These reviews by Fred Koch appeared in the October, 2000 issue of “Chicago Parent Magazine.” Reviewed in this column:
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Ever since I first heard Rick Scott's multi-award winning Philharmonic Fool (Jester Records, 1996), I've been waiting for his next album release. Four years is a long time, but it was worth the wait. Making Faces (Jester Records, 2000), Scott's fourth children's release , features 12 new songs. Accompanied by his trademark Appalachian dulcimer and a merry band of stellar musicians, Scott once again combines heartwarming musical comedy with great music grooves. With his careful choice of themes, his detailed attention to musical orchestrations, and his unique songwriting style, Scott is creating some of today's most exciting and fresh children's music. And he's got a real knack for connecting with children. (Last year, my 3rd graders loved Philharmonic Fool--and third graders, often already pop music fans, can be tough to please.) The new CD begins with a light, courtly fanfare introducing "Song For My Dearest Friend," which is based on a poem Rick received from a friend in England and set to music. It is a beautiful conversation about the love of music and song. "Making Faces" invites listeners to play along by making faces and enjoying song's sheer silliness. The CD also comes with a booklet featuring the lyrics, illustrated with full-color photos and drawings. And throughout the booklet Scott adds comments about each song. For "Making Faces" Scott writes: "Ever since I was a little boy, just for fun I've practiced making faces in the mirror...then I found out this is healthy for your face! Thanks, Dr. Tom Peters, for the facial muscle statistics [used in the song]." One of my favorite songs is "Song For Australia," which is great for kids on many levels. It introduces some interesting facts about Australia and is sweet and very singable, even though the chorus rambles on a little: "Hi there, Down Under, I'm from above and a little bit over to the right if you're looking at a map of the whole world." In the booklet, Scott writes: "Before I visit a country for the first time, I like to make up a song to say hello when I get there." Other standouts include "I Speak Duck," detailing his conversations with the local inhabitants and "Kitty Cow," complete with interludes of "Eine Kleine Moo Music," and "Mew Danube." Scott also tends to kids' emotional side with songs like "Do-Overs," which playfully reminds kids to give themselves permission to try again, and "Don't Know Blues," which features the woeful sound of a dobro with lyrics kids will enjoy: "I feel so bad and why I just don't know, I feel like my old brain just stubbed its toe." But I'm betting that most kids' favorite will be "Yo Mo Concerto," which tells the story of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in rap. Scott educates with such an entertaining flair that kids won't mind that they are learning something. I just hope we don't have to wait four more years for another release. Go Back to Top Lisa Atkinson's new release, The Elephant In Aisle Four (A Gentle Wind, 2000), is a light-hearted, folk-oriented collection of songs about animals that won the Film Advisory Board Award of Excellence. The gentle, American folk instrumentation features the warm sounds of mandolins, banjos, guitars and bass guitars, and provides a comfortable listening and singalong experience. The CD centers on the themes of family and community with songs like "Earth's Family" and "Turn Off The TV," and is appropriate for children ages 4 to 7 or so. Atkinson's songwriting reflects first-hand knowledge of young children. ("Butterfly," which tells of the insect's magical metamorphosis, and "Wonderful Wiggly Worms" were inspired by her work with kindergartners.) If you like folk music and whimsical animal songs, you are sure to enjoy The Elephant In Aisle Four. Go Back to Top When I first listened to In Your Garden by The Zucchini Brothers (Dijazzal Music 1995), I thought I had mistakenly put in an old Grateful Dead CD. It starts out with "You Are What You Eat," which displays all the vocal harmonies and folk-rock instrumentation you would expect from Jerry and the boys. The Zucchini Brothers are three brothers, two of whom have education certificates, who have pooled their musical talents and added what they know about kids to create and perform music for children. They do live shows in the area of Saratoga Springs, New York and have won a Parents' Choice award for In Your Garden. The brothers tackle child-friendly themes ("Back Of The Line," "I Gotta Friend," "Clean Your Room") while injecting positive messages and lots of humor. The music is in the folk-rock style, and you can immediately sing along--it's lots of fun. " Go Back to Top These titles probably will be hard to find in the retail outlets, so I suggest you order by phone or online. For Making Faces, call Jester Records at 604/736-7676 or visit www.rick-scott.com. For The Elephant In Aisle Four, contact A Gentle Wind at 888/FUN-SONG, or visit www.gentlewind.com, and for The Zucchini Brothers call 518/583-9835 or visit www.zucchinibrothers.com. Please feel free to drop me a note with your thoughts and recommendations. Send e-mail to 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 |
