously covered by Elvis for the "Aloha from Hawaii" concert in 1973, which was the first live music broadcast via satellite around the world. It went to 40 countries across Asia and Europe and was watched by over one billion people (yes… one billion … about 1.5 billion they reckon actually). I remember it, even though I was a little bitty boy. (sorry about the digression)
- Zorba the Greek – Theodorakis – a great song by Mikis Theodorakis – great film also with a brilliant Quinn performance and a great soundtrack … everybody should own a copy of that. Lyman's version adds nothing new but is still good.
- Moon Over Naples (Spanish Eyes) – Kaempfert – a big hit for Al Martino in 1966 (and done by Elvis in the 70s)
- E Lei Ka Lei Lei (The Beach Party Song) – Ho – an up-tempo Don Ho song (aren't they all?) … a good one for all you Don Ho fans out there … I don't mind a bit of Ho.
- Sound of Music medley: The Sound of Music/My Favourite Things/Do Re Mi/Climb Every Mountain – Hammerstein-Rodgers – just what it says and not as bad as it sounds, with a strange interlude of Brubecks "Take 5" used to bridge a couple of the tunes.
- Marobi – Gerstlauer – full exotica with all the genre touchstones and sound effects … if you turn it up you sometimes find yourself ducking under a non-existent low flying bird.
- Imua Kamehameha – trad – a Hawaiian exotic stomper
- Yesterday – Lennon, McCartney – I've said it before I'll say it again ... who hasn't done this song? Nicely restrained and not at all mawkish – maybe cause the lyrics have been removed?
- The Shadow of Your Smile – Mandel, Webster – The great popular standard – and it really swings.
- Kamalani O Keaukaha – Machado – another traditional.
- Hang on Sloopy – Farrell, Russell – The McCoys big hit … and quite catchy
And …
Not the best Lyman but he is still head and shoulders above everyone else … I'm a keepin.
Chart Action
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Sounds
E Lei Ka Lei Lei (The Beach Party Song)
attached
Marobi
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Review
A good review of the LP:
Bio
Trivia
- The material was later released on LP again under the title "Cast your Fate to the Wind" (1965)
(originally posted: 03/12/2009)
