Johnny Ukelele's "Jungle Song" -- Album Title?

Aloha,

Does anybody know about a recording artist who went by the name of "Johnny Ukelele", and recorded a number, possibly back in the 50's or 60's, called "Jungle Song"...? Nice production and cool jungle sounds, a la Lyman. I'm trying to find out when it was recorded, and what the album title was. If there's a larger body of work found, this artist may be a fun re-discovery...

Cheers and Mahalo,
SOK

http://www.yoyoisland.com

"Jungle Song" was taken from Johnny Ukulele's LP "Favorite Selections By Johnny Ukulele" (Capitol T-1425). It's the only LP recording he made to my knowledge. His real name is Johnny Ka'aihue originally from Hawaii island. According to the liner notes, he performed for a while as "Chief Cold Moon", a guitarist as part of an Indian act. He was also a competitive swimmer for a while. He is the father of Mary & Norman Kaye, two of the three who made up The Mary Kaye Trio who also cut a few LPs. I've seen his LP on eBay a few times, if you have a turntable.

Wow, thanks for the ping-back, K! I appreciate the album title, learning "Johnny Ukelele"'s real name, and also that he had another stage name. Very interesting into. I'll start checking Ebay for the album, and hopefully find it one of these days. If the other cuts are as fun as "Jungle Song", it'll be worth the search.

Mahalo nui,
SOK

http://www.yoyoisland.com

Here is a picture of the LP......................

It is definitely worth seeking out!

Cheers and Mahalo,
Jeff

[ Edited by: Jeff Central 2007-01-16 17:39 ]

[ Edited by: Jeff Central 2007-01-16 17:41 ]

That is sooooo far out!

Many thanks for the album pic, it will help with my search, and let other know what to look for too! Also glad to hear your assesment that it's worth going after. All I've heard is "Jungle Song", but the other titles look Very Cool...

Warm aloha and a mighty mahalo nui!

SOK

http://www.yoyoisland.com

I read yesterday that Mary Kaye passed away at 83. Not having paid much attention to her, I was astonished to find out two fascinating facts from her career:

1.) That she coined the term "Lounge". She suggested it to the owner of the Last Frontier Casino in Vegas, and her "Mary Kaye Trio" then became the first to be billed as a "lounge group". They were also the first to perform in the wee hours between 1:00 and 6:00, and began the custom of all night entertainment in Las Vegas, later moving on to perform at the Sahara and the Tropicana.

2.) Her grandfather was King Kuhio, brother of Queen Liliuokalani, last monarch of Hawaii !

What an amazing life and fitting metaphor for Polynesian pop: From Hawaiian royalty.....to Vegas lounge act !!!

Just a side note, the CD of the Johnny Ukulele album was officially released in Japan in 2006, but is sadly already out of print.

Royalty in exile is still royalty.

Mahalo, BigBroTiki, for that fascinating bit of lore. Any chance there may be a "Book of Tiki Music" in the future for all us Polynesiacs who can't get enough of the beat of drums and the call of the jungle -- in the deepest, darkest lounge? Oooo. Bet that would make a tuneful tome, all between two covers...

Cheers and Aloha,
SOK

Thank you, but there are others, like Jeff Central and Selector Lopaka, who have far more knowledge in Exotica than me (just like Jeff Berry excelled in cocktail archeology) and should do that book. I might seem like a damn know-it-all, but I ain't: Quality suffers if you spread yourself too thin.
However, I am working on a compilation CD called something like "The Sounds of Tiki", it's with a German label, we'll see if it ever comes to fruition, it should be fun.

[ Edited by: bigbrotiki 2007-02-27 16:32 ]

Don't make us beg, BBT, for a detail-rich jewel-case booklet authored by yourself, included in "Sounds of Tiki", should you decide to produce it.

Don't make us beg. 'Cause we will.

Looking forward to what the drums may say about this project you have in mind, and would like to lobby here for Johnny Ukulele's "Jungle Song"'s inclusion, if said project launches.

Cheers and Aloha,
SOK

Hey Son-of-Kelbo,

If you can make the Hukilau this year I am presenting an expanded and revised slideshow presentation on Exotica music. I will be handing out a brochure of ALL the Exotica CD's that I know about. Both in-print and OOP (out of print). Also included will be complete discographies for Martin Denny, Arthur Lyman and "must have" Les Baxter albums.

This will most definitely make your search a little easier.

Look for the "Book of Exotica" soon too! (I hope).

Cheers and Mahalo,
Jeff

[ Edited by: Jeff Central 2007-03-01 08:18 ]

Aloha, JC!

If I can get a boat off this damn island I will. The Demented Menehunes and I would really like to get to the Hukilau this year, any way we can...

But whatever whatever, your drums speak of great news for hard core fans of exotic music! If I can't escape YoYo Island, though, any chance of getting a "souvenir" flyer (after the debut distribution, of course)? And wha'sup about "The Book of Exotica"? This sounds like fun. Oooo.

Cheers,
SOK

Go Jeff Go! That sounds like a great list...but do we ever really know ALL that is out there?....Well, if anyone does, you do, so it will be as good as it gets.

On 2007-03-01 20:33, bigbrotiki wrote:
Go Jeff Go! That sounds like a great list...but do we ever really know ALL that is out there?....Well, if anyone does, you do, so it will be as good as it gets.

True, one list can never be totally complete but it is pretty extensive. I have even included bootlegs that are known to exist as well.

Thanks for the kind words.

Cheers and Mahalo,
Jeff