Mr. Ho's Orchestrotica Third River Rangoon

Mr. Ho's Orchestrotica Third River Rangoon

Despite the "Orchestrotica" in the title, "Mr. Ho's" sophomore effort is as part of a 4 or 5 man combo this time rather than the 23 member big band of his debut album. However, not to worry. This is a talented group playing a variety of music in the Tiki Lounge style. The "Arab Dance" from The Nutcracker is very well done. Nice tribute song for Arthur Lyman done in his distinctive style.While the Orchestrotica does perform classics by the original artists of the style--Martin Denny, Arthur Lyman, Les Baxter, Milt Raskin, and Cal Tjader--the quartet focuses on original, modern jazz/classical crossover (third-stream) exotica music written by Mr. Ho too.

Vibraphonist/bandleader Brian O'Neill AKA Mr. Ho's new album Third River Rangoon, by his shapeshifting ensemble Mr. Ho's Orchestrotica may have been inspired by that subgenre, but it's considerably more magical. It leaves far more to the imagination, a lushly nocturnal collection whose most impressive feat of sorcery is getting a simple lineup of vibraphone, bass flute, bass and percussion to create the sweep of a hundred-piece orchestra. The production is genius: Phil Spector couldn't have done any better than this. Playful and surreal, with an unselfconscious majesty, it's music to get lost in, just as O'Neill intended..." -- Lucid Culture - 6/2011

Enjoy the trip.

1. Third River Rangoon 4:36
  2. Thor's Arrival 4:55
  3. Maika            3:23
  4. Colorado Waltz 4:22
  5. Arab Dance            4:29
  6. Phoenix, Goodbye 5:12
  7. Terre Exotique 4:04
  8. Autumn Digging Dance 3:12
  9. Moai Thief 3:58
10. Lonesome Aku of Alewife 3:51
11. Lyman '59

exoticalounge

The Derangers - The Legend Of Daphne Blue And The Westernmental Sound (2014)

The Derangers - The Legend Of Daphne Blue And The Westernmental Sound (2014)

Conjuring the feel of a bygone era in America, when neon lit the evening sky along Route 66 and a cowboy with no name rode across a Drive-In movie screen... The Westernmental Sound! It's the debut CD by longtime Boston instrumental combo The Derangers. Spooky instrumental themes, encompassing spaghetti western, surf, spy, and more. Call it desert surf or Texas surf...

“The Legend of Daphne Blue” is a retrospective of the best Derangers instrumental music spanning more than two decades. 1990’s original spaghetti western-styled theme, “Rio Sangre” is the collection’s oldest track, and the band’s twangified cover of “Wichita Lineman,” recorded in November of 2013, is the newest.

The music ranges from straight early ‘60’s California surf with tracks like “Santa Monica” and “Monkey Island” to the exotic spy jazz and Arabesque motifs of “Ether Cocktail” and “The Impaler.” There’s “’69 Firebird’s” hot rod sound and the lush tropical layering of “Agave Rain.” But the main wave of the Derangers’ sound is their “Westermental” themes. Tracks like “Rio Sangre,” “Tears of the Seneca,” “Twang ‘em High,” and “El Chupacabra” conjure cinematic images of a lone rider emerging over the desert horizon, making his way toward a doomed desert town, accompanied only by danger. Front and center is Drew Townson’s steely, reverb-clad guitar, supported by a cast of some of the best players in the New England music scene.

"To hell with 'spaghetti western' soundtracks. The Derangers have an original take on high-atmosphere twang that's fueled by Texas barbecue and dust. Guitarist Drew Townson's melodies evoke not only the open spaces of the prairies and deserts, but the sound of the surf, balancing retro-cool with a lean modernity that keeps the band's sound fresh and timeless." ~ Ted Drozdowski, Guitar World

Track List:

01. Tears of the Seneca [03:56]

02. Twang 'em High! [02:53]

03. El Chupacabra, Live on WMFO [03:00]

04. Santa Monica [02:30]

05. Rio Sangre [03:43]

06. The Impaler [03:32]

07. Monkey Island [03:04]

08. Ether Cocktail [04:52]

09. Magdalena, NM [02:45]

10. '69 Firebird [03:19]

