Repeat (or rather "an encore presentation")

Had to spend a good part of two days at the hospital emergency room this week... So I'm not quite up to putting a new show together (though I did have something in the works).

I'm bringing you an "encore presentation" of my July 25, 2006 Theremin show, which I hope you will enjoy (dig through last year's July archives for a playlist and info).

Back with new stuff ASAP...

Show 38: At the movies

It's "Soundtrack Week" on LuxuriaMusic.com... and that means it's also Soundtrack Week here in the Mauna Loa Lounge, which is okay with me, since I really appreciate a good film score.

The reasoning behind Soundtrack Week is, of course, that it leads up to the 79th annual Academy Awards taking place on Sunday, February 25th.

So much to choose from... so many different styles and eras. I broke the set up into three sections...

* * *

The first 3 songs are groovy group from swinging 60s spy and crime flicks...


Song 1 : : Oriental Twist
Artist : : Gert Wilden & Orchestra
Album : : I Told You Not To Cry
From The Face of Fu Manchu



Song 2 : : Main Theme (Blow Up)
Artist : : Herbie Hancock
Album : : Cannes Film Festival 50th Anniversary Album
From Blow Up



Song 3 : : Theme from Thunderball
Artist : : The Sleepwalk Guitars of Dan and Dale
Album : : Thunderball and the original Dan & Dale Themes
From Thunderball

* * *

The Academy has finally woken up and decided to award an Oscar to Ennio Morricone. I'm afraid they're going to somehow screw up the tribute they've put together (in fact, I heard that Celine Dion will be appearing to sing a song for the maestro). The next 3 songs are my mini-tribute to Morricone. Stuff I'm quite sure they won't play during the Oscar ceremony.


Song 4 : : Un esercito di cinque uomini
Artist : : Ennio Morricone
Album : : I Western/The Italian Western
From Un Esercito di cinque uomini



Song 5 : : Fruscio Di Foglie Verdi
Artist : : Trio Junior
Album : : Canto Morricone Vol.1 The 60s
From Teorema



Song 6 : : Ninna Nanna Per Adulti
Artist : : Ennio Morricone
Album : : Molto Mondo Morricone
From Vergogna Schifosi

* * *

Had to get something for the tiki bar in the set... I played the love theme last week, now here's the main theme.


Song 7 : : Main Theme from Mutiny On The Bounty
Artist : : Catamaran Serenaders
Album : : Tempos of Tahiti
From Mutiny on the Bounty

Show 37: Pagan Love Songs

3 exotic cocktails and a bunch of exotic tunes... just in time to get you ready for Valentine's Day...


Cocktail 1: Love Potion
There are plenty of cocktails out there called Love Potion. This is my version. Enjoy this pink delight while you listen to our first song...
•1-1/2 oz. light rum
•1/4 oz. Cointreau
•1/4 oz. creme de banane
•1/2 oz. pineapple juice
•3 oz. milk
•3 drops grenadine
Pour all ingredients into a tall Zombie glass filled with crushed ice. Stir.


Song 1 : : Thoughts of Love
Artist : : Webley Edwards
Album : : Fire Goddess

* * *

Cocktail 2: Missionary's Downfall
This is a little more complex. A favorite at many exotic drinking establishments. I'll occasionally order one of these at the Jardin Tiki in Montreal. I'll mix up a big one to get us through these next 4 songs, the centerpiece of today's show...
•1-1/2 oz. fresh lime juice
•5 mint sprigs
•1/4 oz. rock candy syrup
•1/2 slice fresh pineapple
•1/2 oz. peach flavored brandy
•1 oz. light rum
•Crushed ice
Blend all ingredients until smooth.


Song 2 : : Pagan Love Song
Artist : : Catamaran Serenaders
Album : : Tempos of Tahiti

* * *

Song 3 : : Pagan Love Song
Artist : : George Cates
Album : : Polynesian Percussion

* * *

Song 4 : : Pagan Love Song
Artist : : Bill Jaffee and his Islanders
Album : : Hawaiian Paradise

* * *

Song 5 : : Pagan Love Song
Artist : : The Islanders
Album : : Adventures in Paradise

* * *

Cocktail 3: Between the Sheets
Not a very exotic sounding name but hopefully it'll help get you through the night.
•3/4 oz. brandy
•3/4 oz. Grand Marnier
•1/2 oz. dark rum
•1/2 oz. fresh lemon juice
Shake with cracked ice. Strain into a cocktail glass rimmed with superfine sugar. Garnish with lemon peel twist.


Song 6 : : Love Song from Mutiny on the Bounty
Artist : : Catamaran Serenaders
Album : : Tempos of Tahiti

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

* * *

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

* * *

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

* * *

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

* * *

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