1995 music reviews (July-December)

album by Delos International, reviewed September 1995

Have you ever wondered what the theme song from Beauty and the Beast might sound like if Rachmaninov Had composed it as a piano concerto? When you hear "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" from The Lion King, do you find yourself musing how Tchaikovsky might have arranged the ballad? Of course not — you've got a life. But thank goodness there are people out there who think such thoughts, because without them I wouldn't be listening to one of the year's most delightful musical collections: Heigh-Ho! Mozart: Favorite Disney Tunes in the Style of Great Classical Composers.

Among the 16 heighly entertaining selections, which also include "Colors of the Wind" from Pocahontas painted with all the colors of Dvorak's New World Symphony and a Scott Joplin inspired "Under the Sea" (The Little Mermaid), my personal favorite is a whimsical "Winnie the Pooh" a la Prokofiev.

Three hats off to arranger/conductor/composer Donald Fraser for his consummate work putting a whole new spin on these much-loved tunes. A definite two batons up! Albums shipping to stores in late September (Classical Music Month!) will include an activity book. If you can't wait or if you have already bought the album, you can request the book by sending $1 to Delos International, Heigh-Ho Activity Book, 1645 N. Vine St. Suite 340, Hollywood, CA 90028.

Heigh-Ho! Mozart, Delos International; $14.98 CD, $8.98 cassette. Phone (323) 962-2626.

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album by Raffi, reviewed October 1995

The affable Canadian singer/songwriter Raffi is probably the best-known contemporary artist in children's music. If through a freak of nature or space-time anomaly you haven't heard of the bearded bard, let me bring you up to date before introducing you to the brand new album, Raffi Radio.

Raffi Cavoukian, born in Cairo, Egypt, emigrated with his family to Canada in 1958 when he was 10 years old. He began performing for children in 1974 and released his first record, Singable Songs for the Very Young, two years later. The album has sold over a million units and remains his biggest success to date. Since then, he has recorded 13 albums and three concert-length videos and published seven songbooks and 11 picture books. Whew! After a seven-year hiatus from children's music to pursue other interests, notably environmental causes, he returned last year, true to form, with Bananaphone, a Grammy Award nominee and winner of Canada's Juno Award for Best Children's Recording.

His latest project, Raffi Radio, replicates the format of an old-time radio show originating from the mythical land of Troubadonia. Along with several skits, incidental music and a lot of wholesome fun and games, Raffi brings us a potpourri of eight brand new songs and two traditional tunes, "Skip to My Lou" and "Six Little Ducks."

Raffi's gentle voice and spirit are well-suited as the host/performer of the show, although his lyrics are becoming a little too "at one" with the universe for my more down-to-earth tastes. Let's hope he isn't sucked off the planet in a moment of bliss. But I digress.

There are some pretty cool tunes in this collection, like the "Kitchen Sing Sing," a bouncy ditty about the joys of cooking, and the ballad "Ripple of Love." "Whatever You Choose" is an uplifting salute to that unique individual who dwells within us. (Whoa! I'm starting to sound like Raffi!) The album's postscript is a song called "Every Child," an idealistic piece that mentions dolphins, elephants and whales in the same sentence. The best pound-for-pound lyric on the album. All in all, Raffi Radio won't disappoint the entertainer's legion of fans. See you all in Troubadonia, "where birdies croon and people love to sing."

Raffi Radio, Rounder Records; $14.98 CD, $9.98 cassette. Phone (800) 443-4727.

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album by Sharon, Lois & Bram, reviewed November 1995

Sharon, Lois & Bram's new release, Let's Dance (which hit the kindergarten streets Oct. 10) is a moving experience. Try to keep from dancin', Mom and Dad! Four decades of popular music are covered by this energetic, talented Canadian vocal trio.

I was very impressed with the production values on this album — tight arrangements, great colors, and up-front vocals. The producer is Emmy Award-winning composer Jamie Lawrence, whose producing bio reads like a Who's Who of popular performers: Anita Baker, Michael Bolton, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin and — oh, yeah — Frank Sinatra. Not too shabby, Gabby! He's true to the original tunes but uses the musical tools of the 90s to add a distinctive edge to the mix. On "Straighten Up and Fly Right," the swing still feels right and the message is still appropriate as an anthem for today. The obligatory children's choruses are used in the traditional places with some nice exceptions: Crosby, Stills & Nash's "Our House," takes on a refreshingly new perspective with the opening refrain sung by children; the bilingual lyrics and earnest vocals of the children in "I Am Singing" are a treat. "Good Morning Starshine" drives me to the top of the water tower, but that's just me, OK? The album is great listening with nice dance grooves. So go buy it and Let's Dance.

Let's Dance, Drive Entertainment; $14.98 CD, $9.98 cassette. E-mail to slb@total.net.

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album by John McCutcheon, reviewed December 1995

The second musical adventure in John McCutcheon's Four Seasons odyssey, Wintersongs, is a dead-on replica of those warm fuzzies retained in our memory banks from the ghost of winter past. I cannot recommend Wintersongs enough, but I'll try. I appreciate the craftsmanship that John and his co-writer, Si Kahn, infuse in each of these 12 jewels. Real musicians playing real instruments really well — what a concept! The opening track, about a pair of new red boots called appropriately "new boots," smokes from the get-go. Made me want to get some new boots and wear 'em to bed, too. The tunes "hot chocolate" and "soup" remind us of those unique wintertime aromas. And "the flu," with its quasi-flamenco styling and alluring alliteration (whoa!) captures that helpless "throw me on the wagon" feeling that comes with the all-too-familiar territory of a bad cold.

I was especially touched by "footprints," a tribute to John's older sister. Listen to this: I was walking in your footprints/Counting every step/Measuring every move you made/And every word you said/I was dancing in your shadow/Doing what you'd do/I was learning how to be like me/By being just like you.

Good stuff! Summersongs was great. Wintersongs I loved. Can't wait 'til spring! Catch you on the flip side.

Wintersongs, Rounder Records; $15.98 CD, $9.98 cassette. Phone (800) 443-4727.

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