Penguin Cafe Orchestra

1. Air a Danser

2. Yodel 1

3. Telephone and Rubber Band

4. Cutting Branches for a Temporary Shelter

5. Pythagoras' Trousers

6. Numbers 1 to 4

7. Yodel 2

8. Salty Bean Fumble

9. Paul's Dance

10. Ecstasy of Dancing Fleas

11. Walk, Don't Run

12. Flux

13. Simon's Dream

14. Harmonic Necklace

15. Steady State

Penguin Cafe Orchestra,The Penguin Cafe Orchestra,Editions Eg Records,Ambient,Chamber Jazz,Contemporary Instrumental,Minimalism,Neo-Classical,Pop,Popular Music,Rock

Jazz

Music

jazz

music

Average customer rating: Penguins Pleasing Skating on Smooth Ice soundtrack to my life... when I was 20 Company Theme Song! Soothing

Penguin Cafe Orchestra The Penguin Cafe Orchestra Manufacturer: Editions Eg Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ambient | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Minimal Techno | Techno | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Music From the Penguin Cafe Broadcasting from Home Signs of Life Preludes, Airs & Yodels When in Rome ASIN: B000003S2G Release Date: 1990-08-31

Tracks:

1. Air A Danser
2. Yodel 1
3. Telephone And Rubber Band
4. Cutting Branches For A Temporary Shelter
5. Pythagoras's Trousers
6. Numbers 1-4
7. Yodel 2
8. Salty Bean Fumble
9. Paul's Dance
10. The Ecstasy Of Dancing Fleas
11. Walk Don't Run
12. Flux
13. Simon's Dream
14. Harmonic Necklace
15. Steady State

Customer Reviews:

Penguins Pleasing.......2005-06-09

This album should please anyone who likes quirky chamber music, and many of the PBS crowd. "Air A Danser" shows that fiddles can be fun. "Yodel 1" has rhythmic acoustic guitar and drum with some piano runs overlaid, very active yet quiet. "Telephone And Rubber Band" has what sounds like a repeating telephone tone sample combined with some violin full of tonalities. "Cutting Branches" has peaceful vibraphone/bell runs. "The Ecstasy of Dancing Fleas" has an upbeat rhythm suitable for dancing fleas or penguins or dancing anything, really quirky. "Flux" is a pulsating mood with plucking acoustic guitar strings and surging violin tones. Highly recommended, my favorite PCO album!

Skating on Smooth Ice.......2004-03-03

Upon first listen of this disk I was amazed how utterly unique yet palatable the music is. Yes, the approach is strange but this disk is so affectionately addicting in its dreamy presentation one cannot stop listening. So smooth, each track blends with one another yet the styles covered here range from classical ("Numbers 1-4"), to experimental ("Telephone and Rubber Band" - excellent I might add); from light jazz (The Ecstasy of Dancing Fleas) to bluegrass (Yodel 2); and from Cajun-light (Salty Bean Fumble)to even a Penguin Cafe cover of the surf rock classic "Walk Don't Run"! Do not be fooled, ths is not your typical _New Age_ music. This is for those who are a bit adventurous and even admire a tad of humorous, elements in their listening experience.

soundtrack to my life... when I was 20.......2003-09-07

I heard Telephone and Rubber Band on Public Radio, and assiduously tracked down the album (on cassette, which I wore out.) There are still times when the music enters my mind again. Air a danser goes with a half-dozen extraordinarily lovely instrumental tunes: Last Song for Shelby Jean on Hillbilly Jazz is another. Highly recommended

Company Theme Song!.......2001-04-02

This is a must have CD! Experimental? Get out of town! This is as much fun as Talking Heads. These are the kinds of "experiments" that only the highly skilled and inspired can pull off. FUN! Great repeat listening. After many years I am buying my second copy. Why? I can't get "Telephone and rubber band" out of my head. Excellent tunes!!!

Soothing.......2000-07-16

Penguin Cafe Orchestra's self-titled album is lush, ambient music which sometimes recalls the quieter tracks on, say, Brian Eno's Another Green World. But PCO's ambience, at least on this album, is brighter (bright, as in mood, not intelligence) and more soothing than the sombre Eno melodies.

