Show 36: Roy Smeck / Arthur Lyman

"The Wizard of the Strings" and "The Mood Merchant of Exotic Music" were born, respectively, on February 6 and February 2. So of course that means it's time for another Thrifting for Tunes birthday tribute show.

Roy Smeck is the man you hear every week on Thrifting for Tunes... He's provided our background "theme song" (The Moon of Manakoora) on almost every single show since we began almost a year ago. A lot of the details I provide on the show about ukulele specialist Smeck were picked up here and here. There is some amazing footage of Smeck performing available on YouTube.

Arthur Lyman was also born in early February. One of the major figures in exotica, though probably slightly less well-known than Martin Denny (in whose combo he started his exotica career) or Les Baxter. Some detailed info and intersting stuff can be found here and here. Also, here is a short clip of Lyman performing his signature tune, Yellow Bird, late in his career.

Thought I might occasionally feature some album covers now that the TUNES! page is being posted in this new format. So here you go...





Song 1 : : Paradise
Artist : : Roy Smeck
Album : : Adventures in Paradise

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Song 2 : : The Moon of Manakoora
Artist : : Roy Smeck
Album : : Adventures in Paradise

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Song 3 : : Legend of the Rain
Artist : : Arthur Lyman
Album : : Bahia

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Song 4 : : Sim Sim
Artist : : Arthur Lyman
Album : : Exotica: Music for a Bachelor's Den Vol. 2

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Song 5 : : Happy Voodoo
Artist : : Arthur Lyman
Album : : Bahia