DSCF3951, originally uploaded by virani.

…from Virani

Mahalo!!!

Virani from Paris has a nice Flickr photostream with pics form Berlin Wassermusik 08 here.

I Belli di Waikiki

Don Tiki at Wassermusik 08

Don Tiki

Don Tiki

I Belli di Waikiki must be one of the busiest acts in europe in the Hula-Rock’n’Roll field, o.k. there aren’t that many, but I heard they play a lot outside their native Italy. I always enjoy the good time music and fun presentation. It’s been a smart move to pick-up the fifties connection of Polynesia and Rock’n’Roll, as so many aging Rockabillys join the Tiki afficionados. I must say that I really dig their style and especially the sound of the steel guitar and the Dearmond/Bigsby Tele – he practically nails my ideal guitar sound with it! They had given some accomplished pin-striper a go on their ukulele and guitar, looks very neat.

Don Tiki – probably the best show this side of Esquivel in Vegas! Unfortunately my phone camera couldn’t capture the fury of the dancers, the drama of the performers or the wealth of customes and make up. It was the biggest crowd at Wassermusik so far – and I like to think they witnessed something to tell their grandchildren about.

Along with seeing and hearing Waitiki and Latin Lovers it was great meeting Virani, Jochen and Tanja Hirschfeld, Forbidden Paradise’ Hai Kai and Michael. It made me really happy to hear that the first part of Armchairtravelling in the World of Tiki DVD will be available later this year. I enjoyed seeing the work in progress on the big screen, especially interested how the pictures work with the music, I had the pleasure to record for it. It’s going to be a definitive must have for Tiki-philes. …once it’s actually available.

Latin Lovers (Berlin)

This band was opening the Tiki weekend at Wassermusik 08. The horn heavy line-up was proof to the theory that many ways lead to Exotica.

The Mayor of Exotica in Sumo dress

He didn’t quite look as big wearing his stage suit. An Exotica flute heavy weight if there ever was one!

Waitiki at Wassermusik 08

Accomplished performances by all musicians, beautiful arrangements and cheerful stage presence – it was a great experience seeing them. Thanks! Oh, and the birdcalls by Lopaka Colon – so great and all done while providing perfect groove in polyrythmic bongo-playing. Several people noted to me that we were listening actually to Augie Colon’s son. Playing again today with Don Tiki.

The event takes shape! As posted before, I will keep you updated.

Line Up Wassermusik

Surf
10.7. 19h Leopold Kraus Wellenkapelle; 20.30h The Surfaris
11.7. 19h Messer Chups; 20.30h La Pupuna
12.7.19h Boom Pam; 20.30h Bambi Molesters
13.7. 20.30h Marc Ribot Trio

Seemannslieder
17.7. 19h Juana Molina; 20.30h Eliza Carthy
18.7. 19h Chor der Kulturen der Welt; 20.30h Dori Caymmi
19.7. 19h Fikat al Bahrain; 20.30h Hamid Baroudi
20.07. 14h Family Concert with Fikat al Bahrain/ afterwards Ocean Club

Tiki
24.7. 19h Belli de Waikiki; 20.30h Waitiki
25.7. 20.30h Don Tiki
26.7. 19h Coconami; 20.30h Lushy
27.07 Chillout Kahuna Kawentzmann

www.myspace.com/festival_wassermusik

This summer there is something special happening at the Spree. An open air music festival over three consecutive weekends. One weekend is all about sailor songs from around the globe, then it’s a weekend of Surf, and one presenting Exotica to the unexpecting Berlin masses!

I knew Don Tiki was going to be there. I just recogned from Waitiki’s website, that they are going to be there, too!

Waitiki is Going to Berlin!!!

That’s right … we’re traveling with our favorite tiki comrades from Honolulu &emdash; Don Tiki, and will be making a big exotica splash in Berlin, Germany at the first-ever Wassermusik Festival. We’ll be playing as a septet, joined by our longtime friend (and killin’) Latin jazz pianist Zaccai Curtis.

Meanwhile check out Waitiki and Don Tiki at iTunes.

Here’s a static page that will hold all the updates as I can catch them.