2003 music reviews (July-December)

albums by Elizabeth Mitchell and Katherine Dines, reviewed July 2003

The pure essence of Elizabeth Mitchell's You Are My Sunshine, is the effortless and intimate way she sings — in a way that we all do — in the shower. I mean this in the nicest way, but if there were no other instruments on this album it would be OK. The follow-up album to You Are My Flower continues the generous mix of traditional folk, innocent rock and inspired arrangements — from Bessie Jones' "So Glad I'm Here" to Huddie Ledbetter's "Goodnight Irene," this album brims with hope, love and contentment. The inspired retro cover of personal growing-up photos continues the precious circle of life. Play this in the car and perchance it may never leave.

You Are My Sunshine, Elizabeth Mitchell, Last Affair Records, $12.99 CD; www.youaremyflower.org. Buy You Are My Sunshine at Amazon.com!

Katherine Dines' Hunk-Ta-Bunk-Ta FUNsies 1 is an album of practical and fun songs and activities for parents and children from a consummate and seasoned performer. Dines, a songwriter, recording artist and teaching, has cut to the early-childhood chase with 15 tunes designed to aid in the development of early motor skills and language. Instrumental versions of all the songs are also included- perfect for kindergarten karaoke. "The idea here is to get back to the basics of hands-on sharing with baby," says Dines. "My hope is that parents will continue singing these songs with their babies long after they turn off the CD player." And if you want to know the origin of Hunk-Ta-Bunk-Ta. . .check out her website! Catch you on the flip side.

Hunk-Ta-Bunk-Ta FUNsies 1, Katherine Dines, Hunk-Ta-Bunk-Ta Music, $15.99 CD, $5 Activity Guide; phone 888-663-7122 or www.hunktabunkta.com.

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albums by Re-Bop Records and Lynn Kitchens, reviewed August 2003

What's good for the goose is also good for the gander and the gosling when listening to the creative and inspired, Mother Goose's Never-Ending Tea Party, the latest outing from Re-Bop Records. Count them: 60 traditional and original songs and rhymes zip past in a world record 60 minutes. The premise is fun and revolves around a dawn-to-dusk tea party with all the usual-suspect nursery-rhyme characters in attendance — must have been a logistical nightmare to orchestrate it all. The concept is winning and the performances are stellar, especially the intimate family moments between parent and child reciting the familiar rhymes. This recording reminds us why nursery rhymes are alive and well hundreds of years after their creation. A beautifully illustrated lyric and rhyme booklet is included. See you at the tea party, by the sea at half-past three?

Mother Goose's Never-Ending Tea Party, Re-Bop Records, $14.98 CD; 800-OK-REBOP or www.reboprecords.com.

Now let's take Mother Goose, give her a nice pair of shades, maybe a little leather, spike that hair a tad, strap on an electric guitar — and listen to her rock on with veteran Nashville musician Lynn Kitchens. The result is a kick-your-shoes-off recording, Rockin' With the Goose! The real-musician feel of the tracks is refreshing and hip parents will instantly recognize nods to The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, ZZ Top and other greats from the 60's and 70's. For example, "Humpty Dumpty is Journey meets Toto with Chicago sitting in," says Kitchens. The horn section on this album absolutely smokes and Kitchens himself as writer, producer and lead vocalist definitely has the chops to carry this labor of love to fruition. A fun sing-out-loud-roll-the-windows-down vacation CD for the whole family! Catch you on the flip side.

Rockin' With the Goose, H. Lynn Kitchens, Rockin' With the Goose Productions, $14.95 CD; www.rockinwiththegoose.com. Buy Rockin' With the Goose at Amazon.com!

Also check out:

LollipopRock! 2, LollipopRock! Records; $14.99 CD; www.lollipoprock.com; "Classic rock songs - Brand new lyrics - Kid singers - Rockin' fun for all ages!" John Wood, Kidzmusic.com. Buy LollipopRock! 2 at Amazon.com!

The Folk Tradition: Campfire Wicked Good Sing-Alongs, The Folk Tradition Records; $15.00 CD; www.thefolktradition.com; "Songs that never grow old performed by consummate musicians - Stoke the fire and sing-along." John Wood, Kidzmusic.com.

