Come Back To Rarotonga
Polynesian Holiday
Harry Owens And His Royal Hawaiians
Cover Photo by James Knott, from "The Tahitian"
Capitol Records T804
1957
From the back cover: The jaunt that Harry Owens made through the golden triangle of Pacific Islands known as Polynesia was a full 19,000 miles long. By flying boat, outrigger canoe, inter-island pig boat, yacht, catamaran, raft, and surfboard, he traveled from British Fiji on the west, to French Tahiti and the Tuamotu Archipelago on the east, then back to Polynesia's norther top: American Hawaii. His experiences were many. At a kava-drinking ceremony in the Fiji Islands he was made leader of a Fijian clan. In Pago Pago, capital of American Samoa, he was declared an honorary tribal chief. In Bora Bora, French Oceania, he was an honored guest for a week in the thatched hut of a native priest.
The purpose of his trek, besides the sheer pleasure of visiting the South Seas, was to make movies for the new Harry Owens television show, "Polynesian Holiday," But Harry, whose love affair with the South Pacific has never been a secret, just naturally started writing songs too. For besides being a famous exponent of Polynesian music, he is one of the most prolific writers of its songs. Years ago he wrote Sweet Leilani to honor his first-born daughter, and in the last war, he heard his To You, Sweetheart, Aloha being sung by marching Anzacs from "down under."
It's little wonder, then, that he wont up his hard-working holiday with a wonderful batch of brand-new compositions. He found inspiration wherever he visited: varied scenes of tropical beauty, a moment of contentment contrasted with the sudden fury of the elements, the golden laughter of South Seas life, the vast and lonely ocean, the lush islands, barren atolls, and always the singing and dancing that are so rich a part of Polynesia. The songs that resulted are fresh testament to Harry Owens' love and understanding of the islands, his kinship with the carefree natives who live in a peace, friendship and brotherhood unparalleled in history.
This album presents twelve of these new tunes, arranged by Harry Owens and performed by the Royal Hawaiians and Polynesian Choir, along with Harry's featured vocalists. Here, to be enjoyed again and again, is the enchanting music of a Polynesian holiday.
Side One:
TRADEWIND Barbara Ames and Bob Marlo. These pop- ular vocalists sing about the wind that is present wherever one goes in Polynesia, as predictable as the sun, the stars, the hurricanes. Inspired by this tropical breeze, Harry here tries an experiment in Polynesian counterpoint.
LOVELY TAHITI Eddie Bush. Long an outstanding mem- ber of the Royal Hawaiians, tenor Eddie Bush gives voice in this selection to memories of thatched roofs and dancing "vahines."
BORA BORA. This song salutes one of the best-known Polynesian Islands. The rhythmic dance features tropical drums, bamboo sticks, toheres, and native instruments made of gasoline cans.
CRUEL RELENTLESS SEA. Barbara Ames. A rough sea between Tahiti and Bora Bora inspired Harry to write this song. He dedicates it to his wife, Helene.
MOOREA Bob Marlo. Personable and talented Bob Marlo sings about the majestic, volcanic isle of Moorea, separated from Tahiti by ten miles of blue sea. The song's unusual bolero beat is known as the "Tuamotu rhythm," and was introduced in Polynesia by Central Americans working in the copra plantations of the Tuamotu Archipelago.
ISA LEI. This is the traditional farewell song of the Fiji Islands and the Kingdom of Tonga. The choir sings Harry's new version, with lyrics in English.
Side Two:
COME BACK TO RARATONGA Bob Marlo. The most remote point in Owens' tour was lovely Raratonga, one of the Cook Islands. Here it is the subject of nostalgic reminiscence.
WHERE EAST MEETS WEST Barbara Ames. Three musical themes epitomize the happy blend of white, brown, and yellow races, whose "bond of brotherhood" has made Polynesia a vast and peaceful paradise in the Pacific.
HAWAII, MY ISLAND. Played in the famous hula tempo and featuring melodic violins, this selection is a beautiful addition to the rich repertoire of Harry's Hawaiian melodies. POLYNESIAN HOLIDAY. Title song of the album, this bright and gay tune is a colorful reflection of a memorable trip.
IAORANA (Yo-rah-nah). "Iaorana" is the great Tahitian greeting that means "May you live forever." The Tuamotu rhythm is featured in this song, which is the theme for the "Polynesian Holiday" TV show.
SAMOAN FAREWELL. Concluding the album is the traditional Samoan farewell song, Tofa Felengi (Goodbye, Friend). The choir sings. Harry's translation of the native lyrics.
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