Back in May I reported that retro pop/jazz trio The Puppini Sisters were NEARLY done with their third album (fourth, if you count 2010’s Holiday album Christmas with the Puppini Sisters). Well…five months later we have a release date, and not one for France…one for the USA! The theme of the new album? Why old Hollywood, of course! How glamorous and absolutely perfect for the Puppinis! Here’s the scoopage…
The album, entitled Hollywood, is set for U.S. release on November 7th via Verve Records. This “gloriously evocative record” honors the silver screen and it’s HUGE impact on the music industry over the years. The three leading ladies, Marcella Puppini, Stephanie O’Brien and Kate Mullins sing classic songs from the big screen, including “Moi Je Joue” (famously tackled by French actress/singer Brigitte Bardot), the Gershwin Brothers-penned “I Got Rhythm” (featured in the 1951 film An American In Paris), Johnny Mercer & Henry Mancini‘s 1961 classic “Moon River” (from Breakfast At Tiffany’s), “September Song” made famous by Frank Sinatra (also used in the 1950 film September Affair), “Get Happy,” famously performed by Judy Garland in 1950’s Summer Stock (her last film for MGM), “Diamonds Are A Girls Best Friend” (first sung by Carol Channing in the Broadway production of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, later made famous by Marilyn Monroe in the film version and many more. I can HARDLY wait to get my hands on this gem of an album. Doesn’t it sound magical?
The Puppini Sisters have a knack for reinventing a classic song in such a way that it both pays homage and breathes new life into the song, completely rejuvenating it. In addition to the glitz and glam of Hollywood, the girls’ third album ALSO includes an original song! Satisfying my wanton desire for an album of Puppini originals, the album’s title track was penned by the trio. Here’s a description of the soon-to-be Puppini classic:
“Over a rumbling double bass and vibrant horns, “Hollywood” could quite easily fit into any film from cinema’s Technicolor beginnings. A song about ‘the pursuit of getting your name in lights,’ “Hollywood” is a getaway into the deliriously exciting musical world The Puppini Sisters are exploring, yet is, quintessentially the sound of the group themselves.”
Sounds promising! After my post in May, I got a lovely personal email from Ms. Marcella Puppini herself, thanking me for the support and telling me a little bit about the new album and it’s Hollywood theme. Regarding my desire to hear an album of all originals, apparently they couldn’t find anyone to fund it. The reason? According to Marcella, “everyone wants the Puppini Sisters to cover their favourite songs.” Fair enough. The fact that the album contains one original on top of their world class amazing covers is enough for me. The Puppini Sisters were also hand picked by another contemporary jazz great, Michael Buble, to perform two songs on his forthcoming Christmas album, one of which was chosen to be the album’s first single! (“Jingle Bells?”) What an honor! The album will be released October 24th in the UK and the next day on October 25th in the States. The Sisters also have the honor of joining Buble on stage, performing with him on his upcoming ITV special. As if an original song and a Michael Buble collaboration didn’t whip you into a flurry of excitement, the Puppini’s have teamed up with Mad Men designer Janie Bryant who comes on board as the group’s Creative Director. How brilliant is that? While I thought the girls’ were holding their own in the STYLE and CREATIVITY department just fine with their last couple of albums, I can’t wait to see what this powerhouse vintage visionary brings to the table.
Inspired by the French film Bellville Rendez-Vous, Marcella Puppini got a couple of girls together from Trinity College and formed an act. Seamlessly blending the 1930s – 1940s style of the Andrews Sisters with contemporary tunes, these classically trained jazz divas impacted the world with their debut album Betcha Bottom Dollar in 2006. Follow up album, 2007’s The Rise & Fall Of Ruby Woo went on to become their second top 5 on Billboard‘s U.S. Jazz Album charts. Here’s hopin’ that Hollywood becomes their third! Join the Puppini Sisters on tour this February (tour dates below) and check out the album’s tracklisting below the cut. Also below the cut? The video for “Spooky,” in honor of Halloween.
(P.S. – Marcella, if you’re reading – I still want you to come back to Boston!)
Check out The Puppini Sisters on the web: