Search - Martin Denny :: Exotic Sounds of

Wonderful fun

umze | Seattle, WA | 06/18/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There are many negative things you can say about exotica music in general and Martin Denny in particular:the music is kitchsy and corny, it's "easy listening" music, and its sole purpose was to aid a mass audience in getting slowly stoned on martinis.All of which is true - nevertheless, I love Martin Denny. The innocence of the music and integrity and care in the production win me over. Martin has an unashamedly corny sense of humor, with one song in which a mosquito's buzz is the primary focus, and numerous songs punctuated by beautifully executed birdcalls. It's all put together seamlessly, as if these elements were the most natural things in the world to include. The production is meticulous, and the music surprisingly does not become repetitive or monotonous, which is no small feat in this style. The music is not of Hawaii or Polynesia or any other "real" culture, but a complete commercial fabrication, the world of the tiki lodge and resort Hawaii. It brings the guilty pleasures of a Hawaiian vacation into your living room, soothes the spirit, and lets the mind drift away. A must for summer nights on the deck."

Hip nostalgia

Scott E. Kingsbury | Pasadena, CA United States | 03/14/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Martin Denny died last week. The end of an era for me. As a kid I would grab my father's vinyl LP's of Exotica and Quiet Village and transport myself to tropical lands beyond my dreams, listening to Denny's soothing sounds and exotic bird-call melodies. Julius Wechtler on the vibes was one of my early favorites. (I actually saw him, as leader of the Baja Marimba Band as the opening act for Wayne Newton!) When all my little pals were buying LP's from some English group called the Beatles, I was kickin' it to Martin Denny. This re-mastered double CD is a trip right back to those magical days in front of my parents "hi-fi"! And without all of the snap-crackle-pop of the originals! Awesome!! As long as Martin Denny's music lives, so will he!! Aloha, Mr. Denny! And thanks for everything! Keep a Mai Tai ready for me at that big Don the Beachcomber bar in the sky!!"

Big Brother Cool

ninetyeightptsix | the San Francisco Bay Area | 02/09/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When I was ten, my oldest brother was very cool. He's ten years older, so he was already dating. He always favored blondes. He had mailing return address labels printed with his name, the name of his fraternity at Indiana University and "International Lover."The part I remember that I like the best was being able to play records (LPs) from his cool collection. The Exotic Sounds of Martin Denny was a favorite of mine. When I discovered the CD set, I was amazed and overjoyed. Memories from my pre-pubescent days flooded back. Now at age 48, I am once again in awe of my brother's coolness.So, besides all the imagery of being in a tropical lounge, I remember my brother and all of the blondes he dated. I came back to Amazon.com to order a CD set for him, knowing that at age 58, he'll still be totally cool and once again with a lover in his arms.Now, I wonder what ever happened to Connie Stevens and Hawaiian Eye."