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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
After a seven-year gap between their first and second albums, Pink Martini have brought forth their third long-player just over two and a half years later. Based in Portland, Oregon, this dazzling 12-piece ensemble are led by pianist Thomas Lauderdale and fronted by vocalist China Forbes. Their rich musical journeys carry listeners everywhere from a ballroom in Havana to a cabaret in Paris. This set even includes a number in Japanese and another in Arabic. With their strings, horns, and sultry rhythms, Pink Martini find the common denominators in these musics from around the globe. Hey Eugene! is perfectly bookended with a pair of decidedly American numbers: their original "Everywhere" evokes musicals from Hollywood's golden era, while "Tea for Two" finds guest duet partner Jimmy Scott adding his emotionally riveting singing. While Lauderdale and his cohorts draw from past times and styles, they never come off as museum curators; rather, they celebrate the vibrancy that makes music timeless. --David Greenberger
Review
For those of you not yet familiar with their work, Pink Martini are a twelve piece ensemble from Portland, USA. As a group they have gathered quite a following over the past decade and built a reputation not just for quality of musicianship, but for their desire and ability to elegantly tackle a wide range of worldwide musical styles; from latin to classical, jazz to retro pop and beyond. Pink Martini don't like to do things by halves though, so while the instrumentalists have mastered a healthy array of world music techniques, lead singer China Forbes has learned to sing not just in English, but in French, Italian, Croatian, Spanish and more!
With all this variety Hey Eugene! feels like a kind of musical travelogue through space and time. The very first track, 'Everywhere', takes us back to the golden age of vintage Hollywood romance, and the rest of album then continues on this exciting journey. One minute you could be dancing the night away in a Brazilian samba hall and the next minute embroiled in a retro Japanese film noir. The travel theme is even central to one of the songs 'Dosvedanya Mio Bombino', a Latino-Russian hybrid that I actually find a little awkward to listen to, but vocally it's microcosmic of the way I hear the whole album, so nonetheless a very interesting piece.
Laced with an unusually high degree of musical sophistication, Hey Eugene! continues to demonstrate the obvious talents of Pink Martini and carries on where the equally accomplished album, Hang On Little Tomato, left off, but this time with a little less flab and a little more production sheen. If that's a good thing or not I shall leave you to decide. --Jamie Fisher
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
The first Pink Martini was good; the second was better - but this, their third, is best! (How will they fare on their fourth, I wonder?!)
This is a mixture of very original interpretations of music from all over this planet, and songs that are composed by Pink Martini. Even the new compostitions sound like they've been around all the time - they have that classic, evergreen atmosphere about them.
Pink Martini do not have one single banal note in their musical bones - everything is fresh and surprising and there's a lot of humour in here as well - the quirky selection of tunes alone will make you smile. Pink Martini's knowledge of music is so beautifully in harmony with their love of it.
An absoultely outstanding climax is China Forbes' duet with Jimmy Scott in a hitherto unsurpassed version of Tea for Two - sexy, slow, sweet and moving. Tea for Two never sounded better and it's a proposition you can't turn down!
It's amazing to me that Pink Martini manages to create an evenly balanced whole out of melodies of such different character and culture - but they do. What a great cocktail.
Please buy this album. It will be a lovely reminder to you of the summer of '07 :0)
This is a mixture of very original interpretations of music from all over this planet, and songs that are composed by Pink Martini. Even the new compostitions sound like they've been around all the time - they have that classic, evergreen atmosphere about them.
Pink Martini do not have one single banal note in their musical bones - everything is fresh and surprising and there's a lot of humour in here as well - the quirky selection of tunes alone will make you smile. Pink Martini's knowledge of music is so beautifully in harmony with their love of it.
An absoultely outstanding climax is China Forbes' duet with Jimmy Scott in a hitherto unsurpassed version of Tea for Two - sexy, slow, sweet and moving. Tea for Two never sounded better and it's a proposition you can't turn down!
It's amazing to me that Pink Martini manages to create an evenly balanced whole out of melodies of such different character and culture - but they do. What a great cocktail.
