List of songs recorded by Pink Martini

The American musical group Pink Martini, based in Portland, Oregon, has recorded songs for six studio albums, one compilation album, and one video album featuring live concert footage.[1] Formed by Thomas Lauderdale in 1994, the group that has been described as a "mini-orchestra" performs songs of many music genres in multiple languages by lead vocalist China Forbes.[1][2] Their debut album Sympathique was released through the group's own independent record label, Heinz Records, in 1997 – subsequent recordings were also released through Heinz. The album includes three original tracks, "Sympathique", "La Soledad", and "Lullaby"; cover versions include Ernesto Lecuona's "Amado Mio", Maurice Ravel's "Boléro", "Brazil" (Ary Barroso), "Never on Sunday" (Manos Hatzidakis), and "Que Sera Sera" by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans.[3]

In the forefront is a crowd of people facing a stage. In the background are four people on a stage; a woman in the center is wearing a red dress and standing behind a microphone and the rest are men performing various instruments, including a piano, double bass and drum set.
Pink Martini performing in 2012

Hang On Little Tomato, released in 2004, features more original songs; covers include "Anna (El Negro Zumbón)" by Francesco Giordano and Roman Vatro, "Kikuchiyo to Mohshimasu" (Yoichi Suzuki, Michio Yamagami), and Heitor Villa-Lobos' "Song of the Black Swan (O canto do cysne negro)".[2] In 2007, the group released Hey Eugene! Songs include the title track, written by Forbes, and covers in several languages: "Bukra Wba'do" (Mounir Mourad, Fatehi Qorah) in Arabic, the French chanson "Ojalá", "Tempo Perdido" (Ataulfo Alves) in Portuguese, and "Taya Tan" (Taku Izumi, Michio Yamagami) in Japanese, among others. The album also features guest vocals by Little Jimmy Scott on "Tea for Two", originally written by Irving Caesar and Vincent Youmans.[4]

Pink Martini's fourth studio album, Splendor in the Grass, was released in 2009. Forbes performs songs in five languages (English, French, Italian, Neapolitan, and Spanish). Guest vocalists include Ari Shapiro on "But Now I'm Back", Chavela Vargas on "Piensa en mí", and Emilio Delgado on "Sing".[5] The group also released the video album Discover the World: Live in Concert in 2009, which features live concert footage and includes the original song "The Flying Squirrel" and a cover of Ernesto Lecuona's "Malagueña".[6] In 2010, Pink Martini released its fifth studio album, the holiday-themed Joy to the World. Christmas music includes "Do You Hear What I Hear?", "Little Drummer Boy", "Santa Baby", "Silent Night" performed in Arabic, English and German, "We Three Kings", and "White Christmas". Hanukkah music includes Danny Maseng's "Elohai, N'Tzor" and "Ocho Kandelikas" (Flory Jagoda), performed in Ladino. The album also commemorates New Year's Day with "Auld Lang Syne" and Chinese New Year with "Congratulations".[7]

The group released two albums in 2011: 1969 with Saori Yuki and A Retrospective, a compilation album with tracks from previous studio albums plus unreleased material. 1969 includes covers of "Is That All There Is?", "Mas que Nada", and "Puff, the Magic Dragon".[8] A Retrospective contains collaborations with Michael Feinstein ("How Long Will It Last?"), Georges Moustaki ("Ma Solitude"), and film director Gus Van Sant ("Moon River"), along with remixes by Johnny Dynell ("Una Notte a Napoli") and Hiroshi Wada ("Kikuchiyo to Mohshimasu").[9]

