I did my “latest” article about The Martini Kings shortly after the release of their effervescent Camp Burlesque DVD, toward the end of 2007. Flaming tiki torches!!! 13 years ago?!! Proof positive that time flies when you are having fun! By my reckoning it is time for part two of the ever evolving saga. Actually, my friend Roger Scott suggested I pick up where the story left off when I mentioned I had accumulated so much product along the way. Hi June!! There are a few discs that have been released over the last 13 “odd” years that I don’t have yet. Maybe I can rectify that situation in the future, as well as try my best to keep up with Tony Marsico and his ever prodigious output, and shoot for part three in early May of 2033. Be sure to mark your calendar! 

I haven’t been keeping tabs on when the albums were released, and Martini Kings recordings are notorious for not including dates, so I’m hereby dispensing with any notion of dealing with the music linearly. Random selection works for me. If you saw some of the outfits I’ve pulled out of my closet and worn out the front door, you’d know exactly what I’m talking about. Groovin!!! is as good a disc as any to get this love fest kick started with. At some point in the evolution of the band, the only constant became Tony Marsico. Tony is not a showboat. He’s a wonderful bass player, band leader, songwriter, ukulele strummer, singer, etc., but on most Martini Kings recordings he provides a subtle yet solid bottom end for whoever he is working with to take the spotlight via the melodies and lead breaks. On Groovin!!! the main attraction is Doug MacDonald. Doug plays sultry jazz guitar and wrote three of the swinging numbers, including the title track. Doug’s name is listed first on the cover and his name’s font is roughly twice that of bongo beater Bob Conti and Tony. The trio work terrifically together and there is a consistent Maynard G. Krebs beatnik vibe throughout. In fact there are two tracks on which Tony lays down some street tough beat poetry, Jack Kerouac’s “San Francisco Scene” and “Killer Joe,” a Benny Golson instrumental that Tony came up with his own spoken word lyrics for. Berets, cigarettes and strong black coffee are optional.

Cocktail for Two is a bit more of what I consider a “traditional” Martini Kings release. Frank Marsico is a driving force on vibes, marimba and chromatic harmonica. Brother Tony provides organ and tremolo guitar as well as his patented rock steady bass. The list of other musicians involved is staggering. Pardon me if I bump into anything while mentioning Doug MacDonald on guitar; Victor Bisetti on drums and percussion; Marie Marsico on piano; Benn Clatworthy on sax and flute; Julie Pusch on violin; Jack LeCompte on drums; Joey Harvey on cello; Stuart Johnson on drums; Daniel Glass on drums; and Chris Tedesco on trumpet. Of course, this was recorded over a series of sessions with various groupings of folks making mid century modern magic in smallish ensembles rather than a symphonic wall of sound. Classic songs and gorgeous arrangements. “You Only Live Twice,” “Patricia,” “Sleepwalk,” “House of Bamboo,” et al. have never sounded so exquisite. My favorite tune here is “Rumble,” mostly because I had no idea the enchanting, melancholy, slow roasting mood piece was “Rumble” until I checked the track listing to figure out why it sounded so familiar yet foreign. It’s almost an extension of Henry Mancini’s “Soft Sounds,” which follows Link Wray’s reconstructed masterpiece on the disc. Cocktail for Two is mellow, swinging, cool and captivating throughout. No Martini Kings collection is complete without this one!

Girl Talk is a wonderful collaboration between the Martini Kings and the late, great Buddy Greco. There is a lot of Palm Springs aura in much of the music The Martini Kings play, but probably none as thoroughly steeped in that Rat Pack home away from home groove as the songs they play here with the local legend. Mr. Greco’s voice is a bit weathered, but he had definitely earned a bit of old man edge by the time 2010 had rolled around. His wife Leslie Anders sings too and brings some youthful sparkle to the songs she’s featured on. The music is just Buddy on piano, Frank on drums and vibes and Tony on bass. It has a marvelous swing on the handful of standards, “Yes Sir, that’s My Baby,” “’S Wonderful,” “Girl Talk,” “Moments Like this” and “It Might be You.” There is also an interview Frank did with Buddy that closes the set. I seem to remember seeing this album shortly after it was released and being almost as intrigued by the cover shot of Eliza Bane slurping a pleasure beverage out of the coolest looking martini glass/mug in the world as I was with the concept. Of course, I had to get a couple mugs AND the CD… for the good times! Buddy takes two songs on vocals, Leslie takes two and there is a rousing instrumental version of Stephen Bishop’s “It Might Be You” featuring Buddy tickling the ivories till they laugh with all they’ve got. This is a keeper!

