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Kirby Allan

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Curley Wolf (talk | contribs) at 01:29, 5 April 2016 (Minor edits and move comments to top of page.). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

  • Comment: Still needs any further available in-depth sources such as news, books, magazines, journals, etc. Add any further available amount of these. SwisterTwister talk 05:29, 20 March 2016 (UTC)
  • Comment: Unfortunately, the added references do not help establish notability. Particularly, AllMusic is not a reliable source. Also, as an aside, statements like "...their work helped to popularize the Jungle variant of..." should have references. Chrisw80 (talk) 04:30, 26 February 2016 (UTC)
  • Comment: Still not enough in-depth third-party sources overall. SwisterTwister talk 07:45, 25 January 2016 (UTC)
  • Comment: Please take a look at these three citations.
    *Remembering Kirby Allan: The Man Behind the Mystique.[1]
    * Mesa political activist Kirby Allan dies in house fire.[2]
    * Longtime Mesa gadfly Kirby Allan dies in house fire.[3]
    The Article seems to stand per WP:ANYBIO, and/or WP:CREATIVE, due to the the volume and longevity of of his work, and the musical genre's 'cult' interest. Curley Wolf (talk) 03:09, 26 March 2016 (UTC)
    I simplified my previous comments and placed them here for convenience. Curley Wolf (talk) 01:29, 5 April 2016 (UTC)
Kirby Allan
BornJanuary 12, 1928
Prescott, Arkansas, U.S.
DiedJune 16, 2011 (aged 83)
Mesa, Arizona, U.S.
GenresExotica
Occupation(s)Record Producer
LabelsBacchus Archives
Dot Records
MAZE Records
Omega Records
Score Records
Tampa Records
Verve Records

Kirby Allan (January 12, 1928 - June 16, 2011) was an American record producer who is best remembered for his work with Chaino, in the musical genre of Exotica, and the Jungle variant of Tiki culture music. Their collaboration and unusual marketing strategy began with a series of albums in the late 1950's. Those albums (and singles from them) continue to be released as recently as 2016.[4]

Biography

Kirby Allan was born 'Sidney Allen Pittman', on January 12th, 1928 in Prescott, Arkansas, to John Allen Pittman and Nettie Anne Sitvers-Pittman. He was a World War II veteran who served as a medic in the United States Army. After his military discharge, Allan used his GI Bill to enter the Chicago Conservatory of Music, and began singing in various Chicago night clubs.[5]

Allan moved to Hollywood during the early 1950's, where he established MAZE Records.[6] He wrote and performed songs such as "Don't You Remember", "My Life, My Love, My All", "Never, Never, Never", "More Bounce To the Ounce", and "Mother Don't 'Llow Rock'n'Roll".[7][8][9] He enjoyed a successful career as a nightclub singer and producer, but in the late 1950's, he traveled to Africa, and became enamored with the ceremonial sounds that were used by various tribes of Kenya, and the Gold Coast. His love for this 'Exotica' led him to produce the ceremonial drumming he'd heard.

Upon returning to the United States from Africa, Allan sought out a performer with whom he could produce a sound that was similar, but which was more marketable to American consumers. It was during this search that Allan met Leon Johnson, a bongo player who would come to be known as Chaino.[10] In the years between 1957 and 1959, Allan produced eight albums with Johnson, often at LA's legendary Gold Star Studios.[11]

Allan's production work with Johnson featured repeated, driving rhythms, savage cries, and tribal iconography that was "intended to trigger the pagan fantasies of the listener".[12] Their first albums included "Unbridled Passions Of Love's Eerie Spectre" (1957), "Jungle Mating Rhythms", (1958), and "Percussion for Primitive Lovers", (1958).

As a marketing strategy, Allan designed LP album liner notes that told the story of 'Chaino'; "...an orphan from a lost tribe in Africa who was taken in by missionaries and brought to the U.S." Johnson was actually born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Allen's literary fiction was reason enough for one music critic to comment that "...{Johnson's)...association with Kirby Allan was a classic case of 1950s, pop marketing gone awry...", while also pointing out his opinion that, "...(Allen's)... albums can be hard to find but usually are good values."[13].

