“CAPTAIN BILLY’S MAGIC 8 BALL” -“NO STRANGER TO PARADISE” FEATURING THE ALBUM “QUIET VILLAGE” BY THE MARTIN DENNY IN HIGH DEF WITH NARRATIVE BY CAPTAIN BILLY – EPISODE # 68
””NO STRANGER TO PARADISE”
QUIET VILLAGE by Martin Denny (Liberty, ’59)
Exotica. Just the mere mention of the word, and tropical breezes start to waft across my mind. As the lush jungle canopy looms above me I long for a hammock and a mai tai, and the soothing sounds of the rolling surf to lull me into total relaxation.
I owe it all to Martin Denny, a name I had never known until I started collecting 8 tracks. Esquivel, Mancini, Les Baxter: these are the masters that brought Tiki musical culture to the mainland, and probably the native Hawaiians will never forgive them. But, nonetheless, it is a beloved and thriving proto-cosplay experience, which generates millions in sales of tiki torches, umbrella drinks, and Hawaiian shirts every year.
In Quiet Village, inspired by accident when Denny’s band was playing at the Shell Bar on Oahu, a total immersive landscape was created. When the bullfrogs living in the artificial adjacent pond began croaking along with the music, the inspired bandleader added bird sounds (provided by A. Purvis Pullen), and along with Arthur Lyman on vibes, and the myriad indigenous percussion instruments Denny utilized, the playground and playlist for Exotica was born. Revisiting this set I was taken a little aback by the cliched culturally appropriated “Firecracker”, but then I read that it inspired Haruomi Hosono to establish Yellow Magic Orchestra, so I decided not to quibble. And, let’s not forget the slightly embarrassing yet fabulous covers featuring lovely muse Sandy Warner in various come-hither get ups: The quaint perspective is complete.
Take my hand….
Side A 1. “Stranger in Paradise” (George Forrest) – 2:19 2. “Hawaiian War Chant” (Prince Leleiohoku) – 2:14 3. “Coronation” (Les Baxter) – 2:49 4. “Sake Rock” – 1:57 5. “Paradise Found” – 2:28 6. “Firecracker” – 2:26
Side B 1. “Martinique” – 2:53 2. “My Little Grass Shack in Kealakekua, Hawaii Cha Cha Cha” – 1:56 3. “Tune from Rangoon” – 2:58 4. “Happy Talk” (Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II) – 2:24 5. “Pagan Love Song” – 2:23 6. “Laura” (David Raksin, Johnny Mercer) – 2:55 7. “Quiet Village – 3:37
