Tahiti Nui (song)
Tahiti Nui is a Tahitian song that has been recorded by a multitude of artists. Possibly one of the most popular Pacific Island songs.
Background
The song can be heard on radio and in parties from Guam, to Port Moresby, to Rarotonga.[1] Toti's Tahitians covered the song and it was released on the Little Brown Gal album which was released on Viking VP 24.[2][3] It has been described by Bengt Danielsson, author of From Raft to Raft: An Incredible Voyage from Tahiti to Chile and Back as a melancholy Tahitian song in praise of the island.[4] Possibly the earliest recorded version of the song was by Eddie Lund and his orchestra featuring female lead singer Irma Emma Samila Spitz, professionally known then as Mila.[5] The song credited to Mila avec L'Orchestre Eddie Lund was the B side on a 78 RPM single with the A side "Ragout pommes de terre" by Teaitu. It was released on Tahiti label cat # 139.[6] It was released as a 45 RPM single on Viking in 1958, credited to Mila With Eddie Lund And His Tahitians.[7]
A song of the same name was recorded by Sol K. Bright And His Holly-Waiians. This is a completely different composition.[8]
Releases
| Artist | Title | Release info | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teaitu, Mila avec L'Orchestre Eddie Lund | "Ragout pommes de terre" / "Tahiti Nui" | Tahiti 139 | Side A = Teaitu, Side B = Mila avec L'Orchestre Eddie Lund[9] |
| Artist | Album title | Release info | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toti's Tahitians | Little Brown Gal | Viking VP 24 | Also released on 49th State Hawaii Record Co. LP-3426[10] | |
| Manuia & Maeva | Otuitui • Tahiti | Reo Tahiti Records SRT-520 | 1966 | [11] |
| Artist | Album title | Release info | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amy Hanaiali'i | Generation Hawaii | Hanaiali'i Records 8556 | 2006 | [12] |
References
- ^ Pacific Islands Monthly Volume 45, Issues 1-6 Page 63
- ^ Discogs Toti's Tahitians – Little Brown Gal
- ^ Pacific Islands Monthly Volume 33 Page 50
- ^ From Raft to Raft: An Incredible Voyage from Tahiti to Chile and Back (page unknown)
- ^ Tahiti Jukebox Mila & Loma - Biographie
- ^ Rate Your Music Ragout pommes de terre / Tahiti nui
- ^ 45Cat Catalogue: V66-7
- ^ 45 Worlds Artist: Sol K. Bright And His Holly-Waiians
- ^ Rate Your Music Ragout pommes de terre / Tahiti nui
- ^ Discogs Toti's Tahitians – Little Brown Gal
- ^ Discogs Manuia & Maeva – Otuitui • Tahiti
- ^ All Music Amy Hānaiali'i Generation Hawai'i