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Come join your host DigiTiki as the record lazily spins on the phonograph and we sip mai tais in our own private palm tree oasis.
Welcome to the Quiet Village - All Things Tiki
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What was that sound in the dark alley? Who was that masked man running from the cops? Crime Jazz comes to the Quiet Village. Epsiode 45 of the Quiet Village is dedicated to the music genre known as Crime Jazz. I looked all over the internet and I simply could not find anyone who endeavored to define Crime Jazz as a genre. So here goes: Crime Jazz is a mid-century nich music genre that musically brings the essence of cops, detectives and criminals, mobsters and even spies, within a mid-century urban setting. So join me as we walk the streets of the seedier side of the Island accompanied by our own soundtrack for the occasion. The Quiet Village dives into Crime Jazz. Episode 45 available now.
Keith Pawlak visits the Quiet Village There was some seriously great music created in America during the 50's and 60's. Recently Capitol Records produced the voluminous "Ultra-Lounge" music series that focused primarily on mid-century kitch music from Capitol's vaults. Di you every wonder what happened to all the pieces that went into creating those wonderful albums? What happened to the scored,master tapes, photos, cue sheets, etc.? Well, Keith Pawlak, a professor at the University of Arizona, Tucson has the really cool job of curating the archives of some of the artists who created some of that classic American mid-century music. Keith is also an avid collector of Capitol Records recordings. His collection is impressive and includes pristine recordings by Les Baxter, Jackie Gleason and other top Capitol Records artists. In 2008, Pawlak pulled some of Les Baxter's classic Exotica scores and performed them, along with an impressively large orchestra. Some of the music selections had never been performed since they origianl recordings, some 50+ year prior. The evening was topped off with a rare performance by Robert Drasnin, composter of the classic Exotica album "Voodoo" (Tops Records, 1959). Read my original entry about that concert here. Keith visits the Quiet Village for a very informative look inside the UofA's Music Archives as well as discussions about Les Baxter's music and the music of mid-century Capitol Records. This epsiode is a particularly informative one. Enjoy!
Introducing: The Beachcomber's Corner I collect...records, CD's, tiki mugs, way more stuff than I really have room for. But when collecting, its a quest to uncover a mystery--a true treasure hunt. To find the rare CD reissue treasures, you have to be part detective. I created the Beachcomber's Corner becuase its something that I wish I had a long time ag0--a resource of information about what has been reissued on CD or digitial download, so I know what I wanna start looking for. Exotica LPs are rare, but the reissued CD's are even more rare. They are not advertised or talked about anywhere (except here and few other web sites). They are usually only pressed in 10,000 copies and then they're gone for good, with the exception of the digital downloads. The Beachcomber's Corner is a database that serves as a one-stop resource for the geek collector like me. It shows that's in print, out of print, formats, country of origin, cover art, even a sample audio track. Check it out and enjoy! The Beachcomber's Corner was programmed by a good friend of mine Mike who goes under the pseudonym Captain R.H. Fallernum (que the swashbuckling music). His own site (a companion to the Beachcomber's Corner) contains a database that features LPs. Mine features reissues of LPs. The two together are a collector's dream. Visit the Captain's record collector page here. As always, your comments are always welcome. Oh yea, you can even leave comments on each album's listing if you like! The collection is just starting out, so not everything is listed here. But give it a little time. Eventually I hope to have everything listed here. Enjoy. START BEACHCOMBING
I'm Back! The Quiet Village is still hoppin' So, ok umm...well....I'm back now. Raising a new born baby is way more time consuming than I thought. I finally got a new episode up and running and I actually have several more recorded and ready to go. So don't fret. In the pipeline are the return of artist Eric October to guest host, Joe Banks (co-host on the James Bond epsiodes) comes back for another two part episode on movie scores, and many more interviews and many more tunes. Jim Bacchi from the Tikiyaki Orchestra comes by the Village to talk about his band's new record "Aloha, Baby!" which is T H E best exotica, lounge record out there right now. Also, hold tight, the Beachcombing corner is about to be launched--a collector's resource for exotica and lounge collectors that is like no other on the net. Period. Until the next episode...Aloha, Babies!!!
