Martin Denny - Exotica Volume II (1958)

Gotta love that exotica! After Martin Denny's success with the album "Exotica", it was inevitable that there would be another one to follow. So the following year there was "Exotica Volume II"! (There's also an "Exotica III", but I don't have that one.) If anyone has the third one, please share! I really don't think I need to say anything about Martin Denny - you all are quite familiar with his records! So... enjoy!

Track listing for Martin Denny - Exotica Volume II:

Side 1:
1. Soshu Night Serenade
2. Island of Dreams
3. Japanese Farewell Song (Sayonara)
4. Singing Bamboos
5. The Queen Chant (E Lili Ua E)
6. Wedding Song (Ke Kali Ne Au)

Side 2:
1. Escales
2. When First I Love
3. August Bells
4. Bacoa
5. Ebb Tide
6. Rush Hour in Hong Kong

Martin Denny - 20 Golden Hawaiian Hits (1965)

How many of you are experiencing freezing temperatures right now? We had some very cold days in Dallas just a couple of days ago, but today it's rather nice out. Anyway, to help warm you up a little, how about some Hawaiian tunes? ("How about a nice Hawaiian Punch?" - remember that commercial?) Well, here are twenty tunes that'll take you away to the sunny beaches of Hawaii (warming up yet?), and played by none other than the king of exotica himself, Martin Denny. Aaahhh... Feel the balmy breeze on your face and see the palm trees lining the beach? Well, go pour yourself a Mai Tai or a Blue Hawaiian, and sit back and listen to Martin Denny (another treasure I picked out of the bargain bin at HPB).

Track listing for Martin Denny - 20 Golden Hawaiian Hits:

Side 1:
1. Hawaiian Village
2. Little Brown Gal
3. The Cockeyed Mayor Of Kaunakakai
4. To You, Sweetheart, Aloha
5. The Hukilau Song
6. Diamond Head
7. Lovely Hula Hands
8. Across The Sea
9. Princess Poo-poo-ly
10. On The Beach At Waikiki

Side 2:
1. My Little Grass Shack
2. Off Shore
3. Hawaiian Paradise
4. Pagan Love Song
5. The Hawaiian Wedding Song
6. The Moon Of Manakoora
7. Aloha Oe
8. Now Is The Hour
9. Hawaii Is Waiting For You
10. Hawaiian War Chant

Martin Denny - Romantica (1961)

Well, yesterday, my friend, Bradley, and I made a much needed trip to Half-Price Books to look for vinyl treasures. I came away with thirteen albums, and one was a double-album, so I got fourteen records in all! And all from the dollar bin! Plus I had a 15% off coupon - what a deal!

One of the albums I got is today's share. This album presents "the lush and exotic sounds of Martin Denny" - and lush and exotic they are! There are some great standards, as well as some Denny originals, on this record, and they are all lushly romantic. As I listened to this record, I could imagine myself being whisked away to a beautiful island paradise (Hawaii, of course - where I hope to live some day) - sigh! I never get tired of listening to Martin Denny. He is indeed one of the true masters of exotica!

Now, remember - as always, I clean up these recordings the best that I can, but due to the age and the way they were stored by their previous owners, a lot of them aren't in pristine condition. But, that just adds character to them, in my opinion! Anyway, I hope you like this one!

Track listing for Martin Denny - Romantica:

Side 1:
1. And This is My Beloved
2. Love at Sight
3. Romance
4. Aloha, I Love You
5. La Pampa y La Puna
6. My Reverie

Side 2:
1. Love, Your Magic Spell is Everywhere
2. Magic is the Moonlight
3. A Fine Romance
4. Blue Paradise
5. My Romance
6. Tenderly