Penguin Cafe Orchestra Music for a Found Harmonium

[@PamHodges-df9bp]

This tune, played by the PCO, healed me many years ago in my early 30s. I was recovering from bad pancreatic complications and peritonitis of an emergency gall bladder surgery. After being hospitalized for 10 days and released too early when it was determined I had no insurance, I languished for a time under the care of my mother, who relentlessly hovered in her worry. I was extremely weak and could barely hobble down the hall to the kitchen after several days, fighting off what turned out to be a post surgery infection. After several days of very slow progress, my mother finally left me for a couple of hours while she went off to pick up a few groceries. With this brief respite from her constant hand wringing, I made my way from the confines of the bedroom to the kitchen table and inserted a cassette tape onto a small player, one of the very few items I had with me from my own home. It was Penguin Cafe Orchestra, and on it, Tune for a Found Harmonium, one of my all time favorites. Listening to it then, tears sprang to my eyes and I shakily got to my feet and started to DANCE. Not well, not strongly, but the sensation of the music itself lifting me up and infusing me with energy was unmistakable. That was a turning point, and although I returned to bed exhausted and napped solidly for at least two hours after, I made steady progress from then on. The tune never fails to pull me up, no matter how many times I listen to it.

[@dylant2445]

This is by far the best performance of Music for a Found Harmonium. Pure bliss. Shout out to Annie Whitehead for absolutely killing it on the trombone..

[@thrak11]

I sorely miss Simon Jeffes. The innocence and mystery that was Penguin Cafe Orchestra was far ahead of its time. I have been listening to their music since 1977 and I will listen to it until I breathe no more.

[@imogengroves283]

His son Arthur continues with Penguin Cafe, go see them if you can

[@marina140452]

L ho amato. Lo amerò sempre. E mi accorgo che la musica più del cinema. Rende queste persone immortali, presenti e vive

[@April235E]

I really like the drummer’s vibe.

[@carolinacechowicz3686]

I like this music it gives a sense of energy and I like what was written about how life should be spontaneous and not regular

[@nethyartist]

Hi Folks - love the music. I am am an enthusiastic but not too competent member of The Scratch Orchestra which, lead by Bill Henderson, meets on a regular basis in a school in Forres, Scotland, to practice various arrangements of music. Music For A Found Harmonium is a favourite and great fun to play, even at my level. Cheers, Derek

[@hamstar4859]

Trombone was the kicker. Great!

[@clivebarrett3750]

Pure joy. I remember seeing Penguin Cafe perform this on Pebble Mill at One in the early 80s - life changing.

[@MrElvis3]

Viva la Penguins!!! My musical companion of the last 22 years!

[@michaelthornton8000]

When I first saw the ending of the Movie, Napoleon Dynamite, this song was playing in the background. I thought to myself, wow, they did a great job of finding a song that reflects the mood of this ending. The song very nicely fits the rather euphoric outcomes of the film. However, now that I've read the song writer's inspiration on life's important elements of randomness, and unexpected events (both good and bad) which taken as a sum total at the end, yield an often difficult, but BEAUTIFUL life...I then knew that whoever chose that song as the soundtrack for the ending of that particular movie plot, must either have been an artistic genius, or divinely directed, because the song itself perfectly echoes the underlying theme of this deceptively deep movie. The songwriter's philosophy is precisely what Napoleon Dynamite is about.

[@laurenceharrison661]

That has to be one of the best pieces of music with the epitome of British Summertime. Utterly enchanting.Oh wow

[@gbcottage]

Brilliant........takes me back to simpler times and simpler muzik.

[@drmickp]

This is glorious! Thanks for sharing.

[@davidshettlesworth1442]

Just an awesome performance. Thank You! Carry On!

[@jasonguzman564]

The best version ever!!!

[@laurenceharrison661]

I just adore this.Utterly excellent

[@alanlegge696]

Wonderful

[@CelsoLago-Paiva]

Lovely tribute! The "Penguin Cafe Orchestra" is immortal. And much of its charm comes from this wonderful music, played to perfection by this group to which we credit hours of ineffable pleasure and satisfaction. (Celso do Lago Paiva, from Minas Gerais, Brazil)

[@apogipinoy]

I love the seagulls at around 2:20

[@PRINCESORH]

I absolutely love this. You folks sound awesome. I don't know why but I especially enjoy watching Ms. Whitehead on the trombone it's fantastic. You all put so much personality I feel into the music. Everyone has a different look of appreciation for the music they're playing and yet there's harmony. :) I'm rather cheesy and poetic but I mean it. God Bless.

