Tiki torches; cocktails; la dolce vita; and the music that popularized themmdash;Mondo Exotica offers a behind-the-scenes look at the sounds and obsessions of the Space Age and Cold War period as well as the renewed interest in them evident in contemporary music and design. The music journalist and radio host Francesco Adinolfi provides extraordinary detail about artists; songs; albums; and soundtracks; while also presenting an incisive analysis of the ethnic and cultural stereotypes embodied in exotica and related genres. In this encyclopedic account of films; books; TV programs; mixed drinks; and above all music; he balances a respect for exoticarsquo;s artistic innovations with a critical assessment of what its popularity says about postwar society in the United States and Europe; and what its revival implies today.Adinolfi interviewed a number of exotica greats; and Mondo Exotica incorporates material from his interviews with Martin Denny; Esquivel; the Italian film composers Piero Piccioni and Piero Umiliani; and others. It begins with an extended look at the postwar popularity of exotica in the United States. Adinolfi describes how American bachelors and suburbanites embraced the Polynesian god Tiki as a symbol of escape and sexual liberation; how Les Baxterrsquo;s album Ritual of the Savage (1951) ushered in the exotica music craze; and how Martin Dennyrsquo;s Exotica built on that craze; hitting number one in 1957. Adinolfi chronicles the popularity of performers from Yma Sumac; ldquo;the Peruvian Nightingale;rdquo; to Esquivel; who was described by Variety as ldquo;the Mexican Duke Ellington;rdquo; to the chanteuses Eartha Kitt; Julie London; and Ann-Margret. He explores exoticarsquo;s many sub-genres; including mood music; crime jazz; and spy music. Turning to Italy; he reconstructs the postwar years of la dolce vita; explaining how budget spy films; spaghetti westerns; soft-core porn movies; and other genres demonstrated an attraction to the foreign. Mondo Exotica includes a discography of albums; compilations; and remixes.
#2866053 in eBooks 2005-10-28 2005-10-28File Name: B00EHKE47E
Review
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Very Entertaining Look at Fashions and Personalities That Influenced BeatonBy MinKSo glad this book is back in print. It used to be that I could only find this book at the library. You will really enjoy this book if you are interested in history of fashion; and intriguing personalities with lots of style. Beatons illustrations; scattered throughout the book; are charming. Apparently the U.K. version also includes photographs that couldnt be included in the U.S. version due to copy right issues. I will be on the look out for the U.K. version; but for now; I am pleased to own a copy of this unusual and entertaining book.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. opinions from an iconBy MMdesignerIt is surreal to read a book written by such an icon as Cecil Beaton. I get a kick out of his opinions of the day and of what he saw in his younger/childhood days. As a designer; I like to see from the perspective of other designers and of different times - this book satisfies both. As a bonus; he really is a hoot!1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. I am loving this book. It is a pleasure ...By CustomerI am loving this book. It is a pleasure to read!