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High Quality 180g Vinyl Double LP Mastered by Bernie Grundman!New Studio Album With 16 Delightful Globe-Spanning Songs in Nine Languages!
Pink Martini's long-awaited follow-up to their 2009 hit album Splendor in the Grass features their beloved vocalist China Forbes joined in the studio by her new co-lead singer Storm Large along with a cavalcade of guest star vocalists!
Featuring the 'little orchestra's" trademark mix of pop songs from all corners of the globe, spanning the breadth of the 20th century, Get Happy's sunny disposition shines through its intricate and luxurious orchestral pop arrangements.
Highlights of the album include the final recording of the legendary Phyllis Diller, a riveting appearance by the exquisite Rufus Wainwright, and a charming duet written and performed by China Forbes with underground French sensation Philippe Katerine.
In January 2012, Thomas Lauderdale and trusty audio engineer Dave Friedlander flew to Los Angeles to visit Thomass new friend, Phyllis Diller. While there, Thomas bought a dozen of Phylliss bright colorful paintings... and they recorded Charlie Chaplins Smile, which turned out to be Phyllis Dillers final recording, and became the soundtrack for the many tributes to her when she passed away six months later.
Thus began the 18-month odyssey to record Get Happy, the long-awaited studio follow-up to 2009's Splendor in the Grass, an odyssey which featured a cavalcade of vocal royalty visiting the Portland studios, including exotic cabaret sensation Meow Meow, sunny French eccentric Philippe Katerine, the handsome and brilliant radio superstar Ari Shapiro, warm-hearted wunder-siblings The von Trapps, and a riveting appearance by the exquisite Rufus Wainwright!
Anchored by the beloved and elegant vocalist China Forbes, alongside dazzling co-lead-singer Storm Large, finally making her recording debut with us, the album features sixteen songs selected and arranged by Thomas, including songs in German, French, Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, Farsi, Turkish and Romanian.
"Charming and elegant." - Variety
Rich, hugely approachable music, utterly cosmopolitan yet utterly unpretentious." - The Washington Post
"Knowing sophistication backed by skillful arrangements." - The New York Times
"With a title like Get Happy, Pink Martini's fifth(?) album could very well be filled with perky vocal pop, but the group offers something a little more nuanced here. This collection is more eclectic in mood and sound than 2009's Splendor in the Grass, which was fittingly romantic but focused more on the light pop aspect of their sound. During the time between that album and this one, Pink Martini pursued some more wide-ranging projects, including 1969, where they interpreted some of that year's biggest songs with Japanese vocalist Saori Yuki. That eclectic spirit seems to have rubbed off on Get Happy, which gives equal time to their tender and playful sides -- and sometimes both at once: "Zundoko-bushi" sounds like the theme to a Japanese spy movie from the '60s, but a glance at the liner notes reveals it's about a lovelorn man remembering a woman who writes love letters with her tears. As it turns out, Get Happy's title isn't so much a command as it is a wish; most of these songs are more about needing happiness than having it. As always, the group's collaborations are preeminent. This time, their guest stars include Rufus Wainwright, who turns in a touching version of his aunt Anna McGarrigle's "Kitty Come Home" and a Broadway-esque rendition of the title track; Meow Meow, who delivers a fittingly kittenish cover of "I'm Waiting for You," a song originally recorded by Chinese actress/singer Bai Guang in 1947; and Phyllis Diller, whose poignant version of "Smile" closes the album (and was also one of her final recordings before her death in 2012). Get Happy also marks the recording debut of new Pink Martini vocalist Storm Large, whose smoky tones make an elegant contrast to longtime singer China Forbes' sparkling vocals. .." - allmusic.com
"The songs...swoosh past like fabulous gowns in a vintage fashion parade." -Telegraph
Features:
• High Quality 180g Vinyl
• Double LP
• Mastered by Bernie Grundman
• Limited time free digital download of complete album
Musicians:
China Forbes, vocals
Storm Large, vocals
Thomas M. Lauderdale, piano
Gavin Bondy, trumpet
Robert Taylor, trombone, vocals
Phil Baker, bass, sitar
Dan Faehnle, guitar
Nicholas Crosa, violin
Pansy Change, cello
Anthony Jones, drums
Brian Davis, percussion
Timothy Nishimoto, vocals, percussion
Maureen Love, harp
Norman Leyden, clarinet
Rufus Wainwright, guest vocals
The von Trapps, guest vocals
Meow Meow, guest vocals
Philippe Katerine, guest vocals
Phyllis Diller, guest vocals
Ari Shapiro, guest vocals
The Pacific Youth Choir
The Harvey Rosencrantz Orchestra
Selections:
LP 1 - Side A:
1. Ich dich liebe
2. Quizas, quizas, quizas
3. I'm Waiting For You To Come Back
4. Omide Zendegani
5. Yo te quiero siempre
LP 1 - Side B:
1. Je ne t'aime plus
2. Zundoko-bushi
3. Pana cand nu te iubeam
4. She Was Too Good To Me
LP 2 - Side C:
1. Uskudar'a gider iken
2. Sway
3. Kitty Come Home
LP 2 - Side D:
1. What'll I Do?
2. Get Happy / Happy Days Are Here Again
3. Heliotrope Bouquet
4. Smile