COMING SOON!
This year, the Hukilau event celegrates it's 10-year anniversary. The Tikiyaki Orchestra and surf guitarist Dick Dale headline the musical entertainment. This is a not-to-miss event! I certainly will be there!! June 9, 10, 11, 12, 2011
Ti Party Congratulations to the Buhens and the Tiki-Ti for keeping the torches burning brightly for 50 years. Mahalo!
A Must See Concert As if it weren't enough to fauthfully recreate the sounds of Esquivel, some 50 years later, Mr. Ho has returned with a down-sized Exotica combo for his newest album "Third River Rangoo." This album is moody, deep Exotica for a dark bar at its best. Now you have the chance to experience Mr Ho's Orchestrotica LIVE! For the first time ever, the space-age pop big band music of Esquivel will be performed live in NYC! Using a 22-pc ensemble, the band will present it’s acclaimed show comprised of transcriptions of the lost arrangements Esquivel made during the 1950s and 1960s on RCA Living Stereo albums such as "Other Worlds, Other Sounds", "Infinity in Sound" and the seminal "Latin-Esque." A short opening set by the Orchestrotica’s third-stream exotica quartet will be opening the evening. The CD release show in Boston on Jan 14th sold out so buy your tickets ahead! Fri, 18 Mar 2011 at 8:00 PM ET More information and to purchase tickets here
It was simply by chance that I was in the process of finishing the edits to the latest podcast episode which focused on the music of James Bond with Scott Mabbutt when I heard the news of Barry's passing. So I would like to dedicate this episode and the second part of it (which is coming up) to the memory of John Barry. A man who made adventure sound so good. New episode (#36) up now. Enjoy.
Tour To Another Island Well, if you're a fan of the seven stranded castaways, you'll love an upcoming show called...appropriately enough "The 3-Hour Tour." North Hollywood is the locale, the Mayflower Club is the hut and the Tikiyaki Orchestra will be providing the tropical soundtrack. Patrons will be treated to one-of-a-kind Gilligan-themed art by some of the So Cal's best tiki artists. Among the fare on hand will be pieces by CRAZY AL • DOUG HORNE • BIG TOE • TIKI TONY • BAMBOO BEN If that wasn't enough; the next day (Sunday, Nov. 21), the entire art works collection moves down the street to the Tonga Hut, L.A.'s oldest operational Tiki Bar. Once there, the art will be displayed for thirsty imbibers and the Tonga Hut will be hosting a Sunday evening party with custom made cocktails with such Gillianesque names as "Kona's Curse", "Mary Ann's Coconut Cream Pie", "Kupa-Kai Swizzle", "The Little Buddy" and "Professor's Dream." Join Kirby and Tikiyaki on the latest episode of the Quiet Village podcast where we talk about Gilligan's Island and the upcoming show. Episode available now. Just click on the PODCAST button above.
We're Going To A Spookilau So as I was slipping further and further behind my self imposed schedule to get another episode up and running, a few listeners requested a Halloween episode. My first reaction was "there aren't any Halloween tiki songs." But then I was asked to DJ at, of all things, a Tiki Halloween party!! As I was putting together the set list, I suddenly shouted (ala Young Frankenstein); "IT....COULD....WORK!!!" So, I wound up adding another title to the "Music For..." series. I wanted this episode to be something you could actually use in the background at your halloween party. Enjoy. Rest assured, I have many more exciting episodes coming up with some equally exciting guests!! So this episode, you're excused for not having a Mai Tai...Zombies are in order! So to help facilitate your Zombie infused psychosis while visiting the Quiet Village, here is the original 1934 Zombie recipe. It was invented by the godfather of Tiki, Don The Beachcomber in, well....1934. Its got a ton of stuff in it and will turn you into the walking dead--seriously!!
