The orchestra’s sound is not easily categorized, but has elements of exuberant folk music and a minimalist aesthetic occasionally reminiscent of composers such as Philip Glass.
The group toured extensively during the 1980s and early 1990s; two albums, When in Rome (1988) and Concert Program (1995), captured the sound of the live ensemble. Penguin Cafe Orchestra recorded and performed for twenty-four years until Jeffes died of a brain tumour in 1997. The tenth anniversary of Jeffes’ death was marked by the original PCO members reforming for three concerts at the Union Chapel in London in 2007.
In 2009 Simon Jeffes’ son Arthur Jeffes formed a new group called “Music from the Penguin Cafe” which plays some of the music of PCO along with Arthur’s own compositions. In 2011 Arthur’s group changed their name to simply “Penguin Cafe”.
History
After becoming disillusioned with the rigid structures of classical music and the limitations of rock music, in which he also dabbled, Jeffes became interested in the relative freedom in ethnic music and decided to imbue his work with the same sense of immediacy and spirit.
Describing how the idea of the Penguin Cafe Orchestra came to him, Jeffes said, “I was on the beach sunbathing and suddenly a poem popped into my head. It started out ‘I am the proprietor of the Penguin Café, I will tell you things at random’ and it went on about how the quality of randomness, spontaneity, surprise, unexpectedness, and irrationality in our lives is a very precious thing. And if you suppress that to have a nice orderly life, you kill off what’s most important. Whereas in the Penguin Café your unconscious can just be. It’s acceptable there, and that’s how everybody is. There is an acceptance there that has to do with living the present with no fear in ourselves.”
Their first album, Music from the Penguin Cafe, was released in 1976 on Brian Eno’s experimental E.G. Records label; a collection of pieces recorded from 1974–1976, it was followed in 1981 by Penguin Cafe Orchestra, after which the band settled into a more regular release schedule.
They played their first major concert in 1977, supporting Kraftwerk at The Roundhouse. They went on to tour the world and play at a variety of music festivals as well as residencies on London's South Bank.
Evolution
Simon Jeffes experimented with various configurations both live and in the studio, including an occasional “dance orchestra” and a quintet of strings, oboe, trombone, and himself on piano. On the studio albums he sometimes played many of the instruments himself, bringing in the other musicians according to the needs of a particular piece.
There were a number of incarnations of the live band. Original members Gavyn Wright and Steve Nye left in 1984 and 1988 respectively. Bob Loveday replaced Gavyn Wright on violin. Gradually, a regular line-up evolved around Simon Jeffes and Helen Liebman: Neil Rennie, who joined in 1975 on ukulele; Geoffrey Richardson who had joined in 1976 and co-wrote three pieces on Broadcasting from Home (1984), played viola, cuatro, guitar, clarinet, mandolin, and ukulele; Julio Segovia answered an advert in Melody Maker and joined in 1978 on percussion; Jennifer Maidman joined in 1984 on percussion, bass, ukulele, and cuatro; Steve Fletcher replaced Steve Nye in 1988 on piano and keyboards; and Annie Whitehead, who had also appeared on Broadcasting from Home, joined the live band in 1988 on trombone. Finally, Peter McGowan took over from Bob Loveday on violin and Barbara Bolte joined on oboe. Doug Bevridge also became a regular fixture at the live mixing desk. The album Concert Program (1995) is the definitive recording of this line up, and includes many of the orchestra’s best-known pieces.
After Simon’s death, members of the orchestra continued to meet up occasionally to play together but there were no recordings or public appearances for over ten years. In 2007 the band briefly re-appeared, with the same line up minus Julio Segovia, but joined by Simon Jeffes’ son Arthur on percussion and piano, to mark the tenth anniversary of its dissolution, playing three sold-out shows at the Union Chapel in London.
