"Similau" - Tiki Music - Tiki Central

DTG DJ Terence Gunn Member Joined: Jun 20, 2005 Posts: 250	DTG DJ Terence Gunn Posted posted on Tue, May 26, 2009 10:20 PM Bobby Darin's version, in my opinion, is the absolute BEST version. It's wild and dark, upbeat and crazed, and really hits home! And Darin's vocal rhythm and range is extraordinary. The song is soulful and groovy and exotic -- all in one. To compare Darin's version to Peggy Lee's is not giving Darin's version proper justice. (Peggy Lee's is closer to Desi Arnez's version.) 'Course, I know Darin's arranger of the song is the one that deserves the most credit. So many of the other vesions are slooooow Cuban-esque songs, with an air of stark simplicity and semi-darkness, and are imitating each other without adding much depth or originality to the song's music. To me the song -- because of the message/narrative of the lyrics -- should be upbeat and rejuvinating. Though I may not be impressed, I'm intereted in hearing Caterina Valente's version, as well as Ray McKinley's version. But most of all I'd love to hear Cal Tjader's version with Chico O'Farrill (I LOVE Cal Tjader!). Anyone have any of these versions/links to these versions, etc.? As far as Martin Denny's version, it's the best instrumental I've heard of the song. Much better than the Big Band versions or Ray Kaempfert's smooth, easy listening version. And the surf versions I've heard are...well, I won't comment. Like Arden Clar, Les Baxter didn't leave the U.S. to find inspiration for the exotic music he created on record. But to me, the song 'Similau' and its Exoticism is represented more in the lyrics, not the original music written for it; and is host and subject to many musical interpretations beyond the original and most popularised version. Still, the composer's melody and music cannot be argued with in its inspirational tone, feeling, and atmosphere. However, the composition in its original 'feel' is far more a Westernised Cuban music idealism rather than wildly exotic. A signature sound of the Western Exotic perception and belief of Far Away Places, the song -- through other arrangements -- has since taken on far more Exoticism than originally conceived.

Bobby Darin's version, in my opinion, is the absolute BEST version. It's wild and dark, upbeat and crazed, and really hits home! And Darin's vocal rhythm and range is extraordinary. The song is soulful and groovy and exotic -- all in one. To compare Darin's version to Peggy Lee's is not giving Darin's version proper justice. (Peggy Lee's is closer to Desi Arnez's version.) 'Course, I know Darin's arranger of the song is the one that deserves the most credit.

So many of the other vesions are slooooow Cuban-esque songs, with an air of stark simplicity and semi-darkness, and are imitating each other without adding much depth or originality to the song's music. To me the song -- because of the message/narrative of the lyrics -- should be upbeat and rejuvinating.

Though I may not be impressed, I'm intereted in hearing Caterina Valente's version, as well as Ray McKinley's version. But most of all I'd love to hear Cal Tjader's version with Chico O'Farrill (I LOVE Cal Tjader!). Anyone have any of these versions/links to these versions, etc.?

As far as Martin Denny's version, it's the best instrumental I've heard of the song. Much better than the Big Band versions or Ray Kaempfert's smooth, easy listening version. And the surf versions I've heard are...well, I won't comment.

Like Arden Clar, Les Baxter didn't leave the U.S. to find inspiration for the exotic music he created on record. But to me, the song 'Similau' and its Exoticism is represented more in the lyrics, not the original music written for it; and is host and subject to many musical interpretations beyond the original and most popularised version. Still, the composer's melody and music cannot be argued with in its inspirational tone, feeling, and atmosphere. However, the composition in its original 'feel' is far more a Westernised Cuban music idealism rather than wildly exotic. A signature sound of the Western Exotic perception and belief of Far Away Places, the song -- through other arrangements -- has since taken on far more Exoticism than originally conceived.

Post #456467 by DJ Terence Gunn on Tue, May 26, 2009 10:20 PM