Exotica percussionist
Arthur Lyman (vibraphone/marimba) sticks to his successful combination of modern pop, folk, and show tunes on
The Shadow of Your Smile (1966). He was well into his decades-long stint as a mainstay at the tropical paradise Hilton Hawaiian Village -- a tourist mecca designed and delivered by Henry J. Kaiser. And it is in the aural ambient friendly environs of the Geodesic Aluminum Dome that
Lyman would serve his significant tenure at the legendary Shell Bar as well as record dozens of long-players, such as this one. The Hawaiian ballad "I'll Remember You" may best be recalled for
Elvis Presley's version on
Aloha from Hawaii Via Satellite (1973), however the
Kui Lee-penned number has been covered by a wide spectrum of talent from
Tia Carrere to
Andy Williams. The groovy feel given to the main theme to "Zorba the Greek" is a reflection of the continued popularity of the 1964 film as well as
Lyman's considerable abilities to recast familiar tunes into something bearing his signature sound. Continuing in the Mediterranean vein is the poignant "Moon Over Naples (Spanish Eyes)," which had been a huge hit for its co-author
Bert Kaempfert. A rare singalong chorus -- at least for a
Lyman platter -- is marked by the infectious groove of the
Don Ho favorite "E Lei Ka Lei Lei (The Beach Party Song)." The jazzy mod score makes it a definite timepiece of its era as well as one of the best offerings on
The Shadow of Your Smile. Turning back to the stage and screen, the four-movement "Sound of Music Medley" reworks the "Sound of Music," a nod to
Dave Brubeck's "Take Five" on "My Favorite Things," as well as "Do Re Mi." The tune concludes, culminating in an inspired, hearty take of "Climb Every Mountain." It's back to the islands, albeit briefly, for a bit of tropical tiki exotica on "Marobi." On the other side of the sonic spectrum is the high-energy march "Imua Kamehameha" which is a school fight song for the Hawaiian islands. The remake of
the Beatles' "Yesterday" is fairly straightforward, but again reveals
Lyman's abilities as an immaculately tasteful interpreter. "The Shadow of Your Smile" is suitably the project's title track with an unencumbered samba gently motivating the melody. Another choice ballad follows with the exquisite love song "Kamalani o Keaukaha." Not one to end on a somnolent note,
Lyman strikes up the band for a rousing conclusion on a hip update of the concurrent rocker "Hang on Sloopy." After several decades out of print, in 2008, Collectors' Choice Music paired
The Shadow of Your Smile with
Lyman '66 (1965) for a two-fer CD as part of their digital restoration of
Arthur Lyman's back catalog.
–
Lindsay Planer, Rovi