Penguin Cafe Orchestra is, if not a true orchestra, a rather large group; but rest assured they don't violate or abandon their minimalist aesthetic. The core of most of these songs are quite simple actually. Telephone and Rubber band, perhaps the most minimal of the songs here, begins with a spliced tape loop of, yes, a telephone ring. Soon a guitar, bass and other intstruments join in around the telephone signal and create an irresistably engaging song. Air A Danser, likewise, is lush yet simple, but when all of the harmonies and instruments are in full swing, swirling in and among one another like small-winged insects fluttering near a porch light, believe me, you'll swear that this music is quite complex.

My favorite, however, is Cutting Branches For a Temporary Shelter, one of the longer cuts that--and, gosh, forgive me for being so sentimental--actually reminds me of raindrops falling.

I strongly recommend this disc for anyone who appreciates beautiful, simple and intelligent instrumental music.

Average customer rating: Man, you never can meet CD's this good so often Great songs, when they're not so bizzare... Only Penquin you need on a desert island Something Rich and Strange

Music From the Penguin Cafe The Penguin Cafe Orchestra Manufacturer: Editions Eg Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Penguin Cafe Orchestra Signs of Life Broadcasting from Home When in Rome Preludes, Airs & Yodels ASIN: B000003S2R Release Date: 1990-08-31

Tracks:

1. Penguin Cafe Single
2. Zopf
3. From The Colonies
4. In A Sydney Motel
5. Surface Tension (Where The Trees Meet The Sky)
6. Milk
7. Coronation
8. Giles Farnaby's Dream
9. Pigtail
10. The Sound Of Someone You Love Who's Going Away And It Doesn't Matter
11. Hugebaby/Chartered Flight

Customer Reviews:

Man, you never can meet CD's this good so often.......2002-03-22

The first time I listened to this album was when I was a teen. Ever since, I have been addicted to Penguin Cafe Orchestra's work, but this first album is the best of all.

I owned an LP of this but recently bought a CD again, and listened to it more carefully with a better-sounding system. This made me to rediscover this gem. What a wonderful music they made! I don't think pieces in this album are so "weird". Actually, I found some of them are most relaxing music that I ever heard. But they could be a different kind of music, anyway.

The only and probably minor problem with this album is that, probably due to the inferior recording condition of their day, some pieces are suffering from distortion.

Great songs, when they're not so bizzare..........2001-08-28

This is a great CD. Simon Jeffes is a musical genius (heh, that's an understatement :). There are some wonderful songs on this album, such as "Zopf" and "Chartered Flight," however, many of the songs are quite abstract. They could really give a person a headache. And some songs on this CD, like "Penguin Cafe Single" are great, beautiful, and relaxing, but they become abstract somewhere in the middle. If you are planning to by more Penguin Cafe CDs, none of the others are quite as bizzare as this one. But I still highly recomend this CD, for its creativity, originality, and variety. Byeeeeee ^__^

Only Penquin you need on a desert island.......2001-04-18

Hilariously excellent music. People this talented are impossible to explain. I saw the documentary about them on PBS light years ago. Bought CD, lost CD. Could not live without CD so came back to Amazon and bought it again.

Something Rich and Strange.......2000-03-28

A unique and strange record, even by the standards of the pan-musical Penguin Café Orchesta, 'Music from the Penguin Café' was originally released on Brian Eno's 'Obscure' record label in the mid-seventies, by mail order only.

'MFTPC' is hard to describe, and very few retrospectives of the group's career (sadly, leader Simon Jeffes died in 1997) give this more than a passing mention, as it's almost beyond criticism - a totally self-contained universe of music, mixing primitive electronics, Brian Eno-style ambient, classical and folk to form a side-step into a timeless, alien environment. Surreal and dreamlike, it has a very distinctive 'live' sound, with birdsong faintly audible in the background of some of the tracks. Imagine Michael Nyman's wiggiest moments, as produced by Brian Eno's second assistant tape operator, and you're half-way there.

After this (and the similar follow-up, 'Penguin Café Orchestra') the PCO settled down and become much more conservative - their later work is tuneful, folky, and much less experimental.

