These reviews by Fred Koch appeared in the January, 2000 issue of “Chicago Parent Magazine.” Reviewed in this column:
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Just in case you haven't noticed, storytelling is back, as evidenced by the record crowds at storytelling festivals and the steady increase in releases by storytellers and spoken-word producers. In the recording industry, "spoken word" refers to both recorded books and storytelling. Spoken word also is one of two Grammy categories for children's recordings. (The other one is music.) So this month, I'd like to share with you some of my favorite storytelling releases. These storytellers don't just sit down in front of a microphone and spin tales. Music plays an integral role in creating the mood, supporting the story and supplying an emotional framework for the spoken word to live within.
If anyone in your family is a dinosaur fan, you'll appreciate Odds Bodkin's musical dinosaur story, Little Pronto's T-Rex Adventure (Rivertree Productions, 1999). This is a follow-up, of sorts, to the previously released bestseller The Adventures of Little Pronto, a story about intergenerational friendship featuring the diminutive dino-hero, Little Pronto. After hearing either of these recordings, you'll understand why Bodkin is called a "one-man symphony of story." The 72-minute story unfolds to the accompaniment of a continuous musical score, and features Bodkin's virtuoso work on 12-string guitar and his wonderful vocal ability to portray a variety of characters with ease and believability. The story goes like this: An aging, half-starved T-Rex collapses on the ground in front of Pronto. It's King Geoffrey the One-Eye, the fiercest Rex ever to walk the Sea of Grass, or so Pronto learns from Old Wrinkles, his Triceratops friend from "The Adventures of Little Pronto." Though he roars and boasts, the old predator is now helpless. Meanwhile, Pronto is feeling neglected, after the arrival of his new baby sister, so he runs away from home to Old Wrinkles' nest. After he learns a heartfelt lesson about growing families from his wise old friend, Pronto is snatched by a giant Pteranodon and flown upriver. Old Wrinkles and King Geoffrey set out to rescue him. But Pronto escapes and goes on to adventures of his own. In the end, he learns to accept his new sibling and discovers that "you feel more love the more you give away." It's an adventure story with a suspense level appropriate for children and humor that will appeal to listeners of all ages. There are also four well-crafted and singable songs which reinforce the story's themes and connect the action. (One sidenote: This recording is designated for children ages 3 and up, but I think it is more appropriate for children ages 7 and up--it's a thoroughly engaging and compelling story, but it is 72 minutes long.) Go Back to Top Stories To Grow On by Timmy Abell (Upstream Records, 1998) is another fine storytelling CD that relies on music to create a supportive backdrop for the stories. Abell plays a variety of instruments and tours the country, helping to keep the traditions of folk music and storytelling alive. Stories To Grow On is an easy-to-listen-to mix of folk tales, mountain stories, poetry and music. A few of my favorite stories and songs include "Lusmore and the Fairies," an ancient Celtic fairy tale; "Two Sisters," a short instrumental banjo tune; "The Man Who Bought A Dream," a story of the search for riches; "Cumberland Mountain," the traditional adventure story, woven together with Pete Seeger-style banjo music; and "The Raggedy Man," a poem by the American poet James Whitcomb Riley. Perhaps the finest piece is "The White Horse Girl and the Blue Wind Boy," from Carl Sandburg's collection, "Rootabaga Stories"--the language is so simple, yet so rich. The true power of a well-crafted, well-presented story, lies in its ability to create pictures and scenes in the mind's eye. Go Back to Top The Growler Tapes offer many examples of storytelling at its best. This "audio adventures" series, which includes 23 titles so far, provides a refreshing alternative in today's licensed-character-driven children's market. Each tape is a separate (and original) story, complete with great sound elements, music and lots of real kids. It's a lot like listening to old radio dramas. "The Classic Series I-IV," which includes the titles "Cutting The Cord," "A Sign From The Sky," "Square Bubbles," and "Quarter Past 20," is geared for children ages 4 to 10; the 19 "Growler Radio" tapes are targeted for the six-and-up crowd. All of these recordings would make great listening during long car trips. So do your kids (and yourself) a favor--turn off the radio, put in one of these tapes and let the magic of storytelling make the miles fly by. I would suggest calling these companies directly for ordering information. For details about Odds Bodkin's Musical Story Collection, call 800/554-1333 or visit www.oddsbodkin.com. Abell's Stories To Grow On is available from Upstream Records (828/258-9713). Order The Growler Tapes by calling 800/GROWLER, or visiting www.growler.com. And remember to contact me with your recommendations or comments. Write to me in care of Chicago Parent, or send e-mail to me at fkoch@lfelem.lfc.edu. Fred Koch is an award-winning music educator and a nationally recognized children's musician. He lives in Lake Bluff with his wife and young son. Go Back to Top |
