Album Review: Pink Martini & Saori Yuki - 1969

Now, an album of covers drawn mostly from the late-'60s/early-'70s sung in Japanese with a 'mini orchestra' reinterpreting the rather distinguished songs isn't traditionally an album that would get folk excited. But somewhat cult orchestral legends Pink Martini have really pulled out an interesting collection of tracks on their collaboration with 63-year-old Japanese singer/actress, Saori Yuki.

The album opens with Yuuzuki (Evening Moon) as originally performed by Japanese composer Jun Mayuzumi, a grand track that recalls James Bond theme songs from the '70s. The pace is changed with Mayonaka No Bossa Nova (Midnight Bossa Nova) and Du Soleil Les Yeux (Eyes Full of Sun) with Yuki duetting with Timothy Nishimoto in a more laidback, almost karaoke feel. Peter, Paul & Mary's Puff The Magic Dragon is reinterpreted with a ukulele leading the charge into a lush upbeat string section which also sees Yuki flirting with the original English lyrics of the song. II Janaino Shiawase Naraba (It's Okay If I'm Happy) once again changes the pace into a more darker territory. A few of the tracks do begin to mix into each other and sound the same with the language barrier also not helping the casual listener to differentiate between the songs. A re-recording of the original Yuki track Yoake No Scat (Melody For A New Dawn) defies all that being a more guitar-based track with the majority of the vocal line being instrumental-based.

Ultimately, 1969 is an album that's not really all that accessible, but it's most definitely an interesting listen which spawns some interesting takes on classic late-'60s pop, and an album that's as ambitious musically as it is on paper.