These reviews by Fred Koch appeared in the April, 1998 issue of “Chicago Parent Magazine.” Reviewed in this column:
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If you've been reading this column with any regularity, you may have picked up on my negative opinion of many popular, adult-oriented musical artists who try (often with little success, in my opinion) to create meaningful music for kids and families. So I thought it only fair to bring to your attention two of those rare artists/performers who can and do successfully cross that musical bridge: Trout Fishing In America and Peter Himmelman.
A favorite recording of mine from this past year is My World (Trout Records, 1997) recorded by Ezra Idlet (guitar & vocal) and Keith Grimwood (bass & vocal) who are known as Trout Fishing In America. These "power" musicians have been delighting adult audiences around the country with their eclectic, "aggressive" folk-rock for over fifteen years, performing in such prestigious venues as the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., the Winnipeg Folk Festival and the legendary New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. My World is their second album for children, following their award-winning and very successful 1994 release Mine! There is so much to like about My World that I hardly know where to begin. The title track is an imaginative look into that place a child sees when he stares into space, lost in his own world. Other great songs include "Six," a hilarious performance of math problems that become increasingly complex, but all end up with the answer 6, and "Chicken Joe," about a cat, a little dog named Miss Kitty, a parakeet named King Kong, and a mule named Mister. Other standouts include the school-friendly "Science Fair" and the infectious "Beans and Weenies," a get-up-and-dance number in the style of Stevie Ray Vaughn. The only words are a boisterous and well timed refrain, "beans and weenies!" My World is full of great music that adults can enjoy with their children. I recommend it for kids age seven and up. For more information check out The Official Trout Fishing In America Website at www.troutmusic.com. Go Back to Top Peter Himmelman is another well respected performer of adult music who has the knack for making a great kids record. I was first introduced to his creative, humorous and diverse music when he was a featured artist on Chicago's WXRT-FM, and I have been a fan of his ever since. He's one of those entertainers who still has that childlike spark feeding his adult spirit. "Anybody who has heard my music knows that I'm a kid at heart when I play anyway," he says. So it is no wonder that his first recording for kids and families, My Best Friend Is A Salamander (Baby Music Boom, 1997) is a treat. As with his adult music, his children's music showcases his musical diversity and creative songwriting style. Kids and parents can relate to the stories his songs tell and they'll be singing along, too. I've been singing the title song since I first heard it. It just sticks in your head--proof of Himmelman's songwriting talent and art. I really enjoy all the songs on this recording, but my favorites include the affirming "You'll Always Be You To Me," "Little Bitty Baby" (a classic rock-n-roll tune written for one of his four children), "Larry's A Sunflower Now" (a serenade to a boy who has planted himself to become a sunflower), the Randy Newman-ish "Magic When You Come My Way," and the funky, rockin' "Little Space Guy." Himmelman's singing often serves the role of narrator with the voices of the characters coming in and out and around the song. There's a hint of Beatles style throughout. If you know Himmelman's music already, you'll buy this and love it. If you haven't yet heard his music but you want something with more depth and scope than most albums for kids and families, then give this a listen--you won't be disappointed. After all, any performer who hands out crayons to his audience and has them draw pictures during his performances, as Himmelman does, surely knows what makes kids tick. There are 12 songs in all with over 40 minutes of original music. Go Back to Top Elmopalooza! (Sony Wonder, 1998) stars Elmo and The Sesame Street Muppets and some very special musical guest stars in a brand new musical tribute to Sesame Street. This CD/cassette features the songs from the television special (soon to be available on video) and also contains two bonus tracks: "Happy To Meet You" sung by Celine Dion with the help of Herry Monster, Big Bird and Elmo and "I Love Trash" brought to you, full throttle, by rocker Steve Tyler, lead singer of Aerosmith. You'll hear lots of familiar voices including Kenny Loggins ("One Small Voice"), Jimmy Buffet (with Kermit in "Caribbean Amphibian"), The Fugees ("Just Happy To Be Me"), and En Vogue ("I Want A Monster To Be My Friend"). Gloria Estefan leads the "Mambo I, I, I," and Rosie O'Donnell croons in "Nearly Missed." I especially like "I Don't Want To Live On The Moon," tenderly sung by recent Grammy winner Shawn Colvin and the "Zig Zag Dance," spotlighting The Mighty Mighty Bosstones with some help from The Count. Find out more online at sonywonder.com. Go Back to Top I've been writing this column for over six months now and I'm starting to get some feedback. Thanks! Some of you say that you enjoy my recommendations and appreciate my help in sorting through the growing number of recordings for children and families. Others are taking the opportunity to suggest favorite recordings they think others would enjoy. I welcome this input. The easiest way to reach me is via e-mail. I'm at fkoch@lfelem.lfc.edu. Keep in touch. Go Back to Top |
