Featuring Saori Yuki's Soaring Vocals! The Barbara Streisand of Japan! A Brilliant Collaboration with Magical Arrangements & Stellar Musicianship!
In 1994 in his hometown of Portland, Oregon, Thomas Lauderdale was working in politics, thinking that one day he would run for mayor. Like other eager politicians-in-training, he went to every political fundraiser under the sun but was dismayed to find the music at these events underwhelming, lackluster, loud and un-neighborly. Drawing inspiration from music from all over the world crossing genres of classical, jazz and old- fashioned pop and hoping to appeal to conservatives and liberals alike, he founded the little orchestra Pink Martini in 1994 to provide more beautiful and inclusive musical soundtracks for political fundraisers for causes such as civil rights, affordable housing, the environment, libraries, public broadcasting, education and parks. One year later, Lauderdale called China Forbes, a Harvard classmate who was living in New York City, and asked her to join Pink Martini. They began to write songs together.
Widely considered to be the Barbara Streisand of Japan, Saori Yuki released her debut album in Japan in 1969 and has gone on to make over 30 albums in her 42 year-career. Yuki discovered Pink Martini after the band covered her song Taya Tan for their 2007 album Hey Eugene! Most recently, Yuki sang a verse of White Christmas in Japanese for the bands hit 2010 holiday album Joy To The World.
In honor of the year of her debut release, Saori Yuki partnered with Pink Martini and producer Thomas M. Lauderdale to create a loving tribute to the music released in 1969. Featuring Japanese pop hits alongside internationally recognized tunes like Jorge Bens Mas que nada and Puff the Magic Dragon, 1969 is a brilliant collaboration, with Thomas M. Lauderdales magical arrangements, Pink Martinis stellar musicianship, and Saori Yukis soaring vocals.
"'Yuuzuki (Evening Moon)''s sweeping drama and the torchy intimacy of 'Ii Janaino Shiawase Naraba (It's Okay If I'm Happy)' are among the moments that do the most justice to Yuki's still-soaring voice. Like Streisand, she sounds wonderful singing just about anything... Pink Martini fans and Yuki fans will find a lot to enjoy here." - Heather Phares, allmusic.com
"The love and respect Saori Yuki and Pink Martini have for the pop tradition shine through on every track." - Japan Times
Features:
• Vinyl LP
• Limited Time Free MP3 Download Coupon of Entire Album
• Includes Bonus Track
Selections:
1. Yuuzuki (Evening Moon)
2. Mayonsks no bossa nova (Midnight bossa nova)
3. Du soleil plein les yeux (Eyes full of sun)
4. Puff, the magic dragon
5. li janaino shiawase naraba (It's okay if I'm happy)
6. Blue light Yokohama
7. Yoake no scat (Melody for a new dawn)
8. Mas que nada
9. Is that all there is?
10. Watashi mo anata to naite ii? (Consolation)
11. Wasuretainoni (I want to forget you, but...)
12. Kisetsu no ashioto (Footsteps of the seasons) (bonus track)
In 1994 in his hometown of Portland, Oregon, Thomas Lauderdale was working in politics, thinking that one day he would run for mayor. Like other eager politicians-in-training, he went to every political fundraiser under the sun but was dismayed to find the music at these events underwhelming, lackluster, loud and un-neighborly. Drawing inspiration from music from all over the world crossing genres of classical, jazz and old- fashioned pop and hoping to appeal to conservatives and liberals alike, he founded the little orchestra Pink Martini in 1994 to provide more beautiful and inclusive musical soundtracks for political fundraisers for causes such as civil rights, affordable housing, the environment, libraries, public broadcasting, education and parks. One year later, Lauderdale called China Forbes, a Harvard classmate who was living in New York City, and asked her to join Pink Martini. They began to write songs together.
Widely considered to be the Barbara Streisand of Japan, Saori Yuki released her debut album in Japan in 1969 and has gone on to make over 30 albums in her 42 year-career. Yuki discovered Pink Martini after the band covered her song Taya Tan for their 2007 album Hey Eugene! Most recently, Yuki sang a verse of White Christmas in Japanese for the bands hit 2010 holiday album Joy To The World.
In honor of the year of her debut release, Saori Yuki partnered with Pink Martini and producer Thomas M. Lauderdale to create a loving tribute to the music released in 1969. Featuring Japanese pop hits alongside internationally recognized tunes like Jorge Bens Mas que nada and Puff the Magic Dragon, 1969 is a brilliant collaboration, with Thomas M. Lauderdales magical arrangements, Pink Martinis stellar musicianship, and Saori Yukis soaring vocals.
"'Yuuzuki (Evening Moon)''s sweeping drama and the torchy intimacy of 'Ii Janaino Shiawase Naraba (It's Okay If I'm Happy)' are among the moments that do the most justice to Yuki's still-soaring voice. Like Streisand, she sounds wonderful singing just about anything... Pink Martini fans and Yuki fans will find a lot to enjoy here." - Heather Phares, allmusic.com
"The love and respect Saori Yuki and Pink Martini have for the pop tradition shine through on every track." - Japan Times
Features:
• Vinyl LP
• Limited Time Free MP3 Download Coupon of Entire Album
• Includes Bonus Track
Selections:
1. Yuuzuki (Evening Moon)
2. Mayonsks no bossa nova (Midnight bossa nova)
3. Du soleil plein les yeux (Eyes full of sun)
4. Puff, the magic dragon
5. li janaino shiawase naraba (It's okay if I'm happy)
6. Blue light Yokohama
7. Yoake no scat (Melody for a new dawn)
8. Mas que nada
9. Is that all there is?
10. Watashi mo anata to naite ii? (Consolation)
11. Wasuretainoni (I want to forget you, but...)
12. Kisetsu no ashioto (Footsteps of the seasons) (bonus track)
