These reviews by Fred Koch appeared in the April, 2007 issue of "Chicago Parent Magazine." Reviewed in this
column:
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| Kids and parents will love Peter Himmelman’s new work. In last month’s column, I reviewed the five finalists in the children’s music category for this year’s Grammy Awards, which took place Feb. 11. I promised I would let you know who won this prestigious award. The good news is that Dan Zanes walked away with the honor for his CD, "Catch That Train!" Though some feel the Grammy Awards is often not much more than a popularity contest, the fact that a real artist making real music for kids and families won the Grammy award in the Children’s Music category is reason to celebrate. Zanes is passionate about his music and his call to the importance of family music making will now get an even bigger audience. MY GREEN KITE, by Peter Himmelman, Rounder Records, www.peterhimmelman.com; ages 5-10. A few months ago a pre-release copy of Peter Himmelman’s new CD for children arrived in my mailbox and I could not wait to hear it. I have been a fan of his music for a long time (Himmelman has been a favorite artist on Chicago’s WXRT-FM for years) and his music for kids is as adventurous and well crafted as his "adult" music. To be honest, there are not many kids music CDs that I can put on and bear to listen to from beginning to end. This is not the case with "My Green Kite." It is so refreshing and original that I contacted his publicist to see if I could write a pre-release review. Here it is: "Peter Himmelman raises the bar for all children’s music artists with ‘My Green Kite’—this is children’s music at its best and represents the level of children’s music our kids should be hearing. Listen carefully and you will hear true musical artistry. In an overly saturated and increasingly promoted market full of kindie rock artists, Peter Himmelman has soared above the crowd with an extraordinary recording that is worthy of everyone’s attention. Kids will squeal with delight and parents will wonder why there is not more great music out there like ‘My Green Kite.’ " All you really need to know is the simple fact that kids love his songs. They do not care one bit about his rock and roll pedigree or the fact that he has been compared to Elvis Costello or John Hiatt. My fourth-grade students at school have already been stompin’ around school singing "Feet"—the opening track on "My Green Kite." It is a rockin’ song exalting our often overlooked (of course, unless they hurt) feet. As Himmelman says, "Sometimes people forget about their feet. They are so used to thinking about their eyes, or their ears, or their hair." Here’s a sample of the lyrics: "My feet take me everywhere/They take me off to anywhere/I love my feet/Out into the street I go/Dancing to the beat, ya know/I love my feet." The title track "My Green Kite" is one of those songs that has such a hook that you will be singing along by the time the second chorus comes around. This is one of Himmelman’s many songwriting strengths. He knows how to write a catchy combination of melody and lyric and a hook that is not only easy to sing along with, but one that will stick with you and come to mind hours after you first heard it. Other highlights include "My Father’s An Accountant" where Himmelman sings about a relationship and a father that he only came to appreciate as he grew older. This sentimental journey could have easily slipped into a cheesy account, but again, he knows how to be sensitive and emotional without crossing the line. Your kids will also enjoy pondering along with "Have You Ever Really Looked At An Egg?" (Which strikes me as a Himmelman comment on a less-than-vegetarian lifestyle). Though not a song, "Baseball Tips With Professor Buckley" is hilarious, as is the hip-hop, rappin’ rant "Nothin’ To Say." I could go on and on about the merits of each song—like how every kid can relate to the idea that "Maybe Is A Bad Word" or how fanciful the imagery is in "Watercolor Set." Rest assured that this CD is full of original and creative songs that are skillfully performed and tastefully produced. Don’t just take my word for it. Be sure to stop by Himmelman’s Web site and listen to the music clips. You will not be disappointed! Go Back to Top WE SHALL OVERCOME: THE SEEGER SESSIONS by Bruce Springsteen, is another Grammy award winner this year. Though the recipient of the award for Best Traditional Folk Album (Vocal or Instrumental), Springsteen’s homage to folk music could easily have been in the Children’s Music category. This CD was recorded live in Springsteen’s house and features fabulous acoustic performances of children’s folk music classics such as "Old Dan Tucker," "John Henry," "Erie Canal" and "Froggie Went A Courtin" along with nine other gems. Plus the CD is a Dual Disc (two-sided disc) with the DVD side featuring video performances of six songs. Another favorite at home and school. Go Back to Top Fred Koch lives in Lake Bluff with his wife and son and is an award-winning music educator, children's musician and producer. His Web site, www.BestChildrensMusic.com, helps parents, teachers and librarians select quality children's music. The Web site also includes an archive of all Koch's past reviews published in Chicago Parent. Please e-mail notes and comments to fred@bestchildrensmusic.com.
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