Post #143367 by bigbrotiki on Fri, Feb 25, 2005 6:44 PM

In my opinion the second Pink Martini album IS dissappointing compared for the first, "Sympathique", but that was to be expected as with any "perfect" debut album (as with Goldfrapp, Portishead, etc.), the expectations were too high.

To me, Pink Martini are symptomatic of the difficulties in Lounge and Exotica music today, as elaborated by Lucas Vigor.

It is clear that these people are professional, classicly trained musicians (not hippies), and that do not fetishistically subscribe to any "subculture" or style, and actually have a LIFE. That's why their music transcends retro Lounge music, and though they play covers, becomes something new.

Latin and international influences (EXOTICA!) were part of 50s and 60s Lounge Jazz (see Cal Tjader, Eartha Kitt), and Pink Martini continues beautifully in that tradition. Yet they seem to have other interests too.

It is precisely their caliber of musicianship that is sadly lacking today to create a Lounge music scene. Like many other crafts, it was normal and plentiful in the mid-century, but the Rock'n'Roll/Free Jazz revolution cut the umbilical chord of that tradition, aborting a whole generation.

Too bad that "Little Tomato" is lacking the verve and energy of "Sympathique", it looks like they were having a great time in France and Japan, where they are very much appreciated, but maybe a bit too much of a good time. I know myself how that can be from the film business:
Boy, the crew must have had a great time shooting in Prague...but the movie itself sucks.

A little hunger is always good for art.