|
contents | world | |||||||||||||
| Pink Martini - 'Hey Eugene!' Pink Martini, Portland, Oregon based group, have finished work on their third studio album 'Hey Eugene!' (Heinz Records), slated for release May 15, 2007. The new album is a twelve track sonic journey anchored by deft songwriting and ensemble playing brought to life by a playful and no-holds-barred dose of cabaret showmanship. "We're kind of like musical archaeologists, bringing melodies and rhythms from different parts of the world together to create something which is modern" explains bandleader, artistic director, and founder Thomas Lauderdale. Delivered with sultry grace by lead singer China Forbes (who met Thomas while both were undergraduates at Harvard University), Lauderdale and Forbes' songwriting shines through on tracks from the golden-era Hollywood melody of "Everywhere" to the French cabaret of "Ojala." Other collaborations anchor the set as well: Forbes' sister Maya co-authored the pan-world "Dosvedanya, Mio Bombino" with its latin-meets-Russian beat and globetrotting subject matter. Peruvian percussionist Martin Zarzar debuts the romantically complex "Mar Desconocido" and bassist Phil Baker adds the quiet beauty of "Cante e Dance." The band also mines the past for hidden gems, including the Japanese-language track "Taya Tan", and its first recording in Arabic, "Bukra wba'do." Meanwhile, clever lyricism leads to a small dose of pop perfection on the title track written by Forbes (about a boy she met at a party who asked for her number and never called). Finally, jazz legend Jimmy Scott makes a stunning vocal guest appearance in a duet with Forbes on the closing track "Tea for Two". With album sales of over 600, 000 in the U.S. and 1.3 million worldwide (every one of them recorded and distributed completely independently) Pink Martini has won over an enormous and unwavering fan base with just two releases, not to mention live shows that have become the stuff of legend: Says The New York Times' Jon Pareles, Pink Martini "delivers a knowing sophistication backed by skillful arrangements... a string section and a harpist provide chamber-music delicacy; a percussion section kicks up sambas and rumbas, and a trumpet and guitar add jazzy solos. Mr. Lauderdale plays his piano filigrees with swooping gestures. And Ms. Forbes is an unpretentious, pitch-perfect chanteuse." The band has shown a remarkable knack for winning over a wide range of fans and critics. "This is rich, hugely approachable music, utterly cosmopolitan yet utterly unpretentious. And it seems to speak to just about everybody", says the Washington Post. Pink Martini has been joined on stage by Elton John and Ringo Starr (with Sharon Stone dancing wildly in the wings) at the Cannes Film Festival, won raves from Vanity Fair ("sumptuously groovy") to Rolling Stone ("mesmerizing"), and is fondly remembered as the first ever guest on Nic Harcourt's inaugural episode of KCRW's "Morning Becomes Eclectic." Pink Martini will be active in concert this spring and summer, with major release week events in New York and Los Angeles -- the former including a headlining slot at Carnegie Hall -- as well as theatre shows and symphony dates. write your comments about the article :: © 2007 Jazz News :: home page |