The bare-bones ain't-no-frills yet version of...

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Leis Of Jazz High Fidelity Recordings (HiFi) R607
(Leis Of Jazz, Trigger Fantasy, The Lady Is A Tramp, Body And Soul, Gypsy In My Soul, Lullaby Of The Leaves, On The Street Where You Live, My Funny Valentine, The Way You Look Tonight, How High The Moon, Lullaby Of Birdland, Aloha Oe.)

I assume this is Arthur’s first album according to the catalog number but most people regard Taboo as being the first. This outing is more straight type jazz mixed with a tropical flair. The famous sound effects and birdcalls would start with Taboo. Includes Ethel Azama singing on "Lullaby Of The Leaves".

Cover photograph by Werner Stoy.

Taboo HiFi R806
(Taboo, Kalua, Ringo Oiwake, Sea Breeze, Misirlou, China Clipper, Sim Sim, Katsumi Love Theme, Caravan, Akaka Falls, Dahil Sayo, Hilo March.)

This album, which was released in May of 1958, was the BIG one that put Arthur on the map. Taboo showcases Lyman’s distinctive vibe playing while conjuring images of the islands through his use of birdcalls and Harold Chang’s percussion on conga’s boobams, ass’s jaw and conch shell, among other instruments. Aided by Allen Soares on piano and John Kramer on string bass, Lyman’s sound was immensely popular. On the Billboard charts for 62-weeks, Taboo peaked at number four and sold millions of copies. Cover Photograph by Werner Stoy.

On his third album, Hawaiian Sunset, released in 1959, Lyman explores his Hawaiian heritage while weaving in cool-jazz elements. Pacific Rim exotica meets American jazz. This album, while being more relaxing features an array of authentic Hawaiian instruments, including a pa’I, puili and uliuli. One track, "Hawaiian War Chant" (in reality a love song and a well-known rhythmic chant) uses these native instruments, while another cut, "Hilawe," features Lyman himself on slack-key guitar.

(Hawaiian War Chant, Sweet Leilani, Imi Au Ia Oe, My Tane, Whispering Reef, Na Lei O Hawaii, Hilawe, Isle Of Golden Dreams, Mapuana, Waipio, Kawohikukapulani, Ke Kali Nei Au, Harbor Lights.)

Liner Notes: Hawaiian Sunset is a sound painting of one of the most beautiful spots on earth, the Hawaiian Islands. Sounds of the sea, trade wind breezes through palm trees and the rainbow coloring of flowers are expressed in songs. Here we have programmed listening pleasure as beautifully simple and relaxing as the islands at sunset.

Assisting the group for this recording are Japanese vocalist Ethel Azama, pianist Paul Conrad and Chinese Chew Hoon Chang, who plays the rare butterfly, or moon harp, which must be re-tuned for each change of key. Chew Hoon Chang also plays a Chinese bamboo flute. Bird sounds are both real and imitative.

(South Pacific Moonlight, Moon Over A Ruined Castle, Waikiki Serenade, La Paloma, Otome San, Canton Rose, Blue Sands, Malaguena, Vera Cruz, Pua Carnation, Colonel Bogey’s March.)

Legend Of Pele HiFi R813
(Pele, Fire Down Below, Hana Pele, Cumana, Ye Lai Sian, Hana Maui, Scheherezade, Magic Island, Fascination, Cubana Chant, Tropical, 76 Trombones.)

Liner Notes: The genius of the Arthur Lyman group recreates in music the legend of the Fire Goddess, PELE. Most of the tune titles are appropriate to sequences of the legend, starting with the title tune, PELE. In this, the opening number, you will hear the thunderous roar of a volcanic eruption, with the shrill cries of birds fleeing in the wake of flowing, molten lava. Also heard at the opening and closing is the chanting voice of Pele herself, actually and old, old, centuries-old woman who happily has the power to restore herself to youth and beauty when a romantic situation arises, and of course when she makes one of her appearances such as on this cover.

Bahia is more Arthur Lyman magic from the fabulous Hawaiian Islands, the fiftieth state of the U.S.A. Far out in the mid-Pacific, these lush tropical Islands breed the unusual in all things, including pop music. You will hear in this album familiar tunes with exotic arrangements as well as new, intriguing melodies that are as different as the Islands themselves.

