These reviews by Fred Koch appeared in the January, 1999 issue of “Chicago Parent Magazine.” Reviewed in this column:
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I decided to kick off the new year by asking, "What's in the mailbag?" And a mixed mailbag it is. These picks, all new releases, are as different as they can be, but each has a distinctive appeal. The Best of Schoolhouse Rock (ABC/Rhino Records, 1998) appeals to the educator in me who has always wanted to teach older kids--say, the 9 and above crowd. It would be great fun to bring these songs into the classroom. They're educationally sound and extremely well crafted. And the musical energy keeps bouncin' and rockin' along. This collection features 13 of the best-known songs from the Schoolhouse Rock TV series (as determined by a poll of fans) plus four songs from Money Rock that have never been released on audio. Just in case you don't know, Schoolhouse Rock aired from 1973 to 1985, helping teach millions of kids the fundamentals of math, grammar, science and American history, with the aid of some great songs. This wonderful assortment spotlights some of Schoolhouse Rock's biggest hits, including "Conjunction Junction," "Three Is A Magic Number," "Interjections," "My Hero, Zero" and my all-time favorite, "I'm Just A Bill." I've heard many recordings geared toward teaching through song--I've even tried writing some myself--but with its outstanding songwriting and production, Schoolhouse Rock really stands out in this field. Go Back to Top Speaking of television, have you had enough of the Teletubbies yet? I thought I had, until I listened to Teletubbies: The Album (Kid Rhino Records, 1998). A huge sensation on PBS and a merchandising success story this holiday season, these techno-babies are now available on audio. Despite my initial misgivings, I must say that on a simple, carefree level, I enjoyed this recording. And you thought I was getting predictable. The Teletubbies music is not like that hokey, bouncy purple music you've no doubt heard. Instead, it comes off as child-like and easy-going, with a somewhat techno, borderline New Age flavor. The album contains 14 tracks including the popular "Teletubbies Say 'Eh-Oh!'," "Dirty Knees," "Dipsy's Fancy Hat" and a bunch of dances: "Puddle Dance," "Jumping For Fun," "Twisty Dance" and "Up and Down Dance." Go Back to Top I expected to enjoy the soundtrack from the movie A Bug's Life (Walt Disney Records, 1998). I am a huge fan of Randy Newman, who composed the score. The soundtrack includes only one song, "The Time Of Your Life." The rest of the CD is Newman's musical underscoring (background music) for the movie. The music displays a wide range of musical styles, emotions and themes. It stands alone quite well, even without the visuals it was so precisely written to support. Newman has scored the music to quite a few movies, including Toy Story and James and The Giant Peach. Soundtracks may not be at the top of the list when you're looking for music that is stimulating for kids and rewarding for adults, but this may change once you've given A Bug's Life a try. (Disney Records is also marketing A Bug's Life Read-Along, a 24-page book and cassette, and A Bug's Life Sing-Along, featuring 10 bug-themed tunes and a 22-page songbook.) Go Back to Top To fill out this eclectic mix of reviews, I call your attention to Jazz-A-Ma-Tazz (Baby Music Boom, 1998), produced by Hayes Greenfield. Greenfield is an accomplished New York jazz musician who has scored over 50 films, commercials and TV specials. But he says that his most important artistic work is the music classes he teaches to urban young people. On Jazz-A-Ma-Tazz, he takes traditional children's songs to jazzy places they haven't been before. This is an exciting undertaking. Jazz is all about freedom and stretching boundaries, and that's what this recording is all about. Melodies are re-shaped and the rhythms are swingin' and free-flowing. There is a distinctive urban feel to these jazzed-up versions of songs like "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star," "Fiddle De-Dee," "Skip To My Lou" and "I've Been Workin' On The Railroad." (If you lean toward soft jazz, some of this may be a bit "out there" for you.) Ritchie Havens is the featured vocalist on "Grandfather's Clock." I promise, you've never heard this classic interpreted this way. He also brings his very soulful voice to "Oh Susanna." Miles Griffith is hilarious as the voice behind "The Muffin Man." He sets up the song with a Tom Waits-style dialogue selling the kids on his muffins. One cautionary note: With a wobbly circus waltz and plenty of slide whistle sound effects, "The Animal Fair" includes the lyrics "the monkey, he got drunk/ and sat on the elephants trunk." All in all, though, this is a new title worth investigating. Go Back to Top You should find The Best of Schoolhouse Rock, A Bug's Life and Teletubbies: The Album wherever children's music is sold. To order Jazz-A-Ma-Tazz, call Baby Boom Music at 888/470-1667. Check out some of my past Chicago Parent music columns on the Internet at www.childrensmusic.org. Write to me with your thoughts on children's music in care of Chicago Parent or via e-mail: fkoch@lfelem.lfc.edu. Go Back to Top |
