Get Happy

Released in 2013, Get Happy represents a peak in Pink Martini's role as the world's premier 'little orchestra.' Following the departure and subsequent return of lead singer China Forbes, the album features a rotating cast of vocalists including Storm Large, Ari Shapiro, and even a guest appearance by Rufus Wainwright. This variety allows the album to function as a true variety show of global styles, spanning sixteen tracks that cover everything from 1930s German cabaret to Japanese folk and Romanian doina. The recording is characterized by its high-fidelity analog warmth, capturing the intricate arrangements of bandleader Thomas Lauderdale. It serves as a bridge between their early lounge-revival roots and a more mature, archival approach to world music. Critics noted the album's ability to maintain a consistent mood despite its linguistic diversity, praising the band's technical precision and Lauderdale's knack for finding the emotional core of disparate genres.