Hey Eugene!

Pink Martini's previous album, the long awaited HANG ON, LITTLE TOMATO, was as musically accomplished as their first (SYMPATHIQUE), but seemed in some ways a bit of a step backwards. While their fascination with dreamy first love and a romantic touristic worldview seemed delightful when the band were in their twenties, it seemed a bit forced for the band members to be indulging in the same naïveté in their mid-thirties. Now two years later with HEY EUGENE! the band seems to have grown up quite a bit. Their music is as lush and sophisticated as ever, and the orchestrations as dazzlingly perfect; but their songs are less about a nostalgia for childhood fantasies of what it would be like to be a grown-up and more genuine and heartfelt. The very funny and catchy title tune perfectly captures this sense that the band members can now see romantic fantasies can lead as easily to disappointment as anything else. It's rewarding to see their lyrics and overall approach become as sophisticated as their technical accomplishments.

I first heard of Pink Martini at a dinner party. The sounds were wonderful but not until I got my own CDs did I really get hooked on their music. I can listen to the first two albums back to back without feeling tired of their sound. Naturally I had high expectations for their new album Hey Eugene. I was sorely disappointed...I guess mainly because I hyped about how good it would be. Having the album for the past two months, I have to say that it has grown on me. I really like the title track Hey Eugene and there are some other catchy songs. I wouldn't rate this group less than 5 stars and I can't wait to see them live at the Hollywood Bowl next month.

Our favorite current musical group. Love their CD's and their stage shows when they come through. Fun to have such good music from many countries. Excellent musicians and singers combined with a few big name surprises.

I'm a huge an of Pink Martini and all their albums are fantastic. You really cannot go wrong with any of them. Also, their albums are extremely well recorded. I've listened to the CD many times and it sounds great. But on a really good sound system, this LP can sound even better. I'm glad they took all the care to keep up a high audio quality standard.

This is the third CD by Pink Martini and it has been a long time coming. I prefer the first two offerings but still wanted this one in my collection. China Forbes is a remarkable singer and the original songs by members of the group are always intriguing. The ease with which the performers shift from one language to another, skip through a variety of styles and tempos, and play with amazing techniques make this music perfect for alot of occasions. Fresh and unforgettable, Pink Martini appeals to many different age groups.

Definitely not my favorite Pink Martini album. Disappointed in fact. They are so extraordinary I was looking forward to their usual exciting interpretations, but this wasn't doing it for me personally.

With their third album, Pink Martini continues their magical multicultural musical tour. Unlike the first two albums, which began with a Latin-flavored number, "Hey Eugene" begins with "Everywhere," an original song which evokes 1920's musical theater, or a film musical from the 30's or 40's. Harps, strings, and trombone accompany lead singer China Forbes' romantic delivery... very sweet and nostalgic.It doesn't take long for the Latin theme to surface, however! "Tempo Perdoto," a samba written by Brazilian composer Ataulpho Alves, features peppy brass and a high school gospel choir. It will put you in a Carnival mood (and move)."Mar Desconocido (uncharted sea)" is by Martin Zarzar, one of the percussionists in Pink Martini, with a sample of Chopin's Waltz in C Minor woven in. Someone in the group must love Frederic Chopin, as this is the second time one of his melodies artfully surfaces in a Pink Martini song. "Taya Tan" takes us back to Japan, a land Pink Martini first explored on their second album, "Hang on Little Tomato." Singing in Japanese, China Forbes delivers a pleasing, mellow blend of pop and mystery. The sparse accompaniment is seductive and soothing."City of Night", a romantic, Spanish-sounding number written by China Forbes and group founder Thomas Lauderdale, highlights the guitar skills of Dan Faehnle, Robert Taylor's horn talents, and Lauderdale's keyboard prowess. Next, "Olaja" provides a paradox of mood and message. If you don't listen to the words (which is relatively easy as the song is sung in French), it sounds like a light, frivolous number. However, read the translation which is provided, and the song becomes a dark, tragic tale: "My regrets are like stains on the shores of my hidden soul; I wish I could dry your tears and hold you desperately in my arms..."Never one turn down a language challenge, China Forbes next covers a song originally performed by Abdel Halim Hafez, an Egyptian musical superstar-- in Arabic-- "Bukra wba'do (tomorrow and the day after). The musical backing is both sexy and at times Merrie Melody cartoonesque. "Cante e Dance" is a superbly soothing duet by China Forbes and Timothy Nishimoto, guaranteed to calm your nerves and warm your soul.The funky title tune, "Hey Eugene," written by China Forbes, recounts a real-life encounter she had in New York City. Pink Martini performed this song in concert for some time before the album was released, and I had the pleasure to hear it live. I fell in love with the song instantly when I heard the lyric "I'm that chick you danced with two times through the Rufus album." The song features some superb back-up singing.Reaching back to France of the mid 1960's, the musicians of Pink Martini next tackle "Syracuse," the hit song sung by Henri Salvador (who, about to turn 90, is still huge in France). "Dosvedanya Mio Bombino (farewell my bumblebee)," an original song, is a delightful operetta that morphs into "The Happy Wanderer." It tells a tale of cultural schizophrenia and lost love.And we end, in a sense, where we started, with a song that really IS from musical theater of the 1920's and film musicals from the 30's and 40's: "Tea for Two" from "No No Nanette." The Pink Martini twist: slow things down, and have China perform the song with eighty-one year old jazz legend Jimmy Scott, who sounds eerily like an aged Billie Holliday.Pink Martini's third venture continues their unique musical mixology. Take 15 outstanding musicians, throw in a dash or two of additional orchestras, marching bands, and high school choirs; choose a remarkably diverse spectrum of musical genres; pour in lots of intelligence and wit. Shake and be stirred!

