Arthur Lyman - Call of the Midnight Sun

Exotica and Island music have always been one of my foremost musical interests. I can't help but imagine a dapper group of suburbanites throwing a tiki bbq party in their backyard in 1956. Grass skirts, Mai Tais, coconut bras, pinaple rings, tiki torches and statues, and of course a variety of exotica records. Arthur Lyman has always been a personal favorite of mine. Unlike most popular exotica musician, Lyman actually is Hawaiian. He also mastered mallet instraments by learning a variety of Benny Goodman songs on a toy marimba as a child.

Lyman got his start playing vibes for Martin Denny a the Shell Bar at famed hotel "the Hawaiian Village". Denny had traveled the world picking up different exotic instraments to add to that signature sound, but it was Lyman who coined the famous bird call, that's become a staple in island music. In 1957 Denny was signed for Quiet Village, and Lyman stayed loyal to the Shell Bar, and they became "friendly" rivals for 30 years! In 1990 they made amends and recorded one last album together.




Call of the Midnight sun is one of my favorite Arthur Lyman albums. The version of "Hello, Dolly" is possibly the best I've ever heard, considering I was never terribly fond of it to begin with. Unfortunately on the second track "a maile lei your hair" seemed to record much softer than the rest. It's a bit on the low side, but it's not one of the album's best. It also includes "the Girl from Ipanema", another favorite of mine! The title track is, Midnight Sun, is the hilight of the album though. Perfect for sipping cocktails while cooking dinner! Enjoy!





1. Hello, Dolly
2. a Maile Lei your Hair
3. Midnight Sun
4. Room Without Windows
5. 500 Miles
6. People
7. Black Orchid
8. Hamabe No Uta
9. the Girl from Ipanema
10. Day and Night
11. Black is the Color of my True Love's Hair
12. Get me to Church on Time

the Midnight Sun is Calling...