2003 music reviews (January-June)

albums by Dave Koz and Joanie Bartels, reviewed January 2003

Good music happens to good musicians when they're on the same page. What better way to start the New Year than in peace and harmony with a couple of CDs by accomplished artists and lovingly dedicated to the ones you love?

Dave Koz is a Grammy-nominated saxophonist, producer and radio personality and his first release on his fledgling record label, Rendezvous, is a winner. For Golden Slumbers: A Father's Lullaby, Koz has assembled a stellar cast of top jazz instrumentalists including David Benoit, Rick Braun, Norman Brown, Brian Culbertson, John Stoddard, Peter White and his brother Jeff, who's daughter's birth prompted the recording. All the musicians are dads or uncles.

"The credit really goes to my sister-in-law," says Koz. "She suggested that Jeff and I put together a few tracks that would create a more comforting, relaxing environment in the nursery."

Thanks to their efforts, all parents can enjoy the fresh treatments these fine musicians give favorites such as "When You Wish Upon A Star," "Blackbird," "Brahm's Lullaby," and "Isn't She Lovely" among others.

Parents now have a nice soothing new tool for the bedtime toolbox!

Golden Slumbers: A Father's Lullaby, Dave Koz, Rendezvous Entertainment; $18.98,CD only, www.goldenslumbers.com. Buy Golden Slumbers: A Father's Lullaby at Amazon.com!

Is there a sweeter voice in children's music than Joanie Bartels? Anyone? Bueller, Bueller?   Bartels' voice has never sounded better than it does on her new release, Dreamland. With a career that began in 1985 — 12 recordings ago — Bartels is truly in it for the long haul and has a love and sincerity that enhance every song. If you ever get a chance to catch her live-performance, see in person the fun that kids discovered long ago.

"I've dedicated this album to all my nieces, nephews and great-nieces for inspiring me in my work, and to the late Rosemary Clooney, who was my very first inspiration to become a singer," says Bartels. You can never have enough lullabies and Bartels, along with gifted producer/arranger Chris Rhyne, has penned seven new ones, soon to be classics.

All in all a dreamy way to enter the New Year. Catch you on the flip side.

Dreamland, Joanie Bartels, Purple Frog Records; $15.98 CD only, www.joaniebartels.com. Buy Dreamland at Amazon.com!

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albums by Dan Zanes and Chic Street Man, reviewed February 2003

Good artists have an innate ability to make you feel that their performances are directed right at you and that you have been specifically summoned to a front-row seat. The two artists that I have chosen to review this month speak to me this way.

Let me first introduce you to Dan Zanes in his new(ish) incarnation as a maker of music for children. I was certainly aware of his previous musical affiliation — and if you are a young parent you may be very familiar with Zanes' popular '80s rock band — The Del Fuegos.

The synthesis of his influences and loves, from traditional American music to World music, are ever-present on his new CD, Night Time! He is joined by a raft of talented musical friends creating a recording that is impossible to resist.

Along for the musical journey, among others, is Aimee Mann, who joins Zanes in his basement recording studio for a beautiful interpretation of an original tune called "Night Owl." A popular song to re-record these days is "What a Wonderful World" and Lou Reed, Zanes and the beatboxers and rappers of the Rubi' Theater Company give it a new spin. Zane's musicality and direction is the glue that binds this collection. A nod must be given to the creative children's stand-up book packaging of the CD and the charming artwork by Donald Saaf!

Night Time! Dan Zanes and Friends, Festival Five Records; $15 CD; www.festivalfive.com, phone 800-448-6369. Buy Night Time at Amazon.com!

Chic Street Man is as smooth a singer and guitar man as you will ever have the pleasure of listening to. His latest release, Lullablues, featuring 10 original and two traditional numbers, explores the joys of sleep, the sorrows of sleep deprivation and points in between. This is an album for every generation: One has only to listen to Chic's mother, Jannie Mae, join him on "Rockabye Baby" to understand that "baby" in the lyrics could be any one of us — and to discover his vocal influence. Great arrangements featuring sax, harmonica, keyboards, bass and guitars support the gentle songs and strong family messages of the lyric. A fine collection and blues primer. Catch you on the flip side!

Lullablues, Chic Street Man, Street Music; $17 CD; www.chicstreetman.com, phone 206-525-2993.

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albums by Doug Pell and Shel Silverstein, reviewed March 2003

Teddy Bears come in all sorts of sizes, shapes and colors and have given pleasure to children of all ages for over a hundred years now. In 1902, a political cartoon appeared in the newspaper featuring President Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt and a "teddy bear" – a stuffed remembrance of Roosevelt sparing a bear cub during a hunting trip. Ever since, the warm and fuzzy friends have been among us.