I have been a big fan of Pink Martini since I heard them first on NPR and bought their first album. I loved their second album, too; these two albums are among my listening favorites. When I attened a live Pink Martini concert in July, 2007, I really looked forward to hearing new songs from "Hey Eugene." The concert was great, but the new songs didn't seem to match the quality and intensity of the music from the previous two albums. There's nothing new in "Hey Eugene," and some of the music is actually trite (especially the title song). The best song on the album is the Portugese song "Sing and Dance"--it matches the best of the former two collections. "Hey Eugene" is not a bad album, it's just a disappointing follow up.

Pink Martini are a wonderful band. I discovered them a few years ago when I heard Michael Parkinson played a track on his Sunday program on Radio 2..... He said in his introduction that this was something different and that you will either get it or you won't.... Thankfully I did....Next stop Amazon..... CD delivered and I have never look back...... but shuush ...... don't tell anyone else.When they come on tour to somewhere near you make sure you go and see them playing live - You will not be disappointed.This is a great album.... make sure you buy it.

The first Pink Martini was good; the second was better - but this, their third, is best! (How will they fare on their fourth, I wonder?!)This is a mixture of very original interpretations of music from all over this planet, and songs that are composed by Pink Martini. Even the new compostitions sound like they've been around all the time - they have that classic, evergreen atmosphere about them.Pink Martini do not have one single banal note in their musical bones - everything is fresh and surprising and there's a lot of humour in here as well - the quirky selection of tunes alone will make you smile. Pink Martini's knowledge of music is so beautifully in harmony with their love of it.An absoultely outstanding climax is China Forbes' duet with Jimmy Scott in a hitherto unsurpassed version of Tea for Two - sexy, slow, sweet and moving. Tea for Two never sounded better and it's a proposition you can't turn down!It's amazing to me that Pink Martini manages to create an evenly balanced whole out of melodies of such different character and culture - but they do. What a great cocktail.Please buy this album. It will be a lovely reminder to you of the summer of '07 :0)

Excellent c.d. Bought for my husband who alr day owns several of the Pink Martini c.d.'s, this is one of our favourites

Bought this on the back of the single Hey Eugene. The rest is a bit bland and boring.

Great vinyl !!

Arrived in good time, disc is fine, very happy - thanks.

I have a number of their CDs.Love their arrangements and the disco style so I purchased this one but I wish I hadn't.It is really mundane and hard to listen to, I have played it through twice but will not give it another go.Sympathique, Splendor in the Grass, and Hang on Little Tomato, are much better so my advice would be to give this one a miss

Recently discovered this superb group - so versatile and every track a winner!

Brilliant, now a commited fan

Excellent CD. Super fast delivery.

Great album

very good

Pink Martini have performed most of their new album at their live shows over the last year and, as always, they are innovative, sexy, classy and simply sublime.The evocative and individual Ms Forbes continues to delight the wonderfully diverse fan base ~ from the gay salsa couples, the guy in the tribly hat to my own 9 year old daughter who, at the Tower of London concert last summer presented her with a bouquet of roses (bought with her own pocket money) and was rewarded with a photo opportunity backstage.Yes, I have to report that the members of this 'little orchestra' are as delightful as they are talented, endlessly patient and polite to their adoring fans.Cannot wait to get their latest offering into my CD player.I have heard 'Hey Eugene' played lately on national radio in the UK ~ and not before time.Buy it and, if you don't yet have them, buy their other two albums.Relax.Enjoy.Your summer will be complete!Dx

Another brilliant CD. It was well worth the long wait. Track 2 is agin brilliant to dance (salsa) to-it is impossible to sit still-you HAVE to dance!All tracks are good listeneing and the variety of languages is again surprising.Jimmy Scott was amazing at the recent Roundhouse concert and to have him duet with China on the CD is great.I cannot understand why their following is not bigger in the UK they are the best band ever!!I buy all my friends their CD's for birthday & CHristmas gifts!!!

I have had this vinyl in my collection for a long time now. I just took it out of the package and the Vinyl has a factory defect in it. constant ticking throughout the recording. I have a Rega RP3 so I'm not playing it on some cheapo TT. Not impressed. Amazing album btw but the copy I got was junk.