Musical Album for Children
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Winner:
"The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland"
Various artists
On Sale here!
It seems that anything Elmo does reaps great
rewards. "Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland" catches not only
some sweet moments with the little red chap but some
big-name talent, as well. You get the cute "Together
Forever," with Elmo and his "Sesame Street" buddies, and
Tatyana Ali singing "Precious Wings" and Steven Tyler
squalling through "I Love Trash."
Our Pick:
"All You Need Is Love: Beatles Songs for Kids"
Various artists
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Grappling with the appeal of pop and rock for small kids,
parents heralded this collection of Beatles tunes sung by
kids (and, on "Yellow Submarine," Raffi). The songs are all
classics--drawn mostly from late-period Beatles outings--and
they're magnetic for little ears. Never mind faithfulness to
the originals, or correct key signatures, or all the other
bad Beatles tributes. This one is great, and kids love it.
Spoken Word Album/Children
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Winner:
"Listen to the Storyteller"
Wynton Marsalis
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Trumpeter Wynton Marsalis proves himself a fine edutainer on
"Listen to the Storyteller," tying in different heritages
and remaining strongly creative in purely musical terms. The
storytelling is a mix of details for kids to remember and
music for kids to enjoy as part of the narratives. The tales
come from Native American, Celtic, and Afro-Caribbean
traditions, with Kate Winslet and Graham Greene's voices
resonating within the musical environs.
Our Pick:
We agree--stories and music rarely sound this good together.
Other Awards Relating to Children's Music
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Best Soundtrack Album
Winner:
"Tarzan"
Phil Collins
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"Tarzan," like so many other Disney film productions, is a
movie that would be monochromatic without its music.
Moreover, the music becomes a great snapshot of the film
that kids can take away. The songs are cute and
sophisticated enough to endure many listens, and the scoring
is reflective of the film's fun-loving spirit.
Best Instrumental Composition for TV/Movie
Winner:
"A Bug's Life"
Randy Newman
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Randy Newman is a wily, creative genius who can make his
music span styles and generations without listeners even
realizing it. "A Bug's Life" is given new dimensions by
Newman's music, which sounds like the film is alive within
it, even when it's listened to separately.
Check out Amazon.com's full list of Grammy winners at
On Sale here!
The singer who made Pooh Corner so poetic a place--once in
the late 1960s and again in the '80s--is back with, as he
says, "More Songs" from that thoughtful spot. Loggins's
smooth pop tones and moods make the tunes shine, both in
terms of their message and their production. Children will
love the songs from the films, all done in Loggins's
personable style.
"Music for Little People's 15th Anniversary Collection"
Various artists
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How can you capture the 15 years of Music for Little
People's stellar output on one CD? Well, with 15 great
tracks. And here they are: Los Lobos doing "Woolly Bully";
Raffi singing "Baby Beluga"; Sweet Honey in the Rock singing
"Little Red Caboose"; and Bill Haley belting out "Rock
Around the Clock." You'll find yourself hungry for much more
of the label's music. Happy birthday to MFLP!
"Counting Sheep"
Collin Raye
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Known as a country singer, Collin Raye brings far more than
Nashville to kids on "Counting Sheep." Parents will love the
tenderness of Raye's tunes, sung as they are by a fellow
parent. Kids will love the bright, poppy side of the songs,
just as they will respond in due fashion to the quiet calm
that is in residence throughout the CD.
NEW AND NOTABLE
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"Fantasia 2000"
Various artists
More on this here!
This collection of music is simply spectacular. Since it's
associated with the similarly spectacular visual experience
of "Fantasia 2000," the music has to parallel and build upon
the animation. It does this, and much more. James Levine and
the Chicago Symphony Orchestra work wonders with Beethoven,
Gershwin, Shostakovich, and Saint-Saens. The music is
alternately detailed to a brushstroke and then blown wide
open to create a visceral excitement.
"Build Your Baby's Brain 4: Through the Power of Bach"
Various artists
More on this here!
Mining the rich classical-music vaults at Columbia Records,
"Build Your Baby's Brain 4: Through the Power of Bach"
extends the dialogue between concert music and the child's
thinking cap. As a spotlight on the music of Johann
Sebastian Bach, this 78-minute collection is a doozy: it
features many of the major works, all in short snippets that
are easy on the ear but still very stimulating to the young
ones' active brains.
"Rhythm in My Shoes"
Jessica Harper
More on this here!
Children's author and musician Jessica Harper is a
delight. Her music is a refraction of the child's world,
drawing on impromptu rhymes and tongue twisters as well as
carefully constructed songs. Harper's tunes are lit by a
voice that seems to embody fun, much as her shoes are packed
with rhythm. This is a recording that spans ages, from
preschoolers to young grade-schoolers, all of whom will
recognize the positive energy of the songs and episodes.
"Annie" (1999 Television Cast)
Various artists
More on this here!
Skeptics might have clucked at the late-1999 remake of the
classic Broadway hit "Annie," but this fable of the little
orphan who was rescued by benevolence in the Great
Depression was both a dramatic and a musical success. The
songs swell with Alicia Morton's conviction and
good-heartedness, not to mention the colorful arrangements
and orchestrations. Opera and stage star Audra McDonald
turns in a fine performance, as well. It's a sweet story
with cute songs and memorable melodies galore.
