Working at home today so managed to listen to a short [30 mins] profile of the founder of the marvellously unique Penguin Cafe Orchestra, Simon Jeffes. Firstly well done to R4 for still doing this type of stuff. I stumbled across the Orchestra when watching one of my all time fave movies Malcolm [if anyone knows where I can get a copy of this on DVD please let me know], one of the dryest and funniest films ever. I was so intrigued by the music that I bought their album Broadcasting From Home.
The music is like no other but very easy to listen to especially as they conjure a sound with a smooth and playful rhthym which just picks you up and you cannot not go along with it. It does have it's melancholy moments but most of the time it's fun. The uniqueness comes in via the variety of instruments they use: harmonium, cello, mandolin, ukele, penny whistles & guitars. It's a heady mix.
The whole orchestra came into being through a very weird dream/illusion which founder Jeffes experienced through a bout of food poisioning. It's worth reading about so check onto their website [with a very cute and simple opening logo] www.penguincafe.com
I had no idea until I went onto it that they have such a huge back catalogue, so guess I'll be stocking shortly as I only have 2 of their albums, the other being When In Rome which I am currently playing. Defy anyone to put this on and listen to the first track, air a danser, and not feel good!
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2007-05-31 @ 13:26