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Penguin Cafe Orchestra — Steady State
Album: Preludes Airs & Yodels
Avg rating:
7.1

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1073









Released: 1996
Length: 3:32
Plays (last 30 days): 2
(Instrumental)
Comments (106)add comment
Penguins Promote Plastic Waste Reduction at Seafood Restaurant [Video ...
Love it
quiescence!
Always nice to have a snack every so often at The Penguin Cafe.
Avant-pop, interesting name for the  genre.  I am waiting for some quantum mechanics-rock.   
 gazinroze wrote:

Heard this on RP while doing static exercise on my jaw following recent surgery. Perfect accompaniment.


OK, that is a first in music that fits the task at hand. 
NICE!! I never heard of them before. Thank You RP!
This is the 1st P C O track I've heard on RP - Thank You Bill, they were wonderful! 
Could you bring yourself to play more of it? - You may already and I've just missed it of course.
There's a Penguin Café in Naharía, Israel, pretty town on the coast. Café's been there seems like forever. Cool music.
IN THE MONTHS OF LISTINING I DON'T SEE HOW ANY ONE CAN GIVE THE MUSIC THE EXCELLENT MUSIC PLAYED ON THIS STATION GIVE  NOTHING BUT 7 OR  UP ON WHAT IS PLAYED.
we need more bands like this
PCO ... we salute you beautiful people - whom ever you are ... you’re my favourite kind of Kind people! I I hear, I feel, I’m you ....
 aspicer wrote:
Never heard this but I really like it! 
 

me too.. 
California Guitar Trio has regularly performed a coupler of Penguin Cafe Orchestra songs which is how I discovered.
Discovered PCO back in the 80s; several quirky tracks and albums
Some of you may recognise this one
Telephone and Rubber Band
The playlist/music is so great, I can' find a moment to escape!
Saw these guys on NPR Tiny Desk.
So many people- so much great music.
Fire On Low.
Bringing back old memories from the 80th's {#Heartkiss}
Never heard this but I really like it! 
Just bumped this 2 points to a NINE.  Sounds even better as I get older :)
 
It sounds like some instrumental version of a Coldplay song : beurk ! 
{#Skull} 
wedgetable wrote:
This is a cool song... but the oboe player could use a few lessons. Specifically he/she needs to work on embouchure to keep the pitch steady. This is where the oboe gets that bad rep of sounding like a dying duck. :(
 

miahfost wrote:


I agree. And the guy in the photo needs some penguin-head wearing lessons. Specifically he/it needs to work on tetature to keep the head steady. This is where penguin-head wearing gets that bad rap of looking like a dying penguin.
  

 
{#Clap} Mad props for that comment miahfost, we think alike.
Sounds so nice on this high quality feed !
 
wedgetable wrote:
This is a cool song... but the oboe player could use a few lessons. Specifically he/she needs to work on embouchure to keep the pitch steady. This is where the oboe gets that bad rep of sounding like a dying duck. :(
 

miahfost wrote:
I agree. And the guy in the photo needs some penguin-head wearing lessons. Specifically he/it needs to work on tetature to keep the head steady. This is where penguin-head wearing gets that bad rap of looking like a dying penguin.
 

Really, the things you learn on RP E-ver-y DAY! 

Stingray wrote:
More terrible is only the cover! TERRIBLE!
Penguins of the world unit against this!

  

Stingray, why can't you be more like miahfrost and invent words like "tetature"? 

By the way...have you met Charles? Relation, perhaps?

Picture of Charles Barkley saying "That's Just Turrible. Turrible Turrible Turrible."

 
wedgetable wrote:
This is a cool song... but the oboe player could use a few lessons. Specifically he/she needs to work on embouchure to keep the pitch steady. This is where the oboe gets that bad rep of sounding like a dying duck. :(


Miahfost:said: I agree. And the guy in the photo needs some penguin-head wearing lessons. Specifically he/it needs to work on tetature to keep the head steady. This is where penguin-head wearing gets that bad rap of looking like a dying penguin. 



     Miahfost  oh you devil you nailed it


  
Oh Thank You!

Would love to hear Telephone & Rubber Band sometime.
And now in August the room is even warmer...
 

msymmes wrote:
Works for me.   Sounds awesome in a warm sounding room with the volume up.   

 


 shutter wrote:
This is one f the most under-the-radar groups ever to have played.  Just perfect.  Always a joy to hear PCO.
 