(Bahia, Jungle Jalopy, Caribbean Nights, Bamboo, Return To Me, Tropical, Quiet Village, Happy Voodoo, Busy Port, Maui Chimes, Beyond The Reef, Legend Of The Rain.)

This album consists of Arthur Lyman playing four medleys from four Broadway shows.

(My Fair Lady, The King And I, South Pacific, Porgy And Bess.)

This excellent recording was released with two different covers. I would believe that the "Shrunken Head" cover was the first one, and because of complaints and just plain grossing people out at the record stores, HiFi decided to change the cover to another volcano scene similar to the original Taboo cover.

(Taboo Tu, Ebb Tide, Babalik Ka Rin, Sakura, Moon Of Manakoora, Jungle Fantasy, Love Dance, Return To Paradise, Hi Lili Hi Lo, Mangwani Mpulele, Beautiful Kahana, Koni Au I Ka Wai.)

Liner Notes: The Kaiser Aluminum Dome, situated on the breathtakingly beautiful grounds of Henry Kaiser’s Hawaiian Village Hotel, was once again the scene of this recording. Nearly all the tracks were done following Arthur’s nightly engagement. A few were done just at sunrise.

As you know, metal expands with heat and contracts with cold. The rising sun caused rapid expansion of the Dome and you will hear some of this in two of the tracks recorded. As the Dome expanded, it made a sort of crackling sound. To you HiFi fans, this will lend the aura of authenticity.

Yellow Bird HiFi Records LIFE Series L-1004

(Havah Nagilah, Yellow Bird, Ravel’s Bolero, Autumn Leaves, Arrive Derce Roma, Sweet And Lovely, Bamboo Tamboo, Andalusia, Adventures In Paradise, Granada, September Song, John Henry.) This album was also released under the title Percussion Spectacular.

This is the first Arthur Lyman album under the LIFE Series logo. It was also the first to see the name of Richard Vaughn as producer and recording supervisor. According to my chat with Harold Chang, Richard was big on audiophile quality. He wanted the best available recordings using the best available equipment. It shows with this album. Even the packaging was upgraded to include glossy covers and a gatefold sleeve with the insides explaining all the equipment and process that went into the making of this record. On the back included an ENGINEER’S NOTE:

"We won’t attempt here to clue you as to the places, sounds and incidents which will tax the capacities of your "woofers" and "tweeters." Just listen through and have the enjoyment of picking them out for yourself. This recording will make even poor reproducing equipment sound better, and is truly breathtaking when reproduced through more expensive components."

(Exodus, I Talked To The Trees, Carabunta, Blue Hawaii, Rhumba Rhapsody, Aloha No Honolulu,

Never On Sunday, (The Wreck of the) John B, Tangi Tika, Geisha Waltz, Red Sails In The Sunset, Moanin’)

Another deluxe packaging job with producer and recording supervisor credits going to Richard Vaughn. This one also credits A & R Direction to Sonny Bono!! Cover Photo by Camera Hawaii with Cover Design going to Jac Brahm. "Let Your Ears Tell You The Difference"

(Sicilian Holiday, Jungle Flower, Anna, Babalu, Something Wonderful, March Of The Siamese Children, El Cid, Pua Maiole, America, Ka Anoi, Londonderry Air, Planting Rice.)

Another deluxe packaging job. Cover Photo by Werner Stoy. Cover Art by Jac Brahm.

Liner Notes: Many Moods of Arthur Lyman are relaxing, other Lyman moods are exhilarating, scintillating with native Hawaiian percussive instruments. All moods of this genius of exotic sounds are captivating in their simplicity, yet fascinating in their intricacy. You receive more listening pleasure from an album you can go back to and listen again, time and again, finding new things with a new thrill each time. ENGINEER’S COMMENT: As usual we had a ball recording this versatile group, in the live bigness of the Aluminum Dome on the gorgeous grounds of the Hilton Hawaiian Village Hotel in Honolulu. It’s a sound technician’s delight! In our idle moments we counted 32 individual percussive instruments used by the group in addition to the usual piano, vibes, marimba, glockenspiel, bass and guitar. See how many instruments you can recognize and name as you listen.

