Editorial Review
"This ensemble from Portland, Oregon, wowed the fabulous on the Cannes party circuit ... but that accomplishment hardly addresses the beautiful and sophisticated music of Pink Martini ... breathtaking." -- THE NEW YORKER
"No matter how Pink Martini gets described, there's always an element being overlooked, a reliance on phrases such as lounge, cosmopolitan rumba, or neo-classical that only tells part of this rich story. Impressive at every musician's station, this ensemble produces music that's charming and elegant." -- VARIETY
Pink Martini--the genre-bending, best-selling, supremely talented, and raucously fun twelve-piece ensemble that the New Yorker calls simply "beautiful," sophisticated," and "breathtaking"--returns with Hey Eugene! a twelve-track sonic journey anchored by deft songwriting and a no-holds-barred dose of cabaret showmanship. "We're kind of like musical archaeologists, bringing melodies and rhythms from different parts of the world together to create something that is modern," explains bandleader, artistic director, and founder Thomas Lauderdale.
Delivered with sultry grace by lead singer China Forbes, Hey Eugene! shines throughout--from the golden-era Hollywood melody of "Everywhere" to the French cabaret of "Ojala." Other collaborations anchor the set as well: the pan-world "Dosvedanya, Mio Bombino" with its Latin-meets-Russian beat and globetrotting subject matter, plus the Forbes-Lauderdale-penned sexy sway of "City of Night." Peruvian percussionist Martin Zarzar debuts the romantically complex "Mar Desconocido" and bassist Phil Baker adds the quiet beauty of "Cante e Dance." The group also mines the past for hidden gems, including the Japanese-language track "Taya Tan" and their first-ever recording in Arabic, "Bukra wba'do." Meanwhile, clever lyricism leads to an empowering dose of pop perfection on the title track by Forbes (about a boy she met at a party who asked for her number and never called). Finally, jazz legend Jimmy Scott makes a stunning vocal guest appearance in a duet with Forbes on the closing song "Tea for Two."
With Hey Eugene! Pink Martini has returned with an exhilarating album full of uncompromising musicianship, hope, beauty, and joy!
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Customer Reviews
Good (but not quite as good as previous work) 
2008-02-01
I liked this but I don't think it is quite as good as their previous two albums. The lyrics were not as unique or playful compared to the songs in Hang On Little Tomato (referring to Lily, Hang On to the Vine, and Clementine tracks). And the overall album wasn't quite as refreshing and wonderful as Sympathetique. The performances still have that wonderful ballroom meets big band, and orchestra with terrific international flavor. I will still eagerly await Pink Martini's next venture, but didn't like this quite as much as earlier work.
DickB 2008-01-13
Just about anything Pink Martini does is good. Great vocals with international flavor. Good arrangements. Not quite as good ad there first CD, but still solid.
Best CD of last year 
2008-01-10
Wow...this was a revelation. the vocals, instrumentation, material..everything. China Forbes and the rest of this wonderful group have to be one of the best things to happen to music in a long time. Every song is a winner. they effortlessly shift between styles, languages and moods but still have very distinctive sound. Personal favorite is "Hey Eugene", also loved the cover of "Tea for two" with Jimmy Scott. waiting for more!
Great fun 2008-01-03
A friend gave us "Hey Eugene" by Pink Martini as a Christmas present and i will be forever grateful. The album has been well and accurately reviewed here on Amazon and everyone has favorite tracks. Frankly, I liked them all; but what I liked most about this collection and the group is the total originality involved in the production and the great places the music takes the listener. Whether its old American standards, Latin, Japanese, Arabic, etc., it's all a great trip. I'm definitely getting the group's other albums.
They're Back!! 2007-12-28
For those of you (like me) who loved Sympathique, but were left for wanting with Hang on Little Tomato... well, this is a great new cd. While it still has the easily accessible songs, it also has some real gems with international flair and what feels to be huge orchestral productions. I have fallen in love with Pink Martini all over again.
Bravo! 2008-05-09
The Pink Martinis rule when it comes to creative and
innovative cocktail music. Their unique style brings
them out in front of all others once again.
Awsome muscianship! 2008-05-09
Pink Martini has been my favorite band since their first CD Sympathique in the 90s. Their style is an indescribably delicious mix of world, jazz, swing, classical (with a twist) and new works. Good to dance to, clean house to or just lighten up your mood. Besides this, their talent, especially vocalist China Forbes, Piano and artistic director Thomas Lauderdale and Gavin Bondy on the trumpet is stunning. The rest of the band is top notch too including a rocking percussion section. This CD is as well produced as all their work, great depth of sound quality and variety of musical styles. If you don't already know their work it will knock your socks off. If you do know them is will satisfy your craving for more.
The Best Yet. 2008-04-16
Magnificent. I feel this album is their best work yet. The diversity and strength of the group shines through every piece on this album. Too many favorite songs to mention. Every song is a joy to listen to. Taya Tan just oozes with style, feels like I've stepped into a Wong Kar Wai film (I know, it's Japanese vs. Chinese but the feel is still there)...Ojala is so catchy my 3 year old sings and dances along....and Eugene is a great contemporary feeling song...finally, Tea for Two is a true Gem of a duet with pure sincerity....I've listened to this CD over and over since it was released and have yet to get tired of the songs.
Great job Pink Martini....Every album just gets better and better.
A Fine 3rd from Pink Martini 2008-04-13
"Hey Eugene" is an expansion of the first two Pink Martini CDs, only showing us a bit more diversity in their musical repertore. Along with songs in English, Spanish, French, etc. that were present previously, they have now added Japanese to their song languages. Pink Martini is hard to pin down to a particular style: they may be called diverse, a parody, a small orchestra, a band, a lounge act, and probably several other incomplete descriptions. You may accurately call them fun and entertaining, though, and "Hey Eugene" is certainly that.
Sublime 2008-02-06
Everything about this album is good. I heard the title track and just bought it on the strength of that. If you like those tracks that ooze tragedy and cinematic melodrama then you need to hear the Sabotage album by Gamine. We ned more music like this!
