1969

Description

Portland, Oregon based `Little Orchestra' Pink Martini and legendary Japanese singer Saori Yuki have collaborated to record 1969 - a collection of songs from the year Yuki's debut album was released. Years back in Portland, Oregon, Pink Martini founder and pianist Thomas Lauderdale was thumbing through bins of records at Everyday Music when, intrigued by its gorgeous cover and interesting title (translated to "Scat In The Dark"), he snatched up Saori Yuki's debut album. Upon his first listen he was immediately struck by Yuki's soaring soprano and the gorgeous melodies on the album. Years later, having never met Yuki, Lauderdale and Pink Martini recorded her song "Taya Tan," for their 2007 album Hey Eugene! In early 2010, as Pink Martini was preparing for their first tour of Asia, they received a call from Yuki's manager saying that she had loved the band's rendition of "Taya Tan" and wanted to meet them when they came to Japan. This first meeting occurred in Tokyo when Yuki joined Pink Martini singer China Forbes on stage for a gorgeous rendition of "Taya Tan." Later that year Yuki was invited to sing the first-ever Japanese version of "White Christmas" for Pink Martini's holiday album Joy To The World. In March this year, following the devastating earthquake and tsunami that decimated Japan, Thomas Lauderdale reached out to invite Yuki to join Pink Martini in Portland at a benefit performance for the relief efforts in Japan. During her visit to the States Yuki and Pink Martini also went into the studio to record "Yuuzuki," a benefit track released by Starbucks and iTunes. This began the collaboration that would ultimately result in 1969. The album features hits from Japan, like the widely popular "Blue Light Yokohama," kayokyoku classic "Yuuzuki (Evening Moon)," a groovy, urban version of "Mayonaka no Bossa Nova (Midnight Bossa Nova)," and a percussive Pink Maritni-esque recording of Saori Yuki's most famous song "Yoake no Scat (Melody For A New Dawn)." In addition, Yuki brings her soaring vocals to international hits like Jorge Ben's "Mas Que Nada" which was first sung in Japanese by Astrud Gilberto, Peter Paul & Mary's "Puff, The Magic Dragon" in an arrangement inspired by Tiny Tim's "Tip-toe Through The Tulips," and Peggy Lee's "Is That All There Is," written by Jerry Leiber + Mike Stoller and inspired by the 1896 Thomas Mann poem "Disillusionment." Also included are more obscure songs like "Du soleil plein les yeux (Eyes Full Of Sun)," marking Yuki's first recording in French, sung here as a duet with Pink Martini's Timothy Nishimoto, and a brand new song "Kisetsu no Ashioto (Footsteps Of The Seasons)." A mix of the exotic and the nostalgic. -- Sunday Times Classy, charming, sexy, elegant, sophisticated, take your pick to describe the globe-trotting eclectic mix that is Pink Martini. -- The Sun Pink Martini are on a mission to bring back romance and beauty. -- Daily Telegraph "It was a great honor to be asked by Saori Yuki-san & EMI Japan to work on this album," says Lauderdale. "The initial concept for the album was `Japanese hits from 1969' but upon doing a bit of research we discovered that every country had something significant going on in 1969. So we decided to broaden the scope in a very Pink Martini way and include songs from around the world sung in different languages. The result is a gorgeous adventure back in time to the year 1969, featuring 12 songs and sung in Japanese, French & English." "What a sweet encounter God has brought to me," says Yuki. "There were times in my long singing career when I thought I'd quit... But it was the process of making this album with Pink Martini and Thomas Lauderdale that made me feel so happy that I kept singing all along. It's been three years since I first learned of Pink Martini's version of my song "Taya Tan" that they recorded for their third album, and I truly enjoyed the recordings with them to the fullest. Two trips to Portland, discussing the key of each song at Thomas's place, selecting songs, versatility of their music, their focus on the details of every song, and the care for the emotional side of music which is often neglected in today's production. I also received generous support from Dave Friedlander the engineer. It was a group of these wonderful people with tremendous love and care for music, and they all enjoy it so much. They'd pick up every subtle expression of my voice and build the harmonies and sounds around it without detracting anything. The essence of everything I have challenged until now is heard on this one album. Please listen to what I am now and will be, not what I was." Review: Another beautifully produced album - I had bought all the other Pink Martini albums but had been put off purchasing this by the adverse reviews. Pink Martini seem to have a bit of an obsession for collaborations with other artists, some well past their sell by date. The result can be embarrassing and not a good listen. Sadly this mistake is repeated on the upcoming Get Happy album which opens with Phyllis Diller 'Smile'. Not a good decision! My mind was changed when I heard Saori Yuki in concert with Pink Martini at the Albert Hall. She has a beautiful voice and the Pinki Martini arrangements compliment it superbly. This may be why some Martini listeners are disappointed. Instead of a singer with a band playing a range of Latin and international tunes the singer is the focus and the arrangements adapted to her. The songs become a matter of personal taste. I could do without Puff the Magic Dragon but love the rest. As with all Pink Martini albums the recording and production is immaculate. I find that listening with headphones reveal lots of musical flourishes that are an absolute delight. Ignore the poor reviews. This is a top class recording from a top class mini orchestra. Review: Unusual - If not for Pink Martini, I'm not sure I would ever have heard of Soari Yuki. This album is unusual because all songs are in Japanese. You will know the songs (for instance, Puff, the magic dragon), but unless you speak the language, you will not be able to understand the language. Saori Yuki's voice is pleasant to listen to and the whole album has a Pink Martini flavour to it.