South Seas Honeymoon

 

Ua Rere

South Sea Honeymoon

Capitol Records T10080

1957

From the back cover: For those who love, newlyweds and the elderly alike, Tahiti offers an atmosphere immensely conductive to romance. Along the beaches at night, the sand turns almost violet in its beauty. Days are even more beautiful. The greenest green cocoanut trees laden with brilliant orange clusters, the rainbow-hued fish in the coral lagoons, the strange, incredible color of the sun's rays – these are vivid, arresting, astounding in beauty beyond belief.

It is summer the year 'round in Tahiti, but in observing Bastille Day (July 14) as good Frenchmen do everywhere, every year, the handsome Tahitians joyfully celebrate for a month or more. Out come the old, native costumes and whatever musical instruments are playable. And the visitor fortunate enough to participate is privileged to hear a romantic music unlike the music of any other people, or nation.

That's where this album enters the picture, for Gaston Guilbert is perhaps the only man in the world who has spent months recording this unique art – the music presented here, by Capitol, in all its authentic and blatantly sexy glory.

The artists presented on the twelve selections include the Voices of the Atolls – a name given a popular group of Tahitian singers and instrumental stars – with Soloists Fetia Moana, Tanoa, Marie, Turuma, Titi, Babo and Her alternately featured. On two of the tracks (Tiara Hinano and Tarevereva) a different group, the Zizou Bar Trio, is presented. The Trio features the sensuous solo voice of Manuia with native guitar, ukulele and bass.

The odd nose flute is heard prominently on the closing number, Haapeu Mai Na, a love ballad, while native drums dominate Tuatara Mutu E, Paina Te Matai, Otohetohe E Rori, Titiriri and Karapara. Steel guitar, Oahu, ukulele, para and bass are employed on the remaining selections to achieve the most passionate and authentic Polynesian music ever recorded.

While recording the musicians and singers for "South Sea Honeymoon," the resourceful Guilbert assembled a dozen or more native dancers to perform while the tape machines spun silently. This, of course, was achieved in Papeete. Guilbert insists that the dancing gimmick insured the proper, most authentic Polynesian tempos – and enthusiasm.

Pino (Tahitian Love Call)

Te Inu Nel  (Tahitian Drinking Song)

Fare Niau (My Native Hut)

Tuatara Mutu E (My Little Island In Tuatara)

Tiare Hinano (Flower Of Hinano)

Paina Te Matal (Song Of The Wind)

Ua Rare (Song Of Victory)

Otohetohe E Rori (The Song Of The Fishermen)

Tarevereva (Crest Of The Wave)

Karapara (Who Will Dance With Me?)

Titirirl (The Lily)

Happen Mai Na (Tahitian Love Song)