Amazon.com

Hollywood formula dictates that high school bookworm Casey (Michelle Trachtenberg) must struggle against both her own strong-willed mother (Joan Cusack) as well as her rival's (Kim Cattrall) in her quest to become a champion figure skater. It also inspires this soundtrack to be anchored by a rousing, against-all-odds anthem, "Reach," an infectious modern rocker by Caleigh Peters. Elsewhere, budding teen idol Jesse McCartney offers up the slick, 80's-inflected groove of "Get Your Shine On" while Michele Branch's "You Set Me Free" and "I Fly" by co-star Hayden Panetierre are infused with an inviting, harmony-rich contemporary sheen. Disney's penchant for energetic teeny-pop is showcased via Emma Roberts, Superchick and Natasha Bedingfield. But it's also an album eclectic enough to include the unabashed retro-Broadway charms of Lucy Woodward's "It's Oh So Quiet" and the more modern melodrama of Diana DeGarmo's "Reachin' For Heaven." --Jerry McCulley ... Read more

Reviews (30)

A great soundtrack for a great movie!!
This is an amazing soundtrack. The worst of teen pop can be sugary, cheesy, loud, and/or annoying, but the best of it can be beautiful. This soundtrack is among the best.

My favorites are:

"You Set Me Free"--Michelle Branch
Has a nice beat, lovely lyrics, and Michelle has a great voice.

"Reachin' For Heaven"--Diana DeGarmo
This song is so beautiful it still gives me chills after listening to it dozens of times. She has the most powerful voice in the pop world I've heard yet.

"No One"--Aly & AJ
A song that is more of a revelation every time I listen to it. These sisters definitely have talent (apparently they wrote this themselves) and lovely voices. And what lyrics! "And I ask myself/Who do I wanna be?/Do I wanna throw away the key/And invent a whole new me?/And I tell myself/No one/No one/Don't wanna be/No one but me" Look for their album sometime this year.

"Get Up"--Superchic[k]
This song has a great message ("I'm not afraid to fall/It means I've climbed up high/To fall is not to fail/You fail when you don't try/I'm not afraid to fall/I might just learn to fly/And I will spread these wings of mine") especially for skaters. Very encouraging.

"I Fly"--Hayden Panettiere
Hayden's voice is positively pretty! What other pop singer could pull off singing "Ly, ly, ly, ly, ly, ly, ly, ly, ly, ly ly ly ly, ly, ly . . .etc"? A lovely, lovely song. By the way, Hayden is signing with a record company. I hope her album(s) are as good as this song.

10 out of 10 stars **********!

The Ice Princess Soundtrack In My Opinion
Here is my opinion of this album:

1. Caleigh Peters - Reach (5/5)
This song is the single of the CD, and it's a very good song.

2. Emma Roberts - If I Had It My Way (5/5)
Total satisfaction!

3. Jesse McCartney - Get Your Shine On (5/5)
This song is pretty good.

4. Michelle Branch - You Set Me Free (5/5)
The song is really, really good.

5. Diana DeGarmo - Reachin' For Heaven (5/5)
I LOVE the chorus!

6. Aly & A.J. - No One
This song is SO awesome!

7. Lucy Woodward - It's Oh So Quiet (1/5)
This song is not good at all.

8. Superchic(k) - Get Up (5/5)
This song is awesome!

9. Hayden Panettiere - I Fly (5/5)
This song ROCKS!

10. Jump 5 - Just A Dream (5/5)
This song is amazing!

11. Raven~Symone` - Bump (5/5)
This song is really good.

12. Tina Sugandh - There Is No Alternative (4.5/5)
I hate the beginning, otherwise, this song is good.

13. Natasha Bedingfield - Unwritten (3/5)
The only parts I like are the choruses.

I don't know what you will think about this album. All of the songs on this album focus on following your dreams - no matter how far up you have to reach. The songs show us the possibilities in all
of us. From "No One" to "Unwritten," this is MY opinion of this amazing soundtrack. If you
have the CD, why don't you review it?

Disney Reaches Higher
1. Caleigh Peters - Reach (5/5)
This song is really good.

