Pink Martini

[jazzboCR]

Not "Alternative" in the usual sense; it's just they at one time or another play every genre invented, it seems including what's classed as "World Music--African, Arabic, you name it. Not mashups or mixtapes or any such--they treat each genre, each song with deep respect. Critics love them (7 of 8 albums are 4 stars or better) and fans have True Believer status. Other musicians especially singers just love to be with them. To get a better feel as to what they are about, here's a review of a typical album: http://www.allmusic.com/album/hang-on-li...0000259668 Putting them in the same class as Squirrel Nut Zippers q.v. is telling--both arose from the lounge-act revival of the '90's but both are so much more. Not just a covers band either--a lot of their material is new and by them. On Heinz Records because they're 57 varieties. http://pinkmartini.com/ Picking songs to present is easy--drop the needle anywhere.
3 from the 1st one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSZG3jScmf0 << How's this for being out of the starting gate at a hot trot? and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EB5p88eWHtg and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxsu9060VEg
From later: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQOsUMbU9n4 << Ravel never had it so good
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaYBZ-k3wJk << with the original Von Trapp's grandchildren. Sublime.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DrYXdAB8H0 << This works so well << China Forbes can sing well in 6 languages
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eG2ILBRIdeI << Look up "tour de force" and there will be a link to this perf
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPh3gEvGYjU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIrEaiTKJ8o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGTmSj_AFnA << w/ Jimmy Scott--I need to cover this guy soon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GO5WfmdPXZU << w/Rufus Wainright covering a song by his aunt
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBUZg92JOo4 << by Heitor Villa-Lobos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7E-JpPR7Gu8 << lovely clarinet
Who is Norman Leyden, you ask (as did I)? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_Leyden

BONUS: A concert in their hometown--tears of joy prevail; rapture reigns: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6E-B5RQUbE

[R_burke]

I've got most of their releases, but not liking the newer stuff as much as I like their early stuff.