11. Agave Rain [02:46]

12. Wichita Lineman [03:54]

13. The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly, Live [02:58]

whackedout

Tortoise - It's All Around You

It's All Around You is a solid maturation of the Tortoise sound. It's their fifth album and the compositions are surer, bolder, subtler than any of their previous work. Where their earlier tracks were often whimsical and wandering, these are thoughtful, artfully produced works that don't need to lean on their pastiche or irony or 21st century genre fusion to be respected. The triptych that opens the album is some of the most breathtaking work they've ever done, as audacious and ambitious as anything you've heard from them. The first track is a latin-infused tapestry of guitar and vibe melodies, while the second is a sibilant electronic dub brain massage. The third is a bold, sweeping Zappa anthem that will have you shaking your head in wonderment. This is Tortoise's most cohesive album yet, good for focused end-to-end listening while having tracks that are capable of standing on their own.

All the usual elements are here: the mesmerizing blend of instruments to the point where you are surprised where one ends and the other begins, the fun sometimes screwball rhythms, the jazz inspired melodies and some great rock-out moments. Instrumentation hasn't changed: two vibraphones, two drum kits, bass, synth/effects, twang and jazz guitar.

Its mood wanders from joyful heights to angsty darkness and back. Tortoise's production values improve with each album they release, and this is no exception - you will greatly benefit from playing this album through a quality sound system or headphones, and make sure you're reproducing the bass properly because it's sublime.

John McIntyre's drumming is on showcase here, building to a wild crescendo with the album's closing track. The electronic expression of Tortoise is more finely represented here than on any previous album.

This album showcases some of their most subtle, melodic and consistent work to date. If you like Friends of Dean Martinez, Calexico or M83 give this a try. If, not - try it anyway - it's that good.


Track Listing
    "It's All Around You" – 4:09
    "The Lithium Stiffs" – 3:59
    "Crest" – 4:21
    "Stretch (You Are All Right)" – 5:14
    "Unknown" – 5:38
    "Dot/Eyes" – 3:46
    "On the Chin" – 5:21
    "By Dawn" – 1:51
    "Five Too Many" – 4:33
    "Salt the Skies" – 4:45

terp5

Surfer Joe - Senor Surf

Surfer Joe - Senor Surf

“Senor Surf” is the first solo release of Surfer Joe. The album was recorded in 2013, but sounds just like a real 60s record! This is partly due to the way the album was recorded and the use of analog gear, but Lorenzo could have easily been one of the greats in the sixties. It collects pieces from some years back and finally glues them together, but also presents brand new compositions that reveal the devotion to the classic surf sound of the 60s revisited with a fascinating style. He dedicates his life to surf music with a positive attitude and a great energy, always ready for new experiences and ideas while keeping an eye on the tradition of the genre which involves the most typical reverb drenched guitar sounds and pushing drum beats inspired by jazz and rock ‘n’ roll.

Paul Johnson of the Bel-Airs (known from the song ‘Mr. Moto’ with Eddie Bertrand, who later on formed the band Eddie & the Showmen) is featured on the live recording of the B-side track ‘Beach City Bop’. On this track, Lorenzo plays the drums. Yes, the man can also play the drums!

Aside from this song, the album mostly contains Lorenzo’s own work, which he has written in Antigua (an island in the Caribbean Sea), where he lived between 2004 and 2011 and played in the surf band Wadidli Riders (locals call the island Wadidli). The album starts off great with ‘Macaroni Pie’ and remains interesting. Side A of the record ends with the track ‘The North Swell’, which was recorded live on Antigua. Side B starts with ‘Fire Escape Rope’, that strongly reminds me of Slacktone, and ends with ‘Beach City Bop’. This is the world of Surfer Joe, made of simple melodies, groovy arrangements, twanging notes, stories to tell and surf music. This is a great album that deserves to be part of every Surf music fan’s collection.

Track List:

01. Macaroni Pie [01:52]
02. El Seсor Surf [02:44]
03. Devil's Bridge [02:34]
04. Underwater Love [03:03]
05. Waveboard Action [02:26]
06. The North Swell [02:43]
07. Fire Escape Rope [03:07]
08. Cavalcade Of Surf [02:41]
09. Etage 8 [02:29]
10. Twangy Drippy Twisty [02:01]
11. Changing Things [03:47]
12. Beach City Bop [03:45]

sfrjoe

Montefiori Cocktail #1, 2 and 3

Party on ---------- going on vacation for a few weeks. Thought this will get everyone in the mood to escape life for awhile. Three slabs of crazy funky fun. No joke. 