Next up is Medusirena Marina Presents Sounds of Summer - Today’s “Top” Hits as Performed by The Martini Kings. This is one of two sampler compilations the band has put out through the years that I am aware of. Imagine downloading ten of their earlier CDs into your digital library, hitting shuffle, getting a magically perfect playlist and then memorializing the set for later use. I contend it’s easier just to pick up this CD… and it comes with two stunning cover shots of everyone’s favorite fire-eating mermaid. Being an old school, artifacts hound I’d suggest you get this CD and then track down any of the earlier albums featured here that you might not have in your collection yet. There are eight groovin’ instrumentals, including “Girl from Ipanema, “Dance of the Virgins” and “Endless Summer,” and two songs featuring vocals. Kate Campbell sings “Lost in Paradise” from Smile and Julienne Davis sings “Agua de Beber” from Bossa Nova Go!!! No glaring speed bumps, gear shifts, radical turns or queasy brake action; the songs and performances conjure up smooth sailing throughout. This is either a very pleasurable interlude or a walk down memory lane depending on how big a Martini Kings fanatic you are. 

Speaking of Kate Campbell, on the Smile album mentioned above she sings eight other tracks as well as the lovely “Lost in Paradise.” Tony Marsico wrote every track on the album and did a fantastic job. This could be the soundtrack to a secret agent movie with an embedded strained love story that is every bit as intriguing as the cloak and dagger action on the surface. The songs all deal with various aspects of love, but the band’s delivery and the tone of the music suggest the interpersonal interplay could be metaphor for clandestine international exploits. Tony plays acoustic and electric bass this time out and is joined by Craig Fundyga on vibes and keyboards; Doug MacDonald on guitar; Joel Alpers on drums and percussion; Joe Rotondi on piano; Dan Bossy on sax; and Chris Tedesco on trumpet. Kate sings throughout and has a strong, impassioned voice with some trill used sparingly to add dimension. There is a slightly uptempo, edgy samba or bossa nova feel to most of the songs, some of which are simple two chord vacillations that are propelled along by Kate’s melodies and the band’s classic lounge chops, leads and fills. For whatever reason I thought of Van Morrison while listening to a few of the songs, not that any sound like a particular tune of his, but I could see some of these numbers fitting seamlessly on Moondance. Very nice!

Down to the Ole Reef Bar is some other kind of animal. I’m not an expert on yacht rock, but I’m thinking this might fit the bill. If I’m way off the mark, please drop me a line and put me straight. Tony wrote all the songs on this release, but his inspirations are taken from ‘50s pop rock and the type of beach happy music associated with Jimmy Buffett rather than Martin Denny, et al. There’s even a fuzzy funky nod to Prince! The band is Craig Fundyga on vibes, steel drums and piano; Tony on vocals, ukulele and bass; and Joel Alpers on drums and percussion. The mid-power trio is aided and abetted by Ukulena, Mikayla Khramov and Tom Lavin on vocals and Janelle Frese on additional percussion. There’s a lot of variety, but nothing here one would quite expect from the band that brought Dance of the Virgins to a thirsty tiki community. Is Bo Diddley spoken here? Check out “Rock the Boat” and you tell me! Bo never made vibes shimmer as well as Craig, though! “Hana Highway” is the closest to the lounge music of old. It would have fit nicely on one of Elvis’ Hawaii themed movie soundtracks with it’s simple ukulele chording, low key percussion and vibes break. “Down to the Ole Reef Bar” is a paean to the bar and the folks that run it at one of the coolest mid-century modern Palm Springs nightspots. The back cover photo of Tony and Medusirena Marina on the Reef Bar stage is by Kari Hendler. One more shout out and I’ll move on: Hey Rory!!

The Martini Kings’ Emmett Hadley’s Olde Tyme Christmas Band release brings back some wonderful memories! The Ding Dong Devils played two Christmas gigs when Tony and crew busted out with these tunes. Tony wrote all the songs and mined a number of ancient styles including music hall, ragtime, barrel house boogie, barbershop hoo-hah and traditional spiritual soul. I love Christmas music, the more schmaltz the better. Fun is the driver here rather than sappy sentimentality. This disc is loaded with original angles on tried and true Christmas concepts like counting down the days till Santa makes the scene, Christmas in America and being home in time for the holidays. There’s even one about drinking too much hooch the day before called, “I Slept Through Christmas Day.” The core band is Kate Campbell on vocals; Craig Fundyga on piano; Doug MacDonald on banjo; Tony on vocals, bass and ukulele; and Joel Alpers on drums and percussion. As is the case on many Martini Kings albums, there are some stellar guest musicians who made the yule time scene: Rick Vito on guitar; Tom Lavin on vocals and mandolin; John Hatton on fiddle; Kevin Bullat on steel guitar; Mike Bolger on trumpet; Gee Rabe on accordion; and Richard Hardy on clarinet. There are bells galore and a number of the songs could pass for December standards. The set is anchored to the loose Martini Kings oeuvre by the closer, “Christmas in Waikiki.” Ho Ho Ho and a Bottle of Rum!!