2. Emma Roberts - If I Had It My Way (Way over 5!)
I AM NUTS ABOUT THIS SONG!

3. Jesse McCartney - Get Your Shine On (3/5)
This song can get annoying after time...

4. Michelle Branch - You Set Me Free (4/5)
Okay, I guess...

5. Diana DeGarmo - Reachin For Heaven (1/5)
She's good, but this is bad.

6. Aly & AJ - No One (I'd go past infinity!)
Anyone who hates this song is N-U-T-S!

7. Lucy Woodward - It's Oh So Quiet (-5,000/5)
I hate her voice, hate the words, hate the song.

8. Superchic{k} - Get Up (3/5)
Superchic{k}'s music is good, maybe the song, too.

9. Hayden Panetiere - I Fly (6/5)
She could be the next Hilary Duff.

10. Jump5 - Just A Dream (5/5)
Nice beat, nice song.

11. Raven Symone - Bump (10/5)
Amazing song!

12. Tina Sugandh - There Is No Alternative (1/5)
Good song, but the beginning of it made me put it to one.

13. Natasha Bedingfield - Unwritten (0/5)
Perfect song for when the baby's sleeping.
NEVER PLAY THIS SONG WHEN (S)HE IS AWAKE!

TINA SUGANDH ROCKS!!!
Can I just say I cannot get enough of this girl!
Saw her at the tsunami thing and recently heard another
interview.
AMAZING!
How can one person be a sexy dancer, talented vocally,
& on the tabla, guitar, write her own stuff, be an honor
student and a good girl with her head screwed on right
while liking Metallica, love her family and still rock my world
with her music?!
How can all that perfection really be rolled into one? The
guy she lands will be some lucky guy!
Just now in love with the "There Is No Alternative (T.I.N.A.)"
song.
Frickin' Brilliant!!!
Hope this chick takes it alllll the way to the Grammy's!It's
about time someone with a smile and morals and talent
who's Indian rocked the world musically!
Proud to be brown baby!

3 Stars for the 6 Decent Songs
Alright, I didn't see the movie Ice Princess, but because of all the hype about No One by Aly & A.J. I checked out the soundtrack. My analysis was that there are 6 good songs, and all of the rest are crap. The ones I liked were Reach, If I Had It My Way, You Set Me Free, No One, I Fly, and Unwritten. No One wasn't nearly as good as it's said to be. I was waiting and waiting for it to pick up the pace a little bit, and it never did. My favorite songs were If I Had It My Way and You Set Me Free, even though that one is pretty old. Emma Roberts does a good job singing If I Had It My Way, and the upbeat tune is cool. I say buy these 6 songs from iTunes, and don't waste you hard-earned money on all of the songs that are complete trash. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Entertaining for young and old alike!
I remember watching schoolhouse rock when I was a child and I use to sing those songs constantly. I bought this CD for my daughter who, although is only 5 years old now, is singing the songs too. She will learn the meaning of each song as she gets older. I plan on buying every one of the videos as well.

I love Schoolhouse Rock!
I can't believe I found this. Almost everyday in math class, I find myself using my 3s timestable and thinking of the Multiplication Rock song. And in Lit, I am constantly humming Conjunction Junction. I thought I'd never hear my favourites from Schoolhouse Rock again...forget that. I'm so getting this CD!!!

Great choice, along with the new SCRIPTURE Rock
This disc is indispensable for children's education.
Also, I just found exactly what I was looking for - a disc called *Scripture* Rock. They still have the magic!

Excellent
As A teacher, I believe that each and every student in my 3rd grade class benifits from this video. I have seen child after child humming the tunes to, "unpack your adjectives" and "I'm just a Bill". Even As A teacher I learn from these videos. I love the music mixed with the wit and humor of it. I think that we could all learn a little by watching "SchoolHouse Rock!"

CD is good, but the box set is better!!!
I love schoolhouse Rock, I love the songs and I love the videos. So I only giving this 3 stars because some of the better songs are not included here. "A Noun Is A Person Place Or Thing", "Elementary My Dear", "Lolly Lolly Lolly (Get Your Adverbs Here)" and others are all missing. Here is some advise... if you are a fan, spend a few extra dollars and buy the box set. It has EVERY song ever made for Schoolhouse Rock. You wont be dissapointed. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Thomas The Tank Engine At His Best!!!
This is a great CD for the car. My 3yr old son LOVES this CD and has to hear it every time we are in the car. Very catchy tunes with British humor. Your Thomas fan will just adore this CD!!!

