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Saturday, September 26, 2020

Have Blues Must Travel - Roy Hamilton

 

My Story

Have Blues Must Travel
Roy Hamilton
Music Arranged and Conducted by Marion Evans
Epic STEREORAMA BN 535
1959

From Billboard - November 23, 1959: Roy Hamilton, who scored with You'll Never Walk Alone and Unchained Melody, has a new wax working for him, Ebb Tide. The Epic recording artist has an exciting collection of favorites in his new album: Have Blues Must Travel, Mood Indigo, I Got It Bad And That Ain't Good, Stormy Weather, Sophisticated Lady, I Get The Blues When It Rains, etc. Folks in the New York area can catch Roy art the Town Hall, Brooklyn, till Nov. 26.

Moon Indigo
I Could Have Told You
I Get The Blues When It Rains
Sophisticated Lady
My Story
A Cottage For Sale
Solitude
Please Send Me Someone To Love
I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart
I Got It Bad And That Ain't Good
Stormy Weather
I Surrender, Dear

Eddie Condon's Treasury Of Jazz

 

I've Got A Crush On You

Eddie Condon's Treasury Of Jazz
Eleven Musical Portraits Of Eddie's Friends In The Jazz World
Eddie Condon and His All-Stars
Photo: Ralph A. Brooks
Columbia Records CL 881
1956

Personnel:

I'm Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter, Don't Get Around Much Anymore, I'm Confessin' and Sometimes I'm Happy: Eddie Condon (guitar); Wild Bill Davison (cornet); Cutty Cutshall (trombone); Pee Wee Russell (clarinet); Gene Schroeder (piano); Walter Page (bass) and George Wettling (drums).

Someday You'll Be Sorry, Since My Best Gal Turned Me Down and Just Friends: Same personnel, with Billy Butterfield (trumpet) and Peanuts Hucko (clarinet and tenor sax) added I've Got A Crush On You. Duff Campbell's Revenge and I've Found A New Baby: Condon, Butterfield, Cutshall, Hucko (clarinet), Ralph Sutton (piano); Page and Wettling.

I'm Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter
I've Got A Crush On You
Duff Campbell's Revenge
Don't Get Around Much Anymore
Someday You'll Be Sorry
I'm Confessin'
Three-Two-One Blues
Since My Best Gal Turned Me Down
Just Friends
Sometimes I'm Happy
I've Found A New Baby

Hawaiian Rhythm - Luke Leilani

 

Hawaiian Love Song

Passport To Romance
Luke Leilani and His Hawaiian Rhythm
Spinorama Records MK 3015

Red Sails In The Sunset
Hawaiian War Chant
Harbor Lights
Hawaiian Holiday
Luau Lei
Drowsy Waters
Hawaiian Love Song
Kula Ha
To You Sweetheart
Hawaiian Starlight
Aloha

Hawaiian Stings - Webley Edwards

 

Red Sails In The Sunset


Hawaii Calls
Hawaiian Strings
Favorite Instrumentals Of The Island
Volume 3
Presented by Webley Edwards
Recorded in Honolulu with Al Kealoha Perry
Capitol Records ST1152
1959

Instruments and sounds in this album:

Steel guitars, Hawaiian guitars, baritone guitar, bass guitar, slack key guitar, ukulele, mandolin, string bass, vibe, orchestral voices. Actual sound of native birds, waves on Waikiki Beach.

Artists in this album:

Julie Keliikuihonua, Ah See, Alvin Kalanikau Isaacs, Haunani Kahalewai, Mark Kamaka, John Kamana, James Kaopuiki, Bena Kapena, Henry Korte, Raymond Lara, Lani Joseph Halemano Nicholas, Miriam Punini McWayne, Roland Oliver, Al Kealoha Perry, Webley Edwards.

