Martin Denny - Sayonara (full album)

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Info, album notes, track timings, etc. below.

I found this record the other day in the 99¢ section of the record store. I bought it for sampling, and definitely didn't expect it to be as nice as it is. This hasn't been uploaded to YouTube yet (although Discogs says it's a compilation, so you can likely find all of the individual tracks), so I decided to go ahead and do it.

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Track timings:

A1 - Paradise - 00:01 [2:31]
A2 - I'm in the mood for love - 02:31 [2:15]
A3 - Ruby - 04:48 [2:27]
A4 - Strange Music - 07:17 [2:12]
A5 - My Funny Valentine - 09:31 [3:22]

B1 - Sayonara - 12:56 [3:20]
B2 - Tenderly - 16:16 [2:30]
B3 - Blue Paradise - 18:50 [2:15]
B4 - A Fine Romance - 21:07 [2:34]
B5 - My Romance - 23:47 [2:32]

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Info:

Martin Denny - Sayonara

Label: Sunset Records
Catalog number: SUS-5169
Date: 1967

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Album Notes:

The MARTIN DENNY sound is comprised of percussive effects, bird calls and instruments cleverly employed to acquaint you with the complex rhythms that are part of the culture of the Hawaiian Islands. He has brought more of Fiftieth State to the Mainland than a Lurline luxury liner filled with Hulu Dancers, Mai Tais, Muu Muus and Poi.

DENNY became enchanted with Hawaii during a six-month engagement at the now famous Don The Beachcomber's. His jazz trio was instrumental in turning the night spot into the number one tourist attraction on the island. Adding a fourth member to the group -- DENNY was signed to a long term contract at the Shell Bar in the then newly opened Hawaiian Village. In this exotic tropical environment the MARTIN DENNY sound was concieved.
The lush DENNY treatment is evident throughout this SUNSET RECORDS album as you listen to such great standards as MY FUNNY VALENTINE -- PARADISE -- TENDERLY -- and MY ROMANCE.

The artistry and perfection of performance which is MARTIN DENNY is reflected here in his exciting version of STRANGE MUSIC.

MARTIN DENNY has proven his versatility by discovering new talent and participating in the production of several outstanding albums. And while we're on the subject of outstanding albums -- this one will leave you spellbound!
SAYONARA!

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Some of my thoughts on the album:

It opens with Paradise, a 1931 song first performed by Pola Negri. This version begins with "bird calls" (which persist through most of side one).
This record has one of the most interesting versions of My Funny Valentine that I've ever heard. It takes a whole minute for the melody to show up, and it's played by what sounds like a banjo -- obviously imitating the sound of a Shamisen or a Koto (if it's not actually those instruments). The accompaniment is also "exotic," with a vibraphone in the right channel, and a dulcimer(? or just a plain guitar) in the left.

Side two starts with a gorgeous version of Sayonara, written by Irving Berlin. The "Japanese" feeling is a little over-the-top in this tune. It's performed as a duet, with a banjo in the left channel, and either another banjo or a real Shamisen in the right channel. The accompaniment is such that the two lead instruments and the melody feel like they're floating above it: almost inaudible double bass, soft piano chords, chimes, glockenspiel, and minimal percussion -- temple blocks and an occasional, punctuating gong.

The rest of the album is generally just standard easy-listening music -- which isn't necessarily a bad thing.
Something interesting that I noticed: the opening of Tenderly is pretty much the same as The Free Design's When Love Is Young (   • When Love Is Young  ).