Flash forward in time to a lovely recording, Teddy Bear Tunes Volume 1, written by composer/producer Doug Pell and celebrating eight original teddy songs with a couple of classics thrown in for good measure — "House At Pooh Corner" and "The Teddy Bear Picnic" — inspired by Pell's young son's attachment to his own bear.

A stellar cast of fine musicians display their musical wares, featuring Eugene Ruffolo's smooth as silk vocals; Tom Chapin's keyboardist, Jon Cobert, tickling the ivories; Eric Weissberg on banjo, mandolin, guitar, and Dobro and "Dueling Banjos" fame; Pat Matheny's bass player, Mark Egan; Amazing percussionist Manolo Badrena of Weather Report; David Nichtern, best known for his hit "Midnight at the Oasis," on lead guitar; and Linda Hickman adds a soothing timeless touch with her flute and whistle. The arrangements are top-drawer and everyone's playing like they really enjoy themselves. You'll enjoy this recording, too. So, looking forward to Volume 2!

Teddy Bear Tunes, Volume 1, Rounder Kids; $15 CD; www.teddybeartunes.com. Buy Teddy Bear Tunes 1 at Amazon.com!

The late Shel Silverstein, who departed these mortal coils in 1999, left a treasure trove of music and literature to be enjoyed by generations to come. Who could ever forget his books, The Giving Tree, A Light in the Attic and Where the Sidewalk Ends?    Underwater Land plays like a directors' cut DVD — a collection of 17 "children's songs" written and produced by Silverstein and sung by his longtime friend and collaborator, Pat Dailey, whose voice is a perfect fit for the raucous tunes. The Nashville musicians are none too shabby, either. Silverstein joins in on many of the tracks and the boys sound like they are having a ball! The 32-page booklet with many previously unpublished Silverstein drawings is a great addition, too. So get ready to "ride a bike with the pike, eat your meals with the seals, and have more fun than you ever planned in Underwater Land." Catch you on the flip side!

Shel Silverstein's Underwater Land,Olympia Records; $17.98 CD; www.underwaterland.com. Buy Underwater Land at Amazon.com!

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albums by Justin Roberts and Peter Alsop, reviewed April 2003

"I want to make music that's fun but also write songs that speak to the whole of a child's experience," says Justin Roberts about his new recording, Not Naptime. "These songs speak to issues that were important when I was growing up," he adds.

Though Chicago-based Roberts' voice and styling has been favorably compared to James Taylor, he has his own definitive voice that speaks to the whole child. The 12 original songs on this new recording are clear, bright and directly hit the ups and downs of growing up in a fun and loving way. Some of the highlights include: "Nightlight," something we all use at one time or another; the tragedy of having to bathe after "Three Days" of collecting dirt is a hoot; "98.8" pulls out all the stay-at-home excuses when homework is due; and a touching tune called "Moving" hits home as a youngster misses everything from the picket fence to the rooftop. The title tune will ring a bell with any parent or teacher whose little one battles the dreaded naptime with predictable results. A nice collection from one of children's music's truly gifted artists.

Not Naptime, Justin Roberts, Hear Diagonally Records; $14.99 CD; 877-345-4992 or www.heardiagonally.com. Buy Not Naptime at Amazon.com!

Respected songwriter, performer and educator Peter Alsop asks a peculiar question: What would happen if you could be magically transported back to preschool? I don't know about your answer, but Alsop's hilarious collection (22 songs in all) called Uh-Oh! boldly reverts to the world of diapers and innocence at break-neck speed. Along with pals Bill Harley and Mar Harman, Alsop provides enough jokes and asides to keep adults laughing and kids hopping. The charming kid's chorus adds buoyancy to the recording and Alsop's doctorate in educational psychology is invaluable in the liner notes as a jumping-off point for parents and teachers for each of the catchy songs.

This nice mixture of older and newer voices in the world of children's music is waiting for you to share with your families. Catch you on the flip side!

Uh-Oh!, Peter Alsop, Moose School Productions; $14.98 CD; 800-676-5480 or www.peteralsop.com. Buy Uh-Oh! at Amazon.com!

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albums by Robert Lawson, reviewed May 2003

Bob Lawson hasn't exactly received kids-classical-music hate mail, but he often finds himself defending his Kids Collection of Greatest Classics, Volumes 1-3 just the same.

"There's a set of people who just think you just shouldn't mess with classical music," Lawson says. "I admit I've rearranged and re-orchestrated symphonic works, but it's all in the interest of bringing the world's most beautiful melodies into the lives of young families. My series is a friendly and age-appropriate presentation of classical music's greatest themes, not unlike the abridgement of classic books."

