Polynesiacs paparazzi were in full force.
When I stepped toward the stage, camera in hand, I was only one of scores of fans hoping to capture the perfect picture. Phones were in the air, recording every second of the Tikiyaki Orchestra’s mesmerizing moods. The exotica was exhilarating. Like all the others, I was elated to see Jim Bacchi and his ensemble live at Tiki a Gogo. It was the perfect vibe, and it was clear the players were enjoying the experience as much as we did. Jonpaul Balak was even messing with my home state favorite, Kane Manakoora, as they performed an incredible set.
After the third song, Jim stepped to the mic and announced, “We’re gonna take it down a bit. Time to get mellow.”
Marie King and I had been swaying to the music, standing next to each other, when Jim made the announcement. Without any prompt, she leaned toward me and shared, “I hope it’s not Enchanted Sea.”
I was surprised. Martin Denny’s “The Enchanted Sea” is classic exotica, complete with ship bells, sea bird calls, ethereal voices, piano, and, of course, the vibraphone. Why would Marie not want to hear a classic? I shifted from surprise towards sympathy. What was it like to be Marie? She’s spent most of her life mixing the best cocktails in the world while hearing the same songs over and over – and over again. Perhaps Marie had just heard Denny’s classic one too many times? I had to ask her why.
“It makes me seasick, literally,” she responded with a green face.
We laughed together. Yep, I could understand. If you know the song, you understand too. The music mimics the lilt of the ocean.
Thankfully, Jim announced that the next song was Polynesian Village Love Theme. No need to get seasick, we Polynesiacs gathered were cast under a love spell.