Average customer rating: Re-compilation, mostly Haunting Ending to "The Princess And The Warrior" A gift Mood Music for Happy Schizoids Solid Gold Chartbusters

Preludes, Airs & Yodels The Penguin Cafe Orchestra Manufacturer: Caroline ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music Minimal Techno | Techno | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Penguin Cafe Orchestra Music From the Penguin Cafe Signs of Life Broadcasting from Home When in Rome ASIN: B000000HQ6 Release Date: 1997-04-22

Tracks:

1. Music For A Found Harmonium
2. Perpetuum Mobile
3. Penguin Cafe Single
4. Air
5. Telephone And Rubber Band
6. Dirt
7. Giles Farnaby's Dream
8. Oscar Tango
9. Rosasolis
10. Air A Danser
11. Music For A Found Harmonium
12. Yodel 3
13. White Mischief
14. Prelude And Yodel
15. Harmonic Necklace
16. Steady State
17. Nothing Really Blue
18. Panda Harmonium
19. Piano Music

Amazon.com

Simon Jeffes's gravity-defying ensemble serves up a compilation of 19 tracks dating back to 1976. A great primer for beginners, this includes marvels of wit and construction like "Telephone & Rubber Band" and "Music for a Found Harmonium" (which is also heard here in a version by Celtic group Patrick Street). --Jeff Bateman

Album Description

Comp of the best tracks from their six studioalbums plus Patrick Street's performance of 'Music For AFound Harmonium' and the exclusive Orb remix of it, entitled'Pandaharmonium'.

Customer Reviews:

Re-compilation, mostly.......2007-05-27

I bought this after hearing a live performance of one of my favorite PCO pieces, mistakenly thinking this was a live album.

It's not, it's merely a collection from all of their works with a couple of live tracks included. I prefer hearing the studio tracks on the original albums, each of which has a unique set of instrumentation and atmosphere.

This is a purist's view. If you are looking for an introduction to the Penguin Cafe Orchestra, this wouldn't be a bad way to start.

Haunting Ending to "The Princess And The Warrior".......2005-10-30

It only took me about an hour Googling around to find "Nothing Really Blue," by The Penguin Cafe Orchestra, the haunting solo piano piece that closes the film, "The Princess And The Warrior." It is NOT included on the soundtrack CD and it is NOT clearly referenced during the credit roll in the film. But this beautiful, stark and mysterious piano composition plays as the two main characters drive away from their troubles and towards their sanctuary on the desolate coast and as the camera slowly pulls back in a long helicopter shot.

A gift.......2003-07-20

I can't stand it, but my grandparents love it.

Mood Music for Happy Schizoids.......2000-08-17

God bless my ex. He couldn't carry a tune if you elmer glued it to his vocal chords but he turned me on to this wonderful group about a month after we first started dating. As an uptight college student, I used to put on the first two Penquin Cafe Orchestra albums (vinyl no less) to study. I figure if I were going to be tortured by masturbatory French semiotic theorists, the least I could do is have this wonderful music to keep me sane. I am a long way from tearing my hair out over Derridoo, I mean Derrida, but these wonderful Penquin Cafe Orchestra songs have traveled with me to four cities and countless apartments. I have always wanted to choreograph "Perpetuum Mobile" and "Steady Skate" for a pair of ice skaters (lord, what Torvil and Dean could do with those luscious long gliding cello lines), danced around my room to the extravagant silliness, driven uptight musicians crazy who won't admit that minimalism can be as mentally expansive as the pharmacological substances they imbibed in great quantities, marveled at how wonderful a spinet and ukelele could sound together (like an unexpectedly savory meal in a hole-in-the-wall restuarant)in "Giles Farnaby's Dream," consoled myself over bad times and celebrated the good ones with this wonderful music playing somewhere within earshot. I introduced my ex to hundreds of albums over the 8 years we were together before he died, but this is the ONLY music he ever introduced me to, and for that alone I am grateful to have met him. God bless you for that Mr T wherever you may be, and I hope you are happily humming along--offkey of course--to Air A Danser wherever ye may be.

Solid Gold Chartbusters.......2000-03-28

This is a collection of the Penguin Café Orchestra's music, from the first album ('Music from the Penguin Café') to their last ('Union Café'), with extracts from a couple of deleted EPs, and two remixes of 'Music for a Found Harmonium', one by ambient techno artists The Orb the end.