(Love Song From Mutiny On The Bounty, I Wish You Love, Love For Sale, Pagan Love Song, Love, Love Is A Many Splendored Thing, Love Dance, Secret Love, To You My Love, Sentimental Journey, When I Fall In Love, It’s So Right To Love.)

Notes: This album was originally issued as "I Wish You Love" but was later reissued with the more common title "Love For Sale". Cover Portrait by Carlyle Blackwell

(Jungle Drums, Greensleeves, Walk On The Wild Side, Limbo Rock (Bossa Nova), This Is My Beloved, Hawaiian War Chant (Bossa Nova), Cotton Fields, Singing Bamboo, Brazil (Bossa Nova), Little Girl Blue, Scarlet Ribbons, I Ain’t Down Yet.)

(Railroad, Blowin’ In The Wind, Eden’s Island, Arri Rang, He’s Gone Away, Arthur’s Line, Brazilleros (Bossa Nova), My Coloring Book, Watermelon Man, Fantasia Mexicana, Sweet Someone, Suzy’s Waltz.) Cover Photograph – Werner Stoy

Liner Notes: In the recording of this album, something new and startling has been added – a new dimension to the monophonic version called 3 D MONO sound. Everyone now knows what stereo is and what it sounds like. Also known is that mono sound, by comparison, lacks perspective and depth. Here for the first time, and exclusively on this label, you will now hear from the monaural recording a "3^rd dimension". You will hear placement of the instruments as they were recorded, with piano to the left, vibes to the right, drums to the rear, and bass in the middle, NATURALLY and THRU ONLY ONE SPEAKER! Now, spectacular realism can be heard from conventional mono playback, lacking only the extreme separation popularly desired from the usual stereo playback. Listen and compare –it’s great!

Arthur Lyman presents Hawaiian versions of holiday classics in this the only Exotica Christmas album that I know of. With his trademark use of exotic instrumentation, including vibes, marimba, ukelele, silver bells and conch shells, Lyman delivers a festive aural mai-tai sure to evoke surfing santas and ornament laden palms swaying in the tropical December breeze…

This album was remixed and remastered from the original three-track master tapes and issued on compact disc Christmas of 1996. The cover art and track listings are different on the CD release but otherwise this long-out-of-print collection never sounded better.

(Silent Night/Joy To The World, Mele Kalikimaka/Jingle Bells, Mary’s Boy Child, Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer, White Christmas, We Three Kings, Winter Wonderland, Silver Bells, O Holy Night, Sleigh Ride, Christmas Song, Little Drummer Boy.)

(Isle Of Enchantment, Charade, Orange Tamore, The High And The Mighty, Isa Lei, Swingin’ Shepherd Blues, Guadalajara, The Proposal, Sho Joji, Koko Ni Sachiari, Lei Aloha Lei Makami, Et Maintenant.) An 11-foot Baldwin Concert Grand Piano was used in this recording.

Liner Notes: If you wish to escape the pressures and tensions of sophisticated commercialism, daily hypnosis of television, undercurrents of social and political tidal waves, then follow the sun to islands in the Pacific and find your peace in the trade winds of Polynesia and relaxed friendliness in Hawaii. More and more the searching traveler seems to find in the Hawaiian Islands an intangible but real elixer which rejuvenates the mind, body and spirit.

(Hello Dolly, A Maile Lei For Your Hair, Midnight Sun, Room Without Windows, 500 Miles, People, Black Orchid, Hamabe No Uta, The Girl From Ipanema, Day And Night, Black Is The Color Of My True Love’s Hair, Get Me To The Church On Time.)

Cover Photograph by Richard Garcia, Camera Hawaii

(Blue Hawaii, Beyond The Reef, Sea Breeze, Singing Bamboo, Pua Maeole, Red Sails In The Sunset, Kalua, Lei Aloha Makima, South Pacific Moonlight, Sweet Someone, Beautiful Kahana, Honolulu Nites.)