A Must-have for your Thomas fan!!!
My three year old and I LOVE this CD. He alternates between asking for this and his Wiggles CD. The songs are upbeat without being overstimulating.

Okay, but a little annoying
This cd is okay - I wish there were more actual train sounds since my three-year-old really likes to comment on the train sounds. Also, some of the children's voices are really over-acting and that can certainly be annoying, but overall, this is a nice cd. It's upbeat but after awhile,the songs sound the same.

Do CD's ever wear out?
I purchased this CD for my 2 1/2 yr old who is obsessed w/ Thomas. This CD is now his new obsession. His joy is just about absolute while it plays. He now requires it play while he goes to bed at night. (Make sure you have a repeat button on your CD player, you'll need it!) We have the Thomas Sing Along video, so my son knew most of the songs already, which helped him identify it with Thomas. I don't know how many times I am prepared to listen to this, I find the children's voices sometimes annoying, but I will live with it for the total glee my son finds while listening.

Kid's music that isn't annoying . . .
While the songs are all about the Thomas characters, the music is absolutely delightful. It exposes children to many different types of music --- swing, etc., and doesn't talk down to the children.

My 2 1/2 year old often asks questions about the songs . . .like "what does 'rules and regulations' mean?" which gives me an opportunity to expand his vocabulary and his understanding of the world.

But most importantly, the songs are just a lot of fun! ... Read more

Reviews (4)

It's a oldie
Great CD nothing wrong with that but i'ts the same as Disney's Instrumental Impression. Just for the record.

Superb!
Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings CD holds fourteen very well orchestrated love songs from favorite movies like Cinderella, Pocahontas, The Little Mermaid, and many others. Listening to these majestic selections will make your heart swell with delight. Fall in love with this romantic instrumental collection.

One of the best!
I love this cd! I am getting married this November and am having sort of a Disney themed wedding and this fits PERFECT!

The Classics!
This CD contains so many classic Disney songs.If you are a die hard fan like me, then you have most or all of them already, but if not, this is an excellent piece to start your collection. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

We love it!
I have a 4 year old and a 1 year old and we all love this cd. It is a great way for my four year old to release some energy. It encourages him to listen to the music and follow the directions (shake your arm, act like a elephant, freeze). We even listen to it in the car and I'm sure the other drivers get a kick out of me dancing/acting out the songs. My one year old even rocks out in her own way. You can't listen to it and sit still. I would highly recommend it.

A kids CD that won't drive parents crazy
I bought this CD for my soon to be four year old daughter because her dance class uses it every week so I knew she would love it. Two of the best songs are Tummy Tango and Animal Action. With Tummy Tango my daughter gets to move her body into the shape of different foods. All of the kids in my daughters dance class go nuts for Animal Action. If the kids are good during class the teacher uses that song as a reward. All of the kids run around pretending to be different animals. It's a very catchy song. Another favorite song on the CD is the freeze song. We used to use it everyweek in Gymboree when my daughter was a baby. I have a lot of fond memories of her shaking her litle maracas to that song with the other babies. This CD provides a lot of excellent oppurtunities for the whole family to get up off the couch and get dancing. It even teaches counting in another of the songs on the CD. Unlike some CD's (such as those by a certain purple dinosaur)kids and parents can enjoy this one.

Fabulous Fun
As a former preschool teacher, I'd recommend this CD to anyone. It was a great way for the kids to get active and have fun using their bodies without getting out of control. 'Animal Action' and 'Freeze' were two of our favorites.

My Kardio Kids love it!
This is a great way to keep a bunch of kids entertained and also a lot of fun to play in the car or the living room. My Kardio Kids (age 3-5) love it and my 3-year old and 1-year old love to listen to it together at home also. The songs are great for action.