Gwendolyn and the Good Time Gang, Whispersquish Records; $10.99 CD; www.gwendolyn.net; "Bouncy, bubbly toe-tapping songs and sounds for the young at heart." John Wood, Kidzmusic.com. Buy Gwendolyn and the Good Time Gang at Amazon.com!

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albums by Lanny Sherwin and Trout Fishing in America, reviewed September 2003

Lanny Sherwin — creator, writer and producer of the popular Dream With Me Tonight: Lullabies For All Ages — has penned another winner with a focus on dads: Dream With Me Tonight, Volume 2 — A Father's Lullabies. Sherwin knows how to craft a song, produce with aplomb, and match the perfect singer to the songs. In this case, gifted vocalist Gene Miller gets the nod and hits a home run each time.

"Children are more sophisticated about music than many people give them credit for," says Sherwin. "We try to create lyrics and melodies that will appeal to all age groups." Songwriters draw inspiration from all sorts of people, places, and things, and the rhyme and reason usually makes sense later. For example, for this album, a magazine ad for a T-shirt company became "Frog Dreams," an absent security toy fostered "My Monkey Is Missing," and my personal favorite, because I too was a rock 'n roller, "Rock, Rattle, And Roll," trades one kind of rocking for another. In addition to the 11 songs, there are four instrumental tracks that should have your little ones snoozing in know time. Hurry up with Volume 3!

Dream With Me Tonight, Volume 2 — A Father's Lullabies, Sherwin Communications; $12.98 CD; 800-927-9848, www.DreamWithMeTonight.com.

And now for a fish of a different color — Trout Fishing in America, to be sure — Two talented chaps of different sizes and shapes whose latest outing, It's A Puzzle, dovetails their bluegrass and rockabilly musical roots with sharp witty lyrics and a fresh slant on familiar subjects from creepy school lunches ("Why I Pack My Lunch") and bad manners ("The Goops"), to silly songs ("La La Land") and teen-talk ("It's Like"). The musicianship is top-notch, the singing is great, the arrangements rock, and the recording, clichés aside, is truly for the whole family. You'll love it. Catch you on the flip side.

It's A Puzzle, Trout Fishing in America, Trout Records; $14.98 CD; 888-439-8342, www.Troutmusic.com. Buy It's A Puzzle at Amazon.com!

Also check out:

A Playful Mind — Music For Infants, Vol. 2 Baby Travel Music, Thomas Schoenberger, A Playful Mind Records; $16.99 CD; www.aplayfulmind.com, 415-257-8843. "23 beautifully constructed and stimulating compositions for short attention spans — perfect for quiet time, travel time…and any other time!" John Wood, Kidzmusic.com. Buy Music for Infants 2: Travel Music at Amazon.com!

Kids Sing-Along Songs, Addition Songs, Kidzup Productions; $9.99 CD; www.kidzup.com, 888-321-KIDS. "Two new edutaining releases from the fastest growing purveyor of children's music in the marketplace — hours of fun-learning and laughter, and, a portion of every sale will feed or inoculate children all over the world — Kidzup to something good!" John Wood, Kidzmusic.com.

George's Brother, George & Michele Schricker, Heart Mind Productions; $15 CD; www.georgesbrother.com, 574-936-3896. "A fun original musical concept with toe-tapping good fun, really-live musicians and upbeat arrangements that won't drive parents nuts!" John Wood, Kidzmusic.com.

Lezlee's Loveabyes, Vol. 1, Lezlee Peterzell, Mobile Bay Records; $15 CD; www.lezlee.com, 212-496-8625. "Parents take heed: Lezlee has made your job, as a one-on-one singer for your baby, a piece of cake — 10 original lullabies, beautifully performed, again a capella, and again instrumentally — if this doesn't work don't give up your day job." John Wood, Kidzmusic.com.

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albums by Diane Tatum and Jim Cosgrove, reviewed October 2003

Diane Tatum's The Magic Garden is a truly magical musical experience that opens a portal to a pure and simpler time (reminds me of my youth in England and yes, there was an England back then!). Charming child performances, especially the angelic vocal with the precise little accent on "Mousie, Mousie," will have hardened criminals crying their eyes out (I'm not quite ready to actually test that theory). But angelic voices notwithstanding, this recording is a down-to-earth treat for the entire family.