[@xray40k]

What a nice bunch of people! Sounds really good, too.

[@willashland4597]

I was enjoying this video up to the part when the lady starts playing the trombone... At that point I went from enjoying this performance to thoroughly enjoying it!!!! Well done

[@tpwombat]

Yea, I cried at that point. Drunk, admittedly, but even so :)

[@CharlesHess]

Mostly excellent. Those seagulls were right on cue!

[@Loui3535]

Love love love this. The seagulls only add to it. Thank-you for such beautiful music.

[@f0kkie]

The only time I ever heared this incredible piece of music was in the trailer for "She's Having A Baby" from 1988!!

[@5150zombie]

badass verision, and insightful background on the song, thanks.

[@BombastusSchmitz]

I'd call this 'A friendly Music'. Thank You.

[@pixelninja666]

Fantastic, Simon would be extremely proud of such a great rendition.

[@georgrichter7254]

Interpretation of pure emotion! A beautiful tribute to the unforgettable image of Simon Jeffes, author of the music and first founder of the invaluable and eternal PENGUIN CAFE ORCHESTRA, a group that innovated instrumental music.

[@Cyclopunk]

Hardcore techno in its purest form!

[@paulinedraper980]

saw them live at Ambleside years ago. Fantastic!

[@evanhayashi4865]

I feel very emotional listening to this and I don't really know why

[@yolo22]

that was lovely, and thank you for sharing the background on the band and the song.

[@fastasfox]

Just had to pop back, just to make sure this was as awesome as I remember...carry on. BRILL.

[@paulroberts5677]

Thank you, just thank you.

[@yolo22]

that was lovely, and thank you for sharing the very beautiful background to the song.

[@Bleeter]

Thankyou SOO much for the uploads. Brought such a smile to my face :)

[@SuperLookyLoo]

Also the theme tune for a great Australian film called "Malcolm" made in 1986!

[@ArkadiBolschek]

The TV trailer for Malcom was what introduced me to the PCO! I went to see it at the theatre just to find out who had made the music (and yes, the film was great too, so that was two birds with one stone!)

[@ColinGoldfinch]

An underrated film is Malcolm. And also my gateway to PCO.

[@quepasacalabasaa]

This just sounds so great!

[@kcjoker71]

They look exactly how I thought they would.

[@fidget368]

its a shame when it comes to an end,i want it to go on forever

[@QuestionsOfYou]

it just makes you so f-ing happy.

[@welshman100]

The seagulls in the background were the dusting on the cherry on top of the scrumptious cake - which is this song.

[@ongbonga9025]

It's like they were enjoying the music and decided to sing along!

[@artistwintersong7343]

Most Excellent

[@niqqiniqole]

sound of seagulls is always a nice sound

[@unomeimeno]

Glory be to God for dappled things- G. Manley Hopkins

[@samhwang7748]

My favorite song

[@andicus1]

Love it! Thanks for posting it.

[@cecchinigiulio]

I love This!!!

[@pauldunkley5629]

Perfection

[@fastasfox]

Ok I think I could be obsessed 😁

[@phyfodor]

Nice performance :). Love the seagulls too. Good luck on the festival, shame I'm about... 2000km away and broke as a church mouse.

[@TheNextLevelDJTeam]

I got this song on a minidisc from a friend looong ago - minidisc... guess how long it has been. Im glad i finally know which artists touched my heart so deeply. Different versions around here on youtube, but this is the best. A pity the sound quality is so poor. Anyway - that song is awesome, like many others from PCO!

[@cantmando1]

superb

[@tenia8725]

fantastic !

[@charlesroberts3650]

Gratifying

[@stevies5]

Dunno if you made it, but I was smiling my face off all the way! ;)

[@jodycallen2378]

Magical!

[@sunhouserecords]

Great stuff

[@JIALINN]

Amazing!!

[@fastasfox]

As I`m sure you Anteaters are aware there is a great open air theatre in Cornwall called the Minack theatre and I could see you all playing there.....it just would fit.

[@davidmcmahon7463]

This takes me back a few years.p.s Sharon Shannon does a great cover of this,brill.

[@CheeseFrenzy]

Class!

[@SisterGoodbass]

+Andy Chislett Thanks Andy!

