Hang on Little Tomato :: Education by Design Store

Editorial Review
Somewhere between a 1930s Cuban dance orchestra, a classical chamber music ensemble, a Brazilian marching street band and Japanese film noir is the 12-piece Pink Martini.

Part language lesson, part Hollywood musical, the Portland, Oregon-based "little orchestra" was originally created in 1994 by Harvard-graduate Thomas M. Lauderdale to play at political fundraisers for progressive causes such as public broadcasting, clean water, libraries, civil rights and affordable housing. In the years following, Pink Martini has gone on to perform its multilingual repertoire on concert stages, in smoky clubs and with symphony orchestras throughout Europe, Greece, Turkey, Taiwan, Lebanon and the U.S.

Hang On Little Tomato, Pink Martini’s much-anticipated second album, features a collection of original songs written by the band and its extended family as well as a few undiscovered gems reinterpreted in high style. Drawing on themes articulated on Sympathique, Hang On Little Tomato is the result of the group’s diverse collaborations and inspirations. From an advertisement for Hunt’s Ketchup in a 1964 issue of Life magazine to a dance sequence in the 1950 Italian film Anna, Hang On Little Tomato includes songs in French, Italian, Japanese, Croatian, Spanish and English. "Una Notte a Napoli," for example, was written with Alba Clemente – an Italian stage and television star in the 1970s – and DJ Johnny Dynell of the legendary New York-based nightclub Jackie 60. In a reworking of the Japanese song "Kikuchiyo To Mohshimasu," Pink Martini collaborated with Hiroshi Wada, the slide guitarist whose group originally recorded and released the song in 40 years ago.

Customer Reviews

hang on little tomato

2008-06-26
Pink Martini are a Portland phonomenon. I am so happy to sing their praises. A fluke united their talent & 'the rest is history'. This album highlights the talents of all the band members, as well as several guests. Several songs are in different languages. Each member of this 'orchestra' is talented beyond belief. Their music is classical jazz/samba/blues ....fill in the blank. This is my feel good, clean the house, enjoy the day, cook an amazing meal track. It is so beautiful & uplifting. It stays in my CD & has also been a gift to several of my special friends.

Best party music EVER!

2008-06-19
We must have played this CD at least 5 times during my daughter's 21st birthday party. EVERYONE, aged 20 - 60, loved it!!

love it! charming and modern

2008-05-21
I love the arrangements and the "old style" of this music, but the lyrics are so CLEVER and fun that it feels more modern than expected. I will definetely buy more Pink Martini!

Rock Out Little Vegetable

2008-05-03
Pink Martini's second at bat is indistinguishable from its first. Listening to Hang On Little Tomato evokes many images, some of which include: angel food cake, cotton candy, champagne bubbles, cumulus clouds, fiberglass insulation, the promises of politicians, and marsh gas - because all of the aforementioned are more substantial than this music. If you're connected to life support and in a persistent vegetative state, baby, this is the CD for you!

As before, the musicianship cannot be faulted. China Forbes has an extraordinary voice and uses it to good effect. However, instead of this being a virtue, it actually condemns PM since it means they're playing this music on purpose and are perfectly capable of playing something interesting. PM continues to sound like a pick-up band at a senior center giving remedial mambo lessons. Their determination to perform in various languages, touching on the traditions of many cultures, is becoming extremely tiresome and seems more like a parlor trick every day. The unlistenable and embarrassing Kikuchiyo To Mohshimasu is only the most egregious example of this misguided showboating.

The CD is not without virtue. Let's Never Stop Falling In Love is pleasant as is The Gardens Of Sampson & Beasley, Lilly is fun, and Clementine is sweet. However, Autrefois is insufferably pretentious, while Veronique simply collapses under the weight of its affectation. It is supposed to be on those ultra-hip Chet Baker, raspy late-night jazz club talk/whisper numbers, Timothy Nishimoto is not half vocalist enough to pull it off (indeed he is consistently unconvincing in all milieus). U Plava Zoru, PM's attempt at a "major" piece, would have made good incidental music in a Bond film.

In a musical era so bankrupt that it can describe "rap" and "hip/hop" as music, as opposed to the sound of marbles being ground to powder in a garbage disposal, it is not hard to understand the popularity of Pink Martini. They are accomplished musicians and their music is, for the most part, exceptionally pleasant. Unfortunately, after a few listens, you realize that this is precisely what makes it so horrible.

Liked it!

2008-04-19
Saw Pink Martini with the National Symphony Orchestra, Washington, DC. Fabulous! As with their concert, the CD is very upbeat and entertaining. Recommend it!

Still hanging on!

2008-02-15
Somewhere between a 1930s Cuban dance orchestra, a classical chamber music ensemble, a Brazilian marching street band and Japanese film noir is the 12-piece Pink Martini.

Originally released in 1997, Sympathique met with rave reviews worldwide, finding a place within the hearts of many and selling well over a half million copies. Building its legacy through unstoppable word of mouth, select high profile symphony dates, prominent placement in film and television and fashionable private appearances, Pink Martini has returned with their highly-anticipated follow up. Hang On Little Tomato is every bit the new album Pink Martini fans have been longing for. Lush string arrangements, soaring vocals and cosmopolitan rhythms unfurl from the brilliant international hemisphere that is Pink Martini.

Range,breadth, easy to listen -this has it all 2008-02-08
If you like jazz, if you like soft rock, if you like music- then this is a must get album. Melodic, innovative,lyrical- without hesitation, one of the finest i have heard in a ling time. Without reservation- listen to it.

Hang on Little Tomato 2008-02-05
Wow! What can they not play? Covers an incredible amount of territory. Fun to listen to. Expect variety. No one sound on this CD.

Atypical 2008-01-07
This eclectic mix of music is both soothing and exciting. It'll get you up for the tango, and put you to sleep with the smooth melodies. It's not a sound that you'll find easily with any other group. Everyone who's listened to this CD has loved it.

Terrific and Uplifting 2007-10-29
This album and group are fantastic, talented, diverse, and both classic and original. China Forbes is amazing, with a lilting and lyrical voice. The lyrics are clever, charming, interesting and meaningful. The eclectic and classic musical instrument combinations are wonderful. I received this as a gift and immediately ordered their other two albums, along with the concert DVD in support Public Television. Terrific and Uplifting - I love it!