Songs

Pink Martini's lead vocalist and songwriter China Forbes performing in 2006
The group's founder Thomas Lauderdale performing in 2008
Michael Feinstein provides vocals on the track "How Long Will It Last?", originally by Max Lief and Joseph Meyer.
Film director Gus Van Sant made his singing debut on "Moon River" for the 2011 compilation album A Retrospective.[10][11]
Chavela Vargas (pictured in 2006) performs on "Piensa en mí" for Pink Martini's 2009 album Splendor in the Grass.
Emilio Delgado contributes guest vocals on Joe Raposo's "Sing" for Splendor in the Grass.
Little Jimmy Scott (pictured in 2009 on right) appears on "Tea for Two" (Irving Caesar, Vincent Youmans), recorded for Pink Martini's 2007 album Hey Eugene!
List of songs recorded by Pink Martini
SongArtist(s)Writer(s)Original releaseYearRef.
"Amado Mio"Pink MartiniDoris Fisher
Allan Roberts
Sympathique1997[3]
"And Then You're Gone"Pink MartiniChina Forbes
Thomas Lauderdale
Alex Marashian
Derek Rieth
Franz Schubert
Splendor in the Grass2009[5]
"Andalucia"Pink MartiniErnesto LecuonaSympathique1997[3]
"Anna (El Negro Zumbón)"Pink MartiniFrancesco Giordano
Roman Vatro
Hang On Little Tomato2004[2]
"Aspettami"Pink MartiniChina Forbes
Thomas Lauderdale
Hang On Little Tomato2004[2]
"Aspettami" [First Recording]Pink MartiniChina Forbes
Thomas Lauderdale
A Retrospective2011[9]
"Auld Lang Syne"Pink MartiniRobert Burns
Dirgham Sbait
Jacques Sevin
Traditional
Joy to the World2010[7]
"Autrefois"Pink MartiniChina Forbes
Thomas Lauderdale
Hang On Little Tomato2004[2]
"Bitty Boppy Betty"Pink MartiniAlex MarashianSplendor in the Grass2009[5]
"Blue Light Yokohama"Pink Martini and Saori YukiJun Hashimoto
Kyohei Tsutsumi
19692011[8]
"Boléro"Pink MartiniMaurice RavelSympathique1997[3]
"Brazil"Pink MartiniAry BarrosoSympathique1997[3]
"Bukra Wba'do"Pink MartiniMounir Mourad
Fatehi Qorah
Hey Eugene!2007[4]
"But Now I'm Back"Pink Martini featuring Ari ShapiroThomas Lauderdale
Alex Marashian
Splendor in the Grass2009[5]
"Cante e Dance"Pink MartiniPhil BakerHey Eugene!2007[4]
"City of Night"Pink MartiniChina Forbes
Thomas Lauderdale
Hey Eugene!2007[4]
"Clementine"Pink MartiniChina Forbes
Thomas Lauderdale
Hang On Little Tomato2004[2]
"Congratulations (A Happy New Year Song)"Pink MartiniChen GexinJoy to the World2010[7]
"Dansez-vous"Pink MartiniChina Forbes
Robert Taylor
Hang On Little Tomato2004[2]
"Do You Hear What I Hear?"Pink MartiniGloria Shayne Baker
Noël Regney
Joy to the World2010[7]
"Donde Estas Yolanda?"Pink MartiniManuel JiménezSympathique1997[3]
"Donde Estas Yolanda?" [China Forbes Vocals Version]Pink MartiniManuel JiménezA Retrospective2011[9]
"Dosvedanya Mio Bombino"Pink MartiniChina Forbes
Maya Forbes
Hey Eugene!2007[4]
"Du Soleil Plein Les Yeux (Eyes Full of Sun)"Pink Martini and Saori YukiCatherine Desage
Frances Lai
19692011[8]
"Elohai, N'tzor"Pink MartiniDanny MasengJoy to the World2010[7]
"Everywhere"Pink MartiniChina Forbes
Thomas Lauderdale
Hey Eugene!2007[4]
"The Flying Squirrel"Pink MartiniThomas Lauderdale
Robert Taylor
Discover the World: Live in Concert2009[6]
[12]