A Exotica guru Jeff Chenault was fortunate enough to know Marsh Padilla, a member of the original Beachcomber Trio--the house band at the Kahiki Polynesian Restaurant in Columbus, Ohio. While helping Marsh move one day, he unearthed a box of reel-to-reel tapes. Those tapes contained the raw recordings of the Beachcomber Trio from 1965--recorded right in the Kahiki Restaurant during dinner hours. Fast forward to now and the Beachcomber Trio, Live at the Kahiki is now a reality. Dionysus Records just released the vintage recordings on vinyl no less. So now we have a rare vintage exotica restaurant record that is also brand new. The recordings are a real time capsule. You can hear the patrons chatting at their tables and the faint trickle of the Kahiki's water fountain. All of this and the music of the trio creates a sonic space that is a bonafied time machine. The cover artwork and liner notes on the LP are first rate. Holding the LP in your hand, you quickly forget this is a new release and soon begin to feel as though you scored a major find of a vintage record at a swap meet. The other exciting thing about this release is that, those who purchase the LP's (which are limited to 500 numbered copies) also get a coupon for a free digital download of a high resolution MP3 copy of the album as well. That way, you don't have to digitize it yourself in order to put it on your ipod. This release was done so well. I can't say enough good things about it. If you're a serious exotica collector, you have to have this. Listen to tracks from the new Beachcomber Trio LP on Episode 32 of the Quiet Village podcast. Also, hear the interview with Jeff Chenault on episodes 23 & 24 as he discusses rare exotica LP's and the finding of the Beachcomber Trio tapes. You will also hear a super rare extended version of the Beachcomber Trio performing "Yellow Bird."
T Today the Kon Tiki spent a great deal of money and effort to fully restore the pyrotechnic functionality of the torches in an effort that is rare and should be applauded in today's economic climate. To commemorate the lighting of the torches, Mark and Maggie Bloom of Velvet Glass, along with the management of the Kon Tiki have created an event that is one for the record books. The event will feature the Tikiiyaki Orchestra, Thee Swank Bastards and Shrimp Chaperone. The actual lighting ceremony honor will go to Flam Chen-an acrobatic group that is famous for their use of ...you guessed it, FIRE! Vendors and a raffle will round out the event, which is also being hosted to raise money for a local Tucson no-kill animal shelter. How can you not want to support this? I must say, that the sign of these vintage torches blazing bright again in the hot Tucson desert night will be a tiki spectacle that will have no equal. If it lives up to my expectations, I expect to feel transported back to Americana of the early 1960's for just a brief moment in time. I expect to feel like a time traveler with the sight of the flaming torches and the sounds of vintage exotica from the Tikiyaki Orchestra wafting over the mesquite-laden scent of the Arizona evening. And I'm pretty sure that it will happen, for a split second, I will actually be back there. Mark & Maggie join me for an interview in episode 28 in which they talk about little known facts about the history of the Kon Tiki, Tucson's tiki past and their amazing artwork with Velvet Glass.
New Episode finally up...finally! Mahalo and Happy 2010!!!
Ernie Menehune Live [10/19/09] That is exactly how I first came to know Ernie's work. I found an LP on Ebay that looked rather interesting. The title was "Hawaii's Suntanned Irishman" and I was intrigued enough to bid and won (nobody else bid against me). That was essentially it. Fast forward to 4 years later when I became friends with two extraordinarily talented artists in the new Tiki scene Mark & Maggie Bloom of Velvet Glass. Their home hut is located in Tucson, Arizona--another island that I frequent. It turns out the Mark and Maggie, 2 transplants from New York, have become good friends and promotors of Ernie who calls Tucson home.
