Lyman 66/Shadow of Your Smile

• Artist: Arthur Lyman
• Rating:
• Release Date: April 08, 2008
• Type: Compilation (best of)
• Genre: Easy Listening

Review

These mid-'60s discs present a pair of well-rounded and diverse long-players. The contents of Lyman 66 (1965) and Shadow of Your Smile (1966) are typical for the artist and era, mixing modern pop and folk numbers with songs from the stage and screen. Staying true to his environs, Arthur Lyman and his assembled combo would reach back to their roots in tiki traditionals and exotica. The material was recorded in an acoustically engineered Geodesic Aluminum Dome at the Hilton Hawaiian Village's venerable Shell Bar and even by modern standards, the uncanny ambience remains evident. Lyman 66's key inclusions are the fun and frolic of the opening update of "Lemon Tree." The intimate and romantic title song from "Dear Heart" provides tropically flavored ukuleles and Lyman's soft vibraphone touch. It joins the sublime "Kon Tiki" a pair of the album's premiere ballads. Other better-than-average-to-excellent cuts are the "Medley from Mary Poppins" boasting a toe-tappin' "Spoonful of Sugar," a jazzy and introspective "Chim Chim Cheree," as well as a whirling "Supercalifragalistic" conclusion. "(Jungle) Cat" is not to be missed by fans of space age bachelor pad kitsch. Considerably more in tune with his Polynesian audience and environs is the "Boy from Laupahoehoe" -- a Hawaiian folk song written by Irmgard F. Aluli. The format of Shadow of Your Smile is quite similar to its chronological predecessor. "I'll Remember You" is a regional favorite and this less than impassioned rendition is certainly in no danger of replacing Elvis Presley's unforgettable Aloha from Hawaii via Satellite (1973) version. Additional offerings inspired by the locals are the full-blown exotica of "Marobi," the collegiate team fight-song "Imua Kamehameha," the sumptuous "Kamalani o Keaukaha," and last but far from least is the ultra-hip "E Lei Ka Lei Lei (The Beach Party Song)." Its interminably catchy melody makes it an unqualified standout. In terms of Lyman and company's interpretation of concurrent chart hits, there is a lovely reading of the Beatles' "Yesterday," while the even-tempo treatment given to "Shadow of Your Smile" and concluding the package is undeniably the most energetic selection on either outing: a definitely youth-oriented and vibrant take of "Hang on Sloopy." Parties interested in sampling the best of what Lyman was doing in the center of the '60s are encouraged to check out this installment in Collectors' Choice Music's thorough digital reassessment of the artist's Hi-Fi Records library. ~ Lindsay Planer, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Lemon Tree		Arthur Lyman	(1:56)
Taste of Honey		Arthur Lyman	(3:12)
Fiddler on the Roof		Arthur Lyman	(1:25)
Dear Heart		Arthur Lyman	(1:52)
Only Yesterday		Arthur Lyman	(2:07)
Medley from Mary Poppins		Arthur Lyman	(3:39)
Kon Tiki		Arthur Lyman	(3:02)
The (Jungle) Cat		Arthur Lyman	(2:11)
The Boy from Laupahoehoe	Irmgard Fardon Aluli	Arthur Lyman	(1:51)
Waimea Cowboy		Arthur Lyman	(1:57)
Ports of Paradise		Arthur Lyman	(4:20)
Bird Train		Arthur Lyman	(2:13)
I'll Remember You	Kui Lee	Arthur Lyman	(2:27)
Zorba the Greek		Arthur Lyman	(2:51)
Moon Over Naples (Spanish Eyes)		Arthur Lyman	(3:40)
E Lei Ka Lei Lei (The Beach Party Song)		Arthur Lyman	(1:43)
Sound of Music Medley: The Sound of Music/My Favorite Things/Do Re Mi/C		Arthur Lyman	(5:39)
Marobi	Robert Gerstlauer	Arthur Lyman	(3:13)
Imua Kamehameha		Arthur Lyman	(1:48)
Yesterday	John Lennon	Arthur Lyman	(2:21)
The Shadow of Your Smile		Arthur Lyman	(2:44)
Kamalani O Keaukaha		Arthur Lyman	(2:56)
Hang on Sloopy		Arthur Lyman	(2:21)