Maximum Rhythm and Blues
Showing posts with label Exotica. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Exotica. Show all posts

Saturday, February 9, 2013

BIlly Vaughn - SUKIYAKA- 1961

  
 Following the trend set by Marky Mark Gruyere, I tdawg007, King of The Internet, shall share with all you loyal readers some more smokin' hot Hawaiian exotica.
   This ruby of an album, brought to you by lounge wizard Billy Vaughn is the coolest thing Hawaii has given the world since King Kamehameha I.
Stud.
   Anyways, Mr. Vaughn is no stranger to the world of music. After learning to play the mandolin at the impressionable age of 3, Billy dedicated the rest of his life to musical endeavors and was pretty god damn successful. Upon graduating from Western Kentucky University, Vaughn charted a total of 42 singles on the Billboard charts. Impressive, eh? But it gets better, Vaughn also charted thirty six albums on the Billboard 200. Yeah you read that right, thirty six. Some artists can't even record 10 albums, let alone 36 of the top 200 in the world. Among those 36 lies the focal point of this post, SUKIYAKA. 
   Y'know the feeling when you could really use a glass of your favorite alcohol and a few rays of sunlight to make the winter blues a little more bearable? Well Billy Vaughn's got that remedy. The serenading, folky Hawaiian tunes are intoxicating enough on their own and the vigor with which Billy plays them literally makes sunlight ooze from your music player of choice. Featuring traditional tropical tracks such as The Moons of Manakoora, and To You Sweetheart, Aloha, Vaughn really shows that he can work it.
  So bring out your beach umbrella, mix up a margarita, and unwind with Billy Vaughn's SUKIYAKA.


Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Jerry Byrd - Steel Guitar Favorites (1966)



Gerald Lester “Jerry” Byrd - the king of lap steel guitar.   He has a track record that includes recording with both Hank Williams and Patsy Cline, and teaching both Jerry Garcia and Jimmie Vaughn how to play steel guitar.  This guy was a staple of the Grand Ole Opry, and a true gem of American music.   This album showcases a combination of blues and Hawaiian tunes on the steel guitar, which is both relaxing and captivatingly eerie.   When the snow comes heaping down, there’s just no better escape.