Pink Martini 1969 and A Retrospective

Pink Martini, one of my all-time favorite groups, just released two new albums today. The first one, 1969, is a special collaboration with legendary Japanese singer Saori Yuki. If you own their third album Hey Eugene!, you'll also know that Yuki sang the original version of "Taya Tan." 

Named after the year Yuki debuted her first album, it's filled with songs that were popular worldwide at the time. In addition to Japanese pop hits from that era, there's a great cover of bossa nova standard "Mas Que Nada." There's an adorable rendition of "Puff The Magic Dragon" and "Yoake No Scat" is pretty haunting. If it wasn't for Pink Martini, Western audiences might have never discovered the "Barbara Streisand of Japan."

The second release, A Retrospective, is a tribute of their 16-year career. Filled with fan favorites, the 21-track album contains eight unreleased songs. The first recordings of "Una Notte A Napoli" and "Aspettami" are brilliant - I kinda wished they released those versions on their second album (Hang On Little Tomato). 

I especially enjoyed the campy French-language "The Man With The Big Sombrero." If you didn't get their holiday album then you'll love their rousing multi-language rendition of "Auld Lang Syne." Other gems include a song from beloved French singer Georges Moustaki as well as a singing debut from director Gus Van Sant.

The CD format is packaged in a deluxe 48-page book with rare Polaroids from bandleader Thomas M. Lauderdale. Alas, this release has been delayed but it should arrive by November 22. If you can't wait you can always get the music on iTunes first.

Both albums are available now on PinkMartini.com, iTunes, and Amazon.

For editorial consideration, review albums were provided for this post.

Comments

[Carolyn Jung]

I've never heard of this group. LOL I'm so out of it and so unhip, huh? But if you love them, they must be fab!

[Tami]

They're so underrated. They're way more popular in Europe than in the U.S.! I love them to bits.