Greg & Steve
Kids in Motion is a wonderful cd. I enjoy it very much and so do all my siblings. This is a fun cd for kids to listen to all the time. They sing songs that interest all children. I love this cd and it is truly amazing. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Excellent CD!!!
Relaxing!!! I love this CD and would highly recommend it to other mothers. My three month old loves to listen to it before he goes to sleep and during feedings. ... Read more

Reviews (29)

wonderful
Little Mermaid came out the year I started Kindergarten...I remember seeing it in theaters...and I've known "Part of Your World" word for word ever since. Menken and Ashman's beautiful melodies and joyful lyrics make everyone want to sing along. And Jodi Benson (along with the rest of the cast) brought so much to the music written by two of the best songwriters Disney has ever seen. It's unfortunate that Howard Ashman is no longer with us, but his music is his statement, and it's beautiful.

A CD for all places -- even "Under the Sea"
This is one of Disney's Must-Own soundtracks. These great songs range from "Les Poissons", the jovial "Under the Sea", the magical introduction of "Main Titles" to the really, really -- well, wonderful "Part of Your World". Jodi Benson (along with the rest of the cast) has displayed her (their) great talent(s) in this soundtrack which has sold over One Million Copies. Howard Ashman and Alan Menken's music is simply-put... a Classic. An essential Disney album, one that really should be in your collection, regardless of age.

Return from the Abyss.
At the time that THE LITTLE MERMAID came out, the Walt Disney studio was in major trouble. They helped paved the way in animation and CGI, but they hadn't had a major hit on their hands in a long time. The animation department at the studio had failed to produce a solid success in a long time and rumors were circulating that the company might end up doing something drastic, like selling off assets. Then THE LITTLE MERMAID came out and Disney saw a complete turn around. The movie revived the art of animation and helped secure Disney's foundation so that it could produce later films such as BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, ALADDIN, and THE LION KING. THE LITTLE MERMAID has a good story and the plot is still memorable today. However, the thing that sets the film as almost being a classic is the soundtrack. THE LITTLE MERMAID set a whole new course for Disney and in some ways paved the way for the revival of movie musicals. After all, the movie is basically an animated musical. The songs from the film are sung so much nowadays that they are commonplace, but they are still memorable and just as moving as they were the first time I heard them. Some of the main songs include:

"Daughters of Triton"

"Part of Your World"

"Under the Sea"

"Poor Unfortunate Souls"

"Les Poissons"

"Kiss the Girl"

My favorite song in the arrangement is "Kiss the Girl", though "Part of Your World" is a close second. I am also one of the few people I've met who enjoy "Les Poissons".

The second half of this album includes the rest of the score from the film The score won a 1989 Academy Award for Best Score. A must have for Disney fans and a great piece of music to listen to in general.

I love this cd, but..!
I adore the movie and I love the music, but how could they leave out Vanessa's Song? That's my favourite song in the movie!

ASTOUNDING ORCHESTRAL SCORE REFLECTS MENKEN'S GENIUS!
From the moment the Prince's ship sails into the horizon, you get instantly captivated by this breath-taking score. And right throughout the movie the music enthralls you. One of the last collaborative efforts of Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman, this magical soundtrack truly earns the title of a masterpiece.

The songs are excellent and vary from soothing ballads to beautifully styled Caribbean tunes. "Part of Your world" is unique; its haunting melody and Jodi Benson's mesmerizing voice (just listen to Ariel vocalizing) making it the best slow ballad ever heard on the silver screen. Samuel E. Wright's Caribbean vocals are the main highlights, with "Kiss the Girl" being a very tuneful, salsa number that has you swaying to its melody. "Les Poissons" in Rene Auberjonois' voice simply makes you giggle with laughter and Pat Carroll's "Poor unfortunate Souls" is a good villain song. "Under The Sea" truly is THE song of the movie, its Oscar-winning, foot tapping and humorous appeal making you want to listen to it over and over again.

The score, which earned Menken his first Academy Award, is outstanding and is easily one of the best scores in movie history. Later Menken efforts (like Aladdin and more recently Hercules) lack the magical charm so evidently present in The Little Mermaid.
"The Jig", "The Storm" and "Tour of the Kingdom" are definitely the finest sequences; the piano, strings, clarinet and drums conglomerate to produce a deeply invoking and overwhelming effect. Menken masterfully utilizes a host of instruments to eminently bring out the joyful, tense and melancholy atmospheres. "Destruction of the Grotto" and "Wedding Announcement" are such fine illustrations of the tense moments. As is mostly the case where the composer gives both the movie's music as well as its score; many parts of the score borrow tunes from the songs and beautifully manipulate them to highlight the emotional and imploring parts. "Bedtime" is a very good example of such a track, where the melody truly moves you. "Flotsam And Jetsam" portrays a dulcet sinister music, and "Eric to the Rescue" mixes all these ingredients into building up a captivating climax. "Happy Ending", which has a choral reprise of "Part of Your World", conveys the feeling of ecstasy and celebration.

