These reviews by Fred Koch appeared in the January, 1998 issue of “Chicago Parent Magazine.” Reviewed in this column:
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I'm afraid this is one instance in which my mom might have been wrong, but who can really blame her? She was just reciting the typical (and hopeful) response of the time when she said, "Oh, it's just a fad. It won't last." But months became years and years became decades and though some still might not like hearing it, "rock 'n roll is here to stay!" Rock 'n roll oldies are all over the radio dial these days, which is where many kids first hear them. So I guess its no surprise that rock 'n roll oldies for kids have staked out their own niche in the children's music market. There is a lot to choose from, but it's not all worthwhile. Some are re-creations of original hits that sound like bad wedding reception music. Others are just a collections of oldies thrown together on a tape. But some are inspired, well recorded "cover versions" (not performed by the original artist) that rival the original recordings. Sure, you could simply listen to the original recordings rather than purchase the cover versions. But the advantage to these new versions is the selection of songs the artists choose to include on the recording and how they interpret the songs. Do they replicate note-for-note the original arrangement? Or do they change the lyrics or musical arrangements to make the songs more kid-friendly? With all that in mind, here are a couple of recommendations. One group that has forged a career out of re-recording classic rock 'n roll tunes is The Sugar Beats. Their lead singer and producer is Sherry Goffin Kondor, daughter of songwriters Carole King and Gerry Goffin. Stylistically, the music tends to stick pretty much to the flavor of the original arrangements. One nice touch is the children who sing on these recordings and I have always believed that kids like to hear other kids sing. The Sugar Beats contend that parents quickly tire of traditional children's music fare and long for kids music they can endure after repeated listenings. I don't happen to agree with their notion that traditional songs like "This Old Man" are tiresome. After all, there must be something valuable about these songs if they have remained a part of children's music repertoire for so many generations. (I can't help but wonder how long songs like "A Little Bit Of Soul" will last in our collective consciousness.) The Sugar Beats have three recordings on the market. My favorite is their first release, 21 Really Cool Songs (Sugar Beats Music, 1993). It kicks off with "Mickey's Monkey," an obscure hit, but one I've always liked. More recognizable tunes include Sly Stone's "Everyday People," "Put A Little Love In Your Heart" originally by Jackie DeShannon, Joni Mitchell's "Big Yellow Taxi", The Beatles' "Your Mother Should Know", the James Brown classic "I Got You (I Feel Good)," "Lean On Me", and other great oldies. There's also a rap/hip-hop-style take on "Rockin' Robin" and a rendition of "These Boots Are Made For Walking" which I actually like better than Nancy Sinatra's original. Go Back to Top Everybody Is A Star (Sugar Beats Music, 1995) was awarded a NAPPA Gold Award, but I think the song choices and musical arrangements are not as strong as on The Sugar Beats' first release. One of this recording's standouts is a rendition of the Carole King classic, "You've Got A Friend." King helps out with the singing on this new version. Other cuts include "The Lion Sleeps Tonight," Paul Simon's "Love Me Like A Rock," and The Beatles' "Ob-La-Di-Ob-La-Da" and "I Saw Her Standing There." Go Back to Top The Sugar Beats' newest recording, Back To The Beat (Sugar Beats Music, 1997) is my least favorite. Though the music production is good, the song choices--and there are only 13--have less appeal. Go Back to Top I really like A Child's Celebration Of Rock 'N' Roll (Music For Little People, 1996) because it contains original recordings by the original artists. A few months ago, I gave this CD to my third-grade friend, David. When I saw him recently, this was the first CD he played, partly because he's been raised to be a polite kid, but mostly because he really enjoys it. I could tell by the way he sang along with classics like "Rock Around The Clock," "Charlie Brown," "Splish Splash," "Alley Oop" and "The Name Game." Kids seem to respond naturally to the playfulness of these early rock 'n roll classics. (Maybe they also get a kick out of imagining their elders shuffling their feet and singing along to these oldies-but-goodies.) Go Back to Top Another really fine collection of re-recorded rock hits is Kids Wanna Rock (Melody House, 1996), produced and performed by "Mr. Al." Al Rasso is a former elementary school teacher and children's recording artist with a real gift for knowing what kids want, and he's convinced that kids "wanna rock." This is not easy-listening, middle-of-the-road rock fare. This is hard-drivin', make-you-want to-get-up-and-move rock 'n roll. It's a diverse mix of songs including the rock anthem "Bang the Drum All Day" and an inspiring rendition of "Get Together" (the Youngbloods hit). There's also an exceptional copy version of The Beatles' "All You Need Is Love" and a standout revision of "I Want Candy" that my third graders love--the chorus is unchanged but the verses list favorite candies, all to a drivin' Bo Diddley beat. Go Back to Top These titles should be available wherever children's music is sold . Kids Wanna Rock might be hardest to find, but you can order it from Childlike Consulting at 800/487-6725. Enjoy, and remember what The Rolling Stones say: "Its only rock 'n roll, but I like it!" Thanks to those who have taken the time to write or send e-mail--it's nice to know you are out there reading the column. Keep in touch through Chicago Parent or send e-mail to fkoch@lfelem.lfc.edu. And I'm excited to let you know that some of my columns from previous issues are now on the Internet at www.childrensmusic.org, a website dedicated to promoting children's music. Editor's Note: We would be remiss if we didn't remind you that Fred Koch has an award-winning children's holiday recording of his own: Tis The Season (Red Rover Records). Call 847/615-0366 or e-mail Fred for ordering information. Go Back to Top |
