NPR: The Pipettes Live on the BPP

The Pipettes Live on the BPP

Filed under: Music, Video

When we asked the Pipettes what they thought of musicians who insist on "reimagining" their hit songs when playing them live, the sound of six eyes rolling was deafening. As far as the all female Brit-pop group is concerned, there is no greater insult to an audience than this kind of musical bait and switch. For them, music should never be pretentious -- and that "fun-first" attitude dominates their catalog. So it was no surprise when they sang us a super-slick, album-grade version of their catchy single, "Pull Shapes" live in the studio.

Check it out:

Win Rosenfeld

6:53 AM ET | 11-13-2007 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

I was recently referenced as a "hater" for my comments about Petra Haden and her a capella group. After listening to the Pipettes this morning, I feel fully justified in my previous comments. No excuses -- The Pipettes sounded great even when there were no instruments being played behind them. Sharp and harmonious in the same studio and at same time of the morning. I had never heard of The Pipettes until today and that's a group I want to hear more of. Well done!

Sent by Mark | 10:02 AM ET | 11-13-2007

I was greatly encouraged by this set. We have tickets to see the Pipettes here in Boston the day after tomorrow (postponed from a cancelled tour last month and, worryingly, in a room that's about half the size of where they were originally supposed to play), and as much as I love WE ARE THE PIPETTES -- the UK issue was my favorite album of 2006, hands down -- I had sort of assumed that they weren't going to deliver live. But even though "Pull Shapes" is a weird choice to do acoustically (on the album, those long pauses are filled with giant Phil Spector-style orchestral swoops), it sounded great. I'm excited now!

Sent by Stewart | 10:49 AM ET | 11-13-2007

It sounds great but it loses something without the choreography...

Sent by alice | 2:16 PM ET | 11-13-2007

Mark,
The songs were acoustic, not a cappella. Definitely instruments backing them up there. But, a cappella is not for everyone, so I wouldn't worry about being labeled a hater.

Sent by Andrew Jones | 12:59 AM ET | 11-14-2007

Their voices blend beautifully, they are awesome live! Definitely winning hearts and minds in their latest campaign! Three branches of government, three Pipettes, are you thinking what I'm thinking?

Sent by Jonathan | 6:44 PM ET | 11-14-2007

Send a Comment

Comments are reviewed and edited by NPR prior to display. All comments will be read, but not all will be posted.

NPR reserves the right to read on the air and/or publish on its Web site or in any medium now known or unknown the e-mails and letters that we receive. We may edit them for clarity or brevity and identify authors by name and location. For additional information, please consult our Terms of Use.

E-mail this Page

Recipient's e-mail address:	» Up to twelve addresses, separated by commas.
Your e-mail address:
Your name:
Personal message (optional, 600 characters max):
Your NPR member station:
Are you a member of your local NPR station?	Yes No
Would you like to receive information from your local NPR member station? (see NPR's privacy policy)	Yes No
Please send me updates from NPR.	Yes No

(Information collected by NPR will be used solely for internal NPR or NPR member station purposes and only if you selected 'yes' above. See NPR's privacy policy for more information.)

Host

Alison Stewart

Welcome to 'The Bryant Park Project'

The Bryant Park Project started as a blog in the summer of 2007 and ended as a radio show and online community in July 2008. Read our frequently asked questions and discussion rules.