As an introduction to the band it serves its purpose, although there's rather too much of the later, dull stuff, for the simple reason that there's more of it than the earlier, weird stuff.

For a proper 'best of' go out and buy 'Music from the Penguin Café' and 'Penguin Café Orchestra'.

Average customer rating: Beautiful Non Catagorical Penguin Cafe Judging By The Cover This gets boring quickly File under... oh, whatever Tunes from elsewhere

Broadcasting from Home The Penguin Cafe Orchestra Manufacturer: Editions Eg Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Penguin Cafe Orchestra Signs of Life Music From the Penguin Cafe When in Rome Preludes, Airs & Yodels ASIN: B000003S2W Release Date: 1990-08-31

Tracks:

1. Music For A Found Harmonium
2. Prelude And Yodel
3. More Milk
4. Sheep Dip
5. White Mischief
6. In The Back Of A Taxi
7. Music By Numbers
8. Another One From The Colonies
9. Air
10. Heartwind
11. Isle Of View (Music For Helicopter Pilots)
12. Now Nothing

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful Non Catagorical Penguin Cafe.......2006-11-12

Music of the Penguin Cafe Orchestra combines calypso beat with musicianship of good calssical musicians to make beautiful music.

Judging By The Cover.......2005-01-25

Few bouts of salmonella would have spawned as protean a brew of music as that of Penguin Cafe Orchestra's progenitor, Simon Jeffes. Some time in the early 1980s I was leafing through the racks and stumbled on the beguiling avian art of Emily Young. She was to become a signature for the Orchestra's releases as Neon Park had served Little Feat in the 1970s. Her bizarre, Beckmanesque fantasies bespeak the romantic air of Jeffe's protean imagination. Penguin Cafe Orchestra possesses a folk sensibility translated through classical instrumentation, a sort of late 20thC Bartok. Don't go listening here for 'roots' music, or even poached hybridity. Jeffe's remarkably boyant ear achieves a cultural ambience of his own, a sprightly, muscular, lush and wistful geography peppered with attractive vistas and to be enjoyed at either a leisurely stroll or at waltzing pace. I prefer the earlier albums (especially over the 'Best Ofs') and probably this album is the most endearing. Though it's unfair to single out a member of the various ensembles that play under the PCO title, I must make mention of Helen Liebmann's cello, whose contribution to mood is never less than exemplary.

This gets boring quickly.......2004-08-21

This is the only album I have heard. The one song "Heartwind" was interesting to listen to but - most of their music is simple and repetitious. I kept wanting them to go someplace with the music. I consider them a curiosity.

File under... oh, whatever.......2004-04-12

Simon Jeffes always considered he didn't have enough musical training to be a classical musician and no intimacy with pop to be a popular musician. And although he lived in many countries and was crazy about music from many cultures he never wanted to do "world music".

A quiet man, he had one simple and rare talent: the ability to create sublime music.

And he had an even rarer talent among instrumental musicians: sense of humor.

The PCO is a small chamber group that plays instrumental music that draws from all these sources. It is music created by a music lover. Sometimes it sounds like a happy mantra from Bolivia, sometimes as a moving string quartet playing something that sounds medieval, sometimes he flirts with electronic gadgets like ring modulators (not on this CD though).

The PCO crossed boundaries like few other groups have. And nothing sounds forced, it all makes sense and seems organic as if this was the only way to play music.

The cruelest irony is that you will usually find this CD under "new age". Well, it is definitely not new age and I believe it ends up in the New Age aisle just because this genre is broad enough to fit any music that is not loud.

This is the perfect CD to give as a gift. Although very accessible and pleasant on the surface, it is so deep in its structure and has such unusual arrangements that even music scholars and nitpickers will be forced to pay attention and ask "how did he do that?".

Tunes from elsewhere.......2003-01-23

I first encountered Simon Jeffes and PCO back in the 1980s when "Prelude and Yodel" was one of those catchy little pieces of bumper music on "All Things Considered". It was several years before they announced the title on the air. When they did, I got hold of the CD and insisted on my friends listening to it several times every time they came over. I have a new set of friends now, but I still have the CD.