Hiilawe
Waipio
Manuela Bay
Now Is The Hour
Hawaiian Vamp
Low Moon At Waikiki
Red Sails In The Sunset
Akaka Falls
Honolulu Eyes
Whispering Sea
Farewell

Three Of A Kind - Pineapple, Poi & McIntyre

 

One, Two, Three, Four - Johnny Poi

Three Of A Kind
3 Top Stars Of Hawaiian Music
Original Recordings
Johnny Pineapple, Johnny Poi & Lani McIntyre
Design Records DLP-902
A Product of Pickwick International, Inc.
1964

Oe E Kuu Lei - Johnny Pineapple
Hilo March - Johnny Pineapple
One, Two, Three, Four - Johnny Poi
Tahu Wahu Wahi - Johnny Poi
Makalapua - Johnny Poi
Ua-Like-Noa-Like - Johnny Poi
Hula Chant - Lani McIntyre
Love Fire - Lani McIntyre
Aloha Oe- Lani McIntyre

Friday, September 25, 2020

Time Cycle - Lukas Foss

When The Bells Justle


Lukas Foss
Time Cycle
Adele Addison, Soprano
The Improvisation Chamber Ensemble
Leonard Bernstein
Columbia Symphony Orchestra
Cover Photo: Columbia Records Photo Studio - Henry Parker
Columbia Records Masterworks ML 5680
1961

The Improvisation Chamber Ensemble
Lukas Foss - piano
Richard Dufallo - Clarinet
Charles DeLancey - Percussion
Howard Colf - Cello

From the back cover: On Thursday evening October 20th, 1960, Leonard Bernstein addressed the Carnegie Hall Philharmonic audience: "My colleagues on the stage and I think so highly of Lukas Foss' Time Cycle that we would like to make a proposal: If you wish, we will repeat the whole piece for you... And if there are only twelve people in this house who want to hear it again we will play it for those twelve." Thus, Time Cycle became the first composition repeated by the New York Philharmonic at the occasion of its premiere.

Lucas Foss' Time Cycle was commissioned for Adele Addison by the Ford Foundation's Humanities and Arts Program. The work marks somewhat of a departure from the composer's earlier music, mainly because of the absence of the neo-classic or neo-baroque. The vocal writing is "Lied" rather than "Aria." (Foss' Song Of Songs", for instance, could be termed a series of arias.) Furthermore, tonality is clearly defined only in someplace, totally destroyed in others. Finally, from and content, organization and substance can no longer be distinguished one from the other. They have become synonymous. Each song develops its own serial devices (of which the twelve-tone row is the least frequently used).

The four songs are not tied to each other by either motive or row. Only a chord, a single sound – C#ABD#, which undergoes various alterations – serves as a unifying elements. Though there is no overall musical motive, there is a literary one: the "time-motive". Each poem refers to time, clocks, or bells. The relationship between music and words in the individual song goes beyond mood painting. The idea and structure of the poem is mirrored in the idea and structure of the music. Text and music are fellow conspirators. The first two poems are English, the last German. Each song is sung in the original language.

The Improvisation Chamber Ensemble was founded by Lukas Foss at UCLA in 1957. Foss directed his attention to the neglected and forgotten art of improvisation because he saw in it a possible new outlet for the many excellent performing musicians, a new hunting ground for the composer, and a challenge to the musical curiosity of the listener. After experimental public appearances on the West Coast, a national tour by the Improvisation Chamber Ensemble established Ensemble Improvisation as a form of music making of concern to composers and instrumentalists alike

Adele Addison was brought up in Springfield, Massachusetts and trained at the Westminster Choir College in Princeton and the Berkshire Music School at Tanglewood, Lenox, Mass. She has appeared as guest soloist with the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony and other major orchestras. Last season the wide range of her musical activities included recording for the motion picture sound track of Gershwin's "Porgy and Bess" and singing the role of Melisande with the Washington, D.C. Opera Company.

Miss Addison is one of the artists selected under The Ford Foundation Program for Performing Musical Artists.

