Early Tiki Music - Tiki Music

P pappythesailor Member Mass. Joined: Jul 07, 2005 Posts: 1566	P pappythesailor Posted posted on Mon, Nov 7, 2005 8:19 PM I've been wondering about this for a while but I can't seem to formulate it into just one question so I'll blabber a little. We all know the soundtrack to Tiki is Exotica but when was that true? and where? Most of the Exotica I've heard was made in the late 50's and early 60's. Obviously Don the Beachcombers didn't feature Exotica. Ditto the Trader's. If I walked into Don's in 1940 (and if you can arrange this, please PM me) what would be playing? My guess would be Hawaiian swing music a la Sol Hoopii or Andy Iona. Maybe a live orchestra. I've also been trying to remember back to childhood in the 70's. I can't say as I ever remember hearing Exotica played at any of the Polynesian restaurants we went to. If I recall, it was usually (ack) "beautiful music", a.k.a muzak that is thankfully extinct now. Then, there's the Mai Kai, center of the Tiki Universe. They were playing what sounded like contemporary Hawaiian/ Polynesian music when I was lucky enough to be there for the Hukilau. What did they play at the Kahiki? What's playing at the Tiki Ti tonight? What was playing there 25 years ago? P.S. I don't know what was playing at the Kowloon the other night. I couldn't hear a thing over the football games at the sports bar.
F freddiefreelance Member San Diego, Ca. Joined: Feb 15, 2003 Posts: 3006	F freddiefreelance Posted posted on Tue, Nov 8, 2005 7:18 AM Hawaii Calls? Slack Key Guitar? Hawaiian guitar music was very popular on 78s back in the '20s-'30s, but alot were novelty-type recordings.
T theARTFINK Member behind the green door Joined: Jun 02, 2002 Posts: 40	T theARTFINK Posted posted on Wed, Nov 9, 2005 10:19 AM when I used to hang out at the Kahiki they played lot's of Exotica and some older pop like Don Ho and Dean Martin. but mainly I heard Martin Denny and Les Baxter.
UJ uke jackson Member Joined: Jun 21, 2005 Posts: 100	UJ uke jackson Posted posted on Wed, Nov 9, 2005 8:05 PM that "beautiful music" might have been jack deMello and his orchestra. deMello (real name) did incredibly lush, orchestral arrangements of hawaiian tunes. listening to it today, i find myself transported back to time when everybody's mom looked like mrs cleaver. deMello was unquestionably the father of muzak, or elevator music, or call it what you will. as the originator, he's worth a listen today. he also has a lot to answer for.

P

pappythesailor Posted posted on Mon, Nov 7, 2005 8:19 PM

I've been wondering about this for a while but I can't seem to formulate it into just one question so I'll blabber a little.

We all know the soundtrack to Tiki is Exotica but when was that true? and where? Most of the Exotica I've heard was made in the late 50's and early 60's. Obviously Don the Beachcombers didn't feature Exotica. Ditto the Trader's. If I walked into Don's in 1940 (and if you can arrange this, please PM me) what would be playing? My guess would be Hawaiian swing music a la Sol Hoopii or Andy Iona. Maybe a live orchestra.

I've also been trying to remember back to childhood in the 70's. I can't say as I ever remember hearing Exotica played at any of the Polynesian restaurants we went to. If I recall, it was usually (ack) "beautiful music", a.k.a muzak that is thankfully extinct now.

Then, there's the Mai Kai, center of the Tiki Universe. They were playing what sounded like contemporary Hawaiian/ Polynesian music when I was lucky enough to be there for the Hukilau. What did they play at the Kahiki? What's playing at the Tiki Ti tonight? What was playing there 25 years ago?

P.S. I don't know what was playing at the Kowloon the other night. I couldn't hear a thing over the football games at the sports bar.

F

freddiefreelance Posted posted on Tue, Nov 8, 2005 7:18 AM

Hawaii Calls? Slack Key Guitar? Hawaiian guitar music was very popular on 78s back in the '20s-'30s, but alot were novelty-type recordings.

T

theARTFINK Posted posted on Wed, Nov 9, 2005 10:19 AM

when I used to hang out at the Kahiki they played lot's of Exotica
and some older pop like Don Ho and Dean Martin. but mainly
I heard Martin Denny and Les Baxter.

UJ

uke jackson Posted posted on Wed, Nov 9, 2005 8:05 PM

that "beautiful music" might have been jack deMello and his orchestra. deMello (real name) did incredibly lush, orchestral arrangements of hawaiian tunes. listening to it today, i find myself transported back to time when everybody's mom looked like mrs cleaver.

deMello was unquestionably the father of muzak, or elevator music, or call it what you will. as the originator, he's worth a listen today. he also has a lot to answer for.