PCO has a minimalist style, but enough complexity to draw you in and cello performances that will make you catch your breath. Don't listen to it while you're supposed to be studying.

Average customer rating: A sound that is all over the music map For all Public Radio fans . . . One of their best Wonderful instrumentation across an impressionist landscape

Signs of Life The Penguin Cafe Orchestra Manufacturer: Editions Eg Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Penguin Cafe Orchestra Music From the Penguin Cafe Broadcasting from Home When in Rome Preludes, Airs & Yodels ASIN: B000003S38 Release Date: 1990-08-31

Tracks:

1. Bean Fields
2. Southern Jukebox Music
3. Horns Of The Bull
4. Oscar Tango
5. The Snake And The Lotus (The Pond)
6. Rosasolis
7. Dirt
8. Sketch
9. Perpetuum Mobile
10. Swing The Cat
11. Wildlife

Customer Reviews:

A sound that is all over the music map.......2002-08-16

I first became acquainted with the PCO through Perpetuum Mobile,a piece that has found its way into numerous tv commercials in the last 10-12 years.That catchy tune is not the only one on this album;there is also the appropriately titled 'Southern Jukebox Music','Beanfields' and the animal righters infuriating 'Swing the Cat'.The PCO's music is silly,fun and sometimes strangely beautiful(Perpetuum Mobile again).
Is the PCO light classical,pop or worldbeat?It may be an indefinable hodgepodge,but not in a dreary,pompous new age way.It is mostly airy,devil-may-care delight.I think the world could use a little more of that!

For all Public Radio fans . . ........2000-04-24

For anyone who is a public radio fan, you will recognize some of these compositions as the segways between stories on shows like All Things Considered, Morning Edition, Talk of the Nation, and especially Ira Glass's "This American Life." Track #9, "Perpetuum Mobile," is a notable standout.

One of their best.......2000-02-17

Finally, the Penguins manage to pull of a good, all-around eclectic mix of light, airy pieces that lift the mood and stimulate the mind. Of course, there are still some boring (?) solos by Jeffes, but the entire disc works wonderfully. You can't beat "Dirt" or "Rosasolis" for sheer Joyfulness and free spirit. This and "Concert Program" are the best Penguin albums in my opinion.

Wonderful instrumentation across an impressionist landscape.......1999-04-22

Who else but Penguin Cafe Orchestra can offer at once an aural treat of minimalist, acoustic, simple, eclectic, avant-garde, accessable, complex, curious, melodious, and beautiful instrumentals? Wonderfully and exuberantly played, this music is a must for anyone who enjoys Kronos Quartet, Glass, modern classical, world music, or even Talking Heads. Inventive composition, perfect arrangements, and beautiful instrumentation splashed across a modern, almost impressionist, landscape.

Average customer rating: One of the Best CD's Ever No other music like this Malcolm Film music Luscious Fantastic!!!

When in Rome The Penguin Cafe Orchestra Manufacturer: E.G. Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Live Albums | Jazz | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Live Albums | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Signs of Life Music From the Penguin Cafe Penguin Cafe Orchestra Preludes, Airs & Yodels Broadcasting from Home ASIN: B000003S3E Release Date: 1990-08-31

Tracks:

1. Air A Danser
2. Yodel 1
3. Cutting Branches For A Temporary Shelter
4. From The Colonies
5. Southern Jukebox Music
6. Number 1 To 4
7. Telephone And Rubber Band
8. Air
9. Beanfields
10. Paul's Dance
11. Oscar Tango
12. Music For A Found Harmonium
13. Isle Of View (Music For Helicopter Pilots)
14. Prelude And Yodel
15. Dirt
16. Giles Farnaby's Dream

Customer Reviews:

One of the Best CD's Ever.......2007-02-27

this music is so wonderful, it just makes me happy. The band is HOT!!!!