Lukas Foss, American Composer, conductor, pianist and Professor of Music at UCLA was born in Berlin in 1922. A graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music, Philadelphia, in 1942. Foss is perhaps best known for his operatic and vocal compositions which won him many of the country's major awards: The Prairie (Sandburg), Song Of Anguish (Isaiah), Song of Songs (to be released on Columbia Records). Parable of Death (Columbia ML 4859). Psalms and three operas. Other works include Odeand Symphony of Chorales for Orchestra, two Piano Concertos and a String Quartet (Columbia ML 5476). With his latest composition, Time Cycle, and his recent adventure into ensemble improvisation, the 38-year-old composer, known previously as a traditionalist, adds bold new dimensions to the wide range of his expressive talents.


We're Late
Improvised Interlude No. 1
When The Bells Justle
Improvised Interlude No. 2
Sechzenhnter Januar
Improvised Interlude No. 3
O Mensch, gib Acht

This Thing Called Love - Tommy Sands

I'm Yours


This Thing Called Love
Tommy Sands
Photos by Bob Willoughby
Capitol Records High Fidelity Recording T1123
1959

From Billboard - February 14, 1959: The album is a bit of change in style for the versatile chanter, paced by smooth ork support, he registers solidly on an attractive group of evergreens. Tempos are nicely varied, and the set can also appeal to adult buyers. Standout selections are "Don't Blame Me," "Should I," and "That Old Feeling," Good cover shot of artist.

You're Driving Me Crazy!
I Only Have Eyes For You
Don't Blame Me
All I Do Is Dream Of You
All Over Again
I'm Confessin'
Should I
I'm Yours
Sunday
My Happiness
That Old Feeling
Afraid

 

Everything You Always Wanted To Hear On The Moog - Kazdin & Shepard

 

Lecuona: Malaguena


Everything You Always Wanted To Hear On The Moog
But Were Afraid To Ask For
Bolero - Espana - Malagueta - Carmen
The Mighty Moog
Semi-conducted by Andrew Kazdin and Thomas Z. Shepard
Produced buy Andrew Kazdin and Thomas Z. Shepard
Cover Art: Tomi Ungerer
Cover Design: John Berg
Manufactured by Columbia Records / CBS, Inc.
Columbia M 30383
1971

From the back cover: Andrew Kazdin holds a Bachelor of Music Degree in Composition from the New England Conservatory of Music, and a Master of Science in Industrial Management (with a concentration in acoustics) from M.I.T. He is a Producer in the Masterworks Department of Columbia Records and has contributed to several Columbia albums as arranger and conductor. In addition, he is a composer with several published works. He is also a timpanist and plays professionally in the New York area.

Thomas Z. Shepard is a Producer for Columbia Records, both Masterworks and Original Cast albums. After graduating from the Preparatory Division of the Juilliard School of Music, he earned his Bachelor of Arts from Oberlin College, majoring in Piano and Composition. This was followed by graduate work in Composition at the Yale School of Music. He has composed, arranged and conducted on several Columbia albums. He is active as a pianist, particularly in the field of chamber music.

To provide an accurate list of all the Columbia Recording Engineers who worked with us on this project over its two-year gestation period would be practically identical to providing a roster of the department staff. We thank them all. However, it would grossly unjust if special mention were not made, and special thanks not paid, to Stew Romain, Raymond Moore and Robert Waller, each of whom mixed an extra drop of blood with our own along the way. – A.K., T.Z.S.


Chabrier: Espana
Lecuona: Malaguena
Bizet: Prelude To Act 1; Habanera; Introduction To Act 1
(Les Toreadors) from "Carmen"
Ravel: Bolero

Piano Reverie - Liberace

 

Indian Love Call


Piano Reverie
Liberace
Photograph: Bob Willoughby
House Party Series 
Columbia CL 2516 (10 inch disc)
1955

Autumn Nocturne
Sophisticated Lady
Tales From The Vienna Woods
Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1
Indian Love Call
Blue Tango

Echoes Of Paris - George Feyer

 
Side 1


Echoes Of Paris
George Feyer
Piano with Rhythm Accompaniment
Vox Productions VX 500 (10 inch disc)
1953

From the back cover: George Feyer studied at the Budapest Conservatory under Dohnanyi, Kodaly and Szekely. Being recognized as one of the most promising young concert-pianists in his country, he caused quite a sensation when he suddenly shifted to popular music. In this field he very soon became one of the best known and best paid entertainers in Europe. He played in the plushest and most exclusive night clubs and hotels in Paris, Deauville, Nice, Monte Carlo, The Hague, Geneva and St. Moritz. Feyer also had a regular weekly radio program on Radio Paris.

