Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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203 of 207 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Erudite, Mellow, Funky Delight, November 12, 2001
This is a stunning CD. It is a cohesive blend of Cuban, French, Greek, Japanese, Italian, Spanish, classical, and Brazilian music. It is a hit in Europe; one of the cuts was included on one of the trendy Parisian Hotel Costes' CDs. The music is hard to classify- Jazz? Latin? House? Retro? Whatever you want to call it, it is marvelous, sophisticated, quirky, cosmopolitan, and international. And believe it or not, the group Pink Martini comes out of Portland Oregon. The group includes 14 talented musicians, covering vocals, trumpet, trombone, violin, cello, bass, guitar, piano, and percussion. Two cuts are augmented with the addition of a string orchestra and children's choir.
This, their debut CD, was recorded in 1996-1997 in Portland. I can only offer the highest praise for this CD. Anyone, of any age, should find at least several things to love here. The first cut, Amado Mio, is a Latin groove. You will want to dance the tango or cha cha, even if you can't. The instrumental No Hay Problema is next, continuing the Spanish flavor. The next cut is what led me to the CD: Sympathique. This song could have been recorded by Edith Piaf, or Josephine Baker. However, it is an original work by the lead vocalist and the piano player of the group. It is definitely retro-light, humorous, tongue in cheek (in French, but the booklet includes a translation); I LOVE this song!
The next tune presents a remarkable plot twist. It is Que Sera Sera: yes, the song Doris Day made famous. It's the same song, but this is a twisted, chilling, haunted version. It's Doris Day meets Cirque de Soleil meets Fellini meets the Marquis de Sade. China Forbes' vocal is accompanied by an arrangement that is at once poignant, melancholic, light, discordant, tortured, wistful. This will blow your mind.
To soothe us after this alarming excursion, Pink Martini then kindly brings us to a calmer, peaceful place, thanks to a Frederick Chopin interlude, which flows into another Latin-flavored original composition, La Soledad. Chopin cleverly keeps sneaking back into the song. It's a fascinating juxtaposition. The Spanish theme continues with Donde Estas, Yolanda! Another instrumental, Andalusia, features some fine trumpet. It's a mellow, uplifting, driving piece that shows off the instrumental talents of the group. The next song, Song of the Black Lizard, in Japanese, is from the film The Black Lizard. It is sad and beautiful, and unforgettable (like the film). This work also demonstrates the power of the trumpet, this time with a Chris Botti-like chill groove.
The group stops next in Greece, with a slowed-down version of Children of Piraeus from the film Never On Sunday, which makes the song more poignant and wistful; and then cruises to Brazil with Acuarela de Brazil. The CD concludes with a reprise of Sympathique, this time called Lullaby. The tune is the same, but the mood is quite different-- full of longing, or looking back, or reminiscing.
If I had the option of giving this a multitude of stars, I would. This is an amazing work. If you have the opportunity to see this group perform live, run, don't walk. Their live concerts are amazing. They are clearly a bunch of clever, literate, talented, sophisticated, fun-loving, worldly people. I thank them for creating a delightful CD.
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102 of 105 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Variety is the spice of life!, November 27, 1999
When I heard Pink Martini in concert for the first time, I was entranced. After buying their CD, I proceeded to listen to it so much that I can now predict every cue in "Bolero" right on time! :) I have played the CD for quite a few of my friends, and every single one was converted. You will be too, I promise. As my title suggests, one great element of this album is its great variety in music. The songs range from lively to sexy to wistful, with styles from Latin to classical to ballad, in languages from English and Spanish to French and Greek! There is something for everyone on this CD. The rich voice of China Forbes alternates with the suave attitude of Pepe Raphael in the songs with lyrics, while brass, percussion, and of course Thomas Lauderdale's piano, dominate the others. This blend makes for a an album that's great for dancing, or for just plain listening to the beautiful music.
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17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Magnifique, October 13, 2001
Ok...hokey review title aside, this is an excellent cd. I heard about it on NPR and had to buy it. China Forbes voice is unremarkable in range, but remarkable in depth and quality. The group itself puts together an outstanding set of songs. The sound is evocative of late night, smokey Latin Jazz dance clubs. The music, at times, either swings or sends the listener into a contemplative mood. Amado Mio is one of my favorites, it will make you want to find your significant other and dance. However, the best song on the cd is Donde Estas, Yolanda? It is a really fun song that the listener can sing along to, even if they don't know what they are saying. Que Sera Sera, Bolero and Brazil are all topnotch covers of some classic songs. If you are a lover of music that is different, but at the same time evocative of old sounds (combos, trios, big band etc) then this is the cd to buy. The sound is kinda a cross between Buena Vista Social Club, the Nat King Cole Trio, a speakeasie/smoke-filled jazz lounge, a film noir soundtrack, with a little Billie Holiday thrown in for kicks. I would also recommend Pepe and the Bottle Blondes.
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~ Pink Martini
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by Pink Martini 
