The Penguin Cafe Orchestra was the creation of classically-trained guitaris… Read Full Bio ↴The Penguin Cafe Orchestra was the creation of classically-trained guitarist, composer, and arranger Simon Jeffes (Crawley, Sussex, England, 1949–1997). Jeffes and cellist co-founder Helen Liebmann were members throughout its life; a number of other musicians became part of the ensemble playing live and also appearing on studio albums according to the instrumentation of particular pieces. Several members of the original PCO, Geoffrey Richardson, Jennifer Maidman, Steve Fletcher, and Annie Whitehead have continued to play the music initially under the name “The Anteaters” but more recently as “The Orchestra That Fell to Earth”.
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.
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.
Dirt
Penguin Cafe Orchestra Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'Dirt' by these artists:
'Depeche Mode Mmm, I've been dirt And I don't care Mmm, I've been dirt And…
203 - Iggy Pop and The Stooges Ooh, I been dirt And I don't care Ooh, I been dirt But…
8:*) I have never felt such frustration Or lack of self…
A$AP Rocky & BONES What? SESH What? You say you've got them guns but I've neve…
A$AP Rocky feat. Bones When the sun goes down we'll find relief once again…
A. A. Williams Failing, today I'm not Playing the fool again Hopeful that I…
A.A. Williams Rip your skirt off wipe the hurt off You know it…
A.A.WILLIAMS Failing, today I'm not Playing the fool again Hopeful that I…
Aesop Rock And Tobacco (It's my duty to inform you That Honey Bunches of Oats Is…
Alieff Green You say you got them guns but I've never seen…
Ams. If I wanted commitment Would’ve renewed my subscription They…
An Emotional Fish It wasn't us that got it dirty It was dirty before…
Anthony Anderson; Death In Vegas; Nick 'avin it "This is one thing that I was gonna wait a…
Anything Box (claude s.) You can hide your precious tears, but it Won't…
Assemblage 23 Aghast amidst the grim procession Of hateful traits in your…
BADGUYLEX Yeah my shooter said he on you now He on you…
Blood and Ashes So much dirt in this filthy world It’s hard to justify…
Bones You say you've got them guns but i've never seen…
Bones - Topic When the sun goes down we'll find relief once again…
Bouncing Souls I wanna be dirty 'cuz i don't about the clothes…
Brett Newski I'm not my mind and I never was I am not…
BROCKHAMPTON South side brought the wave back Hair nappy need a wave…
Bryan Lanning I'm stepping out Trying not step on any toes Minds racing, a…
Burn Me and my best friend Lillian And her blue tick hound…
Burna Bandz Real nigga time in the dirt Real nigga time in the…
C4 Trill Bitch we bout to put em in a hurst Put em…
Cabinet Wonder round these fields Signals breaking, something's i…
Clown Galacto Inspector do you read me? Yes Captain Status? Comple…
Cody Jinks I remember that summer I was ten years old When our…
Corroded "This is one thing that I was gonna wait a…
Courage My Love Six feet under struggling to breathe I'm covered in the dirt…
D-Loo Folks been diggin' into the ground Won't be stoppin' until i…
Daniel Silver Over time, you tried to kill me But, I have no…
David Bowie & Iggy Pop Ooh, I've been dirt And I don't care Ooh, I've been dirt And…
Dean Brody 4 year's old my birthday Opened presents, ate some cake I …
Death in Vegas "This is one thing that I was gonna wait a…
DeathBoy Dirt, damn you, metronome... Fucking with my skintone. Des…
Deborah Joy Imani Winans "God made dirt and dirt don't hurt!" Funny thing about a…
DEE.P I pray That you remember my name When I'm gone Or when you…
Deem Spencer I was never lonely when I walked alone I prefer the…
Deep Ends I Goku when I come through you boys Frieza You boys…
Depeche Mode Ooh, I've been dirt And I don't care Ooh, I've been dirt …
Devilskin Hey, hey hey, yeah Hey, hey hey, yeah What do you do…
Dirt/ Alice in Chains I have never felt such frustration Or lack of self…
Don Johnson Big Band I set myself on fire tonight Kissed the flames and said…
Dot[.] I was walking down the street I felt the leaves…
Dr. Will So where do we go? Cuz you know I love you There's…