Liner Notes: Hawaiian Sunset, as the title says, is dreamier, more reflective music from those famed islands of the Pacific. Complete with the actual sounds of the surf, from the island of Oahu, the music of this album will pleasantly create for you the languorous illusion of gleaming white sand, waving coconut palms, and rolling bluer-than-blue waves – all sun drenched through a cloudless sky. With the further help of only one mai-tai you can be THERE!

(Afro Blues, One Night In Tokyo, Waltzing Matilda, Malaguena Salerosa, Drifting Sampan, More, Polynesia, Bauna Toshi, Don’t Rain On My Parade, Kamakani Kaili Aloha, Where Have All The Flowers Gone, Hawaii Tattoo.)

Liner Notes: The Arthur Lyman Group has recorded here authentic Hawaiian and other Polynesian numbers, as well as exotic polynesian arrangements of familiar standards and current popular melodies. While this album was being recorded, the death of Sir Winston Churchill was announced to the world. It is said that the song "Waltzing Matilda", of Australian origin, was a favorite of Sir Winston’s. In humble sincerity, Arthur Lyman has dedicated the playing of "Waltzing Matilda" to the everlasting honored memory of Sir Winston Churchill. Arthur’s arrangement starts quietly, builds to a dramatic climax with drum rolls remindful of artillery fire, and then fades into the distance. Cover Photograph by Werner Stoy, Camera Hawaii.

( Taboo, Love For Sale, Jungle Drums, Black Orchid, Afro Blue, Bwana A, Yellow Bird, Cotton Fields, Blue Hawaii, Midnight Sun, Hawaii Tattoo, Pele.) Released September 1965

(Lemon Tree, Taste Of Honey, Fiddler On The Roof, Dear Heart, Only Yesterday, Medley From Mary Poppins, Kon Tiki, The (Jungle) Cat, The Boy From Laupahoehoe, Waimea Cowboy, Ports Of Paradise, Bird Train.)

The Shadow Of Your Smile HiFi SL1033

(I’ll Remember You, Zorba The Greek, Moon Over Naples (Spanish Eyes), E Lei Ka Lei Lei (The Beach Party Song), Sound Of Music Medley, Marobi, Imua Kamehameha, Yesterday, The Shadow Of Your Smile, Kamalani O Keaukaha, Hang On Sloopy.)

Liner Notes: Much of the success of the Arthur Lyman group can be traced to Arthur’s father, who literally forced his son to learn to play the vibraharp and marimba by locking him in a room with a phonograph and records with which to play along.

(Bim Bam Boom, My Shawl, Malaguena, Carmen Carmella, Tango Of The Roses, Cumana, La Paloma, La Cumparsa, Babalu, Espana, Estrellita, Guadalajara.)

Cover Design and Photography—Ed Francis. Models—Sally Ceder and Mike Dorame

Backgrounds—The Islander Restaurant 385 N. La Cienega Blvd. Los Angeles, California

(Ain’t No Big Thing, Born Free, Shells, Lahaina Luna, Clair De Lune, Ilikai, The Work Song, Tiny Bubbles, Lara’s Theme, I Left My Heart In San Francisco, Upon A Lonely Beach, La Bomba.)

This album was recorded in the Grand Ballroom of the Ilikai Hotel on Hawaii’s Waikiki Beach.

According to the liner notes they had recently signed a long term agreement to play several months each year at the new Canoe House. Cover Photo—Werner Stoy, Camera Hawaii

Still looking for this one. It was released in November of 1967.

(Latitude 20, Hawaii, The Day The Fish Came Out, Manha de Carnaval, Island In The Sun, Maori Flea, Ode To Billy Joe, Our Song, Wunderbar, I’ll Take You Home Again Kathleen, Alfie, The Days Of My Youth.)

This album includes Arthur’s first vocal efforts, a dedication to his daughter Kapiolani. Also a special thanks to Hop Luie Woo for the use of the hall, where the recording was made, "Latitude 20"—3901 Pacific Coast Highway, Torrance, California.

(Aphrodisia, Billy Boy, Sunny, Old Plantation, Mexico, Mas Que Nada, One Paddle—Two Paddle, O O, All My Trials, Kyoto, Kuu Ipo Ika Hee, Goin’ Out My Head.)

