How about some "colorful" music in this vivid holiday season? An intoxicating mix with Pink Martini, Michael Torke, and Coldplay...
They鈥檝e actually sold a couple million albums鈥�. Founded in 1994 to perform at progressive political fundraisers, the Portland, Oregon-based group, Pink Martini, always serves up their musical cocktails with a twist. For example, last year's holiday release, "Joy to the World," opens with an English version of Irving Berlin鈥檚 "White Christmas" with Marilyn Monroe-esque crooning, then a Japanese version of this chestnut! In case you missed it on PBS, here鈥檚 a taste of Pink Martini beyond the holidaze.
On another slightly curious note, NPR just released their First on their list is "Fiji" -- "a 17-minute sashay through Michael Torke鈥檚 deliriously colorful, imaginary tropical landscape.鈥� I confess being a long-time fan of this inventive composer. True, some called a new unveiling by him, 鈥淭orke鈥檚 turkey,鈥� but his rhythmic and percussive orchestral soundscapes are like nothing you've likely heard. Perhaps that鈥檚 because he鈥檚 a rare fellow, a synesthete - he sees colors when hearing music. Hence, his pieces are often so named: Bright Blue Music, Charcoal, Ecstatic Orange. Here鈥檚 a performance of Michael Torke鈥檚 "Green."
Keeping our colorful theme, how about violet now --"Violet Hill" by England's Coldplay from their previous project. Their latest album is called Mylo Xyloto, of which Q Magazine said: "Music this uplifting, this inspirational, belongs among the stars."
(Oh, I can't resist: If you're partial to orange, check out the series on YouTube for light-hearted fruity grins in this fruit-cake season.)
