Joy to The World

Pink Martini | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 16, 2010)
• Original Release Date: 2010
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Heinz Records
• ASIN: B0041QSZJM
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (72 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #17,692 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #88 in Music > Miscellaneous > Holiday > Opera & Vocal

Editorial Reviews

Review

[A] wondrously eclectic tapestry of foreign textures,
sounds, and cultures. --Boston Globe

This is rich, hugely approachable music,
utterly cosmopolitan yet utterly unpretentious. --Washington Post

Product Description

Traditional holiday favorites alongside gorgeous,
lesser-known discoveries, all imbued with Pink
Martini s signature little orchestra sound!
Features an array of guests, including Japanese pop
star Saori Yuki and NPR correspondent Ari Shapiro,
backed by a fabulous gathering of Portland choirs.
This new CD features gorgeous 3-D packaging each
layer of buildings will be a separate flap, giving the
city four layers of die-cut depth. The digipak will
be covered by a clear plastic panel, on which the
album title will be printed, along with delicate white
snowflakes that will appear to float in front of the city.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

81 of 82 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Joy 'Round the World November 16, 2010

By Exguyparis

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

Those who know and love Pink Martini easily could predict that their Christmas album would be unique, multi-cultural, and tremendous fun. The first track is a traditional, mellow version of "White Christmas" with a poignant solo guitar accompanying China Forbes' lovely vocals. China treats us to the often-amputated intro "The sun is shining; the grass is green, the orange and palm trees sway; there's never been such a day in Beverly Hills L. A.; but it's December the 24th and I'm longing to be up north."

In a major plot twist, the song is then sung in Japanese, by guest vocalist Saori Yuki, with a celestial choir. The haunting, nostalgic arrangement reminds me of the wonderful Jackie Gleason Christmas album my parents used to play when we were kids a long time ago.

Track three, "Shchedryk (Ukranian Bell Carol)" a.k.a. "Carol of the Bells" by Ukrainian composer Mykola Dmytrovych Leontovych, is performed in its original language, with a bit of percussion (and of course some bells) backing the Pacific Youth Choir. After a tongue-in-cheek take of "Santa Baby" we are treated to Danny Masang's beautiful "Elohai, N'tzor" on which guest vocalists Ida Rae Cahana and Ari Shapiro join China Forbes for a touching, harmonic, Hebrew interlude. Next, "Little Drummer Boy" showcases the percussion, brass, bass, and piano talents of the group.

We then jump to China (the country) for "Congratulations - A Happy New Year Song" sung in Chinese by Timothy Nishimoto and China Forbes, followed by the Cuban Missile Crisis era "Do You Hear What I Hear?" Next, in Italian, a leap back 100 years for "La Vergine Degli Angeli" from Verdi's "La Forza Del Destino" : majestic and moving. "We Three Kings" gets a somewhat funky/jazzy coat of paint, which works surprisingly well. In a nod to Country music (or perhaps, Hawaiian?), "A Snowglobe Christmas" an original song written by China Forbes and the group's co-founder and pianist, Thomas Lauderdale, features a slide guitar. Next, a nod to Chanukah, with a Latin twist: "Ocho Kandelikas (Eight Little Candles). Imagine Xavier Cugat's band performing a Chanukah song. Sounds weird, but musically sounds great!

"Silent Night," a Christmas tradition since the early 1800's, is presented in a sparse arrangement, sung first in the original German, then in Arabic by by Lebanese superstar Fairouz, and finally by the Portland Boychoir. The effect is touching and powerful. To conclude, a rendition of Auld Lang Syne with a Rio Carnival/marching band beat, sung in English, French, and Arabic.

I've had the pleasure of seeing Pink Martini perform live a number of times, most recently last night. The musical talent in the group is stellar; their joy in music is evident. I recommend this CD without reservation; it will bring you the world, and joy to your world.

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Christmas CD worth buying. November 17, 2010

By D-T-D

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

At the end of the year, we'll usually see Christmas CDs out in the market. Most of them are cliché and sounded just about the same of those we purchased several years ago.

But not this one!

Sure, only 1 out of 14 tracks is Pink Martini original, but Pink Martini's interpretation of the other 13 are unique & beautifully arranged. In addition to the "white Christmas" feeling kind of songs, I was surprised to hear "Congratulations - A Happy New Year Song", a Chinese New Year tunes from 1946, sung beautifully by China and Timothy. Another one is "Auld Lang Syne" sung in 3 languages with carnival theme & cavaquinho/ukelele in the background. The most "fun" Auld Lang Syne I've ever listened to.

This is not a typical cliché Christmas CD, but a collection of unique & beautifully arranged new year songs. If this is what you have been looking for, your search is over.

For those considering MP3/digital purchase, don't do it. Like other Pink Martini albums, many songs are sung in foreign languages. Those who don't speak French, Hebrew, Chinese, Italian, Arabic, Japanese, German, Ladino(Ocho kandelikas) and Ukranian (yes, those languages are in this CD), might not be able to fully appreciate the music with out a booklet with all original lyrics & translations that comes with the CD.

Get one for yourself, get several more for your friends & family. Spread the joy.

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Christmas Album I've Bought November 24, 2010

By triskaidekaphilia

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

Pink Martini's "Joy To The World" is easily the best Christmas album I've ever bought. All the tracks are great listening, but the absolute best tracks are those that use China Forbes' wonderful voice to best effect. In my opinion those tracks are #5, Elohai, N' Tzor, and #9, La Vergine Degli Angeli, both of which give the listener a hint of the depth of Ms. Forbes' vocal talents; #8 Do You Hear What I Hear?, which is both hopeful and sad; and #4, Santa Baby (which I've always disliked for its adult encroachment on a children's tradition) is, in Ms. Forbes interpretation, playful and sweet and not at all offensive.

All of the songs are fresh and bring something new to the listener. The one original track on the CD, #11, A Snow Globe Christmas, works very well and compares favorably with the better original songs on Pink Martini's other CDs.

I also have to comment on the quality of the recording - it's excellent! One feels as if one were in the room with the band as they performed each song.

My challenge will be to avoid over-playing this CD during the holidays!