Dream beach Split seconds Captured Preserved Long hours Destroyed R…
Dream Drop She met a lonely boy Just another lonely boy I thought I…
Ec8or I have never felt such frustration Or lack of self…
Elliot Lee We use music to heal us When everything around us Is cutting…
Emma Blackery I was having such a good time By the pool, sipping…
FEACHA I'm a dog I'm a mutt I'm a dirty fuckin' cunt I got…
Florida Georgia You get your hands in it, plant your roots in…
Florida Man Dirt, all I see Dirt, inside of me Dirt, all I crave Dirt,…
Florida/georgia Line You get your hands in it Plant your roots in it Dusty…
FloridaGeorgiaLine You get your hands in it Plant your roots in it Dusty…
H.D.H. Folks been diggin' into the ground Won't be stoppin' until i…
Heatmiser Don't be taking him off your hell Don't be taking him…
Highway Bros You get your hands in it Plant your roots in it Dusty…
Hipster Daddy-O & The Hand Grenades I pray That you remember my name When I'm gone Or when you…
Horse Jumper of Love There is a notion in your skull At least there's motion…
Iggy Pop Ooh, I've been dirt And I don't care Ooh, I've been dirt …
Iggy Pop feat. David Bowie Ooh, I've been dirt And I don't care Ooh, I've been dirt And…
Iggy Pop/David Bowie Ooh, I've been dirt And I don't care Ooh, I've been dirt …
J-Ideas Whoah whoah put em in the dirt Whoah whoah put em…
Jackson Wooten We'll sleep before the morning takes hold 'Cause in a moment…
Jenn Vix I have never felt such frustration Or lack of self…
K.e.n.y.u. Girl, why you talk so slick? I can't recover from…
K.L.I.M. Folks been diggin' into the ground Won't be stoppin' until i…
Key Glock I'm that nigga (Ceeo, turn that beat up) Oh, Glizock Paper R…
King Gizzard The Lizard Wizard Handshakes and bitter rows Are the common conjecture I can d…
KITCHEN - Keane It's market day when They bring the flood Faster than our fe…
Lake Philly Three-legged dog How'd you come to be I can offer you rest B…
Lars Ekengren I dreamed of a blood red sky Carelessly colored, as if…
Lee Kernaghan Out in the back block, deep in the scrub, Way off…
Left for Dead Embrace the image Its not your own Isnt poverty fun…
LiveonRelease Take it out on me why don't you Your losing ground…
LIVING ROOM - Alice In Chains I have never felt such frustration Or lack of self…
Lou Reed It's been a long time since I've been spoken to…
Lowen I'm a reflection I don't know how to be by myself I…
Loyal Lobos Well you wreck, darling, you don’t touch You’re a fire, when…
Mark Selby I have never felt such frustration Or lack of self…
Mary Mary "God made dirt and dirt don't hurt!" Funny thing about a…
Masters of Ceremony Don't call it a comeback I been here for years Rockin my…
MC David J Whoah whoah put em in the dirt Whoah whoah put em…
McQueen What's the worst you'd do To exploit all the lacerations, …
Me and My Devil You want to feel me licking you You want it dirty,…
Medslaus I ain't no fuck up can't tell me what's what They…
Mid Air Thief 습기에 흐려진 이곳에서 있는 그대로 녹슬어가도 이 자리에서 오늘도 묽어져가는 등불들과 함께 새벽에게…
Mike DFG Ahem Muhfuckas don't give a fuck about my mental health My f…
Mila J Yeah, yeah, ugh Mila J Yeah Last night I rolled up, yeah Pu…
Miriam Ingram Touch a string How much energy? How much energy? Travelling …
Mission of Burma Yeah it's true But only in part Actions best forgotten of …
Mobb Deep Call it how it is - according to the facts If…
Monster Squad Self indulge, your own world Of pain and lust, dirt to…
Mr.Dee Feel like a ghost pirate A virus Coast's quiet Hands like Mi…
Neneh Cherry & The Thing I'm out of sight, keep me out of mind You have…
Neon 4D You cannot hurt me no more Nigga I put in that…
Nomad I declare my life is good Cross my fingers and knock…
Numb Bitter faith twin wreckage scream Low, out of mind to be L…
Oak & Bone Don’t come to my city with that lame shit Boy you…
Orfeh You say she saw my guy out with another. You swear,…
Owen Ovadoz feat. pH-1 If I wanted commitment Would’ve renewed my subscription They…
Parker McCord When it's over it was just a dream He's laying beside…
Phish Washed up on shore Washed up on shore I'd like to live…
Pure Dirt Rough life, room full of flies No toilet, no bin when…