Liner Notes: The entry to the Canoe House is refreshingly cool, with thatched canopy, colorful foliage, giant Pii’s and Tiki’s. There are two raised sections of the Canoe House, and one is a stage for the Exotic Music of Arthur Lyman, with Harold Chang, Clem Low and Archie Grant utilizing an assortment of instruments to weave rhythms that are insistent and hypnotic – with a delicate, haunting sound that none can match and stimulates the senses like an aphrodisiac.

(The Windmills Of Your Mind, Talk To The Animals, Mrs. Robinson, Love Is Blue, Those Were The Days, With A Little Help From My Friends, Camelot, Sunrise Sunset, The Look Of Love, Honey, The Sound Of Silence.) Released June 1969.

(Everybody's Talking, Midnight Cowboy, Hawaii 50, Aquarius, Abergavenny, Spinning Wheel, Good Morning Starshine, Theme from A Summer Place, Hey Jude, California Summer, Love Theme from "Romeo And Juliet.")

(Similau, Days Of Wine And Roses, Te Manu Pakarua, Waltz Latino, China Nights, Night Train, Pu Pu Hino Hino, Crickets Of Karachi, Cindy Oh Cindy, Cast Your Fate To The Winds, Song Of Delilah, Slaughter On Tenth Avenue.)

Liner Notes: For the first time the exotic sounds of Arthur Lyman are recorded "live" as they appeared "in person" in one of their regular engagements at the Crescendo on the world-renowned Sunset Strip in Hollywood. Inspired by the devoted attention of a throng of faithful fans, many of them from the movie colony, the group achieves a peak of perfection possible only when artists feel the warmth and rapport of a hushed and appreciative audience. (The applause was later deleted to preserve the exotic mood!)

This album which was released in April of ’64 was also released as Pearly Shells. Paradise also has another number as T 90038. Cover Photos taken in Tahiti by Michael H. Goldsen, Cover Design by George Whiteman. The song titles and track order are the same.

(Poinciana, Stranger In Paradise, Shangri-La, Now Is The Hour, Mountain High, Valley Low, Vini Vini, South Sea Island Magic, Pearly Shells, Off Shore, Baubles Bangles And Beads, Song Of India, Aloha Oe.)

A reissue of "Arthur Lyman At The Crescendo" GNP Crescendo 605. See this album for track listing.

This was Arthur Lyman’s last album for GNP Crescendo and was released in 1975. For this album, they took a respite from an engagement in Newport Beach to swing into Hollywood for sessions supervised by Gene Norman. A different line-up of musicians were used and the vocals were produced by none other than Les Baxter himself. Album Photography by Ed Francis.

(Puka Shells, Skybird, Paoakalani, Gingele, My Eyes Adored You, Legend Of The Rain, Mystic Island, Guava Tree, Adios, Marquita Linda, Loving Him Was Easier, Lonely Sky, Swingers Lullaby.)

This is a reissue of "Isle Of Enchantment" HiFi L1023. See this album for song titles. I also believe there is another Arthur Lyman reissue on this label also.

At The Port Of Los Angeles HiFi SL1036

(Busy Port, Red Sails in the Sunset, Sea Breeze, Ebb Tide, Theme from Mutiny on the Bounty, One Night in Nagoya, Harbor Lights, Quiet Village, Theme form The Sandpiper, South Pacific)

This compilation album was used also used as a promotional tool by the city of Los Angeles and copies of this album were distributed with a Color back cover and a sticker from the Board of Harbor Commissioners. The number on this release was POLA-S101 and was also etched into the vinyl.

Taboo Berkley 80 933/934 (Compiles Taboo and Taboo Volume 2)

Music Of Hawaii Legacy International CD323 (Compilation)

The Arthur Lyman Group Featuring Yellow bird & Taboo DCC Jazz DJZ-613 (Comp.)

Taboo Rykodisc/hifi RCD 50364 (First authentic rerelease of this classic album.)

Hawaiian Sunset Rykodisc/hifi 50365 (Another authentic rerelease)

Sonic Sixties Tradition/hifi TCD 1031 ( A compilation of 60’s pop hits)