About this item

‘Penguin Cafe Orchestra’ is the 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 and 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).

The cover painting is by Emily Young.

‘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 Boston Globe opined that “this is one of the most eccentric records released this or any year... It’s also one of the most delightful.”

In 2021, ‘Penguin Cafe Orchestra’ was named among The Fifty Best Albums Of 1981 by Spin.

This repress uses the 2008 remaster.

TRACK LISTING

Air À Danser
Yodel 1
Telephone And Rubber Band
Cutting Branches For A Temporary Shelter
Pythagora's Trousers
Numbers 1-4
Yodel 2
Salty Bean Fumble
Paul's Dance
The Ecstasy Of Dancing Fleas
Walk Don't Run
Flux
Simon's Dream
Harmonic Necklace
Steady State