The Friday Morning Listen
Published November 07, 2003
Savage Night - The Blue Hawaiians
For many years on Friday mornings I would listen to a show on the University of Lowell (now UMass/Lowell) radio station. The show was called "Martinis With Mancini" and featured all forms of exotica and other fun stuff including Rat Pack, Bossa, Mambo, Spaghetti Western sountracks, Henry Mancini, Esquivel, Cal Tjader, Perez Prado...you get the idea.
One of the groups the host was big on for a while was The Blue Hawaiians. I'm not sure how to categorize these guys ("dark surf", maybe?) but they do swank-a-licious versions of "Skakin' All Over" plus Tom Waits' "Jockey Full Of Bourbon".
Perfect for your next cocktail party.
(First posted on Mark Is Cranky)
Mark Saleski is a writer and music obsessive based out of the Monadnock region of New Hampshire. On his best day, he hopes to channel the ghosts of Lester Bangs and Jack Kerouac. He spends the hours of 9:32PM to 1:37AM carving out music reviews and essays for Jazz.com, Blogcritics.org and other publications.
- The Friday Morning Listen
- Published: November 07, 2003
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- Section: Music
- Part of a feature: Friday Morning Listen
- Writer: Mark Saleski
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Comments on this articleComments
Not to mention Arthur Lyman! But, an excellent list besides. My wife and I have mostly latin, world, "unclassifiable" and exotica on our hi-fi at home, and we couldn't be happier with the urbane Havana vibe we achieve. It's martini time!
They're not exactly exotica but Marc Ribot and the Prosthetic Cubans fit nicely in rotation next to Esquivel, Arthur Lyman, and Perez Prado.
Totally off topic... Mark, you'd mentioned you were going to get the new Living Colour album. As a huge fan and a cheapskate, I'm curious to hear what you think.
sure thing johno...like i need to make my gottahaveit list any longer!
(actually, it was already on the list)
I got the Living Colour, and I need to review it soon. It's been on my "gotta review this" list, so I will set out with haste to do so. Quick summary: good stuff, nothing real suprising, continues on with the vibe set up on Stain but mixes in some of the eclecticism of Time's Up.
i'm writing the review as we speak and will be posting it in about a half an hour....
(just kidding)
Damn you Saleski! Stealin' reviews out from under me! I'll get you yet!
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I love exotica and the Blue Hawaiians are among best contemporary proponents. You forgot Martin Denny in your exotica Hall of Fame list