Home Bar Music?

I don't know if I'd go so far as to call my home bar a tiki bar...tho it's got tiki stuff! Just not nearly as spectacular as the ones in the TC "Home Tiki Bars" section. In any case, I thought it should have its' own soundtrack, as opposed to what I usually do: put on a record, or play the radio. So I've been assembling a big ol' iTunes playlist, and am not sure how it's working out. I mean, I usually loves me some of that crazy rock n roll music, but even surf rock seems a bit much. A little too aggressive. And '60s lounge/soundtrack stuff should theoretically fit, but seems too futuristic amidst such primitive surroundings. Vocals suggest a smoky Vegas casino, which is a whole other vibe.

On the other hand, an all-exotica/Hawaiian playlist could be a bit repetitious after a while. I imagine my guests asking, "Umm, got anything that DOESN'T have bird calls?"

Some cool jazz/Latin jazz/Big Band things seem to work, esp. if it has bongos. And is kinda low-key.

Or am I overthinking this, and not sweat it? What's you-alls bar soundtracks like?

[ Edited by MrFab on 2024-08-02 16:14:37 ]

I get you. But the bird calls usually are what my guests like the best LOL. If you want something mellow but not all total Exotica, you can try some latin jazz. One of my go-to's is Cal Tjader's Mambo with Tjader. Its has some up tempo tunes but they seem to be ok. There is some rather slower tropical sounding latin jazz on that record that is perfect for a tropica bar or tiki bar. You can also try some bossa nova. Maybe some Joao Gilberto and Astrud Gilberto.

I also suggest cruising through some of the playlist on Spotify, if you have a paid account, you can find some fantastic playlists for a tropic or vintage themed party. I suggest looking at Exotica playlists (you'd be surpised to find that most songs don't have bird calls), even West Coast Jazz playlists that can give a cosmopolitan vibe without being too cerebral or up tempo. Vintage Bossa Nova as well.

Great tips, thanks! How could I have forgotten Cal Tjader? And def must add some Astrud.

What are some good West Coast jazz suggestions? I know obvious stuff like "Take 5" and "Cast your Fate To The Wind," but I'm not super hip to that genre. (I'm not on Spotify).

Don't overthink it. Most visitors aren't going to be familiar with tiki or the various genres of music associated with tiki. I like a mix of exotica, hapa haole, calypso, bossa nova and surf, along with Latin beats from Xavier Cugat, Desi Arnaz, Edmundo Ros. Mix it up so you've got a good variety and your guests never know what to expect next.

Other folks like punk or Rat Pack & Vegas lounge. Maybe space age bachelor pad like Esquivel. The important thing is that the music should transport the guest to another time and place. If you're playing the same stuff they listened to on the radio during the drive over, you're doing it wrong.

Some other suggestions:
*Most any jazz album by Bobby Hutcherson (vibes player)

*Exotica XL by Sim Nagai

*any album by Monster Rally (I like to call this music "tripxotica")

*Capitol's Ultra-Lounge series of CDs - a wide variety across the spectrum

*the Las Vegas Grind! compilations and related releases

*Make a playlist of rock songs that are connected: Werewolves of London by Zevon, Holiday in Waikiki by the Kinks, Let's Talk Dirty In Hawaiian by John Prine, etc.

Just like your cocktails, you can mix it up however you like it!

[ Edited by rupe33 on 2024-08-02 07:45:27 ]

Great suggestions, Prikli Pear! I have plenty by those folks you mentioned - Will add those forthwith.

And rupe33, actually I do have some of the “Las Vegas Grind” albums, and some Monster Rally. Thanx for the reminders. But I Wasn't familiar with Bobby Hutcherson, Sim Nagai, that Kinks song, so jumping right on them.

[ Edited by MrFab on 2024-08-02 23:03:50 ]

[ Edited by MrFab on 2024-08-02 23:08:11 ]

I do not even have a home bar, tho I do have tiki stuff....

I'm with Digitiki on the bossa nova. Another interesting laid-back jazz option might be Dorothy Ashby ("jazz harp", mostly standards.)

Maybe I'm making an assumption about your question implying wanting only one "soundtrack" for your space, but I have a couple of different playlists I put on, depending on the mood--one mostly exotica, one mostly hapa haole, etc. Don't know if you were considering something like that.

When the mood strikes, you might enjoy either of my hobby online stations taken from my personal vinyl collections:

• Hawaiian Hi-Fi - native Hawaiian, steel guitar, exotica, "Hollywood" Hawaiian, etc
• Moody Mood Music - traditional elevator/shopping mall instrumentals, lounge singers, space age bachelor pad vinyl

[ Edited by leevigraham on 2024-08-07 15:57:53 ]

Glad you are getting some good music options here. I have an ever-growing 40 hour or so, "exotica" playlist for the tiki lounge that I am constantly adding / editing. The playlist has a variety of exotica, Hapa-Haole, traditional Hawaiian, surf, hula-billy, lounge, vintage ukulele, Hawaiian slack and laptop guitar, jazz, etc. The key for me is the mix. I like having the mix-tape concept.

I also have a jazz playlist and a lengthy commercial/Top 40/ rock pop / "I know know most of these tunes" list for regular get-togethers

If you're looking for more latin-based jazz, and if you don't already have them, Perez Prado Voodoo Suite and Exotica Suite for the Americas.

enjoy the music, both putting together and listening

The idea of having more than one playlist did not occur to me, but that does make sense.

Mahalo for the further suggestions! Kaiwaza, have any actual tiki bars/restaurants used your stations? I was checking them out, and it seems like it would be a natural.

Thanks MrFab....not to my knowledge.