1997 music reviews
(January-June)

Jim has a well-trained, pure tenor voice and the arrangements by Tim Horrigan are well-crafted and fun. But most of all, Jim's original lyrics contain wise observations. Take "The Telephone Twist," for instance. Is it part of children's DNA that whenever their parents get on the phone all hell breaks loose? "Insanity Is Hereditary" visits the never-ending karmic cycle of the crazy things we did as kids coming back to haunt us as parents. "If I Made A Misteak," and no, I didn't make a mistake, says hey, it's OK to blow it sometimes. Just give it your best shot. Changed my life! Then there's a nicely sung piece called "Touch the Future" that's not only a tribute to the late astronaut Christa MacAuliffe, but perhaps a reflection on Jim's own life as a kindergarten teacher and the roles of other shapers of future generations. The final song is truly inspired. He dovetails the album title cut with the traditional Pachelbel theme, and it works big-time.

Keep up the good work, Jim! Look forward to number three. Catch you on the flip side!

Let It Shine, PNO Tuna Music; $15 CD, $10 cassette. Phone (800) 443-4727 or (800) 541-9904.

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album by Various Artists, reviewed February 1997

The problem with reviewing lullaby albums, I've always said, is that you doze off a few times, pen in hand, drool on lip. But the upside is that I've found a couple of goodies for you. Billboard Presents: Family Lullaby Classics has some classics from my younger years. The two Danny Kaye selections, "Inchworm" and "I'll Take You Dreaming," from the films Hans Christian Andersen and The Court Jester respectively, showcase Danny's soothing voice and genuine love of children. Other gems in the collection include "Baby Mine" from Dumbo and "Edelweiss" from guess what. I'll give you a clue. Julie Andrews has that great opening scene on top of a mountain. . .however, this version features Theodore Bikel (whom the song was written for) and Mary Martin. An inherent problem with collections such as these, with songs recorded years apart, is production values. These hold up well. (See The Celtic Lullaby for the second half of this review).

Billboard Presents: Family Lullaby Classics, Kid Rhino; $9.99 CD, $6.98 cassette. Phone (800) 432-0020.

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album by Various Artists, reviewed February 1997

My second find is The Celtic Lullaby with some new favorites like "Hishie Ba," "Mi Gysgi Di'Maban" and "Si Hei Lwli." Whoa! Hold it. My spell check's gone crazy! Anyhow, even if you can't pronounce the names, the songs are beautiful, enchanting melodies sung in English, Irish, Manx, Scottish and Welsh Gaelic. Take two before bedtime. Catch you on the flip side. (See Billboard Presents for the first half of this review).

The Celtic Lullaby, Ellipsis Arts; $15.95 CD. Phone (800) 788-6670.

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album by Sherban Cira, reviewed March 1997

The multi-talented performer Sherban Cira's second release, Somebody Bit The Moon is a value in more ways than one—upbeat, catchy tunes and 20 of them to boot! Value priced and that's nice. Lotta fun stuff here. His take on the title track explains the different phases of the moon by claiming various creatures are eating it. Worked for me. Two Latin-flavored tunes are included, a Brazilian folk song called "Mama Paquita" with word plays on bananas, papayas, pajamas. . .whoa! Papayas in pajamas? What a concept! I think I'll lie down till it passes. Then there's his signature tune "One Ton Tomato" (with apologies to "Guantanamera"). There are uplifting songs encouraging singing, feelings and self-esteem, and silly songs about hotdogs, carrots, bullfrogs and bumble bees. It's a wide smorgasbord of ingredients that work together extremely well, when mixed with the love and attention of a master chef, Sherban. Catch you on the flip side!

Somebody Bit The Moon, Amused Productions; $10.98 CD. Phone (909) 625-3169.

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album by Heather Bishop, reviewed April 1997

As you all know by now, a reviewer of my stature, attached to a major metropolitan magazine, living a life envied by some homeless people, is seriously inundated with recordings from all over our great country, and in some cases, beyond. Case in point: Heather Bishop's Chickees On The Run, a breath of fresh air from our NAFTA neighbor to the north.

The lyrics are clever, thoughtful and noncondescending. The 11 tunes are upbeat, catchy and cover an array of fun subject matters. The title song immortalizes a heroic chicken who goes on the lam and frees her feathered companions. Other soon-to-be classics explore the ticklish ramifications of "Salt in Your Socks," and speaking of feet, how about a wallaby with humongous ones? Or Sleepy John who sleepwalks with his jammies on?

Chickees On the Run is a blast and thank you, Heather, for the intelligent lyrics and new angles on familiar takes. If you enjoy the album as much as I did, Heather has three others available. Catch you on the flip side!

Chickees On the Run, Mother of Pearl Records; $15 CD, $10 cassette. Phone (510) 788-6983.

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album by Arlo Guthrie, reviewed June 1997

In the spirit of Natalie and Nat, Arlo Guthrie pays tribute to his dad, Woody, on This Land Is Your Land, a rousing retrospective of pop's finest songs for the family. There was a time long, long ago when so-called "children's music" was acceptable for the whole family. Submitted for your approval: "Swingin' On A Star" or "High Hopes." (Whoa — almost fell off my soapbox.) Through the miracle of modern technology, Woody Guthrie lives and shares his songs with a new generation, thanks much to the talents of his son, a host of prime-time players, and producer Frank Fuchs. Tunes include "Howdi Do," "Riding in My Car," "All Work Together," and certainly not least, the folk national anthem "This Land Is Your Land" featuring the aforementioned dad-and-lad singalong. Thank goodness these treasured songs were found in a forgotten songbook a few years back. (See Songs From A Parent To A Child for the second half of this review).

This Land Is Your Land, Rounder Records; $15 CD, $12 cassette. Phone (800) 443-4727.

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album by Art Garfunkel, reviewed June 1997

Then there's the latest release from Sony Wonder's acclaimed Family Artists Series, Songs From A Parent To A Child. Yet another winner. Art Garfunkel (he was the taller one), his wife Kim Cermak Garfunkel, and 6-year-old son James are joined by legends Billy Preston, Merry Clayton and John Sebastian in celebrating the joys and discoveries of parenting. Cover highlights: Lennon & McCartney's "I Will," Cat Steven's "Morning Has Broken," and The Lovin' Spoonful's "Daydream." But the winning performance is James belting out Elvis's "Good Luck Charm."

"While I made this album for families, I'm not sure I know how to define 'family music,' " Garfunkel says. "To me, music is music." Hear, hear! So go hear, hear? Catch you on the flip side. (See This Land Is Your Land for the first half of this review).

Songs From A Parent To A Child, Sony Wonder; $13.98 CD, $9.98 cassette. Phone (800) 221-8180.

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Editor's Note: A release that came in too late for John Wood's peerless reviewing is the Wave Benders' Surfin' Christmas. Hang ten on CMH Records; $11.98 CD, $8.98 cassette. Phone (800) 373-8073.

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