Bossa Nova Go!!! is manna from Heaven to these grizzled old ears! Remember me telling you how selfless and unassuming Tony is? Well, he and the other band members all take a backseat on this release to the big star, “the incomparable CONN organ.” The clever artificially weathered cover has a cheap illustration of the cheesy keyboard splashed where The Martini Kings’ smiling faces or a lovely lady in scanty attire would normally be. This reminds me a bit of Lothar and the Hand People, an obscure relic from the ‘60s, in which Lothar was the group’s Theremin and they were merely it’s attendants. The band features some folks whose names are pretty familiar by now, Doug MacDonald on electric guitar; Craig Fundygo on CONN organ, piano and vibes; Tony Marsico on acoustic bass; and Joel Alpers on drums and percussion. The music is, not surprisingly, all bossa nova of the highest order. This is feel good music that will get your feet sashaying and gyrating whether you are up and about or just loafing around. I’m going to go out on a limb and say all the tunes are covers. I know “Out of Nowhere,” “Girl from Ipanema,” “One Note Samba” and several others are and I’m too lazy to look up the ones I’m not familiar with. Again, anyone out there can correct me if I am wrong and I will humbly admit my error. There are two vocal tracks scattered among the instrumental gold. Kate Campbell adds her own unique stylings to “Zou Bisou Bisou” and Julienne Davis delivers her magic touch to “Agua de Beber.” CONN sounds extra charming on “Summer Samba,” but is no slouch anywhere. Awesomeness abounds!

The other Martini Kings sampler is called Palm Springs Serenade. It was originally released on vinyl by Dionysus Records. The Shag cover illustration is suitable for framing. It also sports liner notes by Koop Kooper, a suitable choice for such a swinging hep platter. This is top notch bachelor pad smooth from the first groove to the last. There are two songs that appear on both compilation discs, “Dance of the Virgins” and “Lost in Paradise.” The other songs here are different, but share the commonality of being perfect examples of why these mellowrooni cats and kittens are the badger’s bandana. Dig having “Swingin’ Shepherd Blues”? Wanna get lost out on the “Kings Highway”? Rarin' to meet some “Enchanted Lovers”? Ready to “Return to Moorea”? Then this is the place! Looking for something a little more mainstream, done with style and panache? “Girl Talk,” “Patricia” and “Stardust” fit that bill nicely. Bring the Palm Springs vibe with you wherever you may roam.

Let’s Get Away from it All is yet another stellar, swinging, easy bopping, lounge listen. This one has less information than most of the others so I am going to have to make up more stuff as I go. The list of musicians contains a lot of the usual suspects as well as one lone newcomer, but there is no indication of who is doing what, even singing on the few vocal numbers. Tony Marsico, Frank Marsico, Craig Fundygo, Joel Alpers, Doug MacDonald, Derek Stroh, Marlena Khramova, Bob Conti and Victor Bisetti all contributed in one way or another. I love the cover; it is so evocative of Palm Springs… as is the band! When I read it is a painting by Carrie Graber, I did a double take; I could have sworn it was a photo until I really got up close and checked it out. Beautiful! Aha!! Marlena Khramova is none other than Ukulena! She does a splendiferous job singing “You Only Live Twice,” and I would imagine her ukulele work can be found here and there. Speaking of everyone’s favorite four-stringed Hawaiian instrument, “Song of the Islands” has some great ukulele sounds riding over top of the rock steady bass and the scattered vibes, guitar work and bird sounds. If you like “A Summer Place,” “House of Bamboo,” “Tiny Bubbles,” and “Desfinado,” you will love what The Martini Kings have done with these lounge war horses on this platter. 

t’s not a Martini Kings album, but I’d like to say a few words about I’m Just Here for the Gig, a side project attributed to Tony Marsico. I saw Tony at a merch table at Tiki Oasis Arizona (great event!!) selling his latest book, I’m Just Here for the Gig. I picked up a copy of the book and then he handed me the CD with the same title. He told me my money was no good and that he wanted me to have a copy even though I might not like it. He said it was nothing like what he did with the Martini Kings. I thanked him profusely and stowed it with my gear to listen to later. He was absolutely right about one thing; it is radically different than all the Martini Kings I’ve dug through the years. However, he missed nailing my musical taste a bit. I’m a big fan of Booker T and the MGs. I’ve got five of their albums I swear by and was thrilled to see Booker T at the Grammy Museum a few years ago. This Marsico album is very much in the same style and league as Green Onions, Hip Hug-Her and the other albums I’m familiar with from the mighty ‘60s instrumental juggernaut. The band here is Denny Freeman on guitar; Barry Goldberg on organ; Tony on bass; and Earl Hawkins on drums. I did a double take when I saw the name Barry Goldberg and had to verify it was the living legend who was a huge blues icon in the ‘60s. Yup! Check out Barry’s, “I Think I’m Gonna Cry,” if you’re not familiar with the song from his The Barry Goldberg Reunion album. It’s so cool it gives me goose bumps. All the songs were written by Marsico/Freeman except for one, “Let’s Get Started,”  which is by Marsico/Freeman/Goldberg. This is not a pastiche of a Booker T and the MGs album, but rather original music taking inspiration from similar sources. Two thumbs up!!

During the pandemic, it’s frustrating not getting to see live bands. Thank goodness for all the ways we can enjoy the music, though! Here’s to many more years of fresh material from Tony Marsico and all his musical cohorts, Martini Kings or otherwise! Keep the vinyl, CDs, DVDs, books and anything else that comes along flowing forth to a world thirsty for more, more, more. Now I think I’ll make a tasty adult beverage and give the Martini Kings muglasses a work out. Cheers!!!

Edwin Letcher

June 28, 2020