Pink Martini Album: “Joy To the World”

At the end of the year, we'll usually see Christmas CDs out in the market. Most of them are cliché and sounded just about the same of those we purchased several years ago.

But not this one!

Sure, only 1 out of 14 tracks is Pink Martini original, but Pink Martini's interpretation of the other 13 are unique & beautifully arranged. In addition to the "white Christmas" feeling kind of songs, I was surprised to hear "Congratulations - A Happy New Year Song", a Chinese New Year tunes from 1946, sung beautifully by China and Timothy. Another one is "Auld Lang Syne" sung in 3 languages with carnival theme & cavaquinho/ukelele in the background. The most "fun" Auld Lang Syne I've ever listened to.

This is not a typical cliché Christmas CD, but a collection of unique & beautifully arranged new year songs. If this is what you have been looking for, your search is over.

For those considering MP3/digital purchase, don't do it. Like other Pink Martini albums, many songs are sung in foreign languages. Those who don't speak French, Hebrew, Chinese, Italian, Arabic, Japanese, German, Ladino(Ocho kandelikas) and Ukranian (yes, those languages are in this CD), might not be able to fully appreciate the music with out a booklet with all original lyrics & translations that comes with the CD.

Get one for yourself, get several more for your friends & family. Spread the joy.

What a joy!! I just picked the CD up the other day! This eclectic band or "little orchestra" has done it again!

The album has a true excitement and a passion for the holiday season without being a rehash of the "tried and true" usual fare of Christmas Albums. Each track is fresh and thoughtful in it's approach and tone with excellent structure, arrangements and musicianship.

If you only buy one holiday album this year- pick this one!!

Joy to the World

Released in 2010 - Heinz Records

1. White Christmas White Christmas"

...sung by China Forbes in English gorgeous

2. White Christmas (part II) feauring Saori Yuki

.... in Japanese. - way cool

3. Shchedryk (Ukrainian Bell Carol)

...stunning recording

4. Santa Baby

...sung by China Forbes poppy and fun not a sex kitteny approach

5. Elohai, N'tzor

...sung by China Forbes, Ida Rae Cahana & Ari Shapiro - - beautiful

6. Little Drummer Boy

... timeless with a modern take on the great beat!!

7. Congratulations - A Happy New Year Song

... really neat!!

8. Do You Hear What I Hear?

... I had no idea it was written during the Cuban Missile Crisis- great back beat

9. La Vergine Degli Angeli

... beautiful recording

10. We Three Kings

... modern take on the rhythms

11. A Snowglobe Christmas

... original westerny- hawaiian slack guitar fun

12. Ocho Kandelikas (Eight Little Candles)

... definitely a Pink Martini beat!! - China Forbes & Ari Shapiro

13. Silent Night

... love the choir

14. Auld Lang Syne

... really fun in multiple languages - make you look for the Brazilian drum corp!

I would give this CD 25 stars if I could!

Top five reasons to buy this album:

5) While I still hold that Kitka's rendition of "Schedryk" is the best I've ever heard, Pink Martini really hits it out of the park with their rendition of the traditional Ukranian "Carol of the Bells."

4) "Elohai N'tzor," which is a traditional Hebrew tune which loosely translates to "guide my words to be kind."

3) One of the tracks features NPR's own Ari Shapiro singing in an ancient Sephardic Jewish language.

2) Singing an album in six different languages already set the difficulty score on this album into the stratosphere. Now try making "Little Drummer Boy" sound fresh and original. Check.

1) Little Drummer Boy aside, China Forbes uses masterful vocal control on "Silent Night," with the result being an elegant, minimalist approach that lets the beauty of the song speak for itself.

I hate Christmas music, but for "Joy to the World," I will gladly make an exception.

A fantastic musical, holiday tour around the world, featuring a remarkable group of musicians and guests.

Pink Martini honors Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa in their native languages in beautiful music and songs.

A delightful conglomeration of cheers to brighten up the holidays.

I don't play it over and over like I did some of their CDs but I do like it. Not a rave but a "good"