THE PUPPINI SISTERS MAKE US DEBUT ON VERVE

THE PUPPINI SISTERS MAKE US DEBUT ON VERVE

THE PUPPINI SISTERS MAKE U.S. DEBUT ON VERVE RECORDS
U.K. retro-darlings bring three-part harmony into the modern age with May 1 release of
Betcha Bottom Dollar
On Tuesday, May 1, Verve Records will release Betcha Bottom Dollar, the US debut
from The Puppini Sisters. This UK-based vocal trio brings three-part harmony into the
modern age with both respect and tasteful irreverence, as their repertoire includes
everything from "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" to "I Will Survive."
Inspired by the Oscar®-nominated film The Triplets of Belleville (a French animated
movie which features a '40s-style harmony group), The Puppini Sisters - Marcella
Puppini, who masterminded the group, Kate Mullins, and Stephanie O'Brien - formed in
London, having met at the prestigious Trinity College of Music.
Dressed in 1940's-inspired attire, the three sing like The Andrews Sisters with inspiring
harmonies, and perform classics such as "Mr. Sandman," "In The Mood," and "Jeepers
Creepers", accompanied by an excellent gypsy-swing trio of musicians whom they also
met at music college.
But what makes The Puppini Sisters truly stand out are their show-stopping
interpretations of more current tunes: Blondie's "Heart of Glass," Kate Bush's "Wuthering
Heights," and The Smith's "Panic," among others.
With this range in style and song selection, it should be no surprise that The Puppini
Sisters cite everything from Carole King to Marilyn Manson to the neo-Burlesque
movement (Marcella worked as musical director and orchestra conductor for the
Whoopee Club, London's leading Burlesque troupe) as influences.
Betcha Bottom Dollar captures this range, as well as the group's flare for both performing
and reinterpreting this material.
Serendipitously, the album was produced by Benoit Charest, the Oscar nominee for his
musical work on The Triplets of Belleville. After hearing a demo of what the girls were
doing he feel in love with their inventive arrangements, and brought in an army of weird
instruments (musical saws!) to complete the project.
The Sisters themselves added a quirky note by playing their own instruments (violin,
melodica, accordion and harp) on the recording, having previously used them in their
genuinely inspired live performances.
The album kicks off with "Sisters" from the movie "Winter Wonderland" before jumping
right into a peppy "Mr. Sandman," and then a quick-paced "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy
(from Company B)," a fitting choice for the times. Next up is the slow-brewed "Java
Jive" and a respectful version of the Yiddish classic "Bei Mir Bist Du Schon."
And here is where things start to get very interesting. The group sets their sights on Kate
Bush's "Wuthering Heights," rendering it nearly unrecognizable in three-part harmony
with a jazzy arrangement. In this mode, The Puppini Sisters also give an extreme
makeover to Gloria Gaynor's disco anthem "I Will Survive" and make you see the
Blondie classic "Heart of Glass" in an entirely new light. Gently handling "Panic" by
The Smiths, the group creates a finished work so natural, you pause for a moment to
remember how the original song sounds.
Some of the other numbers featured on Betcha Bottom Dollar include the Boswell Sisters'
classic "Heebie Jeebies," "Sway," and the 1960's Italian canzone "Tu Vuo Fa
L'Americano."
With their unique blend of retro style, pop kitsch, and stunningly crisp vocals, The
Puppini Sisters have earned quite the celebrity following - from Sharon and Kelly
Osbourne to Vivienne Westwood, Kate Moss and Stella McCartney to members of The
Royal Family, including Prince Charles, Camilla The Duchess of Cornwall, and Prince
William.
Italian Vogue has described them as " intriguing and musically accomplished", British
Vogue deemed them "fabulous", whereas Time out described their harmonies as
"Immaculate". Prince Charles himself told them that their album was "splendid" when
they performed at the Royal Variety show in December 2006.