Penguin Cafe Orchestra is the 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). The cover painting is by Emily Young.
| Penguin Cafe Orchestra | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| 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 | ||||
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"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.
Critical reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [2] |
| Robert Christgau | A−[1] |
The Boston Globe opined that "this is one of the most eccentric records released this or any year... It's also one of the most delightful."[3]
In 2021, Penguin Cafe Orchestra was named among the fifty best albums of 1981 by Spin.[4]
Track listing
editAll tracks composed by Simon Jeffes; except where indicated
Side one
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Air à Danser" | 4:27 | |
| 2. | "Yodel 1" | 4:00 | |
| 3. | "Telephone and Rubber Band" | 2:25 | |
| 4. | "Cutting Branches for a Temporary Shelter" | Traditional; arr. by Jeffes | 3:36 |
| 5. | "Pythagoras's Trousers" | 3:14 | |
| 6. | "Numbers 1-4" | 6:46 |
Side two
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7. | "Yodel 2" | 4:25 | |
| 8. | "Salty Bean Fumble" | 2:07 | |
| 9. | "Paul's Dance" | Jeffes, Steve Nye | 1:37 |
| 10. | "The Ecstasy of Dancing Fleas" | 3:55 | |
| 11. | "Walk Don't Run" | Johnny Smith | 2:56 |
| 12. | "Flux" | 1:39 | |
| 13. | "Simon's Dream" | 1:41 | |
| 14. | "Harmonic Necklace" | 1:12 | |
| 15. | "Steady State" | 3:28 |
Personnel
edit- Simon Jeffes - guitar, cuatro, ukulele, piano, bass, violin, Dulcitone, harmonium, shakers, drums, ring modulator, rubber band, penny whistle, electric organ
- Braco - shakers, drums, bongos
- Giles Leaman - oboe
- Helen Liebmann - cello
- Steve Nye - electric piano, cuatro
- Neil Rennie - ukulele
- Geoffrey Richardson - viola, guitar, bass, bongos, metal frame, ukulele
- Julio Segovia - cymbals
- Peter Veitch - accordion, violin
- Gavyn Wright - violin
References
edit- ^ 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.
- ^ Cromonic, Richard (8 October 1981). "Records". Calendar. The Boston Globe. p. 1.
- ^ "The 50 Best Albums of 1981". Spin. 12 April 2021. Retrieved 13 April 2021.