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These reviews by Fred Koch appeared in the May, 2001 issue of “Chicago Parent Magazine.”
Reviewed in this column:
Dragon Tunes - Dragon Tales
Reggae For Kids - Movie Classics
Kids, Cars and Campfires - Various Artists
These reviews by Fred Koch appeared in the May, 2001 issue of “Chicago Parent Magazine.” Reviewed in this column:
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| Maybe I'm just getting more particular, but it seems harder and harder
to find good children's music. I listened to more than 20 new releases for
this month's article. It would be a breeze to write a column on what not
to buy, but I try to keep my column positive, so I kept on listening until
I found these three gems to recommend.
First up is Dragon Tales/Dragon Tunes (Kid Rhino, 2001), a collection of songs from the popular Dragon Tales public television show. If you have a preschooler at home, this may be one of their favorite shows; it gets a lot of play at our house. So when my 4-year-old saw this CD, he immediately snatched it up and placed in the CD player. We both enjoyed it immensely. It features age-appropriate songs culled from the TV show's two-minute music video segments. They're all short and singable, and many encourage movement. Danceable grooves range from world- and Latin-flavored tracks to bouncy pop-style tunes. All of the show's characters are here (Emmy, Max, Cassie, Ord, Zak and Wheezie), singing and inviting listeners to dance along to such favorites as "Dragon Tales Theme," "The Hello Song," "Shake Your Dragon Tale" and "The Wiggle Song." Some of my favorites include "Try," "Betcha Can," "Ord Shuffle" and "The Silly Song"--which is a cleverly written song to encouraging kids to echo silly sounds to a funky rhythmic beat. (As a music educator, I love echo songs--they invite kids to get involved and have fun with rhythm.) Although some songs address those overdone themes of "use your imagination" and "you can do it," they manage to do so without crossing the line into sappy drivel. (Yes, young children need to hear such affirming messages, but not in a preachy manner.) I have actually decided that I like the Dragon Tales recording better than the TV show. When you have well-written songs that encourage involvement, you don't necessarily need to watch animated characters doing the actions. You can get up and play along just as well with the audio alone. Go Back to Top Following their very successful Reggae For Kids and More Reggae For Kids, Doctor Dread has another winner on his hands with Reggae For Kids: Movie Classics (Ras Records, 2001). It's comprised of soundtrack songs from Disney movies, all treated with those infectious reggae rhythms and grooves. When I first saw this CD, I thought it was just another record label trying to capitalize on Disney. (What would be next, a Disney polka album?) But since I really enjoyed the first two reggae releases from this label, I decided to give it a listen. I was more than pleasantly surprised. There is something relaxing and calming about a good reggae groove. When you couple it with a great song, the effect is wonderful. Some of Jamaica's finest musicians and singers are featured here, bringing a unique and original interpretation to these marvelous Disney melodies. Artists include Bunny Wailer, Freddie McGregor and Marcia Griffiths--all established stars in Jamaica. I expected to hear tunes such as "Hakuna Matata" and "Under The Sea," but adding a reggae beat to "Zippidy Do Dah," "When I See An Elephant Fly" and "Who's Afraid Of The Big Bad Wolf?" Now that's inventive! And I think I finally have found a version of "It's A Small World" that I enjoy! Other great interpretations include "When You Wish Upon A Star," "Can You Feel The Love Tonight?" "Colors Of The Wind" and "You've Got A Friend In Me." Reggae For Kids: Movie Classics is a more than just a coupling of two great musical worlds; it is wonderful way to expose children to the hypnotic and soothing sounds of reggae music performed by the masters themselves. Go Back to Top Kids, Cars & Campfires (Red House Records, 2001) is a sing-along collection of traditional and contemporary folk songs featuring some of America's finest folk singers. This compilation is another parent-friendly recording that you can enjoy listening to and singing along to with your children. And it's an excellent opportunity to bring some quality music into the ears of the young listeners in your house. Familiar folks like Tom Paxton, Bill Staines, Claudia Schmidt and Sally Rogers are featured here along with other artists from the Red House Records label. My favorite is Bill Staines' rendition of "The Happy Wanderer," a song I remember singing when I was in elementary school (it's amazing how many memories a song can spark!). You'll also hear Spider John Koerner's "Froggie Went A-Courtin'," and Rogers and Schmidt's "I Had An Old Coat" and "I See The Moon." In addition, The Chenille Sisters showcase their tight harmonies on the classic "At The Codfish Ball. Go Back to Top You shouldn't have any trouble finding (or ordering) these recordings at children's music retailers and websites. And as always, please feel free to contact me with your recommendations and comments. 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 |