1997 music reviews (July-December)

album by Various Artists, reviewed July 1997

Kid Rhino Records and Ben & Jerry's ice cream (had my share) have teamed up to present a 12-song compilation by various artists, Ben & Jerry's One World/One Heart For Kids. Part of the proceeds will benefit the Children's Defense Fund, the advocacy organization founded in 1973 by Marian Wright Edelman. CDF was created to provide a strong, effective voice for America's children, who cannot vote, lobby or speak for themselves. "The goal is to educate the nation about the needs of children and encourage preventative investment in their future." Could you tell that I didn't write that?

Producer Robin Frederick has assembled a veritable ice cream sundae of professional players from Raffi to Mickey (Dolenz, that is) into an eclectic elixir (whoa!) of folk, Celtic, Cajun and blues. Artists include Richie Havens & Rockapella, The Roches, Sweet Honey in the Rock, Taj Mahal, Buckwheat Zydeco and Maria Muldaur. See what I mean? A musical banana split dripping with spirited tunes and concerned artists for a good cause. Check it out with bowl in hand! Catch you on the flip side.

Ben & Jerry's One World/One Heart For Kids, Kid Rhino; $11.98 CD, $7.98 cassette. (800) 432-0020.

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album by Jeanette Smith and Pete Davie, reviewed September 1997

So where were you last month? Missed you. Question: How do you dress up classical music and make it palatable for children? Answer: Wrap some cute animals around it, add a dash of clever lyrics, a pinch of whimsy, and yo, Baby, you get Animal Classics, the new release from the always entertaining Sony Wonder catalog.

This is a great and inventive way to introduce the young uninitiated to the classics. I recognized the tunes, but for the most part couldn't tell you the actual names or composers—but then how many 5-year-olds are gonna say, "Oh, 'Anteater's Pants!' I love the way they used 'Anitra's Dance' from Peer Gynt. More latte please." The lyrics were written, performed, arranged and produced by Australians Jeanette Smith and Pete Davie. Song association is purposely aided by the titles, such as "Sugar the Plump Canary" and "Duck Cracker Sweets." Get the picture? Good. (See My Best Friend Is A Salamander for the second half of this review).

Animal Classics, Sony Wonder; $11.98 CD, $7.98 cassette. Phone (800) 221-8180.

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album by Peter Himmelman, reviewed September 1997

Peter Himmelman has been a successful singer/songwriter for 25 years, but My Best Friend Is A Salamander is his first children's album. Imagine a Randy Newman from a parallel kids' universe. There are 12 zany, upbeat songs from a guy who definitely has an altered point of view. Gee, no wonder I liked it! "Larry's A Sunflower Now" is a kid who plants himself, and "My Best Friend Is A Salamander" sets the pace for this original escapade and hijinks for the whole family. Peter has four kids as a built-in audience, sounding board and peanut gallery. His liner notes sum it up: "Before I had kids of my own, I was the kind of uncle who would come over, jump on the couches, get the kids to jump on the couches and then leave. . ." Stick around for awhile, Unc, and play me some more tunes! Catch you on the flip side. (See Animal Classics for the first half of this review).

My Best Friend Is A Salamander, Baby Music Boom; $15.98 CD, $10.98 cassette. Phone (800) 470-1667.

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album by Charlie Daniels, reviewed October 1997

Yippie Ki Yi Yea! Yup, pards and pardettes, I'm in a Western mood this month. I gotta couple of lives ones from Sony Wonder's Family Artist Series. First out of the chute is Charlie Daniel's By the Light of the Moon: Campfire Songs and Cowboy Tunes. Charlie's illustrious career has spanned more than 40 years and earned him two multi-platinum, one platinum and four gold records. He's played with the best and left the rest. "By the Light" includes traditional cowboy tunes, reworked classics and several original songs. This is a foot-stomping, belly-whomping, get-down time for the whole family. It's hard to resist "Git Along Little Doggies," "I'm An Old Cowhand," "Sixteen Tons," and "John Henry." As I've always said, "Give me a home where the buffalo roam and I'll show you a dirty house." Maybe that's why I'm not recording anymore. (See All Aboard for the second half of this review).

By the Light of the Moon: Campfire Songs and Cowboy Tunes; Sony Wonder; $13.98, $9.98 cassette. Phone (800) 221-8180.

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album by John Denver, reviewed October 1997

On a different track, we have John Denver's All Aboard, a collection of 14 all-American train songs. I couldn't recall more than six, but hey: You've got "I've Been Working On the Railroad," by that prolific writer, Traditional), "On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe," "Freight Train Boogie," "People Get Ready,". . . Now you're probably thinking of some, huh? John Denver's voice is as smooth as ever. The seamless mixture of styles works great. All aboard for a great listening experience.

Sony Wonder's acclaimed series, presenting popular artists and music that can be enjoyed by the whole family, has included Kenny Loggin's Return To Pooh Corner, Tom Chapin's Around the World and Back Again, Nicolette Larson's lullaby album, Sleep, Baby Sleep and Art Garfunkel's Songs From A Parent To A Child. Kudos all around. Look forward to the next Wonder. Catch you on the flip side. (See By the Light of the Moon for the first half of this review).

All Aboard, Sony Wonder; $13.98 CD, $9.98 cassette. Phone (800) 221-8180.

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album by Fred Penner, reviewed December 1997

If Grandma's eggnog doesn't get you in the holiday spirit, try Fred Penner's new/old album simply called The Season. It could be called Bucket O' Christmas because it seems like every holiday tune is on it — 50 minutes of traditional music with four, count them, four choirs. Included are 28 holiday favorites from around the world, including "O Tannenbaum," "Away in a Manger," "Jingle Bells" and "Stairway to Heaven." Whoa—I made that last one up. Must be thinking of Granny's eggnog! (See Crock O' Christmas for the second half of this review).

The Season, Youngheart Music; $13.98 CD, $10.98 cassette. Phone (714) 763-0140.

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album by Ren & Stimpy, reviewed December 1997

Now, in a parallel universe far, far away, we've got Ren & Stimpy's Crock O' Christmas. If your family isn't familiar with these two critters, you're in for a tasteless treat of maniacal mayhem. Sound good so far? Read on trusty music-lovers, as I march you down the garden path and into oncoming traffic. Ren & Stimpy do not celebrate Christmas, they enjoy Yakmas. Song titles tell all: "Fleck the Walls," with the classic opening barrage of "Fleck the walls with dirty diapers," and leave us not forget "The Twelve Days of Yakmas." This collection is not for the faint of heart but does offer an alternative to placid elevator music. Merry Yakmas, y'all! Catch you on the flip side. (See The Season for the first half of this review).

Crock O' Christmas, Kid Rhino; $15.98 CD, $9.98 cassette. Phone (800) 432-0020.

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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; $11.98n CD, $8.98 cassette. (800) 373-8073.

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