Your post made me wonder whatever became of them. Didn't know that Simon Jeffes passed away in '97. His son dropped "Orchestra" from the name and kept the torch burning. 
Works for me.   Sounds awesome in a warm sounding room with the volume up.   
There's not much in the world quite like the PCO. which is slightly sad.
Preludes Airs & Yodels is a "best of" compilation of sorts. If you like this, explore their substantial catalog..wonders abound.
Ever since I heard 'Bean Feast' on 'Desert Island Discs' chosen by the actor Jonathan Price some years ago I have loved Simon Jeffe's 'Penguin Cafe Ochestra' and saw them once before Simon's early death. I know of no other radio station that would play their music and this is why I support RP, thanks to Naim's iRadio selection.
 Stingray wrote:
More terrible is only the cover! TERRIBLE!
Penguins of the world unit against this!
 

Is there any music that you actually like or do you just listen to RP to vent your anger management problem?
Heard this on RP while doing static exercise on my jaw following recent surgery. Perfect accompaniment.

It's one of those tracks that goes unnoticed on the first few listens and seeps into your conciousness. Then: bing! You notice it. Well, that's how it was for me.

I didn't know the PCO until now but, listening to the track samples on Amazon, I realise several are familiar (from ads on TV or film soundtracks). I like the minimalist style. Reminds me of some of John Adam's work.

Anyway. This album is clearly a classic collection and I've just ordered it via the RP affiliates link to Amazon UK. Thanks for playing the track :)
More terrible is only the cover! TERRIBLE!
Penguins of the world unit against this!
Awesome, I haven't heard this in years!  Love me some Penguin Cafe Orchestra!
I think this is a very nice song, but I agree with comments regarding the oboe part.  It's such a simple part that it ought to be much farther down in the mix, and ought to be played on pitch. I could forgive some of the style problems if it were a more moving part.
very cool
Way back in the day my college roommate (guitar) and I (violin) used to play "The sound of someone you love who's going away and it doesn't matter" at open mike nights.  Of course, nobody in the audience knew what the hell we were doing, or where it came from.

This is one f the most under-the-radar groups ever to have played.  Just perfect.  Always a joy to hear PCO.
This has heart and hope and energy. 

Blimey, I haven't heard PCO for decades!

PCO also does a fun version of "Walk, Don't Run"
trekhead wrote:
I think they're from New Yor
 
a_genuine_find wrote:
Sussex England
 
Didn't you mean Susse Englan? {#Wink}
okay but a bit boring and repetitive
Very nice — soothing without putting me to sleep.
Hey that penguin has a man body costume on!



Source: https://asymptotia.com/wp-images/2008/04/penguin_flight.jpg



 
 
 
{#Meditate}
Nice composition saves the sloppy musicianship, I give it a decent rating, pleasant.
Alafia wrote:
I love PCO.
me too... me too!
a little bleh at the moment.
I'm wondering if maybe that's not an oboe. Sounds like a shawm to me... It also kind of sounds like (if it is an oboe) it's being played that way on purpose to give a broad, folksy sound.
Wow - nice! RP turns me onto yet ANOTHER artist that I really like. The oboe player isn't great, but I like the instrument here....(Oboe is a bitch to play, trust me!) Yep, this place RAWKS.
I love PCO.
damien wrote:
I would love to hear 'telephone & rubberbands' I've been waiting for a long time to hear PCO on RP & rubberbands would be really nice.
puke
trekhead wrote:
I think they're from New Yor
Sussex England
mefrombrazil wrote:
sounds goo. where are they from?
I think they're from New Yor
sounds goo. where are they from?
miahfost wrote:
Iwedgetable wrote: This is a cool song... but the oboe player could use a few lessons. Specifically he/she needs to work on embouchure to keep the pitch steady. This is where the oboe gets that bad rep of sounding like a dying duck. :( I agree. And the guy in the photo needs some penguin-head wearing lessons. Specifically he/it needs to work on tetature to keep the head steady. This is where penguin-head wearing gets that bad rap of looking like a dying penguin. Now that is the best post I've ever read!!!
wedgetable wrote:
This is a cool song... but the oboe player could use a few lessons. Specifically he/she needs to work on embouchure to keep the pitch steady. This is where the oboe gets that bad rep of sounding like a dying duck. :(
I agree. And the guy in the photo needs some penguin-head wearing lessons. Specifically he/it needs to work on tetature to keep the head steady. This is where penguin-head wearing gets that bad rap of looking like a dying penguin.
This is a cool song... but the oboe player could use a few lessons. Specifically he/she needs to work on embouchure to keep the pitch steady. This is where the oboe gets that bad rep of sounding like a dying duck. :(
Nick? is that you?
I always like hearing this band.
hobiejoe wrote:
Uncanny, played at tea o'clock here in the UK, and I'd just made a brew. Perfect for a contemplative slurp. If only my partner hadn't snaffled the last of the cake. Bugger.
great post great wee tune love pco!
Damn, I missed this. Play it again. Please?
well now, that was fun!!
Finally! A song dedicated to the often overlooked kinetic principle.
PCO does a great version of "Walk, Don't Run", too. And kudos to RP for always pushing the envelope...
Chunnamark wrote:
I just want to say that this is the best post. Ever. Also, I have become in recent weeks absolutely obsessed with PCO. The music just gets stuck in your head. Someone upload Music for a Found Harmonium. Please!
Chunnamark, I'm touched, thank you! I know it's not on quite the same subject, but I got married 3 weeks ago - to Perpetuum mobile (playing in the background, obviously...)

