Hammersmith Apollo
10 November 07
www.pinkmartini.com
“Pink Martini is like a romantic Hollywood musical of the 1940s or 50s – but with a global perspective which is modern,” Founder and artistic director Thomas M. Lauderdale.
The Portland, Oregon-based ‘little orchestra’ was founded in 1994 by Lauderdale, a classically trained pianist at Harvard. It was here he met China Forbes, Pink Martini’s “diva next door” lead vocalist. The two would entertain the campus late into the night, Forbes singing Verdi and Puccini arias while Lauderdale accompanied her on piano. Three years later, Lauderdale called Forbes in New York, where she’d been writing songs and playing guitar in her own folk-rock project, and asked her to join Pink Martini. ...The rest, as they say - is history!
Pink Martini’s debut album, “Sympathique,” was released independently in 1997 on the band’s own label Heinz Records (named after Lauderdale’s dog) and quickly became an international phenomenon, earning the group nominations for “Song of the Year” and “Best New Artist” in France’s Victoires de la Musique Awards. Seven long years later the high-anticipated follow-up, “Hang on Little Tomato,” was released and climbed to #1 on Amazon.com’s best sellers list. Now “Hey Eugine,” the bands third album has further propelled them into super stardom!
OK... THE GIG. Brilliant. A sell-out Apollo was treated to a really wonderful show! Starting with a deliciously slow burning cover of 'Bolero' and ending with a hi-camp rendition of 'Brazil.'
...China sang her heart out while the band wrapped luscious strings, brass and infectious Latin beats around her every, beautifully delivered word... AHHHH BLISS!
...Get drunk on Pink Martini, you owe it to yourself!
9 out of 10