He came to this country in 1951 and made his debut in New York's famous Gogi's La Rue where he captivated his new audiences with his inimitable style just as he did the old ones. Feyer's refinements and taste are the hallmarks of his arrangements in which Europe tradition blends skillfully with the best in American music.


From Billboard - May 30, 1953: With rhythm accompaniment, George Feyer tackles a score of Continental melodies, many of which became hits here, for a most pleasant listening session. His background as a night club pianist doesn't let Feyer forget for a second that the melody is all-important and must be sold. There's no doubt that he can handle the keyboard with skill, but he sells the melody line like a teacher. It's the kind of stuff habitués of the East Side type bistro's just love. Recording and packaging are excellent.


Side One

La Vie En Rose
Trois Cloches
Avril Au Portugal (April In Paris)
La Mer
Domino
Je N'En Connais Pas La Fin
Darling, Je Vous Aime Beacoup
Mon Homme
Alouette
Sur Le Pont D'Avignon
C'East Si Bon

Side Two

Feuilles Mortes (Autumn Leaves)
Clopin' - Clopant
La Ronde
La Seine
Pigalle
J'Attendrai
Yous Qui Passez
Valentine
Paris Je T'Aime

Thursday, September 24, 2020

Hawaii Those Magic Island - Luke Leilanie

 

Hawaiian Promenade

Hawaii The Magic Islands
Hawaiian Enchantment (disc label title) 
Luke Leilani (disc label credit only)
Diplomat Records 2210

Hawaiian Wedding Song 
Luau
Mood Hawaiian
Pineapples, White Sails And Coconuts
Island Maid
Hawaiian Promenade
High Tide
Stars Over Hawaii
Hawaiian Serenade
Beautiful Girls And Sunshine
Hawaiian Mood
Lost Love

Love Is A Season - Eydie Gorme

 

When The Wind Was Green


Love Is A Season
Eydie Gorme
Arranged and Conducted by Don Costa
Cover Design by Matt Schutz
Cover Photos by Phillippe Halsman
ABC-Paramont Hi-Fidelity ABC-273
A Product of Am-Par Record Corp.
1959

From Billboard - March 9, 1959: Miss Gorme, assisted by sparkling ork assistance from Don Costa, has a listenable album of tunes with or that suggest seasons in their titles. Tempos and types are nicely varied. It's an excellent programming item. Selections include "April Showers," "I'll Remember April" and "When The Wind Was Green." Sound is a feature. Good cover shot of the artist will attract.

Love Is A Season
April Showers
The Things We Did Last Summer
On The First Warm Day
When The Wind Was Green
Winter Night
Easter Parade
Spring Will Be A Little Late This Year
September Song
I'll Remember April
'Tis Autumn
June In January

Spectacular Brass & Fantastic Reeds - Nelson Riddle

 

Playboy's Theme


Spectacular Brass - Fantastic Reeds
And The Magnificent 101 Strings
With Nelson Riddle and America's Top Soloists
Recorded in Hollywood, California
Alshire STEREO S-5229
Alshire International

From the back cover: Dick Nash, Tommy Shepard, Shorty Sherock, Ronnie Lang, Buddy Collette, Cappy Lewis, Don Fagerquist, Joe Comfort, Willie Schwartz, Frank Flynn, Ray Sherman, Jimmy Henderson, Vince De Rosa and a host of America's finest are heavy with talent, and Mr. Riddle grooves on every groove with them all.

