Arthur Jeffes, son of Simon Jeffes the founder of the late Penguin Cafe Orchestra, has not chosen the easiest of footsteps to follow by taking up a legacy of one of the most ingenious bands around. Despite this, all voices are shouting the same affirmation of approval for the forthcoming sophomore release ‘The Red Book’ under the new re-imagined Penguin Cafe. As I mentioned in my review of their last album ‘A Matter of Life’ the lines between familiarity and invention are difficult ones to tread, but that album proved his abilities beyond doubt producing a wonderful album which included guest Northumbrian piper, Kathryn Tickell on Landau which is still a firm favourite of mine.
I have read nothing but praise for his work and Brian Eno summed it up perfectly as “Eccentric, charming, accommodating, surprising, seductive, warm, reliable, modest and unforgettable”.
The new release has an interesting story relating to a project that Jeffes worked on with the International Space Orchestra and NASA Ames research centre in 2012, “out of which came the pieces Aurora and 1420, which have since been beamed into space as part of NASA’s Kepler project. These touchstones marked a satellitic beginning for a new album, a collection of songs that would then return to earth to undertake a rich, cross-continental, musical journey.” It features a bountiful array of instruments including Madagascan zither and it turns out that they’ve also been busy recording the last bits of the new Sam Lee & Friends album…more on that another time. The Penguin Cafe are touring through February so try and catch them if you can:
Tour Dates
Wed 12 Feb BRIDPORT Electric Palace
Thu 13 Feb SOUTHAMPTON Turner Sims
Fri 14 Feb LONDON Union Chapel
Sat 15 Feb LONDON Union Chapel
Sun 16 Feb LONDON Union Chapel
Thu 18 Feb BRIGHTON All Saints Church
Wed 19 Feb COVENTRY Warwick Arts Centre
Fri 21 Feb MANCHESTER RNCM
Sat 22 Feb LEEDS Howard Assembly Room
Sun 23 Feb GATESHEAD Sage Gateshead
Mon 24 Feb LIVERPOOL Epstein Theatre
Tue 25 Feb EDINBURGH Queens Hall
Wed 26 Feb SHEFFIELD City Hall Ballroom
The Red Book is released on 17 Feb and if you can’t wait, get a taster by grabbing the track Solaris via iTunes now.
Pre-order the album via the Penguin Cafe Shop.