Hawaii Five-0 Theme: Annoying Discovery

[Skully]

i've been watching old episodes of "Hawaii Five-0" on PlutoTV recently and it's confirmed to me that the theme song and the visuals work together to make quite possibly the best TV show opening ever. BUT... I noticed that there is a vibraslap hit on almost every single bar of the theme. There should never be that many vibraslaps. It's vibraslap overkill.

 

[brookdalebill]

Indeed!
You’re astute.
Lots of tambourine, too.
I wonder who was the percussionist.
Of course, I would.

 

[tap4154]

Where's the cowbell?

 

[Skully]

Where's the cowbell?

I'm unaware of any cowbell, but there's lots of timpani, and I love timpani.

 

[billy logan]

Book me, Dan-o! What is a vibraslap?

 

[Skully]

Book me, Dan-o! What is a vibraslap?

This is a vibraslap. Cake uses it a lot. I myself am a proud owner of a vibraslap.

 

[beyer160]

You dare question the Ventures?

 

[JSMac]

My old ears might hear it in the first few bars but it gets lost after that.

 

[Skully]

You dare question the Ventures?

This is not the Ventures. The Ventures version is a cover.

 

[jimmywrangles]

I prefer this version from Radio Birdman.

 

[Deaf Eddie]

The out of tune flute bugs me...

 

[beyer160]

This is not the Ventures. The Ventures version is a cover.

Holy crap, I always thought they did the original version from the show! You lean something new every day.

I prefer this version from Radio Birdman.

For those of us in North America-

 

[billy logan]

Thanks, Skully - I was appreciating the crisp extra percussion ... a bit like a threatened rattlesnake ... without knowing the source. Yes - Live and learn!

that's my mid-year resolution - improve on my shaker, castanet, wood-sticks, ratchets, tambourine, etc., abilities - and get a Vibraslap!

 

[Skully]

Thanks, Skully - I was appreciating the crisp extra percussion ... a bit like a threatened rattlesnake ... without knowing the source. Yes - Live and learn!

that's my mid-year resolution - improve on my shaker, castanet, wood-sticks, ratchets, tambourine, etc., abilities

It's tough to do well. I have a whole basket of that stuff, and I can't say I've come close to mastering any of it, except maybe the vibraslap, because you can really only do one thing with it.

 

[Peegoo]

The helicopter shot of Jack Lord on the penthouse balcony of the Ilikai Hotel on Waikiki Beach, with Diamond Head in the background, is the most badass of any TV show intro.

I grew up on Oahu through the late 1960s when they were filming the original Hawaii Five-O, and Jack was an accessible celebrity; he did a whole lot for the state and for the people--especially the natives.

He and his wife were wonderful human beings. RIP Jack.

My tribute to Mr. Lord:

Click:
https://www.soundclick.com/music/songInfo.cfm?songID=14149614


..

 

[Peegoo]

Far as the Vibra-slap (Jawbone, Roar, etc.) goes, CAKE took it to the extreme and used it on almost every tune they do. It's a way-cool effect.

The original version of that sound effect was the dessicated jawbone of a cow--with the loose teeth rattling in it.

 

[ce24]

Me as an extra in 5-0 back in 1970.

 

[Ed Driscoll]

i've been watching old episodes of "Hawaii Five-0" on PlutoTV recently and it's confirmed to me that the theme song and the visuals work together to make quite possibly the best TV show opening ever. BUT... I noticed that there is a vibraslap hit on almost every single bar of the theme. There should never be that many vibraslaps. It's vibraslap overkill.

At least it's buried somewhat in the mix. But yeah, a little Vibraslap goes a very long way. The sound has a certain "Sweet Emotion" to it:

 

[Toto'sDad]

Before there was Steve McGarrett, there was Stoney Burke! People often accused him of too much saddle slap, but he said it wasn't true, and yes, he was wearing Levis under those chaps! The only good guy cowboy to ever wear a black hat!

 

[68tele]

Crap. Now I will never UNHEAR that cursed vibraslap.