However, after the Union Chapel farewell concerts a core of long-time members, the multi-instrumentalists Geoffrey Richardson and Jennifer Maidman, trombonist Annie Whitehead, and pianist Steve Fletcher decided to continue playing the orchestra’s music. They called themselves “The Anteaters” at first, then “The Orchestra That Fell to Earth”, and have been joined by percussionist Liam Genockey, best known as a member of Steeleye Span, but who also played live with the original Penguins.
Films
Penguin Cafe Orchestra provided the complete score for the 1986 Australian film Malcolm. One of their most popular and recognisable pieces is “Music For A Found Harmonium”, which has been used extensively as incidental music in films ranging from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off to Napoleon Dynamite. It has also enjoyed frequent plays as a chill out anthem in Ibiza and has featured in many television advertisements in the U.K.
Air A Danser
Penguin Cafe Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Unrestricted
Hands In Da Air
(da brat)
Niggas always watchin me (funky!)
But i want em to keep on watchin me
I'ma keep give em sumthin to see (smokin!)
Somebody's watchin me, watchin me
Could it be the way i'm still tight?
Niggas that didn't use to feel me jockin me, jockin me
The, whole world got too much money for me
To not get no dough, dough, can't no hoe
Rock harder than the one from so-so
I never go broke broke
I keep comin with the vocals that make most know
Why the fuck i boast, boast and brag
Why should i look sad that i got some loot now?
In fact, i knew how
Watch when i back the coupe out
Can niggas just troop out
The same way they do when i show you brat
With a little bit of boobs out
And her big ass protrude out
Get the news out
Some of you bitches lose out
When the sexiness ooze out
Like orgasms, i'm the best at this
Throwin tantrums when i move into makin shit
If you thinkin of becomin one of my favorites
You gotta pay a bitch
Cause i be stayin rich
I ain't quittin, quittin
Wave a 4 45, spittin, spittin
(chorus)
Throw yo hands in the air like you dont care
This fo niggas and bitches everywhere
Forever you playas playas flash on em, get cash on em
And make em say, say
Hands in the air, from side to side
Forever im high, high
Together we ride, ride
I'm never too tired
To get that paper, baby
(da brat)
If y'all wanna see me, see me
Im give y'all somethin to look look at
Make a nigga neck turn turn for brat
Burn burn these hoes cuz i'm back and my pants still sag
It's automatic, they wanna jump on my wagon, wagon
I ain't lackin lackin on shit
Open ya eyes when my body when i try on clothes that fit fit
I'm articulate and particulate on who i let hit hit
And get up in the middle of the center of my tootsie roll
Roll me something to smoke smoke and burn slow slow
Don't keep it a secret, tell all ya folks
See you when i shine, i glow, glow
From the c-h-i-c-a-go, 6-0-6-4-4
And i trust no, nigga that make a mistake for me
Guns ready to blaze and to leave with you
Some of the ones run
I can't control my trigger finger when it pump pump
Stay out the way when i come come
It's guaranteed to bump bump the trunk, uh
And put a hump in ya back
If niggas is askin who's thumpin, it's brat brat
(chorus)
(mystikal)
I keep my bad braids back when puttin the dick on the track
You can turn it down playa, we don't listen to that
The bass dont thump, we spit on crap
That beat ain't tight nigga, that shit ain't fat
Everytime that shit come out, i toss it back and i slap
I be breakin ya back to the rhythm of rap
(?)test it loud for the low frequency, where it's at?(?)
Niggas say, "i love that fuckin shit ya did wit da brat!"
Actin bad with the pad, with the pen, with the paper
Still smoke a nigga under the table
Put the lines in the words and the hooks and the phrases
Instead of puttin out sumthin thats blazin
Get ya hand out my pocket, get ya foot out ya mouth
And ya head out ya ass
And keep ya nose out my buisness
And i mean it, goddammit, cuz i'm fiddinta get mad!
I put em in the trash bag
Twist tie, put em out monday and wednesday
I kick em in they raggely ass
Take money from em and you know i better get some
I know it ain't fair
But i smoke with alligators and i wrestle with bears
Throw ya hands in the air
As high as you can, and leave them bitches there!
