Hawaiian Music and Exotica
Aah Hawaii, a land of puka shells and golden beaches, a land where the steel
guitar reigns supreme. How I enjoy that state Hawaii. There are two things
which go into making an excellent exotica album. The first is the cover
art. Any cover art that is done "On Location" in Hawaii, or in
any other exotic location is a dead giveaway of poor quality. Martin Denny
is the first to admit that his best cover art was done in a studio in Hollywood.
I own a great record of Polynesian music which, in the liner notes, thanks
The Polynesian Restaurant of Los Angeles for providing the background for
the cover shot. The cover is classic; you know, 3 Latin Americans dressed
up like Hawaiians playing the ukulele and sitting beneath a waterfall.
The second ingredient to making a fine exotica record is the recording location.
Unlike cover art, this should not be done in a studio. In fact it is quite
the contrary. A recent acquisition of mine, Arthur Lyman's excellent Hawaiian
Sunset, boasts in the liner notes that it was recorded in the Honolulu Hyatt
regency hotel lobby.
But enough about the process of making top quality exotica music, I want
to talk a little bit about some highly recommended listening. As mentioned
in a previous paragraph, Arthur Lyman's Hawaiian Sunset is one of the best
albums that has been re-issued. This features masterful; versions of Quiet
Village, Hawaiian War Chant, and Whispering Reef Lullaby. The liner notes
are excellent, and the music is sure to put you to sleep. Wait, is that
a good thing? Well, anyway.
When next you are sifting through a box of albums at your local dealer or
flea market, be sure to pick up a copy of Martin Denny's Quiet Village,
and for listeners who have not listened to much Denny, pick up his Golden
Greats album. Golden Greats has an excellent version of Quiet Village as
well as the moog drenched ditty, Hawaii Tattoo.
Keep on the lookout for all things exotica, and make your own conclusions
about what makes a good record. If you have an idea, drop us a line. For
as long as Pineapples are Del monte, exotica will live on. Until Next time,
Aloha No Mauna Lei.
---Joseph Weisenthal
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