Penguin Cafe Orchestra helped me through many a late night during my teaching practicum. Another album I had was by a group called Bukken Bruse, from Norway. Any chance of some of that? Thanks RP!
I really love Penguin Cafe... I guess im a little biased as 2 of the members used to be old family friends. But still really great music... Always did love there stuff. I havnt herd one track that just made me wish it was over. Great stuff. And thanks Bill for not going down the cheap route and not playing the telephone song.
rosedraws wrote:
Groovy! This is the ONE album that has the Napoleon Dynamite version of the "Harmonium" song from the end of the movie... which took forever to find. I'm glad that there is at least one other terrific song on the album, as I've ordered it.
Thank GOD for RP, and all the people here ... a friend (who I watched ND with) gave me a couple of the songs from the movie, without id'ing them for me, and it was driving me crazy trying to figure out the instrumental one! I might have to get this cd! Thanks Rose!!
Lovely! If ever you get the chance, see the ballet "Still Life at Penguin Cafe" danced by the Royal Ballet. It is one of the most stunning ballets I have ever seen: incredible dancing and choreography, wildly imaginative costuming, and beautiful moving music by the same composer as this.
Lovely
Chunnamark wrote:
Someone upload Music for a Found Harmonium. Please!
I think I uploaded it at the time with some others.
hobiejoe wrote:
Uncanny, played at tea o'clock here in the UK, and I'd just made a brew. Perfect for a contemplative slurp. If only my partner hadn't snaffled the last of the cake. Bugger.
I just want to say that this is the best post. Ever. Also, I have become in recent weeks absolutely obsessed with PCO. The music just gets stuck in your head. Someone upload Music for a Found Harmonium. Please!
Uncanny, played at tea o'clock here in the UK, and I'd just made a brew. Perfect for a contemplative slurp. If only my partner hadn't snaffled the last of the cake. Bugger.
Groovy! This is the ONE album that has the Napoleon Dynamite version of the "Harmonium" song from the end of the movie... which took forever to find. I'm glad that there is at least one other terrific song on the album, as I've ordered it.
You gotta be kidding.
Truly eclectic. Good stuff.
Dang! Those penguins are good!
wow, should have expected them here. I love PCO. This is excellent.
PCO is great listening. I recommend all of their stuff. Learn more about the group here: https://www.penguincafe.com/home.htm
Like it! Bright and catchy.
PCO leader and composer Simon Jeffes was a brilliant, brilliant man who helped create an amazing body of genre bending music. His passing in 1997 was a great great loss. I treasure my whole PCO collection. Wonderful to hear on RP.
Should get a '10' just for having a cool name. But the music warrants a high score, too.
willyworx wrote:
At first I thought it was Nick Drake. Awesome.
exactly my thought - the tuning of the guitar?
I would love to hear 'telephone & rubberbands' (think that is the name) by PCO.
Ooh, me too! This track really took me back to my heyday selling LPs in the early '80s. Yeah, I'm old. But PCO is still great!
Pengui......What the...?
At first I thought it was Nick Drake. Awesome.
Where is that cafe?? I want to be drinking beer and dance to a reel with a penguin!
Another "Must investigate this artist" for me, courtesy RP. You're gonna help put me in the poorhouse. Thanx!
I would love to hear 'telephone & rubberbands' (think that is the name) by PCO. If anyone remembers the band Spacehog from the mid nineties and their only hit 'in the meantime' you will see what a ripoff of PCO it was. The song was also featured during the end credits of Talk Radio. Haven't heard it since the the last time I saw movie about 10 years ago.
Is it a cafe RUN by penguins or a cafe that SERVES penguins? Either way, I really LIKE this cut!
penguins are so sensitive to my needs...
Most PCO is great!
endless and boring
Yes! Penguins. :D \:D/ nice violins :-({|= :-({|= :)
wow! that was amazing!
indigo_xia wrote:
Beautiful! More from Penguin Cafe Orchestra, please.
Here, here !!!! A most beguiling new example of an undefineable genre of pure musical brilliance that I associate with "Oregon", the first I've heard that comes close , in fact that equals it. Will be curious to see if I'm alone in noting a similiarity.
Beautiful! More from Penguin Cafe Orchestra, please.