Today, Ernie is still performing occasionally at the local vintage Tiki temple in Tucson, the Kon-Tiki. Once a year, he also holds a huge fundraiser party for the Tucson Polynesian Society which he founded. The Society is for displaced people of Polynesian descent living in the Tucson area. The luau/fundraiser is held at Ernie's Menehune Village home where he performs his Island shtick to a packed crowd of Tucsonans. I was fortunate enough to be able to attend the most recent luau and performance this September. It was fun cheese-filled evening. I hope to have some video from that performance up on the site soon. I will also be airing an interview with Ernie Menehune conducted by Exotica expert Jeff Chenault on an upcoming podcast episode. | The Sound of Tiki:
Tiki Central - The Ultimate Message Board for Tiki Culture on the web. Ambient Exotica - A really great site for both Ambient & Exotica in-depth music reviews. Criktiki - online database of tiki restaurants and bars from today and the golden era of tiki Humu Kon Tiki Blog - Great blog on the latest happenings in the tiki community. The Hukilau.com
- The East Coast's permier and largest tiki weekend event! Tiki Room Mug Gallery - A great online field guide to vintage tiki mugs Mai Tai Online - Great tiki blog Beachbum Berry - The guy who literaly wrote the book on vitnage tiki drinks. Daytona Tiki.com - A great resource for tiki establishments in and around the Daytona, FL area. TIKI RESTAURANTS & BARS: Mai-Kai Restaurant - One the the last of the great Polynesian palaces in the heart of Ft. Lauderdale. You must see this place to believe it! Tiki-Ti - L.A's own and one of the best tiki bars in the nation. Kona - Formerly known as "Sam's Seafood" in Huntington Beach, CA The Bahooka - A place for ribs and grog that's been around forever. Don't miss Rufus, their giant carrot-eating fish Tonga Hut - A neighborhood tiki bar in North Hollywood, CA that has changed little since its opening 50+ years ago--A hidden treasure. Forbidden Island - Alameda, CA tiki bar witch cocktails that will ignite your tase buds. TIKI ART & MUSIC Tikyaki Orchestra - The best modern-day exotica band. Mr. Ho's Orchestrotica - Outstanding modern exotica band. Must hear their recording of Esquivel songs Tiki Shark - Home of Brad Parker, cover artist for our “StereoExotique” album Tiki Bar TV - THE place to get your vodcast fill of tiki and cocktails! Tikimania - Home of the Infamous Crazy Al Zentikilounge.com - Another great tiki podcast The Smokin' Menehunes - Good friends of ours who serve up the smokin' sounds of Hapa Haole Dancing Tehani - The amazing belly dancer and hula dancer who has performed with The Tikiyaki Orchestra. The Eliminators - Top surf sounds from one of the best bands out there! Jeff Chenault's Exoteque Music TIKI EVENTS: The Hukilau - Florida’s tiki bash featuring music, seminars and the amazing Mai-Kai Tiki Oasis - The West Coast's biggest Tiki Bash in sunny San Diego, California London Luau - Tiki bash for London Tikiphiles
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We Chose To Go To The Moon [7/17/09] I was 1 year old when Apollo moon launch and landing riveted the world. I don't personally remember it, but my mother and grandparents told me stories about sitting around the black and white TV watching every moment of this historic event....of course with me sitting in their laps. I was thrilled to find out that NASA is reliving the moon launch and landing IN REAL TIME!!. If you were young enough to remember, or want to find out what the Apollo mission was like, you can relive it moment by moment. go to: We Chose The Moon.org This is a wonderful web site by NASA in which they are playing ALL of the Apollo 11 and ground controller as well as showing the exact location of the space vehicle, all in real time. Not only do they let you hear the transmissions and see a ear t-to-moon mission map, the web site also features very large movies that trigger at specific times in the mission to show what exactly is happening at that particular moment, such as final stage separation and docking in orbit. I woke up early this morning and witnessed the lift off. Its not tiki, but hey, its a major story in the history of the human race--proof that we can achieve momentous things for greater good of us all.
