While I listen to a lot of mood setting ambient & experimental stuff, I'm mainly a song guy. Whenever a chorus or riff occupies my mind, I can't stop repeat-listening the song, but it takes around 4-5 listens to memorize every aspect of the song, so the passion dies within a week but there's always a new song that runs in my head and takes the former's place. Sometimes I got hooked to a song but don't like the album enough so I can't decide whether to feature it or not. To end this struggle I decided to make a [...]

Can I really review a soundtrack from a movie I haven't seen? Why, yes. In fact many soundtracks featured here fall into that category. This one is a good mix of world music, including many Late Greats Favs. Bebel Gilberto ~ Sem Contencao Lila Downs ~ Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps Pink Martini ~ Amado Mia Buy it from Amazon Reminder: The Duke wants your input for his 2007 Summer Mix. Email The [...]
PHOTO: ©Michael Bretherton 20 songs from labelsites, bandsites, magazines and other sites on the web. Enjoy! Sea Wolf - you're a wolf (from promo agency) Heroes & Zeros - the foolproof (from the great website Itsatrap.com) Arctic Monkeys - You know I'm no good (Amy Winehouse cover) (from Littleradio.com) Friska Viljor - Gold (from devilduck records) Phonograph - in your mind (from

I really, really, really, really was hoping this album would blow my socks off. Or at least untie my shoes. Its predecessor (Hang On Little Tomato) is an album I could not live without (nor The Duchess). So I had high hopes for this one. In some ways I am speechless. Struggling with the right way to review this release. Plain and simple, its just not as good as Tomato. The Duchess posed this question: If I had never heard anything else by Pink Martini, how would I feel about this [...]

In honor of the upcoming holiday, The Duke has gotten together with two of his favorite bloggers ( Heather & and Bruce ) to bring you a list of 30 great love songs. You've got like a day and a half to rip a mix CD for that special someone (or just download my Fireside Fun Mix here ). Ladies first: 1. Cupid - Otis Redding 2. Catch The Wind - Donovan 3. Grow Old With Me (John Lennon cover) - Postal Service 4. Love You Madly [...]

Here's a mix CD that is full of romantic songs, both in sound and in lyric. And since The Duke loves the ladies, it is an all-female vocalist CD. I have given you ample time to download and burn as the 14th is a week and a half away. Throw this one on; and let the flames flitter in your loved one's eyes. 1 ~ Kaki King: Nails We begin with a warm instrumental that conjures up a romantic evening starting with some peppermint tea. 2 ~ Beth [...]

Not quite a Cosmo, but close Well, it's Thom's birthday on Sunday, and since he won the five points yesterday (did anyone doubt?) he gets a song sent out in his honor. So here's his high school chum, China Forbes, singing with Pink Martini , a retro lounge dodecet (Thom knows something about everything.) She is a great singer as well. Aspettami [...]

So I had this plan to do a batch of songs all about cocktails. But then, when I started to compile the tracks, I fumbled at the 1 yard line. Okay, that’s a horrible football analogy. How about I struck out with the bases load? Anywho, I got song-block and only ended up with these two; one about my favorite drink and one by a band named after a cocktail. Needless to say, I need your help. Please, please, please, if you have a favorite cocktail song, leave a [...]

Pink Martini plays music perfect for a Sunday morning, reading the paper, drinking some organic green tea with a wedge of mango. Perfect for dancing with the one that brung ya. Perfect for driving in rainy weather. Alright, it’s just perfect. Anna (El Negro Zumbon) Sympathique Let's Never Stop Falling In Love Clementine Drink up! Support World Café Other Converts [...]