1998 music reviews (July-December)

album by Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer, reviewed July 1998

This month the fabled finger of fate points to two dynamic duos. First up, we have the award-winning Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer's 1998 re-issue, Help Yourself. These 12 songs for young children focus on practical issues of safety and self-esteem, with memorable mantra hooks that will leave you humming. The titles are self-explanatory, such as "Never Talk to Strangers" and "The Name and Address Song." The title song, among others, encourages self-reliance. As with their many other fine recordings, Cathy and Marcy are joined by children's choruses that support and bring home the anthems. Count on it, these songs will stick to you like peanut butter. (See Family Music Party for second half of this review).

Help Yourself, Rounder Records; $15 CD, $9.50 cassette. Phone (800) 443-4727.

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album by Trout Fishing in America, reviewed July 1998

Second, a fish of a different color comes to us by way of Mutt-and-Jeff power duo Trout Fishing in America. Hearken back, oh Brautiganites! Their recent release is actually a recording of a PBS broadcast called Family Music Party that shows off their unique mix of harmony, humor and audience participation. Sixteen tunes and whaddya get? Some serious fun that will even lock in adults with short attention spans. This CD may actually be played in kidless cars! Yikes! My favorite title: "My Hair Had a Party Last Night." Keith Grimwood (bass and vocals) says of partner Ezra Idlet (guitar and vocals), "We've always complemented each other. He's tall, 6'9" and I'm 5'5 ½". One time we painted a house together and he painted the ceilings while I painted the baseboards. In music and everything else, that's the way it's gone with us." Kinda says it all. Catch you on the flip side. (See Help Yourself for first half of this review).

Family Music Party, Trout Records; $15 CD, $10 cassette. Phone (501) 761-3630. Website at www.troutmusic.com.

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album by Jessica Harper, reviewed August 1998

I've heard my share of lullaby albums, but Jessica Harper's 40 Winks takes the prize. I nodded off like the little pink baby I am. (Don't try to visualize, it's not a pretty sight.) The multi-talented Jessica Harper's fourth foray into the children's music scene is another big-time winner. All but one of the 13 tunes are original, and clever lyrics like these from "Dream Song": I dreamed I went to Charlie's store to buy some rubber bands/And Charlie was a centipede with 50 pair of hands! and beautiful, gentle vocal stylings are the norm here. Her inspiration and love for this project certainly come from her two daughters and it shows. The lyrics from "In This Room" are simple, profound and personal: There's a child in this room, darkness all around her/Once I dreamed of this room, dreamed of her/Then I found her. A beautiful album from a gifted artist. (See Swingin' in the Rain for second half of this review).

40 Winks, Alacazam! Records; $11.98 CD, $9.98 cassette. Phone (800) 541-9904.

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album by Maria Muldaur, reviewed August 1998

Maria Mudaur's classy, jazzy renditions of perennial favorites on Swingin' in the Rain are ear-candy for children of all ages. "We used the hippest jazz musicians in the bay area," Muldaur says, "who delighted in letting their inner children come out and play." Must have been pretty crowded in the studio. Highlights include "Animal Fair," "Jeepers Creepers" and "Three Little Fishies." The upbeat renditions are true to the traditional swing style of the original recordings. A few years ago, I was seriously considering recording an album just like this. You snooze, you lose. But you won't snooze through this album, you'll be jitterbugging in the street. Hey, maybe I could record "Midnight at the Oasis." Catch you on the flip side. (See 40 Winks for the first half of this review).

Swingin' in the Rain, Music for Little People; $15.98 CD, $9.98 cassette. Phone (800) 346-4445.

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album by John McCutcheon, reviewed September 1998

That man for all seasons, John McCutcheon is back and I for one am glad. What a refreshing blast of fresh, crisp air his new Autumnsongs is! Maybe the album should be called The Fall Guy.

In any case, John's observations and memories are vivid and universal, touching the varied emotions of the human experience. The 12 new songs travel through autumn, from being a "New Kid in School" (ooh, been there), to baseball recollections from 1957 ("When a town loved a team and a team loved a town") to gentle praise for an old "Bird Dog" to a new anthem for "Labor Day."

As in his previous releases, John's musicianship and production values are impeccable; good sound and a sound concept. After his next and final release in the "Four Seasons" series, I'll review the entire "symphony." For now, relish this collection with your hotdogs and family as you cheer on your hometown favorites at an autumn near you. Catch you on the flip side.

Four Seasons: Autumnsongs, Rounder Records; $14.98 CD, $9.98 cassette. Phone (617) 354-0700. John McCutcheon's website is at www.folkmusic.com.

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album by Tony Bennett, reviewed October 1998

Singing about everything from San Francisco to the playground, Tony Bennett enters his 50th year in show business in high style with a delightful collection of family songs, The Playground, part of his ongoing tribute to the Great American Song- book.

Several of the 16 tracks feature a children's choir, and guests include Rosie O'Donnell ("Put On A Happy Face"), Kermit The Frog ("Bein' Green") and the irrepressible Elmo ("Little Things"). Some of the other classic highlights, "Accentuate the Positive," "Swingin' On a Star," and "(It's Only) a Paper Moon," swing as only Tony Bennett can swing. The Playground is the latest addition to the Sony Wonder Family Artists Series, a critically acclaimed series dedicated to presenting popular artists and music that can be enjoyed by parents and kids alike. (See Imagination for the second half of this review).

The Playground, Sony Wonder; $16.98 CD, $9.98 cassette. Phone (800) 221-8180.

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album by Brian Wilson, reviewed October 1998

On another note: Parents and other connoisseurs of fine music for young ears, check out Brian Wilson's (yes, that Brian Wilson — from the Beach Boys) new album, Imagination. I thoroughly enjoyed this release and thought children just might be attracted to the light sounds and danceable rhythms. Of course, I might be having flashbacks. Where's that lava lamp? In the teepee? Let me know what you think. Gotta go find my inner child. Catch you on the flip side. (See The Playground for the first half of this review).

Imagination, Giant Records; $16.98 CD, $10.98 cassette. Website at www.GiantRecords.com.

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album by Bonnie Rideout, reviewed November 1998

Aye, ye bonnie lads and lassies, I was just cavorting up in the heather wi' me kilt flapping in the breeze when I ran across this wee jewel called Gi'me Elbow Room by fiddler extraordinaire Bonnie Rideout. "Well, paint me face blue and fetch me a sharp stick!" I yelled to my assistant, "There's a fiddler here in need of a review!"

I definitely have to up my medication.

Three-time U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Champion Rideout's fifth album is a nod to her Scot heritage and childhood memories — a clever collection of children's songs, nursery rhymes and poems set to charming tunes. Especially enchanting are the Robert Louis Stevenson poems from A Child's Garden of Verses set to music.

How important are those songs we parents gently hum at night as the little ones close their eyes? How special are the stories we read to them again and again? These things remain with us to adulthood and sometimes give birth to loving projects like these. Great listening. Catch ye on the flip side.

Gi'me Elbow Room, Maggie's Music; $15 CD, $10 cassette. Phone (410) 268-3394.

December 1998: See 1998 NAPPA Awards for more reviews

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