No other music like this.......2007-01-07

Penguin Cafe Orchestra is truly difficult music to define. It is as if Django Reinhardt, Brian Eno, JS Bach, and Flatt & Scruggs all got together to make a truly unique piece of music. The music is upbeat, humourous, melodic, and beautiful and I usually feel lifted up by what I hear. This album is especially interesting because the Penguin music, to me at least, was hard to imagine played live, and this concert, performed in what I believe is a usually very conservative concert hall (I saw St Matthew's Passion there 30 years ago) is really a joy. Somehow, the sober, polite response of the audience is even part of the fun because they respond like they are listening to a nice string quartet, and the Penguin Orchestra is a little like classical music, but not quite. The audience just makes it even more fun. Finally, these selections for the most part are my favourites, so this is nice introduction the this music.

Malcolm Film music.......2002-03-21

The film Malcolm with Colin Friels, I thought was very good. The Musical score from The Penguin Cafe I think, is Invigorating, and Lively,I never get tired of listening to it, even though made in 1986, the film still has magic, Very well put together, and funny, I rate this film and music at the top of my list.

Luscious.......2001-11-01

In 1987, I got a British album of Brian Eno's Music for Airports, with an inner sleeve full of cover photos of the Editions EG records available. The ones that really caught my eye were from the Penguin Cafe Orchestra. Being Peruvian and living in Peru, if it wasn't for Napster I probably would have never had a chance to listen that "band" that seemed so strangely appealing 14 years ago.

I'm starting to buy the whole catalog, but When in Rome is really a masterpiece. Not only the selection is great (although the absence of Chartered Flight is a shame) but the performance is marvelous. Music to inspire and probably to amazed and excite and seduce you. And incredibly powerful in these live versions, just a little different from the studio ones to demand hours comparing them, to arrive to the oblivious conclusion: you need both of them!

The only problem is how difficult is to describe them. This is an extraordinary experience that anyone with the faintest interest in good, non Top 40 popular music should listen too. An education to the ear and the heart.

Mr. Jeffes, wherever you are, thanks for the bright and brilliant sounds you brought to all of us.

Fantastic!!!.......1999-08-11

Recorded shortly before the death of Simon Jeffes, this is the culmination of all they worked for. The energy is tangible, the arrangement sublime - their finest hour. Goosies! If you only buy one Penguin Cafe Orchestra album, buy this one.

Average customer rating:

Concert Program The Penguin Cafe Orchestra Manufacturer: Windham Hill Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music ASIN: B000008OZ2 Release Date: 1995-05-09

Tracks:

1. Air A Danser
2. Cage Dead (Version 2)
3. Organum
4. Southern Jukebox Music
5. Numbers 1-4
6. Air
7. Perpetuum Mobile
8. Nothing Really Blue
9. Telephone And Rubber Band

Tracks:

1. Beanfields
2. Vega
3. Surface Tension (Where The Trees Meet The Sky)
4. Oscar Tango
5. Music For A Found Harmonium
6. Lifeboat (Lovers' Rock)
7. Steady State
8. Scherzo And Trio
9. Giles Farnaby's Dream
10. Salty Bean Fumble
11. Red Shorts

Average customer rating: You don't have to be a classical music fan to enjoy this disc, but it doesn't hoit :-) An Album For All Time

Still Life at the Penguin Cafe Jeffes , Wordsworth , and BBC Concert Orchestra Manufacturer: Polygram Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B00000E42T Release Date: 1991-03-08

Tracks:

1. 'Still Life' At The Penguin Cafe: Air A Danser - Simon Jeffes/Isobel Bradshaw/Henry Roche
2. 'Still Life' At The Penguin Cafe: Prld And Yodel
3. 'Still Life' At The Penguin Cafe: Hns Of The Bull
4. 'Still Life' At The Penguin Cafe: Pythagoras' Trousers
5. 'Still Life' At The Penguin Cafe: White Mischief
6. 'Still Life' At The Penguin Cafe: Now Nothing - Simon Jeffes/Isobel Bradshaw/Henry Roche
7. 'Still Life' At The Penguin Cafe: Music By Numbers
8. 'Still Life' At The Penguin Cafe: Numbers 1 To 4
9. Four Pieces: Perpetuum Mobile
10. Four Pieces: Southern Jukebox Music
11. Four Pieces: Oscar Tango
12. Four Pieces: Music For A Found Harmonium

Customer Reviews:

You don't have to be a classical music fan to enjoy this disc, but it doesn't hoit :-).......2006-10-21

This little (well maybe not so little, about 40 minutes long) dilly has been the fan favorite on Baltimore Classical Music Station WBJC at least since the turn of the century (the 21st that is). The problem is the disc was made in 1991 and it's practically out of print. Now here comes Amazon, loyal, faithful, respectable Amazon (and some "marketplace clients") offering some copies of it. Sure the price is high for a CD, but for an import that they are willing to go to England or wherever to grab it, and sell with their free shipping option available, I SAY GO FOR IT. It's a nice little piece that you can sit back and enjoy during Cocktail Time (pardon me, Duncan Purnie if you're still around) or anytime of the day or night. Whether you are a classical music expert, someone who just knows what he/she likes (in other words "me"), or someone who just likes a lively piece of instrumental music, then (pardon my Barry Manilow) THIS ONE'S FOR YOU WHEREVER YOU ARE. Grab it now before it becomes obsolete again.

An Album For All Time.......2003-03-13

The PENGUIN (even though this is the BBC Concert Orchestra/Barry Wordsworth) is a rare bird, Simon Jeffes certainly proved that to us, and it truly was a great loss to modern contemporary music when he passed on from this life.....however, we, luckily, have a wonderful series of shiny little discs to ensure that he and his output are not forgotten. Of all of them, this particular one shines like the star on the top of one's Christmas Tree, even though it is not by him other than the fact that he wrote the musical pieces included. It is actually a "soundtrack" or "original cast" type recording from the ballet that was constructed by him and David Bintley of the Royal Ballet for the ballet titled "'STILL LIFE' at the Penguin Cafe". It is performed by Barry Wordsworth and the BBC Concert Orchestra and is truly a wonderful, and very unusual, album. This is one of those very rare "once-in-a-lifetime" albums, like Tony Bennett's "I Left My Heart In San Francisco", or Peggy Lee's "In The Name of Love", etc., where every song is better than the one before.....where the ENTIRE album becomes one big, unforgettable experience. The album contains the 8 pieces that make up the ballet (re-workings and full-orchestrations of the PCO's original intimate pieces), and, in addition, the Four Pieces For Orchestra (again, full orchestrations of four of the original small combo pieces). I cannot recommend this album highly enough-it is a must have for anyone who enjoys contemporary music, (and also for those who like more serious music)-there simply isn't anything else like it. Also, luckily, the ballet was filmed, and was made available in the VHS and LASERDISC formats....'laser's' are gone, but you still should be able to find this on VHS, this is also VERY highly recommended.

~Addendum 7/10/06~~While this item is listed as not available from amazon, it is available through other sources. If you click "see 1 customer image" under photo, you will see item serial number, which may help. If you're patient, and good at internet searching, you will find it. Good luck to you. ~operabruin

~addendum~4-26-07~ WOW! This album is available from [another on-line dealer (classical) who has recently begun releasing out of print recordings under their own name] as a CD-R, fully licensed from the original label. My advice would be to snag a copy now before it is "gone" again. If you click on "available offers" under the listing at the top of the page, you can either purchase here, or click their link (name) to go to their website.

Average customer rating: A joy to listen to

A Brief History The Penguin Cafe Orchestra Manufacturer: EMI Int'l ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: History When in Rome Signs of Life Broadcasting from Home Music From the Penguin Cafe ASIN: B00005RTBF Release Date: 2001-11-19

Tracks:

1. Beanfields
2. Telephone And Rubber Band
3. Music For A Found Harmonium
4. Perpetuum Mobile
5. From The Colonies
6. Giles Farnaby's Dream
7. Surface Tension
8. Air A Danser
9. Yodel 1
10. Numbers 1-4
11. Steady State
12. Paul's Dance
13. Prelude & Yodel
14. Heartwind
15. White Mischief
16. Dirt
17. Rosasolis
18. Organum
19. Lullaby

Customer Reviews:

A joy to listen to.......2004-05-20

'A Brief History' has 19 tracks from the 4-CD set 'History', so it's a 'best of the best of...' album. The first track, Bean Fields, is guaranteed to have you tapping your foot or even dancing around the room or car.