(chorus 2x, fade out)
I'm afraid I can't explain the lyrics to "Air a Danser" by Penguin Cafe Orchestra as the lyrics for "Da Brat" song "Hands In Da Air" were mistakenly provided.
Line by Line Meaning
Niggas always watchin me (funky!)
I'm constantly being observed by others
But i want em to keep on watchin me
I don't mind the attention
I'ma keep give em sumthin to see (smokin!)
I'll continue to provide entertainment
I always feel like Somebody's watchin me, watchin me
I often have a sense of being surveilled
Could it be the way i'm still tight?
Perhaps it's because I'm skilled and impressive
Niggas that didn't use to feel me jockin me, jockin me
Even those who didn't appreciate me before are now impressed
The, whole world got too much money for me To not get no dough, dough, can't no hoe Rock harder than the one from so-so
Since there's ample wealth to go around, I won't remain poor, and I work harder than the competition
I never go broke broke
I'm never financially broke
I keep comin with the vocals that make most know
I regularly produce powerful music that gets attention
Why should i look sad that i got some loot now?
I have no reason to be unhappy about my financial success
Can niggas just troop out The same way they do when i show you brat
Can people support me in the same way they do when I perform
With a little bit of boobs out And her big ass protrude out Get the news out Some of you bitches lose out
If I show a little skin, people will be talking about me, and some women may feel left out
When the sexiness ooze out Like orgasms, i'm the best at this
When I'm confident and alluring, I'm at my best
Throw yo hands in the air like you dont care
Raise your hands without inhibition
This fo niggas and bitches everywhere
Everyone can participate, regardless of gender
Forever you playas playas flash on em, get cash on em And make em say, say
Show off your wealth and make others envious
Hands in the air, from side to side Forever im high, high Together we ride, ride I'm never too tired To get that paper, baby
Whether we're partying or working, I'm always ready to make money
If y'all wanna see me, see me Im give y'all somethin to look look at
If you want to see me, I'll make it worth your while
Make a nigga neck turn turn for brat Burn burn these hoes cuz i'm back and my pants still sag
I'm confident and attractive, and can captivate men's attention
It's automatic, they wanna jump on my wagon, wagon
People are naturally drawn to me and want to follow me
I ain't lackin lackin on shit Open ya eyes when my body when i try on clothes that fit fit
I'm not lacking in confidence or style, and people should pay attention when I try on clothes
I'm articulate and particulate on who i let hit hit
I'm selective about who I allow intimate access
And get up in the middle of the center of my tootsie roll Roll me something to smoke smoke and burn slow slow
Join me in smoking something slowly
I'm the best at this
I'm skilled and capable
Put the lines in the words and the hooks and the phrases Instead of puttin out sumthin thats blazin
I put effort into creating quality music instead of just seeking popularity
Throw ya hands in the air As high as you can, and leave them bitches there!
Raise your hands high and forget about your cares
Contributed by Jackson E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Tanya Lee
We are babysitting an African Grey Parrot and this music connects to her very soul. She flips out and sings along and dances everytime its on.
John Mallon
Thanks for a lovely image to go with the beautiful PCO music
Duane Georges
Would love to see this ! Have you posted any vids ?
Duane Georges
Timeless - I'd play this song and watch my daughter fall asleep.
Peng fan forever
Frank Murphy Burr
this band make me feel happy to be alive, RIP Simon
stephen bunn
Ah beautiful alluringly sensual music...
h54 h
I 'discovered' Penguin Cafe in the 1980s during an unhappy unwanted divorce. There is something about this particular piece which reminds me of sunny summer days from which at the time I was detached..
domo
man i just love this album
its so cheerful and happy
Inez Anne H
Beautiful, uplifting, joyful, just wonderful :)
Mohammad Faizan Bhat
Listening to repeat for two days in 2020 after finding this gem from the movie Mary and Max. Life is beautiful