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These reviews by Fred Koch appeared in the July, 2002 issue of “Chicago Parent Magazine.”
Reviewed in this column:
Celebration of America - Various Artists
Skidaddle! - Buck Howdy
Bumblebees & Googleheads - Laurie Berkner
These reviews by Fred Koch appeared in the July, 2002 issue of “Chicago Parent Magazine.” Reviewed in this column:
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| After September 11, it was easy to get my students engaged in patriotic
songs and use music to support the national consciousness. I imagined a
lot of parents and teachers would be looking for patriotic songs for their
children. But aside from a few offerings by opportunistic companies that
dusted off previously released material and got them market-ready, there
really wasn't much patriotic children's music hitting the marketplace. I
was surprised. Here are some of the few I did find: Celebration of America
by various artists, all ages (Music For Little People, 2002). This is a
wonderfully eclectic compilation of American and patriotic music that the
whole family can enjoy. It is a collection of previously recorded songs
by a variety of musical artists. The music ranges from contemporary country
and rock to folk and Broadway salutes. You'll also get a good dose of patriotic
anthems and marches, too.
Celebration of America begins with "Big Country," popularized by Little Texas. Next is one of my favorites, "Follow The Flag," written and sung by Randy Newman. Linda Ronstadt sings her rockin' version of the old Chuck Berry hit, "Back in the USA," and Jane Siberry offers a beautiful medley of "O Shenandoah" and "Sail Away." Folk icons, The Weavers, sing their famous rendition of Woody Guthrie's "This Land Is Your Land," New Orleans master Buckwheat Zydeco belts out "Cotton Fields," and Ray Charles offers his tribute to Stephen Foster with "Swanee River Rock." The musical diversity continues with James Cagney's notable performance of "Yankee Doodle Dandy" and the original cast recording of "Seventy-Six Trombones" from "The Music Man." Another highlight is a live recording of the late Paul Robeson with an emotional interpretation of "Ol' Man River" from the musical, "Showboat." The CD finishes up with a rousing brass-band version of the John Philip Sousa march, "Stars and Stripes Forever," "America (My Country 'Tis of Thee) performed by the Spirit of Freedom Singers, "Battle Hymn of the Republic" featuring the National Philharmonic Orchestra, and "America, The Beautiful" with the American Philharmonic Orchestra. This magnificent collection represents the diverse heritage of America. The CD booklet offers fun facts and trivia questions for each song. I commend Music For Little People for putting together such a delightful, warm and thoughtful Celebration of America. It costs about $16 and is available where children's music is sold, or online at www.mflp.com. Go Back to Top Skidaddle! by Buck Howdy, ages 5 to 10 (Prairie Dog Entertainment, 2002). If your taste gallops to the beat of traditional cowboy music, you are bound to enjoy Skidaddle! Buck Howdy has the kind of deep, smooth voice made for cowboy songs. The instrumentation is pure acoustic, featuring some superb backing musicians on mandolin, fiddle, dobro, harmonica and guitar. The opening song, "Buckaroo," a Buck Howdy original, is filled with such cowboy wisdom as "Never try to ride a horsefly / Never ever eat a cow pie / You can't hold a saddle horn and make it toot / You can't cook a meal on a firefly / You shouldn't wear a suit with a railroad tie / If you want to be a buckaroo." The title song, "Skidaddle" (set to the tune of "When The Saints Go Marching In") also hints on how to be a successful cowboy or cowgirl: "If there's a skunk that's in your bunk / If there's a mouse in your out house / If an armadillo is on your pillow / don't fiddle faddle, just skidaddle." I enjoy Buck's original songs the best, but he and the band do some nice new arrangements, including Shel Silverstein's "The Unicorn," "The Lion Sleeps Tonight," "Alley Oop" and "Splish Splash." Buck Howdy's Skidaddle! is a record that gets more enjoyable with each listening. It costs about $14 and can be purchased where children's music is sold, from amazon.com, or at Buck's website, www.buckhowdy.com. Go Back to Top Bumblebees & Googleheads, by Laurie Berkner, ages 3 to 7 (Elefanten USA, 2002). If you've been following the children's music scene at all this year, you probably know about Laurie Berkner. She received some well-deserved positive press coverage for her concerts and recordings. She's also been raising money to promote Steps To Art, a new charitable program that supports arts education in preschools. All the proceeds from the sale of Bumblebees & Googleheads go to Americans for Arts, which is funding preschool art-education initiatives. Some of Berkner's most requested songs are on this a nine-song CD, including "Victor Vito," "Bumblebee (Buzz Buzz)," "I Really Love To Dance" and my favorite, the very singable and memorable "Bottlecaps." If you're unsure which Laurie Berkner CD to buy, this collection would be a good start because your money will go to a great cause. The CD costs $10 and is available at Elafanten retailers. For more information about Steps To Art, visit www.AmericansForTheArts.org; for information about Berkner, go to www.laurieberkner.com. For locations where you can purchase the CD, visit www.elefanten.com. Go Back to Top I'd love to hear from you; don't be shy. Drop me an e-mail at fred@bestchildrensmusic.com and let me know what your family is listening to these days. 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 |