These reviews by Fred Koch appeared in the September, 1998 issue of “Chicago Parent Magazine.” Reviewed in this column:
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There's a new artist on the children's music scene and she really deserves a listen. Her name is Jessica Harper. Her first release, Nora's Room (Alacazam!, 1996), was recommended by a friend, who told me that it is one of his daughter's favorites. Well, my friend's daughter certainly has an ear for good music. I thoroughly enjoyed Nora's Room right from the start and it quickly became one of my favorites, too. Most of the songs are penned by Harper and possess that special, hard to describe quality that sets good children's music apart from the rest. Harper also is a fine musician, providing the lead vocals as well as a tasty mix of background harmonies. The music and lyrics are fresh, original and very upbeat, often with a delightful, island feel. The title track is very singable with a catchy, syncopated chorus: "Crash, bang, crash bang boom/ Something's going on in Nora's room." The song takes a parent's perspective as sh Kitchen," with more of a rock beat, is based on the traditional song, "All Around The Kitchen," popularized by Pete Seeger. The island feel returns with "Sweet As A Swing Set," a tender musing from a mom about her two children. The mom sings of her son: "He's cunning as a card trick/ He's bold as a bear/ He's happy as a hatrack whose hats are all there." Next she sings of her daughter: "She's warm as a wigwam/ She's calm as a cloud/ She's friendly as a foghorn (sometimes she gets loud)." The song concludes: "They're sweet as a swing set/ They're solid as stones/ Delirious as dogs who just found 15 bones." My favorite track may be the happy, upbeat "Elizabeth Explains It All," in which Elizabeth pays loving tribute to her family and pets. As with all the tunes on Nora's Room, the music is lively but never gets in the way of the lead and background vocals. Everything works together and, though you may not know why, you know that it sounds natural and right--the way it's supposed to be. It is a real art to be able to put lyrics, music and vocals together with such a seamless result. Nora's Room may appeal to girls more than to boys, but I must say that this is one of the finest kids' records I've heard in a long time.
Go Back to Top Harper's most recent release, 40 Winks (Alacazam!, 1998), is a fine collaboration between Jessica and her co-producer Jim Wirt. The album is marketed as "bedtime music" and it is more low-key than Nora's Room. Still, it maintains a jazzy, easy, swinging style, with tightly arranged vocals and sparse but effective music. I especially enjoyed "In This Room," with its simple, tender sentiments. Any parent who ever rocked his child to sleep will relate to these lyrics: "There's a child in the room/ Darkness all around her/ Once I dreamed of this room/ Dreamed of her, then found her." Go Back to Top Another gentle, quiet-time recording that Disney fans may enjoy is Disney's Instrumental Impressions: 14 Classic Disney Love Songs (Walt Disney Records, 1998). This new collection features instrumental performances with lush orchestral arrangements showcasing renowned guitarist Jack Jezzro. It begins with "Beauty and The Beast" followed by one of my favorite waltzes, "Someday My Prince Will Come." Other songs include "Can You Feel The Love Tonight," "A Whole New World" and "When You Wish Upon A Star." Many of the selections feature a jazz rhythm foundation of piano, acoustic bass and drums, with lots of lavish strings on top. It's a nice, mellow set of songs that resists classification--is it a kids' record because of the Disney songs, or is it really an adult, easy-listening recording which just happens to feature songs from Disney movies? I guess I would conclude that it's oriented toward adults, in the hopes of drawing in the kids, too. Go Back to Top Since Nora's Room is not a recent release, you may need to call around to find it. (Or order it directly from Alacazam! by calling 802/244-7845.) But 40 Winks and Disney's Instrumental Impressions should be widely available wherever children's music is sold. Readers, I'm interested in knowing what your experiences have been buying children's music online. Also, as ever, I'm eager to hear your children's music recommendations. Write to me at Chicago Parent or send me e-mail at fkoch@lfelem.lfc.edu. Go Back to Top |
