By Request

©1993 - Toucans

By Request... was born from the undying desires of our fans. The Toucans strove to create an album with the most-requested songs to satisfy that need. Recorded in the local VFW Hall, "By Request..." features several awesome innovations, including SimTuba, a patented low-end support system developed by members of the Toucans in their arctic research labs. Featuring over 2 dozen artfully-placed fx! If you like sound effects, this album is for you!

Me En' Fightin';: This song was written by Bally, a Trinidadian soca superstar. The full voicings and orchestrated punches of this tune show off the steel band, making it a favorite among panmen. The Toucans first heard this song on an album by a soca group called the Equitables.
Under The Sea/Octopus's Garden 181k: Our most-requested song, beloved by children of all ages. Who but the Toucans would have the sheer musical audacity to fuse the theme from The Little Mermaid with our favorite Beatle Ringo Starr's classic underwater hit? Re-recorded especially for you, our best fan!
Mr. Chatterbox: Recorded originally in 1963, this was one of Bob Marley's first hits. Ska was sweeping the island, and this tune captures the bouncy energy of Jamaica in the 60's perfectly. Originally called Mr. Talkative, the name was changed on a later release.
Keep On Movin': Another Bob Marley classic, this easy skankin' folk song was recorded in 1973, almost exactly a decade after Mr. Chatterbox. Reggae by this time had slowed to a sultry, hypnotic groove, meditative and danceable at the same time.
Cantina Band 203k: "Name the movie from which this next song comes from!" We've really gotten into orbit this time, Toucan Fans! Following the grand Toucan tradition of medleying anything and everything, we've combined calypso, swing, and jungle drumming a là Gene Krupa with authentic outer space pop! The hands-down favorite of earthlings and aliens alike!
Low Rider: Buckle up as the Toucans put the steel to the wheel in this gear-shifting rendition of the partying-est song ever!
Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da 185k: 1968 was the year this quirky pop hit was released, written by our two favorite Beatles, Paul McCartney and John Lennon. Inspired by the Liverpudlians' first exposure to caribbean music, this bouncy tune is propelled by the Toucans' unmatchable verve and our own patented Tuba Simulation System!
Here Comes The Sun: The shimmering sound of the vibraphone (a kind of metal xylophone) enhances the Toucans' rendition of this beautiful song. This tune was written by our favorite Beatle, George Harrison.
Follow The Sun: We don't know where this song originated, but given the fascination of the Trinidad panmen in the 1940's with Westerns, it's a good bet that it was featured in one of those movies. The cowboy theme is reflected in some of the names of the earlier steel bands as well: The Desperadoes (Desperadoes of Dodge City, 1943), The Renegades (Renegades of the Rio Grande, 1945), Bar 20 (1943), and many more. The Toucans plan to feature this song in their upcoming Wranglin' Revue in their incarnation as the Frontier Steelband.
Cool Runnings: Bunny Wailer (formerly of the Wailers, Bob Marley's reggae supergroup) recorded this song in 1981. It can be found on the album Rootsman Skanking, one of the classic reggae albums. The Toucans love this song, and have been known to play it until the sun sets. Catch the cool vibe from the pans!
Plaza Sesamo: In 1993, Sesame Street celebrated 25 years on television. For the occasion, they changed their famous theme song, with which the Toucans have delighted audiences for years (Available on Socanut, 1992). Now, we bring you the updated version of the Sesame Street Theme Song, new for the '90's!!
Sixty-Nine: Another traditional steel band melody, first played by the Westland Steel Band in the 1950's. Listen for the catchy Taco Time ending!
Baby Elephant Walk: This tune was written for the 1961 movie Hatari by our favorite composer, Henry Mancini. You might know him as the guy who wrote the theme to the Pink Panther. Mysteriously, whenever the Toucans play this song, their friends the Elephants come to listen.
Copacabana 271k: Everyone loves this song, but few will admit it. Written by our favorite composer, Barry Manilow, this song never fails to crank up the party atmosphere. The Toucans bravely venture into the heart of disco, where no steelband has gone before!
The Lion Sleeps Tonight: (Also known as Wimoweh) Brought from Africa by musicologist/folklorist Pete Seeger, this tune has been covered by countless groups, including The Tokens, The Nylons, and Brian Eno. Relax, and let the velvet stylings of the Toucans gently soothe the savage in you.

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