1995 music reviews (January-June)

album by Various Artists, reviewed January 1995

A multi-ethnic compilation of reflective songs, Lullaby: A Collection brings together such renowned singers and musicians as Bobby McFerrin, Judy Collins, Loreena McKennitt, Take 6 and Ladysmith Black Mambazo. The lullabies culled from the four corners of the globe, weave a musical thread that lingers long with listeners of all ages.

From Bobby McFerrin's haunting "Common Thread" and Loreena McKennitt's Celtic rhythms and angelic voice on "Courtyard Lullabye" to Ladysmith Black Mambazo's "Be Still My Child," the subtle musical statement of this finely crafted collection is that lullabies speak to the child in us all.

Lullaby: A Collection, Music For Little People; $15.98 CD, $9.98 cassette. Phone (800) 727-2233.

Editor's Note: John Wood is co-creator of J.P. Nightingale and the TAFFY festival. But those accomplishments, apparently, were only a prelude to a much greater ambition. "I have always known that someday I would be writing music reviews for L.A. Parent magazine," John told us. We're delighted to welcome his musical musings to the Entertainment Pages.

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album by Linda Arnold, reviewed April 1995

Linda Arnold's Sing Along Stew, the follow-up to her gentle and sensitive Lullaby Land, is a musical treat for the auditory taste buds. With a little help from a dinosaur named Tyrone, Linda deftly blends traditional tunes with classics like "High Hopes," "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz," and "If I Had a Hammer." The not-so-secret ingredient that Arnold brings to any project is her beautiful voice, and she really seems to enjoy singing this particular batch of American favorites.

As always, the arrangements are bright and never obtrusive. A particular standout is the traditional Mexican folksong "de Colores," which she sings in Spanish accompanied by traditional-sounding instrumentation. Arnold is known for using children's voices on her albums, and this one is no exception: I especially like the way the children's vocals are mixed with the more traditional gospel groove on "Swing Low Sweet Chariot." (By the way, Tyrone gets down on this tune. If dinosaurs could sing like this, they wouldn't be extinct today. Just a thought.)

Linda Arnold's Sing Along Stew is a fun, upbeat tour of some of our favorite childhood milestones. Dare you not to hum along! Well, gotta run: soup's . . . I mean, "Stew's" on.

Sing Along Stew, A&M Records; $14.98 CD, $9.98 cassette. Phone (800) 541-9904.

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album by Victoria Jackson, reviewed May 1995
(reviewed by Gina Rennie)

Who is Victoria Jackson? A gymnast? Poet? Stand-up comedian? If you've seen her on Saturday Night Live or in movies like Baby Boom, you know she's not about to be stereotyped. "I'm not anything," Jackson says, adding coyly, "I'm just trying to make a living without typing all day."

Still, who would have expected her to record a children's album? On Ukulele Lady (Choo Choo Records), her husband and two daughters chime in as Jackson strums along on her ukulele, crooning songs her parents sang to her. You can't help but smile as she performs old chestnuts like "When the Red Red Robin" and "You Are My Sunshine." Her SNL fans will be happy to know the characteristic impishness is never far beneath the surface: "Eat an apple every day, go to bed by three," she sings on "Button Up Your Overcoat," and then adds under her breath, "a.m." That's the Jackson we all know and love. It's time your kids got to know her too.

Ukulele Lady, Choo Choo Records; $14.99 CD, $9.99 cassette. Phone (888) CHUG-CHUG (248-4248). Website at www.choochoorecords.com.

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album by Los Lobos, reviewed June 1995

Papa's Dream, a collection of 13 traditional Mexican folk songs and rock 'n' roll classics is the first recording for families by the Grammy Award-winning band Los Lobos. A unique cultural thread is provided by the gentle voice of septuagenarian Lalo Guerrero, who leaves East Los Angeles in the "Wooly Bully" airship for Mexico to celebrate his 80th birthday party (pachanga). Lalo's colorful bilingual narration and the music lend insights into Chicano culture. Many familiar songs are included—"Wooly Bully," "La Bamba," "De Colores" and "La, La, La" among the best—which Los Lobos perform with their customary verve. The energy and immediacy of the music and storytelling of this album is irresistible for almost any age. Highly recommended.

Papa's Dream, Music For Little People; $15.98 CD, $9.98 cassette. Phone (800) 727-2233.

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