These reviews by Fred Koch appeared in the September, 1997 issue of “Chicago Parent Magazine.” Reviewed in this column:
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Welcome to Chicago Parent's new audio review column. I plan to use this space to review some of the best new children's music releases, as well as introduce (or reintroduce) you to classic children's recordings that have withstood the test of time. From time to time, I'll also suggest music that you'll enjoy as much as will your kids. I'm excited about this opportunity to help parents and teachers stay in tune with quality children's music. I bring to this new column my experience as a children's recording artist, children's performer, elementary school music teacher and, most recently, new dad. This makes me a pretty finicky customer. When I survey the children's music front, I find that there's more than ever to choose from, but the quality is quite uneven. This month, I will spotlight a few of my favorite recordings from this summer's series of kids' concerts at Ravinia. If you missed this outstanding series, be sure to catch it next year. The music is excellent and tickets are very affordable (this year they were $5 for seats in the pavilion and $3 for the lawn). Red Grammer is an award-winning artist with one of the most wonderful singing voices in children's music today. (Some of you may know him as a member of the folk group The Limelighters.) Although he is entertaining and true to the genre when he sings traditional folk songs, Grammer really sparkles when he performs his own songs. His latest recording, Down the Do-Re-Mi (Red Note Records), contains some real gems, "Musical Animal," a bouncy tune, is one of my favorites. It will especially delight children with siblings who are learning to play musical instruments. In this song a child witnesses his brother's and sister's struggles with the violin and saxophone, then discovers an instrument in the attic. He takes it out of its box, puts it together and blows. Now he's a "musical animal" too. (The listener gets to figure out what the instrument is.) Extremely popular with my students at school, "The ABC's of You" is an alphabetical recital of compliments. It also features Grammer taking turns singing the alphabet with his son. "If I wrote down all of my feelings for you, I'd probably fill up an ocean or two," the song begins. "But in the end, I decided to list the ABC's of you." A clever, rhythmically challenging list follows and is repeated several times. With each repetition, the tempo quickens. From "You're A-1," to "You're one in a zillion!" the song is loaded with great language and is just plain fun to sing. "Place in the Choir" is also a great sing-along. Written by Bill Staines, it first appeared on the John McCutcheon recording, Howjadoo. "All God's critters got a place in the choir," the chorus repeats. The verses suggest which animals might sing in the choir's various sections The bass parts, for example, are "where the bullfrog croaks and the hippopotamus moans and groans with a big to-do and the old cow just goes mooooooooo." Besides being easy to sing, this song conveys the important message that there's room in the world for all kinds of people. Other memorable tunes include "Land of the Silver Birch," a traditional Native American song, and "Brothers and Sisters," a song about the connectedness of humanity. Down the Do-Re-Mi is ideal for 7- and 8-year-olds. Go Back to Top I am sometimes skeptical of musicians who venture into children's music after careers of playing primarily to adults, but there is no questioning the sincerity of Tom Chapin. There is no questioning his talent, either. With his latest release, Around the World and Back Again (Sony Wonder), Chapin again demonstrates his commitment to children by producing some of the very best in children's music. The recording has a multicultural focus and is chock full of great songs that get kids singing along, thinking and learning. After just one listening, you'll probably be singing the catchy refrain of "What is a Didjeridoo," a song about the Australian musical instrument. "What is a didjeridoo? What is a didjeridoo? It comes from the land of the kangaroo. But what does a didjeridoo? What does a didjeridoo?" The song goes on to describe a didjeridoo, to the accompaniment of the instrument's raspy, guttural twang. My third-graders vote on the songs to include in their spring performance every year. One of Chapin's songs invariably makes the list, and this year was no exception. They chose "Gonna Go to Borneo" from Around the World and Back Again (Sony Wonder). This story-in-a-song is about the imaginary trip of two kids who discover that traveling is fun but coming home is even better. A pop/rock beat keeps the boys going as they journey from Buffalo to Reno to Tokyo to China via one surprising mode of transportation after another. Other tunes explore ethnic cuisines ("It's Gonna Be Dinner Soon"), languages and positive attitudes ("The Wonderful of Yes"), professions ("How'd You Like to Do That?"), and the rain forest ("Forest in the Rain"). Unlike the recordings of other artists, which typically feature only one or two stand-out cuts, every song on this release is strong. Chapin just keeps getting better and better. I recommend Around the World and Back Again for kids ages 7 to 9. Go Back to Top Younger children will enjoy the music but may not fully appreciate the relatively sophisticated thematic material. Going into the Chapin archives, Billy the Squid (Sony Wonder), released in 1992, qualifies as a children's music classic in my book. On it you'll find "The Ghost at Bleak House," an outstanding Halloween tale that my students (and I) never tire of hearing. Other great songs include "Great Big Words," about a child discovering the power of language, "All of My Friends," "Sore Loser" and "Happy Earth Day." These are child-centered songs that speak to kids about things that matter without speaking down to them. This recording, too, is just right for 7- to 9-year-olds, an audience Chapin seems to perfectly understand. Go Back to Top All of these recordings are available where children's music is sold. For a local distributor or to order Red Grammer's recordings call Red Note Records at 800/824-2980. For information about Tom Chapin's recordings contact Sundance Records at 914/674-0247. Be sure to check out the audio section of your local public library, too. This is a great way to preview children's music and decide which ones you want to own. 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 |