"Each of the songs hatched out of what you might call a transparent moment," says Tatum. "Our rooster does crow in the middle of the night ('My Little Rooster'). And the children do — despite scratches — love to hide in prickly blackberry caves ('Blackberry Suite')." The songs are nicely crafted and baked tenderly with love, the production value is excellent, and the performances stellar.

The Magic Garden, Diane Tatum, Kidz 4 Kidz Productions; $14.99 CD. Send email to kidz4kidz@bigpond.com. Call 609-267-1977. See websites at www.cdbaby.com/kidz4kidz. Buy Magic Garden at Amazon.com!

Lots of styles and smiles accompany Jim Cosgrove's fourth kids album, Pick Me! Pick Me! Cosgrove gives you the Jimmy Buffet vibe that he's right there in your living room performing just for you, and, if you leave the door open, he just might be. This guy gets around, taking his comfortably-energetic brand of silly-sincerity to as many kids and cities as possible. Whether he's singing about "Monster Trucks," a "Little Red Wagon" or a greedy little birthday girl in "Mary Kate's Birthday Cake," fun is always at the forefront. Cosgrove definitely has the handle on kids' sensibilities and what tickles them — good musicians and an unobtrusive kids chorus compliment the songs.

Pick Me! Pick Me!, Jim Cosgrove, Hiccup Productions, Inc.; $14 CD. Website at www.jimcosgrove.com, Call 913-831-4404.

Also check out:

Bad Mood Mom and Other Good Mood Songs, Jamie Broza, Good Mood Records; $14.98 CD; www.badmoodmom.com. "Four-time Emmy Award winner Jaime Broza brings his songwriting chops and three-time-a-parent sensibilities and observations to fifteen original and nicely produced tunes." John Wood, Kidzmusic.com. Buy Bad Mood Mom at Amazon.com!

El Elefante, Ben & Leo Sidran, New Baby Music Boom; $9.98 CD; www.liquid8records.com. "Ten beautifully performed original bilingual tunes from father and son jazz greats, Ben & Leo Sidran – a fun & loving collective collaboration." John Wood, Kidzmusic.com. Buy El Elefante at Amazon.com!

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album by Ralph Covert, reviewed November 2003

"There's just not any good children's music!" Got your attention? Well I diff to beggar with you on this rather touchy subject to the tried and true children's artists who happily ply their magical trade to rapt young audiences the world over — Like the troubadours of old, traveling from town-to-town, bringing transcendent moments of joy and laughter in the best of times and the worst of times.

Flash ahead to now: Welcome to Ralph's World, Ralph Covert by name — musically sound from the guitar on down, an ear for a clever lyric, and a raft of catchy, toe-tapping tunes that will have mom & dad singing along in no time. As founder of the popular Chicago-based rock band, The Bad Examples, Covert blurs the traditional lines that have separated adult and children's music. "I'm not trying to make kids records, I'm trying to make a great rock 'n' roll record that connects with the things that kids are passionate about," Covert declares. So does that now make him a "Good Example" to prospective children's artists? Yes, I say, and if you need to see the proof in the pudding, the pudding is most likely coming to a town near you in the coming months — Listen to me now and believe me later!

Celebrating his fourth CD, Peggy's Pie Parlor, and brand new DVD & video, Say Hello!, Covert's LA stop is an opportunity to see, that yes, there is really good children's music.

Peggy's Pie Parlor, Mini-Fresh Records, $15 CD; "Say Hello!" $20 DVD, $15 VHS (37 Minutes); www.ralphsworld.com. Buy Peggy's Pie Parlor at Amazon.com!

Also check out:

What Is It? Musical Math & Science, Re-Bop Records; $14.98 CD; phone 800-OK-REBOP, www.reboprecords.com. "Who knew math & science could be so much fun! A nice mix of clever tunes, splendid production value and world rhythms will have you dancing while you learn." John Wood, Kidzmusic.com. Buy Musical Math & Science at Amazon.com!