"The Gardens of Sampson & Beasley"Pink MartiniChina Forbes
Thomas Lauderdale
Hang On Little Tomato2004[2]
"Hey Eugene"Pink MartiniChina ForbesHey Eugene!2007[4]
"How Long Will It Last?"Pink Martini featuring Michael FeinsteinMax Lief
Joseph Meyer
A Retrospective2011[9]
"Ii Janaino Shiawase Naraba (It's Okay If I'm Happy)"Pink Martini and Saori YukiTokiko Iwatani
Taku Izumi
19692011[8]
"Is That All There Is?"Pink Martini and Saori YukiRena Connor
Yoshia Kurosaki
Thomas Lauderdale
Jerry Leiber
Tadashi Nagoi
Camellia Nieh
Satomi Sano
Mike Stoller
Masumi Timson
Stephen Timson
Mas Yatabe
19692011[8]
"Kikuchiyo to Mohshimasu"Pink MartiniYoichi Suzuki
Michio Yamazaki
Hang On Little Tomato2004[2]
"Kikuchiyo to Mohshimasu" [The Hiroshi Wada Mix]Pink MartiniYoichi Suzuki
Michio Yamazaki
A Retrospective2011[9]
"Kisetsu no Ashioto (Footsteps of the Seasons)"Pink Martini and Saori YukiYasushi Akimoto
Hitoshi Haba
19692011[8]
"La Soledad"Pink MartiniFrédéric Chopin
Thomas Lauderdale
Pepe Raphael
Sympathique1997[3]
"La Vergine Degli Angeli"Pink Martini featuring the Pacific Youth ChoirFrancesco Maria Piave
Giuseppe Verdi
Joy to the World2010[7]
"Let's Never Stop Falling in Love"Pink MartiniChina Forbes
Thomas Lauderdale
Hang On Little Tomato2004[2]
"Lilly"Pink MartiniChina Forbes
Thomas Lauderdale
Hang On Little Tomato2004[2]
"Little Drummer Boy"Pink MartiniKatherine Kennicott Davis
Henry Onorati
Harry Simeone
Joy to the World2010[7]
"Lullaby"Pink MartiniChina Forbes
Thomas Lauderdale
Sympathique1997[3]
"Ma Solitude"Pink Martini featuring Georges MoustakiGeorges MoustakiA Retrospective2011[9]
"Malagueña"Pink MartiniErnesto LecuonaDiscover the World: Live in Concert2009[6]
[12]
"The Man with the Big Sombrero"Pink MartiniPhil Boutelje
Foster Carling
A Retrospective2011[9]
"Mar Desconocido"Pink MartiniFrédéric Chopin
Martín Zarzar
Hey Eugene!2007[4]
"Mas que Nada"Pink Martini and Saori YukiJorge Ben
Fumio Nagata
19692011[8]
"Mayonaka no Bossa Nova (Midnight Bossa Nova)"Pink Martini and Saori YukiJun Hashimoto
Kyohei Tsutumi
19692011[8]
"Moon River"Pink Martini featuring Gus Van SantHenry Mancini
Johnny Mercer
A Retrospective2011[9]
"Never on Sunday"Pink MartiniManos HatzidakisSympathique1997[3]
"New Amsterdam"Pink MartiniMoondogSplendor in the Grass2009[5]
"Ninna nanna"Pink MartiniMassimo Audiello
Alba Clemente
Splendor in the Grass2009[5]
"Ninna nanna" [Reprise]Pink MartiniMassimo Audiello
Alba Clemente
Splendor in the Grass2009[5]
"No Hay Problema"Pink MartiniJacques MarraySympathique1997[3]
"Ocho Kandelikas (Eight Little Candles)"Pink MartiniFlory JagodaJoy to the World2010[7]
"Ohayoo Ohio (Hello Ohio)"Pink MartiniDan FaehnleSplendor in the Grass2009[5]
"Ojala"Pink MartiniChina Forbes
Thomas Lauderdale
Daniel Lemay
Timothy Nishimoto
Luisa Quiñoy
Hey Eugene!2007[4]
"Où est ma tête?"Pink MartiniChina Forbes
Thomas Lauderdale
Alex Marashian
Splendor in the Grass2009[5]
"Over the Valley"Pink MartiniChina Forbes
Thomas Lauderdale
Splendor in the Grass2009[5]
"Piensa en mí"Pink Martini featuring Chavela VargasAgustín Lara
Maria Teresa Lara
Splendor in the Grass2009[5]