 

For my blog buddy Mr. Fab at Music For Maniacs  there are some juicy bits here that could wind up in some of your future compilations.

 

Montefiori are Italy's major representative of the new lounge easy listening evolution, offering the 60's funky sounds enriched with technological elements. Inspired by the 60's cinema and the beginning of the 70's, they grasp the vitality spirit conveyed by that period music, re-proposing it in modern musical forms with house, breakbeat, jungle, drum 'n bass etc. There are great versions of classic lounge-jazz-samba-type tunes that sound just familiar enough to get people of every age and musical taste walking around with a bit more swagger, nodding their heads and splashing their martinis.

For instance, their version of Bolero. Yes, this is the famous classic piece by Ravel! It's done in a 60s-jazz lounge style, with jazzy saxophones swinging the melody over vibes and drum set. "It's a hoot" to say the least, but it really works well! Very creative. They do a similar treatment to the "Star Trek" theme, making it sound like a romantic ballad the first part, then adding the spacy blips and bleeps on the repeat. Best of all – a twangy spaghetti western version of the Star Wars theme. They mix up tv, movies, pop and schmaltz in a perfect blend of fun.

The music is completely goofy, but irresistible. You can't help but smile and dance. Horns and keyboards are all mixed up in a sound that might best be described as the love-child of Pee-Wee Herman and Robert Goulet. If you steadfastly refuse to take life seriously, this is for you. Enjoy.

 

Trax

 

1. Lazy Busy

2. Another B

3. Bolero

4. Je T'Adore

5. Tekila Bum Bum

6. So, What's New

7. Crazy Beat

8. Gipsy Woman (La Da De La Da Da)

9. Trip 60

10. Un Uomo, Una Donna

11. Gne Gne

12. Anamaria

13. Theme From Star Trek #1 with a bullet

Montefiori Cocktail #2

Montefiori are Italy's major representative of the new lounge easy listening evolution, offering the 60's funky sounds enriched with technological elements. Inspired by the 60's and the beginning of the 70's, they grasp the vitality spirit conveyed by that period music, re-proposing it in modern musical forms with house, breakbeat, jungle, drum 'n bass etc. There are great versions of classic lounge-jazz-samba-type tunes that sound just familiar enough to get people of every age and musical taste walking around with a bit more swagger, nodding their heads and splashing their martinis.

For instance, their version of Bolero. Yes, this is the famous classic piece by Ravel! It's done in a 60s-jazz lounge style, with jazzy saxophones swinging the melody over vibes and drum set. "It's a hoot" to say the least, but it really works well! Very creative. They do a similar treatment to the "Star Trek" theme, making it sound like a romantic ballad the first part, then adding the spacy blips and bleeps on the repeat. Best of all – a twnagy spaghetti western version of the Star Wars theme. They mix up tv, movies, pop and schmaltz in a perfect blend of fun.

The music is completely goofy, but irresistible. You can't help but smile and dance. Horns and keyboards are all mixed up in a sound that might best be described as the love-child of Pee-Wee Herman and Robert Goulet. If you steadfastly refuse to take life seriously, this is for you. Enjoy.

 

Trax

 

1 Theme from Star Wars / 2 Hu ha / 3 La Segretaria / 4 Sunny / 5 Babalu / 6 Sofisticata / 7 L'albero di 30 piani / 8 Shampoo / 9 On a Clear Day / 10 I feel love / 11 Intervallo / 12 Stanotte / 13 Anonimo veneziano / 14 Nana nana / 15 Riviera beat / 16 Anema e core /

 

#2

Montefiori Cocktail #3

Montefiori are Italy's major representative of the new lounge easy listening evolution, offering the 60's funky sounds enriched with technological elements. Inspired by the 60's and the beginning of the 70's, they grasp the vitality spirit conveyed by that period music, re-proposing it in modern musical forms with house, breakbeat, jungle, drum 'n bass etc. There are great versions of classic lounge-jazz-samba-type tunes that sound just familiar enough to get people of every age and musical taste walking around with a bit more swagger, nodding their heads and splashing their martinis.

