S.O.D. "Telephone and Rubberband" by Penguin Cafe Orchestra

7/14/2016      Quite an amazing group of musicians formed by Simon Jeffes in 1972, England.  Jeffes was a classically trained guitarist, composer and arranger who, along with cellist and co-founder Helen Liebmann, remained constant throughout the group's tenure.  It's difficult to pinpoint the genres flowing from this talented ensemble, although the classifications of new age, folk and chamber jazz are mentioned.  Jeffes' compositions are also compared to the works of Philip Glass, one of the most respected and influential composers of the late 20th century.  

     The group played for 24 years, touring the world and becoming very popular.  Nine studio albums and 17 soundtrack albums are to their credit including "Napoleon Dynamite" and the 1982 film "Night Shift" starring Michael Keaton and Henry Winkler.  In 1997 Simon Jeffes left us due to an inoperable brain tumor.  Members of the original band continued to play for the next 10 years but with no new recorded material.  They went under the new name of The Anteaters and The Orchestra That Fell to Earth.  One reason for changing their name was due to Simon's son, Arthur Jeffes, after playing with the original members, decided to start his own group with all new members simply called The Penguin Cafe.  

     The original group's other popular works are "Perpetuum Mobile" and "Music for a Found Harmonium."  In 1972 after eating some bad fish and becoming ill, Simon Jeffes had a vision which prompted him to put the group together.  You have to go out and get some of this music!!!!