"Puff, the Magic Dragon"Pink Martini and Saori YukiLeonard Lipton
Akira Nogami
Peter Yarrow
19692011[8]
"Que Sera Sera"Pink MartiniJay Livingston
Ray Evans
Sympathique1997[3]
"Santa Baby"Pink MartiniJoan Javits
Philip Springer
Joy to the World2010[7]
"Shchedryk (Ukrainian Bell Carol)"Pink Martini featuring the Pacific Youth ChoirMykola LeontovychJoy to the World2010[7]
"Silent Night"Pink Martini featuring the Portland BoychoirFranz Xaver Gruber
Joseph Mohr
John Freeman Young
Joy to the World2010[7]
"Sing"Pink Martini featuring Emilio DelgadoJoe RaposoSplendor in the Grass2009[5]
"A Snowglobe Christmas"Pink MartiniChina Forbes
Thomas Lauderdale
Joy to the World2010[7]
"Song of the Black Lizard"Pink MartiniAkihiro MiwaSympathique1997[3]
"Song of the Black Swan (O canto do cysne negro)"Pink MartiniHeitor Villa-LobosHang On Little Tomato2004[2]
"Splendor in the Grass"Pink MartiniThomas Lauderdale
Alex Marashian
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Splendor in the Grass2009[5]
"Sunday Table"Pink MartiniChina Forbes
Thomas Lauderdale
Splendor in the Grass2009[5]
"Sympathique"Pink MartiniChina Forbes
Thomas Lauderdale
Sympathique1997[3]
"Syracuse"Pink MartiniBernard Dimey
Henri Salvador
Hey Eugene!2007[4]
"Taya Tan"Pink MartiniTaku Izumi
Michio Yamagami
Hey Eugene!2007[4]
"Tea for Two"Pink Martini featuring Little Jimmy ScottIrving Caesar
Vincent Youmans
Hey Eugene!2007[4]
"Tempo Perdido"Pink MartiniAtaulfo AlvesHey Eugene!2007[4]
"Tuca tuca"Pink MartiniGianni Boncompagni
Franco Pisano
Splendor in the Grass2009[5]
"U Plavu Zoru"Pink MartiniGavin Bondy
David Eby
China Forbes
Thomas Lauderdale
Derek Rieth
Robert Taylor
John Wager
Hang On Little Tomato2004[2]
"Una Notte a Napoli"Pink MartiniAlba Clemente
Johnny Dynell
China Forbes
Thomas Lauderdale
Hang On Little Tomato2004[2]
"Una Notte a Napoli" [DJ Johnny Dynall Remix]Pink MartiniAlba Clemente
Johnny Dynell
China Forbes
Thomas Lauderdale
A Retrospective2011[9]
"Una Notte a Napoli" [First Recording]Pink MartiniAlba Clemente
Johnny Dynell
China Forbes
Thomas Lauderdale
A Retrospective2011[9]
"Veronique"Pink MartiniThomas Lauderdale
Gregory Tozian
Hang On Little Tomato2004[2]
"Wasuretainoni (I Want to Forget You, But...)"Pink Martini and Saori YukiLarry Kolber
Barry Mann
Terunobo Okuyama
19692011[8]
"Watashi mo Anata to Naite Ii? (Consolation)"Pink Martini and Saori YukiGo Misawa19692011[8]
"We Three Kings"Pink MartiniJohn Henry Hopkins, Jr.Joy to the World2010[7]
"White Christmas"Pink MartiniIrving BerlinJoy to the World2010[7]
"White Christmas, Pt. 2"Pink Martini featuring Saori YukiIrving Berlin
Tatsuro Yamashita
Joy to the World2010[7]
"Yoake No Scat (Melody for a New Dawn)"Pink Martini and Saori YukiTaku Izumi
Michio Yamagami
19692011[8]
"Yuuzuki (Evening Moon)"Pink Martini and Saori YukiRei Nakanishi
Miki Takahashi
19692011[8]

References

General
  • "Pink Martini: Songs". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved March 16, 2013.
  • "Pink Martini: Discography". PinkMartini.com. Archived from the original on December 9, 2011. Retrieved March 16, 2013.
Specific