And thank goodness for that. Lawson's wonderful music is for kids of all ages, rather than all those babies who've been listening to tunes we're told will magically increase an infant's IQ. "I wanted my music to engage the child and become something they love," says the Massachusetts-based Lawson, who recently sold his recording studio to a Backstreet Boy to spend more time with his three kids.

The Kids Collection of Greatest Classics, Volumes 1-3 stands apart from other children's classical music recordings, because Lawson has plucked the melodic gems out of the large orchestral format and arranged them in more intimate "song-length" abridgments. To further hold the interest of young listeners, he has used an engaging variety of folk instruments to complement the traditional instruments of the orchestra. For instance, Brahms' "Hungarian Rhapsody" recalls its roots when performed on gypsy violin, accordion and guitar.

With famous melodic themes from greats such as Beethoven, Mozart, Strauss, Verdi and others, the productions are exquisitely recorded and feature first-class musicianship. This series is a treat for any young family, even if you never thought you were "into classical."

There are so many genres of music that people alter: jazz, R&B, country, pop and opera. So…why not classical? Particularly if the end-result is as fulfilling as The Kids Collection of Greatest Classics. Catch you on the flip side.

— John Wood
www.kidzmusic.com

The Kids Collection Volumes 1-3, Robert Lawson, Greatest Classics; $14.98 CD, $9.98 cassette, gift pack $22.99 2-CD set; phone 978-369-0766 or see website at www.greatestclassics.com. Buy Kids Collection of Greatest Classics at Amazon.com!

Also check out:

First Grade Rocks! Smart Songs for Super Kids, Curriculum Rock!; $15 CD; www.curriculumrocks.com. "First Grade Rocks! Totally fun, upbeat AND educational!" John Wood, Kidzmusic.com.

This Heaven, Pastor Robin Blair, llamarze Music; $12.99 CD; www.robinblair.com; "Beautifully crafted songs from the heart that will lift your spirits and brighten your day!" John Wood, Kidzmusic.com.

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albums by Mrs. Music, reviewed June 2003

Mrs. Music has the music in her. It takes a lot of energy, patience and perseverance to teach music to children and super-size that when teaching neuropsychiatric patients with an age span from 4 to 22! Mrs. Music's love of music was handed down by her parents and developed at an early age during family sing-a-longs. After raising her own children, Mrs. Music (aka Barbara Klaskin Harris), auditioned for some more and founded the West Los Angeles Children's Choir, made up of children ages 6 to 13. They perform at a variety of functions in the Los Angeles area.

Two CDs have been released so far: It's Holiday Time! consisting mostly of original Christmas and Chanukah songs plus bonus sing-a-long tracks; and Celebrating Children featuring outstanding original poetry — some written by the fathers of choir members — and music by Harris. She recently completed a music appreciation lesson plan for kindergarten through older pre-school children called The Best Music Plans Ever!

Don't think she's busy enough? Next on the recording front will be two original songs, "The Riddle Song", and "The Tongue Twister Song," whose titles hint at the clever Gilbert & Sullivan-style lyrics by Harris' new partner Bob Silberg — the songs will be included in a new CD, Favorite Nursery Rhymes, forthcoming from Baby Genius.

Working with the troubled youth at UCLA's Neuropsychiatric Hospital has been a real eye opener for Harris and a few minor miracles have occurred. One wheelchair bound 12-year old girl responded so well to the instruments and activities that she began standing with the help of another young patient and "dancing" to country western music. Another hard-boiled teen stayed after class to learn "Mary Had a Little Lamb" on the piano. Mrs. Music definitely has the music in her — and she shares it with children every day. Here's to you Mrs. Music! Catch you on the flip side.

Celebrating Children and It's Holiday Time!, Mrs. Music Ent., $9.98 CD; The Best Music Plans Ever! $19.95; Mrsmusicent@aol.com or www.amazon.com.

Also check out:

Alukaleigh Lutz, Maureen Carr, Alukaleigh Records, $12 CD; www.alukaleighrecords.carrsmusic.com; "Maureen Carr has a sweet folksy-sound and original upbeat songs that beg a sing-a-long." John Wood, Kidzmusic.com.

Junior Jam 3, Jeff Eisenberg, Little Jems Music, $12.99 CD; www.juniorjam.com or www.amazon.com; "Junior Jam 3 is an upbeat, toe-tapping funfest that will have you dancin' in the streets!" John Wood, Kidzmusic.com.

Do You Wish You Could Fly?, Kathy Byers, KT Music Productions, $15.99 CD; www.kathybyers.com or www.amazon.com; "Kathy Byers sing songs that children can relate to in a comforting, soothing voice and parents won't mind hitting the replay button. " John Wood, Kidzmusic.com.

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