Penguin Cafe Orchestra (album)
| Penguin Cafe Orchestra | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| File:PenguinCafeOrchestra(album).jpg | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1981 | |||
| Recorded | 1977–1980 | |||
| Genre | Ambient,[1] chamber jazz | |||
| Length | 47:28 | |||
| Label | E.G. | |||
| Producer | Simon Jeffes | |||
| Penguin Cafe Orchestra chronology | ||||
| ||||
.jpg){kind=link}
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [2] |
| Robert Christgau | A−[1] |
Penguin Cafe Orchestra is the self-titled second studio album by the Penguin Cafe Orchestra, released in 1981, and recorded between 1977 and 1980. By this album, the line-up for the band had expanded greatly, with contribution including Simon Jeffes, Helen Leibmann, Steve Nye, Gavyn Wright of the original quartet, as well as Geoff Richardson, Peter Veitch, Braco, Giles Leamna, Julio Segovia and Neil Rennie. All pieces were composed by Simon Jeffes except for "Paul's Dance" (Jeffes and Nye), "Cutting Branches" (traditional), and "Walk Don't Run" (by Johnny Smith).
In 2021, Penguin Cafe Orchestra was named among the fifty best albums of 1981 by Spin.[3]
"Cutting Branches for a Temporary Shelter" is based on the traditional Zimbabwean song "Nhemamusasa", a field recording of which can be heard played on mbira on the Nonesuch Records album The Soul of the Mbira.
The cover painting is by Emily Young.
Track listing
All tracks composed by Simon Jeffes; except where indicated
Side 1
- "Air à Danser" - 4:27
- "Yodel 1" - 4:00
- "Telephone and Rubber Band" - 2:25
- "Cutting Branches for a Temporary Shelter" (Traditional; arranged by Simon Jeffes) - 3:36
- "Pythagoras's Trousers" - 3:14
- "Numbers 1-4" - 6:46
Side 2
- "Yodel 2" - 4:25
- "Salty Bean Fumble" - 2:07
- "Paul's Dance" (Simon Jeffes, Steve Nye) - 1:37
- "The Ecstasy of Dancing Fleas" - 3:55
- "Walk Don't Run" (Johnny Smith) - 2:56
- "Flux" - 1:39
- "Simon's Dream" - 1:41
- "Harmonic Necklace" - 1:12
- "Steady State" - 3:28
Personnel
- Simon Jeffes - guitar, cuatro, ukulele, piano, bass, violin, Dulcitone, harmonium, shakers, drums, ring modulator, rubber band, penny whistle, electric organ
- Steve Nye - electric piano, cuatro
- Geoffrey Richardson - viola, guitar, bass, bongos, metal frame, ukulele
- Peter Veitch - accordion, violin
- Braco - shakers, drums, bongos
- Giles Leaman - oboe
- Gavyn Wright - violin
- Helen Liebmann - cello
- Julio Segovia - cymbals
- Neil Rennie - ukulele
References
- ^ a b Christgau, Robert (1982). "Consumer Guide". The Village Voice. No. February 15. New York. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
- ^ Mills, Ted. "Penguin Cafe Orchestra". AllMusic. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
- ^ "The 50 Best Albums of 1981". Spin. 12 April 2021. Retrieved 13 April 2021.