Post #8230 by Kailuageoff on Fri, Sep 13, 2002 2:06 PM

Many apologies if I inadvertently implied that Gleason was an acceptable muscial alternative in a tiki bar. For me, it should be exotica in a Polynesian pub, unless there are real live hula girls on stage (then it's Hawaiian, Tahitian, Maori and such).
Since the name of this forum is Beyond Tiki, I thought it would be cool to post on some other music I like, and read about some stuff other people are into.
I can see how it is easy to lump Gleason in with 101 Strings, Living Strings, etc., but I think the other guys should be viewed as ripping off his approach and debasing it, because Gleason did his first album around 1952 and stayed consistent for almost 20 years.
But regardless of who came first, I think there is a qualitative difference to his music; especially when it comes to setting a mood and keeping it.
His arrangements are always restrained and never over the top. He doesn't start out soft and then make you jump up and adjust the Hi-Fi. He never gets a mellow vibe going and then burts in with 76 trombones, the way Lyman and Denny do on some of their albums(which I find annoying).
Also, Gleason's stuff is different to me because it doesn't seem artificial. The other orchestra's from the 50's and 60's seem to have been recorded for the nuclear family on the cul-de-sac.
Gleason was recording for the bachelor pad. His music lingers in the air like smoke from an abandonded cigarette. It stings the eyes a little, but it makes the room a much more interesting place.
But then again, some people don't like smokers.
Aloha for now. I think it's time for a Martini.

[ Edited by: Kailuageoff on 2002-09-13 14:06 ]