[@reallyhappytrees]

"I am the proprietor of the Penguin Cafe, I will tell you things at random" As far as i know, this was one of the last performances of (as close as we could get to) the original Penguin Cafe Orchestra lineup after Simon Jeffes passed. i know Arthur was passed the torch but, why doesn't the original line up for PCO come together annually, or at least every 20 years , to commemorate Simon? In an attempt to answer my own question, I'd guess they can't perform under the Penguin Cafe Orchestra moniker for that Simon wrote the music and created it. Why hasn't "still life at the penguin cafe" reached broadway? why do we let music/art fade to dust so fast or now become refurbished with a new edge? I think i'll try to answer my own question and say that sometimes the road ends, and when we lost Simon, there was no "road closed" sign before the end to foreshadow it. The road we're on now isn't the one we were on before. They haven't reissued any vinyl, there seems to be little or no management attempt to archive the art since the 2008 dsd remasters (which do sound great compared to the original cd pressings). I feel as if in just two more blinks and a few more breaths it could all be recollected as a clouded memory of a time we cannot determine was real or a just dream from our younger days. Miss you Simon, and all of the members of the Penguin Cafe Orchestra. Now Playing: Penguin Cafe Orchestra - Simon's Dream

[@reallyhappytrees]

chills! :]

[@sarah-janelambert8962]

Does anyone remember that this was the soundtrack for a film about the New Age Convoy? I would love to see that again.

[@duncanparsons]

Just super, thank you for this. I'm watching it, appropriately enough, whilst cutting out the artwork for an instrumental album heavily influenced by PCO.. My 'Music for Stairlifts' albums draw on the spirit of the Penguin Cafe Orchestra, but confined to a limited subset of nylon strung guitar, 12/6 double-neck, fretless bass, rhodes and 2 voices, and, like PCO, the albums inhabit their own world. I saw the Penguin Cafe Quintet in 92, and the full Orch at the Festival Hall in 93 and Union Chapel in 95. Such an utter delight. I do believe you were playing the Festival Hall and UC, were you not, +SisterGoodbass? I'm actually a drummer/percussionist by trade (the Stairlifts albums do not include drums on purpose!) - if TOTFTO ever needs a percussion dep, do let me know, it would be an absolute dream come true. :-)

[@musicalmuse3614]

:)))) this makes me so happy

[@El-Tel63-Terry.]

Big up the trombone !

[@sidDkid87]

Exhibit A of the Nietzsche quote: *"without music life would be a mistake"* … 🎶🎧😑

[@francisstephen7320]

A cat is sitting on my windowsill listening intently and i think shes smiling. No pharmaceuticals involved

[@220friend]

2:40..that trombone makes me smile

[@SisterGoodbass]

@MrElvis3 Canterbury Festival 26th October 2011. Same group as in this video. The show is called "The orchestra that fell to earth".. Maybe see you there?

[@SisterGoodbass]

@Bleeter Glad you enjoyed it :)

[@SisterGoodbass]

@5150zombie Thanks for the encouragement. We're working on more gigs and tunes.....

[@discgolfermick9764]

nice

[@arklinmike]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@lindamon8]

Liam (drums) played for years with Steeleye Span.

[@01ConeHead]

that Annie sure does play a mean trombone

[@jorymil]

The trombonist quite appropriately starts out with a... Harmon mute!

[@MrElvis3]

God, how I love Penguin music. Love to see the real deal live, rather than the pretenders. Any chance?

[@richardkern4304]

Did you know they made a soundtrack for an Australian movie?

[@massimocarizi2727]

Ciao Giuliano spero possa ascoltarla ti piaceva tanto penso che molto presto potrò raggiungerti così per poterla riascoltare insieme.

[@anthonyfusaro1179]

Don't forget Napoleon Dynamite!!

[@willofirony]

So, harmoniums are NOT confined to projecting dirges; who knew?

[@air-23-r4g]

大好きな曲( ^ω^ )

[@jpjeffery]

Can I join? I'd love to play PCO music.

[@hudsonmote5807]

Can "bad fish" be a euphemism for LSD?

[@Ermengolprimer]

In fact I've heard it were oysters, which is far beyond worst than LSD ;)

[@chiforinfula]

Que abusividad

[@74dormoth]

It reminds me of I'm drunk

[@bill291212]

I always thought I was a fast reader, guess I'm not

[@cliffsandifer3877]

The narrative went tooo fast to read but I like the tune anyway

[@ifgona133]

成程これが本家。

[@mk-kt8cu]

MizoMizoSong

[@janbrady293]

napoleon dynamite

[@mastersniper13]

vote for pedro?

[@Patohead001]

Hahaha! Osama Bin Laden in drums... Nice music... Best Regards.

[@nintendoblood4835]

The trombone doesn't fit the ensemble here, it sounds terrible

[@HowieFeltersnach]

When the aliens land and are trying to decide what to do with us, we must play this for them!!!!