1998 music reviews (January-June)

album by Various Artists, reviewed January 1998

The first Reggae for Kids somehow snuck by me, but I snagged More Reggae for Kids, mon! Reggae music dares you to resist moving basic body parts. I found myself lurching uncontrollably about the living room-in a good way, of course. RAS Records (RAS for Real Authentic Sound) has assembled Jamaica's top recording artists to perform a Caribbean stew of reggae standards and children's classics. Many of the songs address social, environmental and family issues. Some of the highlights include Billy Mystic's gentle version of "Hush Little Baby," J.C. Lodge's earth-conscious "What About the Children" and Bob Marley's "One Love" performed by Freddie McGregor. A portion of the sales proceeds will be donated to the "Area Boy Project" for impoverished areas of Kingston. Cool breeze, mon!

More Reggae For Kids, RAS Records; $14.98 CD; $9.98 cassette. Phone (301) 588-5135.

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album by Dave Kinnoin, reviewed January 1998

Dave Kinnoin's fourth release, Getting Bigger, is a superior example of original songwriting and production for young audiences. I love the lyric on the title tune, "Life is a candy cane and I'm lovin' each lick!"

Dave has an easy, accessible voice, and the arrangements/production add a ton of fun. His experience of songwriting for Jim Henson TV and Disney, coupled with his hard work ethic, have paid off. Congrats, Dave. Hey, life is a candy cane dude! Catch you on the flip side.

Getting Bigger, Song Wizard Records; $12.98 CD, $9.98 cassette. Phone (800) 678-7664.

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album by Walt Disney Records, reviewed March 1998

Man, I bet everybody buys The Lion King: Original Broadway Cast Recording after seeing the stage show. From what I've read, it's a bold, creative step for Disney — a fabulous feast for the eyes and ears. The ears part carries over into this cast album.

The director of the stage show, Julie Taylor, says, "In the live theater, the chorus has become a principal character." The South African-style chorus, led by Grammy Award winner Lebo M, adds weight and texture that transports the audience to the savannahs of Africa. No translation of the Zulu and other dialects is necessary — the passion of the voices and music suffices.

Elton John and Tim Rice wrote three new songs for the stage show that are funny and help illuminate the characters. For example, "Chow Down" serves up the hyenas as an evil rock trio, and "The Madness of King Scar" defines the escalating schizophrenia of Scar. I enjoyed the live performances even more than those in the film version. Catch you on the flip side.

The Lion King: Original Broadway Cast Recording, Walt Disney Records; $11.98 cassette, CD price varies by outlet. Phone (888) WDR-SING (937-7464).

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album by Elmo & Friends, reviewed April 1998

Elmopalooza is an audio celebration of 30 years of Sesame Street. Wow, time passes quickly for everyone but the characters, who are still the same age. So I says to myself, "John, why don't you call up Sesame Street and talk to that Elmo and get all the news that fit to print?" So I did. Talked to Muppeteer Kevin Clash—nice, deep, resonant voice. He says, "I hear you want to talk to Elmo. I'll put him on." So then I'm having a conversation with Elmo. Go to extremely positive and hang a left and there's Elmo.

I asked Elmo about all the talented performers who are on his album, such as Gloria Estefan with Rosita and the Oinker Sisters, En Vogue with Cookie Monster, Rosie O'Donnell with Elmo and Jimmy Buffet with Kermit. Was he at all intimidated? "Oh no," he says, sounding like Michael Crawford on helium, "they were all so nice to me and I love to sing."

So much for Hard Copy-style journalism. I asked him if he'd like to host a talk show like Rosie O'Donnell some day. "That would be hard. It's not as easy as it looks and Rosie makes it look soooo easy." My bid to replace Dan Rather is evaporating before my eyes. Since I'd read in the press release that he'd had some problems on the TV show, what advice could he give L.A. Parent readers on what to do when the pressure mounts? "You let them know they're never alone. They always have friends to help them." Bingo! Move over, Stone Phillips! While I'm planning the rest of my life, you'd probably like to know a sampling of songs on the album? "Mambo, I,I,I," "Just Happy to Be Me," and "Caribbean Amphibian" are three.

My final question was thought-provoking yet sensitive in a probing way: What's next for Elmo? "My friend promised to take me to play miniature golf." I forgot, he's a kid for gosh sakes! We said our goodbyes and went back to our parallel universes. Love ya. Mean it. Catch you on the flip side.

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

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album by Peter, Paul & Mary, reviewed May 1998

Peter, Paul & Mary have a great gig. They get to sing unforgettable songs, hang with people they've worked with for 38 years and play to full houses whenever they want. Their new album is called Around the Campfire (as opposed to my short-lived endeavor In the Campfire). This musical legacy of 25 timeless tunes includes everything from "Blowin' in the Wind" to—go ahead, name one. "Puff?" Got it! "If I Had?" Got it! "Leavin' on a ?" Got it! That'll keep your campfire blazing.

PP&M are a national treasure, lending credence to the old adage of a three-strand cord being stronger bound together as one. This is a great collection for introducing them to young kids, but somehow I think they'll already know the tunes. (See One More River. . . for the second half of this review).

Around the Campfire, Warner Bros. Records; $19.98 CD, $13.98 cassette. Phone (818) 953-3269. See also my interview with Peter, Paul & Mary.

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album by Bill Staines, reviewed May 1998

Now throw another log on the fire 'cuz I got one more fer ya: Bill Staines' One More River. . . More Songs for Kids, Cars and Campfires. Bill is another seasoned vet who's been around the musical block a few times. The songs are beautifully performed in "real time," and by that I mean the band seems to be in a living room with a microphone in the middle of the floor. There are songs about rivers, foxes, grandfather clocks and peace. Bill sums up the album's soul this way: "In the end what truly matters is that these songs, the music itself, and the feelings within, be shared with others."

Both these albums represent a link to the ancestral American tapestry. Pass it on. Catch you on the flip side. (See Around the Campfire for the first half of this review).

One More River, Red House Records; $14.98 CD, $9.98 cassette. Phone (800) 695-4687.

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