These reviews by Fred Koch appeared in the February, 2001 issue of “Chicago Parent Magazine.” Reviewed in this column:
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| Children's music is thriving, due in large part to the recent contributions
of independent record labels. Sure, the big companies put out many albums,
too, but these are often highly commercial projects, stronger on marketing
potential than on musical excellence. So this month, I want to spotlight
some new music from a few of the independent artists who won't get a media
blitz but are deserving of attention.
My first pick is One Size Fits All by Danny Adlerman (Kids At Our House Records, 2000). I have a low tolerance for children's artists who feel that the sweeter and more syrupy they come across, the better. From the first moments of One Size Fits All, I knew that isn't Adlerman's approach. The first cut, "Africa Calling," grabs you right away with its jungle animal sound effects and keeps your attention throughout with a musical arrangement reminiscent of Paul Simon's "Graceland." Five of the 10 songs on this album are musical adaptations of picture books written by Danny and/or his wife, Kim (under the pen name of Kin Eagle). I have been a fan of Kin Eagle's books for a long time, and was excited to see some of them come to life musically. Danny and Kim favor starting with a traditional rhyme or song and expanding the story line. On One Size Fits All they have included fine musical arrangements of "It's Raining, It's Pouring," "Hey, Diddle Diddle" and "Humpty Dumpty." But I like "Rub A Dub Dub" best. It's a hilarious tale of the famous three from the tub who were sent out by their wives to snag some dinner. After quite a few mishaps, they return feeling rather silly and vowing not to tell their wives why. The listener, of course, hears the whole story. "How Much Wood Could A Woodchuck Chuck?" is another creative song built around a rhyme. The musical arrangement has a Grateful Dead feel, as Danny sings 12 different tongue (in cheek) twisters including, "How much straw could a strawberry bury if a strawberry could bury straw?" and my favorite, "How much chi could a cheetah tie if a cheetah could tai-chi?" One Size Fits All is brimming with clever songs sure to be enjoyed by children and adults alike. Go Back to Top Kevin Kammeraad's The Tomato Collection, The Big Album (Copperfly Books, 2000) almost defies description, but I will try. The Tomato Collection began as a journal of goofy thoughts, fears and dreams. Using a variety of media, Kammeraad illustrated each entry with a delightful, zany and offbeat touch. Then he took on the task of recording what he calls "a musical journey of the book." The result is a 77-minute recording that follows the text of the book, translating each entry into a song and taking The Tomato Collection to another level. Kammeraad has many gifts, not the least of which is his ability to play around with words and put profound thoughts about childhood into simple verse. He nestles the fun and silly sides of being a kid in between the concerns and worries all children face. His goal is to inspire children to write and rewrite, and get caught up in their creativity. (He supports this with visits to schools and libraries where he talks with students about the creative process and about the evolution of this project.) The music ranges from gentle and thoughtful to wild and frenzied. The track "29 Cookies," set to down-and-dirty blues, offers just one example of how in-tune Kammeraad is with the lives of his young listeners. "Ate far too much/ my stomach's far too full/ I'm feeling kinda funny/ not feeling very well/ I knew I should have stopped/ but they all just taste so great/ it's the 28th cookie/ I just should not have ate." Each arrangement perfectly supports and illuminates the thoughts and emotions of the journal entry. This book and CD combination stands out, take the time to find it. Go Back to Top Another indie release, Just Kidding by Andy Belling (MorBro Music, 2000), is a collection of songs that Belling wrote for other projects, including Disney's syndicated series, "Sing Me A Story With Belle" and the innovative Disney series "Fun With Spanish." It's an easygoing, mostly gentle musical romp through some delightful songs. Styles vary from Broadway to pop to lullaby. The musical arrangements are tasteful and Belling's voice is pleasing. Go Back to Top I've also enjoyed Songs From The Old School by Ivan Ulz (Ivan Ulz, 1999). Ulz combines original songs, remakes of Woody Guthrie classics and even some great old songs such as Patti Page's "How Much Is That Doggie In the Window?" and Ella Fitzgerald's "A-Tisket, A-Tasket." It's obvious that Ulz is thoroughly acquainted with the preschool set (he grew up in a nursery school). The music is perfectly sparse with an acoustic guitar at the center. Ulz's singing and an occasional slide guitar add just the right amount of musical support. My 4-year-old immediately loved Ulz's "Fire Truck" song and he stopped in his tracks for Ulz's version of Woody Guthrie's "The Car Song." I hope Ulz decides to share some more of his music soon! Go Back to Top You may not find these independent releases in your local retail music outlets. For One Size Fits All, call Danny Adlerman at 732/548-1779; for The Tomato Collection, visit www.tomatocollection.com or call 877/9TOMATO; for Just Kidding, visit www.morbromusic.com or call 818/500-7744; and for Songs From The Old School, call 800/443-3555. Readers, keep those comments and recommendations coming. My e-mail address is fred@bestchildrensmusic.com or write to me in care of Chicago Parent. Fred Koch is an award-winning music educator and a nationally recognized children's musician. His new children's music website, www.BestChildrensMusic.com, provides recommendations and information about selecting quality children's music, as well as access to past Chicago Parent reviews. Koch lives in Lake Bluff with his wife and son. Go Back to Top |
