Richard Cheese presents Johnny Aloha: Lavapalooza - Tiki Music

O Otto Grand Member (3 years) NorCal Joined: Mar 29, 2002 Posts: 1000	O Otto Posted posted on Sun, Nov 7, 2010 9:55 PM A new performer has been added to the Exotica lexicon - Johnny Aloha! A crooner in the style of Mel Torme or Don Ho or, of course, Richard Cheese. With a tagline like the following: TIKI-STYLE HAWAIIAN MUSIC VERSIONS OF ROCK & RAP HITS I gotta say I was a little apprehensive approaching Johnny Aloha's new release after reading the song selection. There's a wide range of 80s New Wave, rock, and rap/gangsta rap that share only the narrowest connection to Hawaii/Tiki via their titles and/or lyrics about the beach and paradise In fact I was actually a bit horrified to see songs such as "Gangsta's Paradise","Last Resort" and "Thong Song" on the CD set list as they really have nothing to do with Tiki Style or Polynesian paradise. But I was happy when I heard them offered in Johnny Aloha style. A bird call-and-bongo intro gives way to Yma Sumac voices and tribal chanting with vibraphone lead that make the very un-Tiki Papa Roach song "Last Resort" amusingly Exotic. And "Thong Song" seemed an even more dubious choice but when I heard the rough mix of it I was dazzled by the genius of producer Richard Cheese slipping the Thong Song into the Tiki Room conversation, with appropriate sexual innuendos, between Jose and pals (Richard Cheese as an un-PC Fritz). It was so well done I agreed to be the executive producer to see this song completed and offered to the public! So I got the CD in the mail a week or so ago At first listen the Johnny Aloha treatment seemed to be a slightly repetitive formula but every one of these songs has grown on me and each have their own flair and clever gimmicks. In stark contrast to the original vapid but catchy and super upbeat rap/dance track, "Pocketful of Sunshine" ends up smooth but monotonous in the JA Lounge set. Similarly Rock Lobster is a bit boring save for the cool "Mister Bongos" riff at the end that segues right into Clint Eastwood which nicely includes Hawaiian language chorus. "Island in the Sun" is also a little slow but so is the original Weezer tune. Don't get me wrong, the first three tracks had me hummin along and chuckling at the same time. I really like the Go Gos and the Katy Perry video for California Gurls w Snoop Dogg is great, so to hear Lounge version of them is even better. And even though I am not big on Guns n Roses, I can dig the crooney version of their hit! If for nothing else, you should buy this CD for the ukulele and steel guitar version of (gasp) "Almost Paradise." I can't believe I am listening to this song and actually liking it! Slipknot's Corey Taylor & Richard Cheese make cameos in a Cheesey cover of the horrible side of the 80s "Footloose" love theme "Almost Paradise." Ladies and gentlemen, introducing steel guitar hero Jeremy Wakefield! But wait, that's not all - "Drink to Hawaii" is an instant classic Tiki tune. The only original penned by JA. The lyrics are a simple but witty rhyme, yet when Johnny Aloha croons them they come to life as an ode to Tiki drinks that would make Jimmy Buffet roll over in his grave (is Jimmy Buffet dead yet? Please.). You gotta hear this tune even if you do not like Johnny Aloha or Richard Cheese!!! "Airplane Announcement" is an obvious nod to new Exotica music heroes Tikiyaki Orchestra. (see "Bachelor #1") Did I mention it has original artwork by Shag? And uke by Taimane Gardner http://taimane.com/ This CD is going to get lots of play at my monthly Otto's Grotto gig at Forbidden Island I wish Johnny aloha had a regular gig in Honolulu so we could all fly out there and see him. Everyone who went to Waikiki saw the Don Ho Show. Honolulu needs a new Don Ho. Johnny Aloha is it! [hello, any Waikiki club owners out there listening to the general public?] [ Edited by: Otto 2010-11-07 22:05 ]

A new performer has been added to the Exotica lexicon - Johnny Aloha!
A crooner in the style of Mel Torme or Don Ho or, of course, Richard Cheese.

With a tagline like the following:
TIKI-STYLE HAWAIIAN MUSIC VERSIONS OF ROCK & RAP HITS

I gotta say I was a little apprehensive approaching Johnny Aloha's new release after reading the song selection. There's a wide range of 80s New Wave, rock, and rap/gangsta rap that share only the narrowest connection to Hawaii/Tiki via their titles and/or lyrics about the beach and paradise

In fact I was actually a bit horrified to see songs such as "Gangsta's Paradise","Last Resort" and "Thong Song" on the CD set list as they really have nothing to do with Tiki Style or Polynesian paradise. But I was happy when I heard them offered in Johnny Aloha style. A bird call-and-bongo intro gives way to Yma Sumac voices and tribal chanting with vibraphone lead that make the very un-Tiki Papa Roach song "Last Resort" amusingly Exotic. And "Thong Song" seemed an even more dubious choice but when I heard the rough mix of it I was dazzled by the genius of producer Richard Cheese slipping the Thong Song into the Tiki Room conversation, with appropriate sexual innuendos, between Jose and pals (Richard Cheese as an un-PC Fritz). It was so well done I agreed to be the executive producer to see this song completed and offered to the public!

So I got the CD in the mail a week or so ago
At first listen the Johnny Aloha treatment seemed to be a slightly repetitive formula but every one of these songs has grown on me and each have their own flair and clever gimmicks.
In stark contrast to the original vapid but catchy and super upbeat rap/dance track, "Pocketful of Sunshine" ends up smooth but monotonous in the JA Lounge set. Similarly Rock Lobster is a bit boring save for the cool "Mister Bongos" riff at the end that segues right into Clint Eastwood which nicely includes Hawaiian language chorus. "Island in the Sun" is also a little slow but so is the original Weezer tune.

Don't get me wrong, the first three tracks had me hummin along and chuckling at the same time. I really like the Go Gos and the Katy Perry video for California Gurls w Snoop Dogg is great, so to hear Lounge version of them is even better. And even though I am not big on Guns n Roses, I can dig the crooney version of their hit!

If for nothing else, you should buy this CD for the ukulele and steel guitar version of (gasp) "Almost Paradise." I can't believe I am listening to this song and actually liking it! Slipknot's Corey Taylor & Richard Cheese make cameos in a Cheesey cover of the horrible side of the 80s "Footloose" love theme "Almost Paradise." Ladies and gentlemen, introducing steel guitar hero Jeremy Wakefield!

But wait, that's not all - "Drink to Hawaii" is an instant classic Tiki tune. The only original penned by JA. The lyrics are a simple but witty rhyme, yet when Johnny Aloha croons them they come to life as an ode to Tiki drinks that would make Jimmy Buffet roll over in his grave (is Jimmy Buffet dead yet? Please.). You gotta hear this tune even if you do not like Johnny Aloha or Richard Cheese!!!

"Airplane Announcement" is an obvious nod to new Exotica music heroes Tikiyaki Orchestra. (see "Bachelor #1")

Did I mention it has original artwork by Shag? And uke by Taimane Gardner http://taimane.com/

This CD is going to get lots of play at my monthly Otto's Grotto gig at Forbidden Island

I wish Johnny aloha had a regular gig in Honolulu so we could all fly out there and see him. Everyone who went to Waikiki saw the Don Ho Show. Honolulu needs a new Don Ho. Johnny Aloha is it!
[hello, any Waikiki club owners out there listening to the general public?]

[ Edited by: Otto 2010-11-07 22:05 ]

Post #564017 by Otto on Sun, Nov 7, 2010 9:55 PM