In June of 1958, Billboard gave "Eyes of the Spectre" a four-star review and noted:

"A truly unusual sound can be heard on this album. Chaino turns in what amounts to a one-man show on a variety of bongos, congo drums, steel drums, gourds and assorted noisemakers, altho the label's sound work doesn't do it real justice. Rhythms are basically African or Afro-Cuban. In the background, Chaino whistles, wails and occasionally gives a blood-curdling whoop."[14]

Allan would go on to produce five more albums with Johnson. His last album of new material with him was recorded in 1959, and both Allan and Johnson had small roles as bongo players in the 1961 movie, Night Tide.[15]

Though some interest in Exotica had waned by the early 1970's,[16] Allan continued to oversee the production of 'Chaino' compilations, re-releases, and cover versions for those who were still interested in the genre.[17] To further his efforts, Allan established the 'Exotica And Beyond' website.[18] And, by 2008, three of Allan's LP album covers had received positive reviews on the website, LP Cover Lover.[19]

Allan moved to Mesa, Arizona in 1970, and while he remained active in the entertainment industry, he also became a real estate broker and investor. He developed an interest in local politics and he ran for mayor of Mesa, nine times.[20][21][22]

Death

Allan died in the early morning hours of June 16, 2011, while helping longtime companion Sigrid Dietrich, escape a fire that consumed his home in Mesa, Arizona.[23] His burial was at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Mesa. Allan had four children; Jeff, Marc, Monique and Patric.[24]

Legacy

Allan's productions have been reissued many times over the years and compilations that include his works were released as recently as 2016. Though originally produced on vinyl, much of his work has been re-released in modern formats (CD's) and can be found on various music download sites, such as 'iTunes' and 'Spotify'.[25]

In 1999, three of Allan's productions, "Breathing Bongos", "Slave Girl" and "Walking Bongos" were used in the movie, Forces of Nature.[26] In addition, websites that celebrate the Tiki Culture continue to provide resources and information about Allan's work.[27][28]

Discography

As Artist

  • Kirby Allan / Lew Raymond Orchestra: Friendly Persuasion (1956), Tops R293-49
  • Kirby Allan / Tony Ioanelli and Orchestra: Never Never Never (1956), MAZE 1004 MZ-109
  • Kirby Allan / Tony Ioanelli and Orchestra: That's How I Remember You (1956), MAZE 1004 MZ-110
  • Kirby Allan: Mother Don't 'Llow Rock-'N-Roll (1957), MAZE 1018 MZ-140
  • Kirby Allan: More Bounce To The Ounce (1957), MAZE 1018 MZ-141

As Producer & Composer

  • Chaino: Unbridled Passions Of Love's Eerie Spectre (1957), SPECTRE SPECTRE-4
  • Chaino: Jungle Mating Rhythms, (1958), Verve MGV-2104
  • Chaino: Percussion for Primitive Lovers, Maze MAZ-B-331
  • Chaino: Percussion For Playboys Volume One, Maze MAZ-B-385
  • Chaino: Percussion For Playboys Volume Two, Maze MAZ-B-387
  • Chaino: Jungle Echoes, (1958), Omega Records OSL 1007
  • Chaino: Jungle Rhythms, (1958), Score SLP 4027
  • Chaino: Night of the Spectre (1958), Tampa Records TP-4 (NOTE: Relabel of 'Unbridled Passions...' cir. 1957)
  • Chaino: Chaino Africana (1959) Dot DLP-3420
  • Chaino: Africana & Beyond!, (1998), Dionysus Records / Bacchus Archives BA-1122.
  • Kirby Allan Presents: Chaino, New Sounds In Rock 'N' Roll (Jungle Rock), (2003), Bacchus Archives BA-1183.
  • Various Artists, Las Vegas Grind, Pt. 3, (1999), Crypt Crypt-75.
  • Various Artists, HEAVYbreathing Vol. 1, The Sounds of Sex: Bite It!, (2007), Normal N-293CD.
  • Various Artists, Las Vegas Grind, Pt. 3, (2008), Strip-Tease CRSTLP-003.
  • Various Artists, Jungle Exotica, Vol. 4, (2015), Swingtime Records Digital.
  • Various Artists, Jungle Exotica, Vol. 5, (2015), Swingtime Records Digital.
  • Various Artists, Jungle Exotica, Vol. 6, (2015), Swingtime Records Digital.
  • Chris Farlowe, Stormy Monday, (1967), MFP MFP-1186.
  • Chris Farlowe, Buzz with the Fuzz(1987), Decal Decal-16.
  • Chris Farlowe, The R&B Years, (1999), Charly Records Charly Records-5.
  • Davie Allan, Devil's Rumble: The Davie Allan & the Arrows Anthology, (2004), Sundazed SC-11138.