"Songs of Innocence"
Hughes de Courson
More on this here!
Rich almost beyond words, "Songs of Innocence" couples the
compositions of Hughes de Courson and Tomas Gubitsch with
the voices of a Bulgarian children's choir and
orchestra. Their premise is a celebration of innocence,
expressed through music from around the globe. Instrumental
textures differ, as do moods, but the concept and the
overall execution are met with first-rate musical
performances that will surprise listeners with myriad new
discoveries.
RETRO IS COOL
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"Wild Thing"
Sugar Beats
More on this here!
The Sugar Beats are experts in the realm of melding
yesterday's pop with today's kid-friendly approach to
recording, packaging, and arranging. Their "Wild Thing" is a
grand tour that begins with "Build Me Up Buttercup" and
reaches grand heights on "Good Vibrations" and "Knock on
Wood." The music is smart enough to entertain adults, which
shouldn't surprise anyone familiar with the Sugar Beats,
parents who decided children could handle cooler music than
the standard kid fare.
"Seasons for Singing"
Ella Jenkins
More on this here!
Leave it to 1999 Grammy nominee (see below) Ella Jenkins to
come up with a gem every time. This 1969 recording is
notable and spectacular for its simplicity. Kids' voices
ring through the sing-along numbers, as do the easiest of
melodies. This timely reissue signals a return to some
golden moments in kids' music.
"American Folk, Game & Activity Songs for Children"
Pete Seeger
More on this here!
This Pete Seeger collection is yet another gem from
Smithsonian Folkways' huge catalog of recordings for
children. Folkies will love Seeger's consistency, his feel
for grassroots song making and good times. He's got a knack
for winning kids over in sing-alongs and games, playing it
up on "American Folk, Game & Activity Songs."
"For Our Children" (10th Anniversary Edition)
Various artists
More on this here!
"For Our Children" helped usher in a new dawn for
philanthropy in the early 1990s. This compilation of pop
stars covering children's songs also shone light on the AIDS
crisis. This 10th anniversary edition recalls its purpose
and creative might. Bob Dylan, Barbra Streisand, Sting, and
Elton John contribute, and they make it an album that will
be a well-worn staple for children and their parents.
SLEEPYHEADS ALERT
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"Counting Sheep"
Collin Raye
More on this here!
Collin Raye's got a kind heart--and an ear for dreamy
tunes. But his "Counting Sheep" isn't strictly a standard
lullaby collection. He adds the Beatles' "Blackbird" to the
canon, while still including such classics as "When You Wish
Upon a Star" and "Stay Awake." Through it all, he mingles
piano, vibraphone, guitar, piano, and his crooning
voice. All of it's warm and touching.
"Pillow Full of Wishes"
Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer
More on this here!
Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer present "Pillow Full of Wishes"
as a sequel to "Blanket Full of Dreams," their 1996 concept
album based on the netherworld of sleepytime imagination.
"Pillow" is similarly mellow, providing enough grist for
sing-alongs so that the CD isn't monochromatic, yet keeps
the music toned down so that it won't excite kids at
bedtime. The beauty is, these are songs that can be played
at any hour with full impact. They're lively but subtle,
creative but also simple.
1999 GRAMMY AWARD NOMINATIONS
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"Dreamosaurus"
Dinorock
More on this here!
The Dinorock crew's gotten their just rewards with a 1999
Grammy nomination. "Dreamosaurus" is a storybook come to
life as a song cycle. With titles like "Mister T. Rex Is My
Daddy," the spirit is lighthearted and still magnetic enough
to grab the ear with piano and several low-key voices
traversing the evening world of approaching sleep and
dreams.
"Ella Jenkins and a Union of Friends Pulling Together"
Ella Jenkins
More on this here!
Singer and educator Ella Jenkins has always posited that
children's musical endeavors have a liberating effect. Kids
love to sing and participate and are elevated by the
process. Here she themes her songs on the union, whether as
a cooperative play group or as a labor group. The songs are,
as is usual for Jenkins, easy to grasp and enticing for
small voices.
"Mannheim Steamroller Meets the Mouse"
Mannheim Steamroller
More on this here!
"Mannheim Steamroller Meets the Mouse" might be brief, but
it's inspired several Amazon.com customers to write in with
mixed opinions. What one customer calls "a really fun
listening experience" another calls "toy-store Disney
music." If you like Mannheim Steamroller's soft-pop and
classical mix, this is one you should at least sample at
Amazon.com.
"John McCutcheon's Four Seasons: Springsongs"
John McCutcheon
More on this here!
Spring is just around the corner--even though it might be a
snowy corner. John McCutcheon's "Springsongs" is here to
help celebrate the season of rebirth. This fourth edition in
his seasons series delivers songs about little league,
walking the dog, and enjoying changes in the weather. It's
fun to hear McCutcheon do more strong instrumental work, and
the songs are often poignant.
Nicolette Larson : Very Best Of Nicolette Larson, Aug 17
Check it out...
Shel Silverstein : Freakin' At The Freakers Ball, Aug 17
Check it out...
VA-Cedarmont Kids : Christmas Carols, Aug 24
Check it out...
VA-Cedarmont Kids : Christmas Favorites, Aug 24
Check it out...
