Release Date: 19 October, 2004
Audio CD
Tracks
- Let's Never Stop Falling In Love
- Anna (El Negro Zumbon)
- Hang On Little Tomato
- The Gardens Of Sampson & Beasley
- Veronique
- Dansez-vous
- Lilly
- Autrefois
- U Plavu Zoru
- Clementine
- Una Notte A Napoli
- Kikuchiyo To Mohshimasu
- Aspettami
- Song Of The Black Swan
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Rating 4.5
CosmopolitanAmidst the same old trends - boy bands, do-anything-for-fame rockers and their drug induced lyrics, indie alternatives and their oh-i'm-so-cool-because-i'm-anti-mainstream attitude, girls-with-pianos trying to be the next Sarah McLachlan, guys-with-pianos trying to be the next Rufus, here is one refreshing band that is utterly original, sophisticated and yet not in your face about it all the time.
The CD quickly topped my 'Best of 2004' list. I've been meaning to write about it ever since, if I can pause enough with the gushing and form complete sentences to describe it. I couldn't stop listening to it, I also started to listen to all their songs streamed online on their website while at work. I liked it so much that I felt I needed to support the artists by buying their CD and ended up buying more CDs for my friends. You hear that, RIAA? If the music is good, we'll buy it even if we don't have to.
Genre: Their website says, "Somewhere between a 1930s Cuban dance orchestra, a classical chamber music ensemble, a Brasilian marching street band and Japanese film noir is the 12-piece Pink Martini."
- That's just ridiculous. Pink Martini is so much much more, don't even try to pigeonhole them into that genre. You missed French bossa nova, Latin Nouveau salsa, Cabaret lounge, Caribbean percussion, Greek dance fest...you get the idea.
Why: The very first song, 'Let's never stop falling in love' jazzily transports you to a Brazilian caf?© staring into the eyes of your sexy amore. You go through a myraid of places, imagery and emotions as you listen to the CD. There's the wistful "Autrefois" about a girl writing letters to her friends that takes you to a cafe on the Parisian sidewalk, the longing of "Aspettami", the the hopeful "Hang on Little Tomato" and loving "Clementine", which my sun-loving sister had on constant repeat during the rainy winter, the sexy "U Plavu Zoru" with the deep cello, a sultry "Veronique", the catchy "Dansez vous" which will be very hard to get out of your head, the fun romp in "Lilly" and probably the most unique piece of music I have ever heard, "Kikuchiyo To".
When/Where to listen: Every single song on the CD is worth it and it's hard to come by a CD like that anymore. And it works for any time of the day - lazy sunny afternoons, sexy soiree in the evenings and late night lounge. After a while, you don't even notice the language has changed from song to song.
How is it different: In the store, I searched for the CD under 'World Music' because I was sure they must be some highly artsy bohemian band from France or Brazil. Turns out they are from Portland, Oregon. Oregon! Who'd have thunk?
Who: Was formed by Harvard graduate and classically trained pianist, Thomas M. Lauderdale.
Every single person I have recommended this CD to has fallen in love with it in the last 6 months. So much that I am starting to almost regret telling them about it because this is all I ever hear when we are together. C'est magnifique!Walking through the CD department of Galeries Lafayette on the Boulevard Haussman looking for French 'chanson ? texte' pop I saw "Hang On Little Tomato" on display. I actually mistook it for a French album. I put on the headphones and was immediately intrigued, entranced and delighted. I was about to buy the CD until I examined the CD cover closely and found that Pink Martini was from Seattle. French CD prices being what they are and the dollar in the state it is, I decided to wait till I got back to the 'States before I bought it.
Thank you Pink Martini - I'm now officially a fan and I've sold about 20 albums for you folks, plus tickets to your show here in Philadelphia.
I've played both Sympathique and Hang On for numerous friends and they have, without exception, been delighted. When I played Sympathique for my French friend, she immediately began to sing along but continued to listen to the other tracks.
These are both wonderful albums and well worth a listen. Plus, go see these people in concert. Actually, go see any group live in concert or club. Live music keeps music alive.LOVE PINK MARTINI; THEIR NAME HAS A "BLING RING" ...I'm much better at book reviews than I am at music. Being a grandmother and (I confess) a great-grandmother, I didn't expect any of today's music to move me ... or even impress me.
BUT ... this album did it! I can't say--as one reviewer said-- that every song is pitch-perfect (my hearing isn't that good anymore), but I CAN say that I liked what I heard.
I have never had a martini in my long life, but I'm even sold on the name of these talented musicians. It has a "Bling Ring" to it! |
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