Witchcraft
Alone Too Long
Two Hearts Wild
Red Silk Stockings And Green Perfume
Queen Of Hearts
Penny Ante
It's So Nice To Have A Man Around The House
Indiscreet
Playboy's Theme
Finesse

My Golden Favorites - Jackie Wilson

 

I'll Be Satisfied


My Golden Favorites
Jackie Wilson
Brunswick Records
BL 54058
1960

Reet Petite (The Finest Girl You Ever Want To Meet)
To Be Loved
I'll Be Satisfied
Only You, Only Me
Talk That Talk
Ask
That's Why (I Love You So)
It's All A Part Of Love
Lonely Teardrops
I've Wanderin'
You Better Know It
We Have Love

Hawaii Calls Waikiki! - Webley Edwards

 

How D'ya Do


Hawaii Calls: Waikiki!
Presented by Webley Edwards
Recorded on the beach at Waikiki
With Al Kealoha Perry
Capitol Records T772
1957

From the back cover: Versatile Webley Edwards, who for twenty-one years has been broadcasting his world-famous "Hawaii Calls" radio show from Waikiki Beach, selected the songs, and the Islands' leading Hawaiian Singers – those on his show – perform them. A new singer makes her debut in this album, a young full-blooded Hawaiian girl with the improbable name Kahaunaniomaunakeakauiokalewa Kahalewai. Understandably, her friends and admires have shortened the name. They call her Haunani. Al Kealoha Perry directs the entire group in this gay, lyrical piece of Waikiki, the loveliest of all possible beaches.

From Billboard - January 26, 1957: Attractive, luring package will sell this, altho one must search for any authenticity in the performances. It's highly Americanized Hawaiian music, with slick chorus singing in English, and enough of the sliding sounds to appeal to many c.&w. buyers. Set was produced by Webley Edwards, of the "Hawaii Calls" radio show from Waikiki Beach. Much of the material is standard.

On The Beach A Waikiki
Keep Your Eyes On The Hands
Ama Ama
Tomi Tomi
Mapuana
Little Brown Gal
Ua Like No A Like
Vana Vana
Island Of Dreams
Kaimana Hila
My Waikiki Girl
How D'ya Do
Now Is The Hour

Living Brass Salute Tom Jones

 

Thunderball

Living Brass Salute Tom Jones
Living Brass Play Songs Made Famous By Tom Jones
Arranged and Conducted by Mel Davis
Produced by Ethel Gabriel
Recording Engineer: Bob Simpson
Recorded in RCA's Studio B, New York City
RCA Victor STEREO CAS-2346
1969

Love Me Tonight (Alla fine delta strada)
What's New Pussycat? (from the United Pictures motion picture "What's New Pussycat?)
I'm Coming Home
Help Yourself (Gli occhi miel)
Thunderball (from the United Artists motion picture "Thunderball")
It's Not Unusual
Delilah
A Minute Of Your Time
With These Hands
Promise Her Anything (from the Paramount picture "Promise Her Anything")

Monday, September 21, 2020

Live From Kahiki - The Beachcomer Trio

 

Polynesian Spell


Live From Kahiki
Recorded "Live" at The Kahiki Supper Club, Columbus, Ohio, 1965
The Beachcomber Trio
Produced by Jeff Chenault
Mastered by Len Horowitz and Lee Joseph
History of Recorded Sound, Culver City, California
Graphic Design: Carole Pixier
Bacchus Archives BA11109
Dionysus Records
2010

Personnel:

Marcel "Marsh" Padilla: Woodwinds, Piano & Bass
John Dragu: Drums, Vibes & Sax
Don Hale: Guitar

Hand-numbered edition of 500 with digital download coupon taped to the sleeve.

From the back cover: Columbus restaurateurs Bill Sapp and Lee Henry has a great idea when they created the legendary Kahiki Super Club. They recruited Marsh Padilla and his trio to fill the Music Bar with a unique Latin Jazz/Hawaiian/Lounge musical hybrid. The Beachcomber Trio played at the Kahiki Supper Club in Columbus, Ohio from 1961 to 1978. The founding member and leader of the group was Marcel "Marsh" Padilla who played with Juan Rodrigo's Orchestra and numerous bands throughout the Midwest during the late 1930s. During WWII, he played lead saxophone for various bands backing up Judy Garland, Martha Raye, Bing Crosby and Bob Hope. After the war he returned to Detroit to organize the Marcel Padilla Orchestra and played regularly at The Famous Door and Haig's Mambo City. In 1958, Marsh moved to Columbus, Ohio playing various gigs until forming the Kahiki Trio in 1961.