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An Enchanting Visit to the Quiet Village [6/17/09] I was privileged to have the opportunity to meet and interview Diana Lai-the first VIP hostess at the Enchanted Tiki Room in Disneyland. Diana was personally selected by Walt Disney himself for the job at the Tiki Room, which was still under construction at the time in 1963. She was groomed by Disney to be the exotic "oriental" hostess who would not only operate the ride, but also escort VIPs through the attraction and down into the basement where all the magic that made the show work was housed. We spent a lovely afternoon talking about her connection to the Tiki Room and to tiki in general as we looked through Diana's many scrapbooks--scrapbooks that were absolutely priceless I might add. She had tons of photographs, many depict her working at the Tiki Room. Diana Lai's story is remarkable and captivating. She is a warm person with a great deal of spunk. I am so proud to have the opportunity to meet her and to interview her for the Quiet Village Podcast. So i urge you to check out episode 18 of the Quiet Village, in which I interview Diana Lai--a truley enchanting person.
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The Quiet Village gets press!! [9/16/09] Not only that, a listing of the November, 2008 landmark concert of Les Baxter music at the University of Arizona, Tucson also lists DigiTiki.com as the go-to web site for a recap on the details of this historic Exotica music concert. A Mahalo to Tiki Magazine!
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Don the Beachcomber Returns after 30 years!
[3/14/09] Don the Beachcomber is THE father of the exotic cocktail or tiki drinks as they are often referred to. Without Donn Beach, there would be no such thing as a Zombie, Mai Tai, Pain Killer or any of the rum-based cocktails we consider to be exotics. After a 30 year absence on the mainland, Don the Beachcomber is opening its doors once again in the Los Angeles area, Huntington Beach, right on the Pacific Coast Highway. Interestingly enough, Don the Beachcomber will takeover the well known icon Sam's Seafood, which was recently renamed Kona. Sam's itself has a colorful history that dates back to the 1930's and prohibition. With the recent economic downturn, Sam's--now Kona, has experienced hard times and was just days from closing its doors for good, when suddenly an investor who owned the Don the Beachcomber name rights stepped in. I am writing to say that I have experienced a small preview of what is to come for the new Don the Beachcomber restaurant and bar. I was privileged enough to talk with the bar consultant and the restaurant owner, who allowed me to sample two of the drinks that will grace the new cocktail menu. I sampled the Don's Mai Tai (served to me and a guest, in a Squid original Fortune Fire Bowl) lit with flaming rum in all four chambers. The drink doesn't normally come in this bowl, but it was nice to see the presentation. The mai tai is nothing like the classic mai tai we are all accustomed to (ala Trader Vics'). However, it was an amazingly deep and complex exotic in the true sense--with hits on various citrus juices, cloves, ginger and other exotic ingredients that I could not distinguish. It was an enlightening experience. The second cocktail that I was fortunate enough to preview was called a Cherry Blossom Punch. This fresh cherry and rum cocktail was again, deep and complex with aftertastes that hinted to spices and not just rum and juice--delicate, refreshing and yet very deep and complex. These cocktails were on par with some of the best exotics I have ever tasted. If I had to equate them to any one place, I would say they were as good as the drinks served at the Mai Kai in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. I want to encourage everyone who has the chance, to visit the Don the Beachcomer. Not only is it a piece of tiki history, but it is making history once again! |
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Squid Visits the Quiet Village I know its been a little while since the last podcast episode & posts here on the web page, but things have been hoppin' at the Village. Just recently, one of the Tiki world's premier and proliphic artists, Squid, visited me at the Quiet Village for a recording session of the Quiet Village podcast. Episode 14 features an extended interview and guest DJ-ing by Squid, aka Dave Cohen. For those of you who may not know Squid, you most likely know his work--and probably own a piece or two. Squid is one of the founders of Tiki Farm. Tiki Farm is the biggest tiki mug maker and many of the top collectible designs by Tiki Farm are the sculting work of Squid. Recently, a retrospective show was put together at Kona (formerly Sam's Seafood) in Huntington Beach, CA. At the show, collectors came together to present a complete showing of Squid's tiki mug career to date. The result was an impressing 270+ mugs, sketches, scupts and concepts. Today, Squid is working with Castway Ceramics. His designs were among the first products released by this new company, and they are cool. In commemoration of Squid's visit to the Quiet Village, he and Castaway have graciously an exclusive discount to all Quiet Villagers. When you purchase a mug from Castaway Ceramics, you get 10% simply by entered promo code QV during checkout. Enjoy & don't forget to listen to episode 14 of the Quiet Village, featuring Squid! |