Please buy this album. It will be a lovely reminder to you of the summer of '07 :0)
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Pink martini are back with their third and in my view best album to date. Three albums on and they are still as original and innovative as their debut.
From start to end the album keeps you completely hypnotised under the magic on China Forbes's vocals.
The standout tracks from me have to be Hey Eugene!, Dosvedanya Mio Bombino and Syracuse.
They continue there trademark theme of singing in various languages. Even trying Arabic this time on the track Bukra wba'do which works so well with the Pink Martini spin.
Everyone needs a Pink Martini album in their life it just lifts you and takes to those gorgeous places of your imagination you never want to leave.
From start to end the album keeps you completely hypnotised under the magic on China Forbes's vocals.
The standout tracks from me have to be Hey Eugene!, Dosvedanya Mio Bombino and Syracuse.
They continue there trademark theme of singing in various languages. Even trying Arabic this time on the track Bukra wba'do which works so well with the Pink Martini spin.
Everyone needs a Pink Martini album in their life it just lifts you and takes to those gorgeous places of your imagination you never want to leave.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Delivered with sultry grace by lead singer China Forbes, Hey Eugene! shines throughout--from the golden-era Hollywood melody of "Everywhere" to the French cabaret of "Ojala." The pan-world "Dosvedanya, Mio Bombino" with its Latin-meets-Russian beat and globetrotting subject matter, plus the sexy sway of "City of Night." the romantically complex "Mar Desconocido" and quiet beauty of "Cante e Dance." The group also mines the past for hidden gems, including the Japanese-language track "Taya Tan" and their first-ever recording in Arabic, "Bukra wba'do." Meanwhile, clever lyricism leads to an empowering dose of pop perfection on the title track 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 song "Tea for Two."
With Hey Eugene! Pink Martini has returned with an exhilarating album full of uncompromising musicianship, hope, beauty, and joy!
With Hey Eugene! Pink Martini has returned with an exhilarating album full of uncompromising musicianship, hope, beauty, and joy!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Pnk iMartini
I bought this cd on the strength of the title track which Ihad heard several times and enjoyed.Ihad not heard any of the remaining tracks on the album so it tok a while to get... Read more
Published 10 months ago by pink gin
Leicester Bangs Review (2007):
Pink Martini - Hey Eugene (Heinz / Wrasse)
This is good - like a loungey, slightly tipsy, `60s pop version of Amy Winehouse. Read more
This is good - like a loungey, slightly tipsy, `60s pop version of Amy Winehouse. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Leicester Bangs
Hey Eugene
Wonderful CD. Such a huge array of talent. I play it over and over again.
Published on 9 Mar 2010 by Mrs. J. Brewis
Classic style
With the music of Pink Martini you enter a world of distinguished parties. However most of the song are recognizable, others are new. Read more
Published on 22 July 2009 by Hans Vandelannoote
Hey Eugene! - Pity about title track?
Have found I like most 'Pink Martini' CD's, ordered this one almost entirely on the strength of that, but though easy on the ear etc etc I personally found the title track the... Read more
Published on 7 Jun 2009 by Pat Bellay
As good as the other 2 - must have disc of lovely retro world music
Hey its a great disc I bought the lot and them I play the pick of the three as my best of the best! See all the other reviews for more information I'd only be repeating it! Read more
Published on 31 Oct 2008 by Mr. DAVID Geer
Lovely, but...
I saw the group live and listened to the CD, because I heard so many good things about them. The music is beautifully and and well played, but stylistically it's all over the... Read more
Published on 26 Aug 2008 by Welsh Dragon
i am obsessed .
I bought the album Hang on little tomato very randomly ( just liked the title) and totally loved it - its so quirky and beautifully arranged - that within a week i had bought the... Read more
Published on 9 July 2008 by Ms. C. N. Sweeney
A lonely experience. Hmmm.
Most reviewers rave over this.I bought it on the strength of their enthusiasm. I am not so sure now. Read more
Published on 26 Feb 2008 by Big John
Album of the Year
I love this album. First heard the track "Hey Eugene" and bought it on the back of that, and it's the best album I've heard all year.
Published on 18 Oct 2007 by smash
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