Jul 6, 2007

Pink Martini's musical mix intoxicates

By Paul Freeman / Entertainment Writer

Pink Martini's new CD, "Hey Eugene," debuted at No. 1 on Amazon.com. No one expected such widespread acceptance for a retro revel that melds eras, genres and cultures, and includes numbers sung in Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, Arabic, French and Spanish.

"All of us in the band are just delighted to be able to travel and play music," says the Portland, Ore.-based group's leader, Thomas M. Lauderdale. "None of us really anticipated that any of our albums would be so well received.

"The instrumentation is so diverse. There's a string section and a brass section. Percussion. I play piano, guitar and bass. It's quite possible to create a whole bunch of different sounds within the course of a set. That, in addition to having this multilingual repertoire keeps it constantly shifting."

Many of the band members, including Lauderdale, are classically trained. But they also enjoy veering into jazz, Afro-Cuban and Brazilian. "It's an intersection between classical music, old-fashioned pop and world music," he says.

Pink Martini's success gives indication that audiences are opening up to more eclectic sounds. "The thing about the band that's so unique is the global repertoire. What ties it all together is that the melodies are beautiful ... and hopefully the lyrics are beautiful, too."

Even the most familiar songs gain freshness via Pink Martini's interpretations. A highlight on "Hey Eugene" is vocalist China Forbes' duet with Little Jimmy Scott on "Tea for Two."

"If we're covering a song that was written years ago, it's important to add something new with your approach," Lauderdale said, and added, "Recently, we've chosen to re-create certain atmospheres almost exactly; if they're so obscure, they wouldn't necessarily be known outside of their countries of origination. Like 'Tya Tan,' for example, from our new album."

The group also writes originals that blend perfectly with the standards. Whatever the source material, Forbes conjures magical vocals. Lauderdale met her when they both were studying at Harvard.

"She was from more of a folk, pop, rock, theatrical background. But there was definitely something simpatico there. I don't think this is the kind of music she ever envisioned herself doing, but I always thought she'd be ideal for ... and she is.

"We always had a great time together musically. In college, we would play opera arias and we did theatrical productions together. There was always a similar joy and humor and beauty with the pieces that we worked on together."

The concept for Pink Martini evolved. "It began sort of campily, but then became more serious as we went along. There were four of us at the beginning. Right now there are 14 of us on the road. It's a three-ring circus," Lauderdale said.

Pink Martini has been building a devoted fan base since releasing its first CD, "Sympathique," in 1997. They are crowd pleasers, whether playing clubs, outdoor festivals or formal halls. For its upcoming local dates, Pink Martini will be joined by the San Francisco Symphony.

"It's a great orchestra and Davies Hall is beautiful. Because a lot of the repertoire is like a '40s Hollywood musical with a full orchestra, you get a richer sound."

A stimulating juxtaposition of pathos and celebration dances within the music. "Most of the songs have a simultaneity of sadness and hope. A piece like 'Brazil' is very melancholy, bittersweet and also joyous. The most successful pieces have that simultaneity."

Lauderdale, who's involved in such issues as animal rights, gay rights, clean water and public broadcasting, sees an inherent political undertone to Pink Martini.

"We're trying to reclaim the diversity of America in music and pop culture. The songs themselves aren't overtly political. They're not protest songs. But there is an element of diplomacy, and also sort of a message of openness in the music."

The musically artful Lauderdale has always been drawn to an eclectic range of sounds. "When I make mix compilations or tapes of my favorite music, it's always all over the map, from Schubert to the Maori Children's Choir from New Zealand to Melina Mercouri to Japanese folk songs."

The only common element is the beauty inherent in the music. "For me, that's what it all boils down to."

Lauderdale considers himself a musical archaeologist. "When I go to a new city, I always make a beeline for the record stores. Also libraries. People suggest songs, especially when we travel to other countries. It's lovely."

That fascination makes Pink Martini's horizons limitless. "There are so many different directions we could explore. It's exciting."