The Kahiki Trio or Beachcomber Trio, as they were also known, was recorded "live" inside of the Kahiki restaurant during 1965. Like many restaurant albums released in the 60s, this recording brings back the excitement of a live audience with cocktails in hand. Audience sounds, occasional whistling, and even waterfall sounds can also be heard adding to the unique environment experience. Sadly, the Kahiki closed its doors on August 26, 2000, the night of the Bon Voyage Kahiki Party. The beautiful structure is gone, but is still living in the hearts and minds of many who visited her shores.


Beyond The Reef
Quiet Village
Yellow Bird
Shangri-La
Polynesian Spell
Never On Sunday
Sway Pablo
Like Young

Waikiki In A Symphony Of Strings - James Verity


Kilau Ea


Waikiki In A Symphony Of Strings
The Symphony Of Strings Orchestra
Conducted by James Verity
Arranged by Greig McRitchie
Production by Dave Pell
Living Color Stereo
Romantic Cities Series 10011
Inspired by Pan American Airways
Venise Records produced by Precision Radiation Instruments, Inc.

From the back cover: The maestro (James Verity) has established himself as a superb violist with the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the London Philharmonic under the great Sir Thomas Beecham. His musical virtuosity led him to the directorship of many television programs and an orchestra of his own. Mr. Vertiy's world travels supplement his unique musical training with a first-hand impression of the romantic cities of the world.

Drifting And Dreaming
Aloha Oe
Song Of The Islands
Ka-Lu-A
Paradise Isle
Bali Ha'i
Hawaiian Wedding Song
Kilau Ea
Now Is The Hour
Hawaiian Paradise


Tahiti Dances - Drums Of Bora Boara And Papeete

 

Tau Tai


Tahiti Dances
To Drums Of Bora Bora And Papeete
Color Cover Photo: Billy Howell
Recorded by 49th State Hawaii Record Co.
Hi-Fi LP-3422

Pahae
Tau Tau
Vahine Tahiti
Hellaby
Moorea
Toto To E
Pupure
Tiare Anani
Tiare Taporo
Mati
Takaroa
Bora Bora
Tu Paipai
Paea
I Vaho
De Gaulle
Mou'a
Papara

Romantic Instrumentals Of The Islands, Vol. 5 - Webley Edwards Presents

Ports Of Paradise


Webley Edwards Presents: Hawaii Calls
Romantic Instrumentals Of The Islands
Favorite Instrumentals of The Island - Vol. 5
Produced by Bill Miller and Webley Edwards
Cover Photo: Capitol Photo Studio / Ken Veeder
Capitol Records STEREO ST-1987
Recorded in Hawaii
1963

Hawaiian Wedding Song
Lovely Hula Hands
Maui Chimes
Ports Of Paradise
Tiare O Tahiti
Aloha Sunset Land
Moonlight And Shadows
Little Brown Gal
Ua Like No A Like
Pagan Love Song
Isa Lei
Medley: Farewell To The Islands / Aloha Oe

Music Of The Island - The Mauna Loa Islanders

 

South Sea Island Magic


Music Of The Islands
The Mauna Loa Islanders
Produced by Johnnie Camacho and Herman Diaz, Jr.
Recorded in RCA Victor's Studio A, May 4, 5 and 6, 1959
Recording Engineer: Bob Simpson
RCA Victor LSP-2061
1959

From Billboard - August 10, 1959: Authentic Hawaiian tunes herein include "My Little Grass Shack," "Jukilau Song" and "Moon Of Manakoora." Well-recorded. Much competition in this pop field, but good sound and summer vacation season may be helpful.

