music.wikisort.org - Composition

Penguin Cafe Orchestra is the self-titled second studio album by the Penguin Cafe Orchestra, released in 1981, and recorded between 1977 and 1980. By this album, the line-up for the band had expanded greatly, with contribution including Simon Jeffes, Helen Leibmann, Steve Nye, Gavyn Wright of the original quartet, as well as Geoff Richardson, Peter Veitch, Braco, Giles Leamna, Julio Segovia and Neil Rennie. All pieces were composed by Simon Jeffes except for "Paul's Dance" (Jeffes and Nye), "Cutting Branches" (traditional), and "Walk Don't Run" (by Johnny Smith).

Penguin Cafe Orchestra
Studio album by Penguin Cafe Orchestra
Released	1981
Recorded	1977–1980
Genre	Ambient,[1] chamber jazz
Length	47:28
Label	E.G.
Producer	Simon Jeffes
Penguin Cafe Orchestra chronology
Music from the Penguin Cafe (1976) Penguin Cafe Orchestra (1981) The Penguin Cafe Orchestra Mini Album (1983)

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[2]
Robert Christgau	A−[1]

In 2021, Penguin Cafe Orchestra was named among the fifty best albums of 1981 by Spin.[3]

"Cutting Branches for a Temporary Shelter" is based on the traditional Zimbabwean song "Nhemamusasa", a field recording of which can be heard played on mbira on the Nonesuch Records album The Soul of the Mbira.

The cover painting is by Emily Young.

Track listing

All tracks composed by Simon Jeffes; except where indicated

Side 1

1. "Air à Danser" - 4:27
2. "Yodel 1" - 4:00
3. "Telephone and Rubber Band" - 2:25
4. "Cutting Branches for a Temporary Shelter" (Traditional; arranged by Simon Jeffes) - 3:36
5. "Pythagoras's Trousers" - 3:14
6. "Numbers 1-4" - 6:46

Side 2

1. "Yodel 2" - 4:25
2. "Salty Bean Fumble" - 2:07
3. "Paul's Dance" (Simon Jeffes, Steve Nye) - 1:37
4. "The Ecstasy of Dancing Fleas" - 3:55
5. "Walk Don't Run" (Johnny Smith) - 2:56
6. "Flux" - 1:39
7. "Simon's Dream" - 1:41
8. "Harmonic Necklace" - 1:12
9. "Steady State" - 3:28

Personnel

• Simon Jeffes - guitar, cuatro, ukulele, piano, bass, violin, Dulcitone, harmonium, shakers, drums, ring modulator, rubber band, penny whistle, electric organ
• Steve Nye - electric piano, cuatro
• Geoffrey Richardson - viola, guitar, bass, bongos, metal frame, ukulele
• Peter Veitch - accordion, violin
• Braco - shakers, drums, bongos
• Giles Leaman - oboe
• Gavyn Wright - violin
• Helen Liebmann - cello
• Julio Segovia - cymbals
• Neil Rennie - ukulele

References

---