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A New Day Dawns Spongebob says it best: |
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[1/5/09] Although this topic is not tiki it is exciting...at least for me. I am A big fan of the contemporary artist Dale Chihuly. His medium is glass and his work is simply beautiful. I made a little trek recently to Arizona to see an exhibition of Chihuly's. Currently and through the Spring of 2009, Chihuly's work is on display at the Desert Botanical Gardens in Scottsdale, Arizona. Although Chihuly's work has been displayed in many diverse locations around the world and his studio is in lush forested area of Tacoma, Washington, his work seems so perfectly suited for the desert environs. As you will see in the photo album, his glass forms seem like dessert organisms that have spontaneously sprung from the dry soil alongside majestic seguaro cacti. I viewed the exhibition at night as the glass sculptures were lit against the dark Sonoran desert. This provided such a beautiful view of the colors and forms. I highly suggest that anyone with the ability and time, visit the gardens in Scottsdale, Arizona. You will not be disappointed. |
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Happy New Year! [1/2/09]
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[12/20/08] This event promises to be a real blast, complete with hula & belly dancing by the beautiful Tehani & surf tunes by the Eliminators & DJ action by DJ Jeff (Big Tiki Dude) as well as a full show by the Tikiyaki Orchestra! Event will be at Kona Restaurant in Huntington Beach, $15 admission (that's pretty cheap for new year's eve). Event Details  |
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The Music of Les Baxter Lives Again in Arizona
The University of Arizona, Tucson was the scene for a most extraordinary concert on November 3rd. The music of Les Baxter was performed live with an orchestra. Selections from Baxters siminal albums "Tamboo" and "Sacred Idol" were performed using the original scores for the first time since their original recordings in the late 50's. The concert also included introductions by Exotica guru Jeff Chenault, Exotica expert and regular contributor to Tiki Magazine. Additional insights into the music of Les Baxter was provided by guest artist and acomplished guitarist Skip Heller. Keith Pawlak conducted and was responsible for bringing this music back to life. Keith overseed the music archives at the University where a large portion of the Les Baxter's personal music archives were donated. The University's music archives holds a precious collection of vintage scores and recordings by many mid-century music luminaries including Nelson Riddle and Robert Drasnin. Specifically, a collection of Exotica scores and music is being put together by the University and Keith Pawlak. In addition to the Les Baxter scores, was a performance of original Exotica compositions by Robert Drasnin. Drasnin's 1959 album "Voodoo" is considered to be a cornerstone of the genre. Drasnin has been performing, teaching and scoring for TV and film for the last 50 years. In 2007, he re-entered the studio to record the sequel to "Voodoo" entitled "Voodoo II." This event was truly a once-in-a-lifetime happening. I was fortunate enough to be there to witness Les Baxter's music come alive again with a full orchestra and chorus. It is my hope that this is only the beginning of a rediscovering of this unique genre of music that was quite popular in the mid-century popular history of the United States. |
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Crime comes to the Quiet Village 
[4/28/11]
[3/5/11]
John Barry Passes 
ucson Desert Is About To Burn A Little Brighter
Ernie was a top entertainer during the 50's and 60's in Las Vegas and Phoenix. Ernie's shows were complete with music, comedy and dancers, all set against the backdrop of mid-century Polynesian Pop that constituted the original Tiki movement in America. Later in his career, Ernie's plied his trade in supper clubs and theaters in Arizona--primarily the Tucson and Phoenix areas. Ernie later retired to Old Tucson, where he built his home.("Menehune Village") complete with lagoon, stage, luau grounds and tikis. 
Chihuly in the Desert 
All site contents ©Mark Riddle & Mark of the Tiki Productions.