Mr. Quizmee Asks About Animals, Quizzenkids Productions; $14.95 CD; Children's Music - www.MrQuizmee.com, phone 866-482-2332. "Fun and educational romp through the animal world- a must for the classroom and pack one for the road." John Wood, Kidzmusic.com.

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albums by various artists, reviewed December 2003

Like it or not, the holiday are here again. And there's nothing better than giving music for the holidays. To make your job easier, I have rounded up some holiday music recommended by Santa's reindeer:

Dasher here, and I give a big hoofs-up for Time To Sing! At Christmas (The Center for Creative Play, $16.99 CD; www.time2sing.org, 800-977-5708). In these traditional Christmas songs arranged for children of all ages and abilities by James Coffey, the words are sung at a pace that anyone can keep up with, even if they aren't speed-demon reindeer like me! Buy Time to Sing! at Christmas at Amazon.com!

Dancer loves those kid choirs cranking out holiday favorites that he can, well, dance to, of course. Dancer recommends a double-header CD complete with lyrics, coloring pages and a price not even the elves could beat: Crayola Kids' Christmas Favorites and Crayola Kids' Christmas Carols (Madacy Kids, $5.98 each; www.madacy.com, 800-784-0991). Buy Crayola Kids Christmas Favorites at Amazon.com!

For starters, Prancer's not my real name, but that's another story. My pick is a trifecta from Mesa, Arizona, called A Holly Jolly Christmas For Kids (Children's Holiday Records, $20.99 for all three CDs; 480-964-8147). You'll love this comprehensive collection, or Santa's not fat. Buy A Holly Jolly Christmas For Kids at Amazon.com!

Psst — over here, it's Vixen. I'm a reindeer of the feminine persuasion and I just love a nice romantic solo piano, so my pick is David Tolley's Christmas Classics (US Records; $14.95 CD, $9.95 cassette; www.usrecords.com, 800-724-1542). These 27 beautifully played songs ring in at more than 72 minutes — quantity and quality! Buy Christmas Classics by David Tolley at Amazon.com!

I'm Comet, and I'm going for something completely different: Alice in Vivaldi's Four Seasons: The Music Game (Music Games International, $19.95 CD-ROM; www.KidsMusicStage.com, 617-868-8026.). It's a CD-ROM interactive educational game that just goes ta show ya what would've happened if Vivaldi and Lewis Carroll had collaborated. This game is packed with fun features for hours of family enjoyment. There's also a bonus CD of Vivaldi's Viva Antonio. Buy Alice in Vivaldi's Four Seasons at Amazon.com!

Hey, hey, happy Kwanzaa from Cupid! Grammy Award-winning songwriter Bunny Hull's Happy Happy Kwanzaa (Kids Creative Classics; $16.95 CD and activity pack, $10.95 cassette and activity pack; www.brassheartmusic.com; 323-932-0534) is my pick. Uplifting songs of self-esteem and self-determination. Buy Happy Happy Kwanzaa at Amazon.com!

Hi, I'm Donder, a.k.a. Donner. Call me Donny — it's all good. My jeans just fell apart, but the Von Trapp genes are definitely filled with the sound of music. I say try the newest release from the great-grandchildren of the most famous singing Austrian family ever: Christmas with The Von Trapp Children (Rattlesby Records, $18 CD; www.vontrappchildren.com). Buy Christmas With the Von Trapp Children at Amazon.com!

And I should be last? Hello, I'm Blitzen, and I'm proud as an elf on Christmas Eve to let you know about Celebrate Hanukkah (Craig 'n' Co., $15 CD; www.craignco.com, 818-760-1077) the first in a fine series of new Jewish music compilations from Craig Taubman. If this doesn't get you in the spirit, then check into Cedars. Enough said, but check out the series.

So what about Rudolph? He's already in the holiday spirit and listening to Chanukah At Home (Rounder Records, $12.99 CD; www.rounder.com, 800-ROUNDER), a combination of traditional Jewish and Yiddish material with many new songs. Buy Chanukah at Home at Amazon.com!

— Happy Holidays from John Wood & the Reindeers!
www.kidzmusic.com

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