For instance, their version of Bolero. Yes, this is the famous classic piece by Ravel! It's done in a 60s-jazz lounge style, with jazzy saxophones swinging the melody over vibes and drum set. "It's a hoot" to say the least, but it really works well! Very creative. They do a similar treatment to the "Star Trek" theme, making it sound like a romantic ballad the first part, then adding the spacy blips and bleeps on the repeat. Best of all – a twnagy spaghetti western version of the Star Wars theme. They mix up tv, movies, pop and schmaltz in a perfect blend of fun.

The music is completely goofy, but irresistible. You can't help but smile and dance. Horns and keyboards are all mixed up in a sound that might best be described as the love-child of Pee-Wee Herman and Robert Goulet. If you steadfastly refuse to take life seriously, this is for you. Enjoy.

Trax

Prego, Accomodatevi

Easy Trip

Comment Te Dire Adieu

Per Cortesia

Mucha Muchaha

Boboboo

Zoi Zoi

Lo Cerco La Titina

Little Fans

Sportivo

Conversazione

After Shave

La Voglia, La Pazzia

Pardòn

Moquette

Tè Verde

Baby Rhumba

Picnic

Theme From U.F.O.

Comment The Dire Adieu (Club Version)

Per Cortesia #3

Guitar in the Space Age

Hi all:
I'm BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry for the 2 year delay. Personal issues and life got in the way and I was pissed off at the industry - that didn't help either. Guilt got me and I can't stay away. Got lots of great stuff to share and comment about. For now, will be posting stuff off and on. Expanding the horizons of the blog - you will get more mostly instrumental music in more genres - psyche, post rock, industrial, jazz, weird and obscure - along with my fave surf and instro. Thanks to my loyal followers, you have given me hope. Enjoy

Bill Frisell "Guitar in the Space Age!"
A homage to some of the electric guitarists of the 50s & 60s

For this album, "Guitar in the Space Age!," guitarist and composer Bill Frisell mines the catalog of guitar-based music from the 1950s and 1960s that first inspired him to pick up the instrument. Joining Frisell for this album of musical memories are the members of his working trio, bassist Tony Scherr and drummer Kenny Wollesen, along with frequent collaborator Greg Leisz, a master of the lap and pedal steel guitars. This superb quartet explores the music of Pete Seeger, The Byrds, Junior Wells, Dick Dale, The Ventures, The Astronauts, Chet Atkins, Merle Travis and others with Frisell's own compositions sprinkled in. "Guitar in the Space Age!" offers a rare look into Bill Frisell's formative influences, from a time when the electric guitar was in its infancy and creating a startlingly new sound, pushing popular music into the future.

 The Buffalo News' Jeff Simon quoted Frisell as stating "after playing for more than 50 years, it just feels right to once again play some of the music which shaped my consciousness during my formative years, even to play some of it for the first time … and maybe get it right. Guitar in the Space Age! isn’t really an exercise in nostalgia but about a recommitment to keep learning, to firm up the foundation and showcase one of the best bands I ever had."

This is not totally surf or twang but a jazzy interpretations of the classics. Kind of low key and listenable. Best suited for late night or quiet times. Enjoy. Link fixed. Thx 


    "Pipeline" (Brian Carman, Bob Spickard) – 7:06
    "Turn! Turn! Turn!" (Pete Seeger) – 2:40
    "Messin' with the Kid" (Mel London) – 2:59
    "Surfer Girl" (Brian Wilson) – 4:14
    "Rumble" (Milt Grant, Link Wray) – 4:56
    "The Shortest Day" (Bill Frisell) – 4:57
    "Rebel Rouser" (Duane Eddy, Lee Hazlewood) – 3:39
    "Baja" (Hazlewood) – 3:37
    "Cannonball Rag" (Merle Travis) – 2:56
    "Tired of Waiting for You" (Ray Davies) – 6:02
    "Reflections from the Moon" (Speedy West) – 3:21
    "Bryant's Boogie" (Jimmy Bryant) – 3:09
    "Lift Off" (Frisell) – 2:17
    "Telstar" (Joe Meek) – 3:15

billyboy