References

  1. ^ "Remembering Kirby Allan: The Man Behind the Mystique". Anthony Sandoval - PhoenixNewsTimes.com.
  2. ^ "Mesa political activist Kirby Allan dies in house fire". Gary Nelson, The Arizona Republic - AZCentral.com (Jun. 16, 2011).
  3. ^ "Longtime Mesa gadfly Kirby Allan dies in house fire". Mike Sakal, East Valley Tribune - EastValleyTribune.com.
  4. ^ "Chaino And His African Percussion Safari: Jungle Echoes". ForcedExposure.com.
  5. ^ "Remembering Kirby Allan: The Man Behind the Mystique". Anthony Sandoval - PhoenixNewsTimes.com.
  6. ^ "MAZE Records Is New Indie Label". Billboard Mar 12, 1955. p. 26. Retrieved March 21, 2016.
  7. ^ "Special Release". Billboard Magazine (Nov 12, 1955). Retrieved March 22, 2016.
  8. ^ "Allan, Kirby (RCS Artist Discography)". Terry E. Gordon - Rockin' Country Style - RCS-Discography.com.
  9. ^ "Hillbilly Jukebox". Crystal Ball Records - CrystalballRecords.com (Track 14). Retrieved March 21, 2016.
  10. ^ "The 101 strangest records on Spotify: Chaino - Kirby Allan presents ... Eye of the Spectre". Rob Fitzpatrick - Guardian News and Media Limited - TheGuardian.com.
  11. ^ "Copyright Entries: Third series". Library of Congress (1959). Retrieved March 22, 2016.
  12. ^ "Mondo Exotica: Sounds, Visions, Obsessions of the Cocktail Generation". Francesco Adinolfi, Duke University Press, (April 4, 2008) p.105.
  13. ^ "Afro-Pop & African Drums". Hyp Records Guide - HipWax.com (2nd paragraph.}
  14. ^ "Reviews and Ratings of New Popular Albums". Billboard. June 2, 1958. p. 24. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  15. ^ "Night Tide". Rick McGrath, Ajo Reviews - Culture.Court.com.
  16. ^ "Tiki: How sex, rum, World War II, and the brand-new state of Hawaii ignited a fad that has never quite ended". Wayne Curtis, American Heritage Publishing Company - AmericanHeritage.com (August/September 2006: Volume 57, Issue 4). Retrieved March 26, 2016.
  17. ^ "Chaino: Africana & Beyond!". All Media Network, LLC - AllMusic.com.
  18. ^ "Exotica And Beyond". Kirby Allan - ExoticaAndBeyond.com. Retrieved March 22, 2016.
  19. ^ "Chaino Fools: 'Africana', 'Jungle Echoes', 'Eyes of the Spectre'". LP Cover Lover - LPCoverLover.com. Retrieved March 22, 2016.
  20. ^ "Mesa political activist Kirby Allan dies in house fire". Gary Nelson, The Arizona Republic - AZCentral.com (Jun. 16, 2011).
  21. ^ "Allan, Kirby: Candidate Details". OurCampaigns.com.
  22. ^ "Maricopa County Elections Dept., Official Write in Results: City of Mesa, Arizona" (PDF). Maricopa County Elections Dept. - Recorder.Maricopa.Gov (Election Date: March 9, 2004). Retrieved March 21, 2016.
  23. ^ "Longtime Mesa gadfly Kirby Allan dies in house fire". Mike Sakal, East Valley Tribune - EastValleyTribune.com.
  24. ^ "Kirby Allan Obituary". The Arizona Republic - Legacy.com (June 26, 2011). Retrieved March 26, 2016.
  25. ^ "Releases". All Media Network, LLC - AllMusic.com.
  26. ^ "Movies: Forces of Nature (1999), Full Production Credits". Janet Maslin, The New York Times, (March 19, 1999). Retrieved March 22, 2016.
  27. ^ "History Of The Tiki". Tiki Bar Central - TikiBarCentral.com. Retrieved March 26, 2016.
  28. ^ "Chaino / Kava Kon: Tiki Exotica Music's Zombie Bamboos in the Zero Gravity Lounge". Forces Of Geek - ForcesOfGeek.com (August 31, 2009). Retrieved March 26, 2016.

See also

Chaino

Category:1928 births Category:2011 deaths Category:People from Prescott, Arkansas Category:Musicians from Chicago, Illinois Category:People from Mesa, Arizona Category:Bongo players Category:Exotica Category:American record producers

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