Customer Reviews

The Exciting Sounds of Martin Denny: Exotica/Exotica, Vol. I & II

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Admittedly, this is not a CD that you can keep on constant repeat for days, but there's just ISN'T any better lounge music for the first hour or so of that party you're throwing in your shiny, new (or beat-up, old) apartment. I heard this featured on NPR about a year ago and ran out to buy it; when I told my father that I was listening to "fabulous, cheesy tiki music" he groaned...but when I said "Martin Denny" he said--wait, that's not tiki music! That's great stuff! And it is: it hasn't registered on the retro-hip radar in the way that, say, bossa nova or swing recently have, but it's better for that, as no one has started coating it with that tiresome patina of ironic chic. Still, it shouldn't be taken as totally straight either--there was always a tongue-in-cheek quality to the music: the first track is a tune that became an unexpected hit when Denny's combo was playing a Hawaiian club and decided to throw in some tropical animal noises, just for kicks. If you hate the very idea of the fifties and are made more suspicious than enthusiastic by the news that Exotica was at the top of the charts for much of 1959, forget about it--but otherwise figure out how to make yourself a mai-tai, turn down the lights and enjoy.

The rage nowadays is "mood music" and "relaxation music". Well folks this is the one(in my opinion) who started it all. Yes, there were others who got into the "exotic" and "hawiian" music(Les Baxter was one), but this stuff was truely EXOTIC. Bird whistles, vibes, piano, rasp, horse jaw. Horse Jaw! Yes folks, when I heard about that I just had to get the album. They take the lower jaw of a horse, sometimes other animals, dry it well, clean it up well, wire the teeth in loosly and then paint it up. Holding it in one hand you hitit with the heel of the other hand to get a very distinctive "rattle". I spent many an hour reading the Ring Trilogy, Isaac Asimov, and james Bond novels to the music which hits just about every emotion and tempo you can find. Later on , I got the second album. Loved it too. When I saw the CD I snapped it up. Don't worry about the critics nitpicking the "crispness" of sound as opposed to the "ambience" of the old L.P. I have both and will take the CD any day. If you want "mood music" get this one!!!

A shimmering bag of jingle-jangle from Martin Denny, a leader of the exotica mood music and certainly one not above a little humor. He's not as colorful(or campy)as Les Baxter, but he's not rigid either, and some of these beautiful melodies waft in and out of your consciousness like a humid island breeze. It is escapism and a travelogue, hypnotizing and also lulling. It's as easy to fall under Denny's island spells as it is to fall gently asleep listening to this 2-fer. But, in moderation, it produces tingly aural excitement.

When I was a small boy, I wore out an LP record of the first Exotica album. I thought I would never hear the music again in my life. It has been, I guess, 35 plus years since I heard it last. I was really excited when I saw that someone had remastered the music on CD. I could not believe it. I had to order a copy. When I got it, I played it right away. One of the first things I noticed was how deep and realistic the tones in the instruments were, compared to the old High Fidelity record. Even though, I think, the CD is not in stereo. It still sounds great. I don't miss it being in stereo a bit. Who ever remastered the music on CD gets a big THANK YOU from me.

I recommend all of Martin Denny's immortal albums if you want to relax into a time capsule of a different reality when things were so nice, pleasant and innocent.

We originally purchased this as an album some years ago, even though one side of the record was completely unplayable. My husband assured me it was a classic, sure to take me away, transport me to another world in another time, and worth the small price despite the damage. He was so right. The combination of music and "island sounds" are the perfect mix, and that was only on side one. All that's needed is a quiet room, a blue drink with an umbrella floating in it, and Martin Denny's Exotica. Can hardly wait to get the CD and listen to the other side.....

My uncle Harvey Ragsdale, was Martin Denny's bass player for years, and is featured on many of Denny's albums. My family is very proud of that! Martin Denny was a great friend to my uncle, as well as a wonderful band leader and human being. Though Martin Denny and my uncle have passed on, it's great to know this music will live on and that as it had brought pleasure to many back in the day, it continues to bring that same pleasure to many fans of exotica kon tiki culture today and will continue in the future!!! I give every one of their albums as always, 5 stars!!!! Love their music!!

This disc contains the original 1956 mono recording of Exotica, which was later (1958) re-recorded in stereo. According to Martin Denny, this is his preferred version. I love 'em both.

This is exactly what my Father wanted and this one was both Volume 1 and Volume 2 combined in one disc.

My Dad introduced me to Exotica a long time ago. I had forgotten about it, until my brother brought it back into my life.

It combines rich layers of sounds that take you into a relaxing adventure - natural acoustic music with the healing sounds of paradise.

This CD represents the cheapest vacation you may ever take, $16. It soothes the senses while allowing you to explore an inner fantasy world elicited by the exciting sounds of tropical exotic places.

Jeff Labno
Los Angeles, California