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October 14, 2010

Preludes Airs and Yodels (A Penguin Cafe Primer) - Penguin Cafe Orchestra


Y brawd's favourite selection from the wondrous oeuvre of late Simon Jeffes and chums.


Proof that the minimalist aesthetic does not preclude exuberance, invention and wit - not forgetting itchy melodies and infectious jingles. Endlessly recycled by somewhat lazy soundtrack compilers, Music For A Found Harmonium somehow remains as fresh as ever and is retooled x 2 here by Celtic folksters Patrick Street and even more appositely by The Orb. Cello work of co-founder Helen Liebmann gives root and heart to the varied ensemble configurations. Airy melodies, building rhythms and some audacious experimentation such as Telephone and Rubber Band: based around a tape loop of a UK telephone ring tone intersected with an engaged tone, accompanied by the twanging of titular elastic band.


A reminder of how the quality of randomness, spontaneity, surprise, unexpectedness and irrationality in our lives is a very precious thing.

Oddi wrth y brawd
take a seat

4 comments:

j said...

funny, i just dug this one out again, lately, and just gotten into donovan quinn as well. Also listening to a lot of Kemialliset ystavat lately. We seem to be reading from the same book.

Y Brawd said...

Uncanny. Weird even.....

check out Sky Green leopards too if you're digging Mr Quinn.

Anonymous said...

Love PCO, got a greart live vid from TV (year?)
Just to let you know, tracks 1 & 2 don't unzip/corrupted?
Best wishes

Y Brawd said...

thanks for heads up anon. will try and make time to re-up