The Puppini Sisters

Betcha Bottom Dollar (Verve)

By Salima Appiah-Kubi
Published: July 8th, 2007 | 6:22pm

There has never been a better time for nostalgia. With tights harmonies and classic style, the Puppini Sisters' debut Betcha Bottom Dollar has arrived just in time for those of us needing a look back.

Sisters in name only, the London-based group is styled both vocally and aesthetically (Puppini worked in the fashion world before turning to music) after female groups of the 1930s and ‘40s. It all began when Italian music student and neo-burlesque performer, Marcella Puppini saw the Triplets of Bellville, recalling her love of the tight harmonies in that film and of real-life trio the Andrews Sisters. Puppini then recruited classmates Stephanie O'Brien and Kate Mullins and began rehearsals.

Betcha Bottom Dollar is a mix of classic swing numbers and modern pop covers. From track one, the remarkably appropriate "Sisters" from White Christmas, it's clear that the ladies have the harmonies down. On the whole, orchestration is minimal, keeping the focus on their voices. While this works well for "Mr. Sandman" and the Latin-tinged "Sway," it leaves big band standard "In the Mood" feeling bare. The same can be said for disco anthem "I Will Survive," which feels drained of its power. Betcha's other contemporary covers do not lose anything in their translation. Kate Bush's "Wuthering Heights" and Blondie's "Heart of Glass" shine in three parts while the Smiths' "Panic" thrives out of context.

A few familiar swing tunes have some questionable arrangements, "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" and "Bei Mir Bist Du Schon" (the Andrews Sisters' biggest hits) are both performed at an almost breakneck pace that both puzzles and amuses. Yet the album's successes, like the rousing "Tu Vuo Fa L'Americana"(otherwise known as that song from The Talented Mr. Ripley) makes you forgive any missteps.