My Little Grass Shack In Kealakekua, Hawaii
Moon Of Manakoora
The Cockeyed Mayor Of Kaunakakai
The Uukilau Song
Little Brown Gal
Sweet Leilani
Hawaiian Hospitality
South Sea Island Magic
The Hawaiian Wedding Song
On The Beach At Waikiki
Moon Of Waikiki
Aloha Oe (Farewell To Thee)

Sunday, September 20, 2020

Hawaii Right Now! - The Aliis

 

Quiet Village


Hawaii Right Now!
Don Ho Presents
The Aliis
Produced by Sonny Burke
Art Director: Ed Thrasher
Cover Photo by Camera Hawaii - Werner Stoy
Reprise Records RS 6190
1965

From the back cover: In Hawaii, I regard The Aliis as the perfect musical combo. The only way you can describe this group is "fantastic-fabulous." In the short period of one year of working with these young men, they have met every test and every challenge in every aspect of show business. Entertainment to me in Hawaii requires warmth and crowd participation and beautiful music with definite quality. For their age now, they dominate the musical field in Hawaii vocally, as well as instrumentally. Put all these qualities together: youth, musical ability, beautiful vocals, entertainment, warmth, participation and you have what in Hawaii we call "a perfect package."

There's another thing that these young lads can do that no other group in the nation that I know of can, and that's to accompany entertainers and amateurs alike in any song, no matter how simple or complicated.

By a strange, happy coincidence, all five of these young men are ex-U.S. Air Force servicemen (as I was) and their real apprenticeship in music came during the two-year period in the Air Force entertaining all over the country with the Air Force Band... at State Department functions, at embassies for people like Dean Rusk, Robert McNamara, General Maxwell Taylor, at all the important bases all over the United States. (The boys would like to express their real indebtedness to Sgt. Edward Hickam, A&R and PR man for the Air Force band at Hickam Air Force Base, who originally assembled the group for the Air Force band.)

At the end of their service commitment, the boys and I got together and opened up at a local club in Waikiki and worked for the three month period, we negotiated to work at the biggest night club in all Waikiki and Hawaii, Duke Kahanamoku's for three-and-a-half years. This was a case of a perfect marriage continues to enjoy immense success.

As a group, The Aliis combine to form a conglomeration of nationalities that is fitting for The United Nations, and the different influences of their backgrounds show in the music.

For instance, the seemingly shy and bashful Manny Lagodlagod plays the bass, flute, and saxophone, sings Spanish and Philippine, and adds authenticity to Philippine songs (especially the beautiful "D'ai His Sayo").

Joe Mundo, the crazy, sometimes eccentric, all around pianist-conductor-vocal arranger is of Puerto Rican, Spanish and Indian descent.

There is no one more dedicated on the vibes and marimbas than Rudy Aquino (of Philippine-Spanish descent) who also is a very accomplished banjo player.

To add to this, Benny Chong is of Chinese, Hawaiian, Portuguese extraction. He's the number one young jazz guitarist in Hawaii today, and is also noted for his proficiency on the congas and other instruments. On the drums (from Kameharneha School) is a young Hawaiian-Spanish-Irish-English-Chinese boy, Al Akana.

Combine with their music all the fun and enjoyment that we have here every night at Duke Kahanamoku's. If it were ever possible to get this across on an album, then the world would know how wonderful life can be in a paradise such as ours in Hawaii. With this debut album by The Aliis, you're as close to paradise as you can come. – Don Ho.

Yellow Bird
Quiet Village
Taboo
Lover
Medley: A Hundred Million Miracles / Love, Look Away / Don't Marry Me / I Enjoy Being A Girl
Medley: Tonight / America / Maria / Akaka Falls / Hawaiian War Chant
Meile Lei
De Re Mi
On The Beach At Waikiki

Lure Of The Tropics - Andre Kostelanetz

 

Song Of India


Lure Of The Tropics
Andre Kostelanetz and His Orchestra
Photo: Ewing Krainin
Columbia Records CL 780
1955

The Moon Of Manakoora
Lotus Land
Kashmiri Song
Jamaican Rhumba
Malagueña
Flamingo
Poinciana
Andalucía
Song Of India