Unlimited Streaming
Listen to this album in high quality now on our apps
Start my trial period and start listening to this albumEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
SubscribeEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
Digital Download
Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.
This two-disc live program of music spanning the history of the group from the early 1970s to the early 1990s is remarkable not only for the quality of the music, but for the absolute hush of the audience; there's not a cough or a clap out of them. We are thus left free from distraction to enjoy PCO's unique combination of old-time parlor stylings, park bandstand music, folk, and classical. Emotionally, the mélange adds up to a wistful yet hopeful nostalgia. Intellectually, it's fascinating to watch the kaleidoscopic interplay of elements, such as the minimalist factor that enters the mix in "Numbers 1-4" with its Glass-like repeated gallop.
The music is all instrumental (it really is all small orchestra), but the possible sameness of the sound is broken up by clever arrangements and a little variation in the instruments, as with the occasional harmonium and the ukulele featured on the all-out hoe-down "Beanfields" (not to mention the telephonesounds on "Telephone and Rubber Band"). The instruments are unfortunately pushed too far back in the sound-space, as an effect rather like a soft-focus in a movie flashback. This may have been composer/producer Simon Jeffes' intent, but it doesn't serve the music well.
Half the fun of listening to PCO is trying to pin down the allusions and influences, the funniest being the riff from "La Bamba" played on the cuatro by Jeffes in "Giles Farnaby's Dream." However, the eclecticism makes it hard to define the market who will appreciate this music. If you like Cafe Noir, 81/2 Souvenirs, or Squirrel Nut Zippers, there's a pretty good chance you'll like this, too. But remember that Penguin Cafe Orchestra was there first.
© TiVo
You are currently listening to samples.
Listen to over 100 million songs with an unlimited streaming plan.
Listen to this playlist and more than 100 million songs with our unlimited streaming plans.
From $10.83/month
Simon Jeffes, Composer - Penguin Café Orchestra, MainArtist
2011 Editions Penguin Cafe Ltd. 2011 Editions Penguin Cafe Ltd.
Simon Jeffes, Composer - Penguin Café Orchestra, MainArtist
2011 Editions Penguin Cafe Ltd. 2011 Editions Penguin Cafe Ltd.
Simon Jeffes, Composer - Penguin Café Orchestra, MainArtist
2011 Editions Penguin Cafe Ltd. 2011 Editions Penguin Cafe Ltd.
Simon Jeffes, Composer - Penguin Café Orchestra, MainArtist
2011 Editions Penguin Cafe Ltd. 2011 Editions Penguin Cafe Ltd.
Simon Jeffes, Composer - Penguin Café Orchestra, MainArtist
2011 Editions Penguin Cafe Ltd. 2011 Editions Penguin Cafe Ltd.
Simon Jeffes, Composer - Penguin Café Orchestra, MainArtist
2011 Editions Penguin Cafe Ltd. 2011 Editions Penguin Cafe Ltd.
Simon Jeffes, Composer - Penguin Café Orchestra, MainArtist
2011 Editions Penguin Cafe Ltd. 2011 Editions Penguin Cafe Ltd.
Simon Jeffes, Composer - Penguin Café Orchestra, MainArtist
2011 Editions Penguin Cafe Ltd. 2011 Editions Penguin Cafe Ltd.
Simon Jeffes, Composer - Penguin Café Orchestra, MainArtist
2011 Editions Penguin Cafe Ltd. 2011 Editions Penguin Cafe Ltd.
Simon Jeffes, Composer - Penguin Café Orchestra, MainArtist
2011 Editions Penguin Cafe Ltd. 2011 Editions Penguin Cafe Ltd.
Simon Jeffes, Composer - Penguin Café Orchestra, MainArtist
2011 Editions Penguin Cafe Ltd. 2011 Editions Penguin Cafe Ltd.
Simon Jeffes, Composer - Penguin Café Orchestra, MainArtist
2011 Editions Penguin Cafe Ltd. 2011 Editions Penguin Cafe Ltd.
Simon Jeffes, Composer - Penguin Café Orchestra, MainArtist
2011 Editions Penguin Cafe Ltd. 2011 Editions Penguin Cafe Ltd.
Simon Jeffes, Composer - Penguin Café Orchestra, MainArtist
2011 Editions Penguin Cafe Ltd. 2011 Editions Penguin Cafe Ltd.
Simon Jeffes, Composer - Penguin Café Orchestra, MainArtist
2011 Editions Penguin Cafe Ltd. 2011 Editions Penguin Cafe Ltd.
Simon Jeffes, Composer - Penguin Café Orchestra, MainArtist
2011 Editions Penguin Cafe Ltd. 2011 Editions Penguin Cafe Ltd.
Simon Jeffes, Composer - Penguin Café Orchestra, MainArtist
2011 Editions Penguin Cafe Ltd. 2011 Editions Penguin Cafe Ltd.
Giles Farnaby, Composer - Penguin Café Orchestra, MainArtist
2011 Editions Penguin Cafe Ltd. 2011 Editions Penguin Cafe Ltd.
Simon Jeffes, Composer - Penguin Café Orchestra, MainArtist
2011 Editions Penguin Cafe Ltd. 2011 Editions Penguin Cafe Ltd.
Simon Jeffes, Composer - Penguin Café Orchestra, MainArtist
2011 Editions Penguin Cafe Ltd. 2011 Editions Penguin Cafe Ltd.
Album review
This two-disc live program of music spanning the history of the group from the early 1970s to the early 1990s is remarkable not only for the quality of the music, but for the absolute hush of the audience; there's not a cough or a clap out of them. We are thus left free from distraction to enjoy PCO's unique combination of old-time parlor stylings, park bandstand music, folk, and classical. Emotionally, the mélange adds up to a wistful yet hopeful nostalgia. Intellectually, it's fascinating to watch the kaleidoscopic interplay of elements, such as the minimalist factor that enters the mix in "Numbers 1-4" with its Glass-like repeated gallop.
The music is all instrumental (it really is all small orchestra), but the possible sameness of the sound is broken up by clever arrangements and a little variation in the instruments, as with the occasional harmonium and the ukulele featured on the all-out hoe-down "Beanfields" (not to mention the telephonesounds on "Telephone and Rubber Band"). The instruments are unfortunately pushed too far back in the sound-space, as an effect rather like a soft-focus in a movie flashback. This may have been composer/producer Simon Jeffes' intent, but it doesn't serve the music well.
Half the fun of listening to PCO is trying to pin down the allusions and influences, the funniest being the riff from "La Bamba" played on the cuatro by Jeffes in "Giles Farnaby's Dream." However, the eclecticism makes it hard to define the market who will appreciate this music. If you like Cafe Noir, 81/2 Souvenirs, or Squirrel Nut Zippers, there's a pretty good chance you'll like this, too. But remember that Penguin Cafe Orchestra was there first.
© TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 20 track(s)
- Total length: 01:41:30
- Main artists: Penguin Cafe Orchestra
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Editions Penguin Café
- Genre: Pop/Rock Rock Alternative & Indie
2011 Editions Penguin Cafe Ltd. 2011 Editions Penguin Cafe Ltd.
Improve album informationWhy buy on Qobuz?
-
Stream or download your music
Buy an album or an individual track. Or listen to our entire catalog with our high-quality unlimited streaming subscriptions.
-
Zero DRM
The downloaded files belong to you, without any usage limit. You can download them as many times as you like.
-
Choose the format best suited for you
Download your purchases in a wide variety of formats (FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF...) depending on your needs.
-
Listen to your purchases on our apps
Download the Qobuz apps for smartphones, tablets, and computers, and listen to your purchases wherever you go.