You could say the odd track or two is a bit repetitive - for example, Telephone and Rubber Band lasts almost three minutes - but there's always quiet music going on behind the scenes that you have to listen out for to appreciate the full tune. Any like this that you don't like are easily made up for by the others. Others are very tuneful, foot-stomping creations to delight the soul, body and mind. (I'm getting carried away now. Well, at least I should be.)

A delightful album I feel privileged to have in my collection. You'll be so glad you took the plunge.

Average customer rating: Just try it

History The Penguin Cafe Orchestra Manufacturer: EMI Int'l ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: A Brief History Signs of Life Music From the Penguin Cafe Preludes, Airs & Yodels Penguin Cafe Orchestra ASIN: B00005QX6X Release Date: 2001-12-03

Tracks:

1. Penguin Cafe Single
2. From The Colonies
3. Giles Farnaby's Dream
4. Pigtail
5. Hugebaby
6. Chartered Flight
7. Cutting Branches For A Temporary Shelter
8. Pythagoras' Trousers
9. Yodel 2
10. Salty Bean Fumble
11. The Ecstasy Of Dancing Fleas
12. Walk Don't Run
13. Meditation Rag
14. The Toy
15. Numbers 1-4 (Live in Tokyo, 10 June 1982)
16. Salty Bean Fumble (Live in Tokyo, 10 June 1982)
17. Yodel 2 (Live in Tokyo, 10 June 1982)

Tracks:

1. Prelude & Yodel
2. More Milk
3. Sheep Dip
4. In The Back Of A Taxi
5. Music By Numbers
6. Another One From The Colonies
7. Air
8. Isle Of View (Music For Helicopter Pilots)
9. Now Nothing
10. Beanfields
11. Southern Jukebox Music
12. Horns Of The Bull
13. Oscar Tango
14. Sketch
15. Giles Farnaby's Dream
16. Perpetuum Mobile
17. Surface Tension

Tracks:

1. Dirt (Live in London, 9 July 1987)
2. Yodel (Live in London, 9 July 1987)
3. Cutting Branches For A Temporary Shelter (Live in London, 9 July 1987)
4. In The Back Of A Taxi
5. Southern Jukebox Music (Live in London, 9 July 1987)
6. Numbers 1-4 (Live in London, 9 July 1987)
7. Telephone And Rubber Band (Live in London, 9 July 1987)
8. Air (Live in London, 9 July 1987)
9. Paul's Dance (Live in London, 9 July 1987)
10. Oscar Tango (Live in London, 9 July 1987)
11. Music For A Found Harmonium (Live in London, 9 July 1987)
12. Isle Of View (Music For Helicopter Pilots) (Live in London, 9 July 1987)

Tracks:

1. Air A Danser
2. Beanfields
3. Music For A Found Harmonium
4. Lifeboat (Lovers Rock)
5. Steady State
6. Scherzo And Trio
7. Nothing Really Blue
8. Cage Dead
9. Vega
10. Another One From Porlock
11. Pythagoras On The Line
12. Kora Kora
13. Red Shorts
14. Passing Through

Album Description

UK compilation represents the most comprehensive collection of the unique rock act's material available to date. 60 digitally remastered tracks including two previously unreleased tracks, 'Yodel 2' & 'In The Back Of A Taxi'. The 4 discs are housed in a deluxe hardback book-style format (approx. 5.5 x 10 inches). Includes 48 pages of notes, color photographs & discography. 2001.

Album Details

Digitally Remastered Definitive History of One of the Best Instrumental Exports from Great Britain. 60 Tracks, Two Previously Unreleased.cafe Music with a Twist and a Flair Unlike Any Other Band...that Touches the Spirit, Spurs Creativity Andis Simply Pleasureable to Listen To.

Customer Reviews:

Just try it.......2002-11-27

I grew up with this music - anyone out there who is bored of anything else ought probably to try this. It'll change your life, man...

AJ

Jazz Music:

1. Phantasmagoria
2. Points of View
3. Quadrant
4. Recuerdo
5. Skol
6. Skol
7. Slam Bam
8. Solos
9. Sonny Rollins, Vol. 2
10. Summer Time [Import]

Jazz Music

jazz music