Q.AGE Yeah she down to play Shawty smell money from a mile…
Revolting Cocks Victims burn in the atmosphere Breaking our back to get down…
Revulsion Hatred, like you’ve never known, A creation of your very…
RO Tammy's Son And I'm back in this bitch Used to…
Roger Sellers So much wasted time before You never new you wanted more Tak…
Roine Stolt The flickering TV reflects in the needle Someone's little ba…
Roine Stolt (Flower Kings) The flickering TV reflects in the needle Someone's little b…
Rose Dorn Your smile was pretty, but your lips tasted like dirt Your…
Sayer I'm on the old dirt road Without a care Gotta sixpence in…
Screaming Females I'll medicate myself Suspect that idols lie to me I'll medic…
SEMI SIX I bear arms to get the lion share You count sheep…
Seven Summers I went digging in the dirt To see what I could…
Shackles & Bones When the sun goes down we'll find relief once again…
Shahmen I was born by the beach Water 'round my bones First heartbea…
Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds I see a birdbath it′s in trouble, I wash my…
Skorned Would you hear me out if I wasn't here Beat me…
Sleep ft. Josh Martinez When I Quit, You Can Put Dirt on Me. (Harvester) I’ve…
SMP Apocalyptic blurring visions of life The sinking towers in …
Snail Mail Dirt I've been down countless halls And once you've seen one…
Splinters. Stop, please, just make it stop We've had, we've had enough …
st. nothing Dirt Your eyes Like knives Tear my skin Gouge out the filth…
Starlet Suicide you suck me in, spit me out and i scream and…
Stolt Roine The flickering TV reflects in the needle Someone's little b…
Stooges Ooh, I been dirt And I don't care Ooh, I been dirt But…
Stooges the Ooh, I been dirt And I don't care Ooh, I been dirt But…
T.V.M. Oh yeah, oh yeah Hey you, don't wanna love you on…
Tayla Parx We could chat, but that's no use to me You're not…
The Amenta Every morning after Will be shades of grey All spotlight s…
The Bouncing Souls I wanna be dirty cause i don't care about the clothes…
The Collection Abraham was scared to die, forsook his wife within the…
The House Jacks the clock flies high and hits the wall a scolding…
The Jack and Jim Show In the bowels of the plains Where the shit don't stink Its…
The New Country All-Stars I wish I had a dime for every time I…
The Operation M.D. Folks been diggin' into the ground Won't be stoppin' until i…
The Squids Dirt by The Squids Lyrics by Joey Spatafora Music by LaTour …
The Stooges Ooh, I been dirt And I don't care Ooh, I been dirt But…
The Swellers This is for all my friends and family. Something I need…
Tobacco (It's my duty to inform you That Honey Bunches of Oats Is…
Travie Austin You're waking up and feeling like another casualty Your prob…
Various/Angels of Life In a Psychic Wasteland Sat here by this stony brook until the grey day…
Veljanov The shy king has been wondering All those years floating on…
Verse and Bishop Dog to me she ain't nothing but a dog to…
Wanderer Split my spine open Tearout nerves just to feel something…
Wash This Garden With Blood So much dirt in this filthy world It’s hard to justify…
We Scholars On a fragrant autumn evening I stood a top a…
WhispersInYaHead Dirt is all I see, All I see in me, Dirt is…
World Unite! Lucifer Youth Foundation The fire starts Can you hear the sound? Of the kids all…
Worse Things I'm out of sight, keep me out of mind You have…
WU LYF The fire starts Can you hear the sound? Of the kids all…
Xoan I know Buried in the sternum like a tree Something's throbbi…
Y2K Girl, why you talk so slick? I can't recover from…
Yvonne I'm done doing you undone Baby we're through Giving up per…
Zilla Oaks Don’t come to my city with that lame shit Boy you…
We have lyrics for these tracks by Penguin Cafe Orchestra:
Air A Danser Da Brat Unrestricted Hands In Da Air (da brat) Niggas always…
Cutting Branches For A Temporary Shelter Carnes Kim St Vincent's Court Lookin' For A Big Ni…
Zopf: In a Sydney Motel From our complete outfit For a double suicide I choose The p…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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