The CD from Disney is something to really cherish, providing 44 minutes of engrossing Menken music. This perfect compilation does not miss out any significant part of the score. The Little Mermaid was the last Disney movie to exclude pop tracks from the end title. They are not at all missed. The soundtrack is complete in itself and honestly did not require any pop inclusions.

Menken was bade farewell from Disney after two of his scores (the much underrated Hunchback of Notre Dame and the most disappointing Hercules) did not quite attract the Academy. So this (and Beauty and the Beast) remain his best work till date. I honestly look forward to his return to animation and re-composing the genius which made Little Mermaid the crowning achievement of his career.

TRACK LISTINGS:

1. Fathoms Below
2. Main Title
3. Fanfare
4. Daughters of Triton
5. Part Of Your World [***** Excellent]
6. Under The Sea [***** Excellent]
7. Part Of Your World (Reprise) [***** Excellent]
8. Poor Unfortunate Souls
9. Les Poissons
10. Kiss The Girl [***** Excellent]
11. Fireworks
12. Jig
13. The Storm [*****Excellent]
14. Destruction of the Grotto
15. Flotsam And Jetsam
16. Tour of the Kingdom [*****Excellent]
17. Bedtime [*****Excellent]
18. Wedding Announcement
19. Eric To The Rescue
20. Happy Ending [*****Excellent] ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Our favorite Chinese C.D.
We listened to this every night for about 6 months after my second daughter came home. Sometimes I would play it in the middle of the night when she woke up. It had such a calming effect on her (and me too). I'm sure it helped her link to something familiar during those first hard months home. Now we don't listen to it every night, but it's still our favorite lullaby cd.

The choir is named appropriately. The children's crystal clear voices are so soothing and so angelic. Because all of the songs are in Chinese I do not focus on the words, but instead on the beautiful melodies which come from various provinces in China.

This cd has become my #1 favorite gift for baby showers along with a pair of squeaky shoes from China!

Beautiful music for babies and parents
We played this CD during my labor and it was incredibly soothing. Our son falls asleep to this CD every time we play it and it works well to calm him during bathtime or in the car. We liked it so much we purchased another copy for him to listen to while at day care and I think the familiar and relaxing music helps to ease his transition into his day there. We have quite a lullaby collection (African Lullaby, Brazilian Lullaby, Mediterranean Lullaby, Irish Lullaby, World Music for Little Ears and Chinese Lullabies) and we love them all, but this is our favorite--it's absolutely beautiful music.

Beautiful, angelic music
This CD has a collection of lullabies from different regions and different ethnic groups of China: Northeast, Guangdong, Taiwan, Hunan, Yunan, Anhui, Hainan, Guangxi, Tibet, Inner Mongolia.

Great CD, and it is in Mandarin Chinese
I agree with most of the reviews here that the CD is very soothing and provides good backgroud music. It works well for calming down a very active 22 months old toddler before bedtime, and most importantly, my daughter loves it. The entire CD is sung in Mandarin Chinese, contrary to a previous review that someone had said it was in regional dialects, which almost made me not purchase it (because I am a native Chinese speaker, and would like my daughter to hear more Chinese). But when I listened to it and matched the verses to the words printed inside the CD pamphalet, it is mostly in Mandarin Chinese except for the chorus in some of the songs were in the regional dialect. I am very happy with the purchase and would recommend it.

Good for colic! Chinese songs in regional dialects.
This soothing album is so beautiful and calming that it was one of the few that our daughter would fall asleep to consistantly during her first twelve weeks when she had colic. Even now, as our daughter is six months old, this album is still her favorite for sleeptime. The music is simply enchanting and features lullabies from different provinces in China.

I would like to add, though, for those of you interested in having your child be exposed to the Chinese language, that because the cd features songs from all over China, most of the songs are not in Mandarin, but in provincial dialects. All that aside, it certainly can't hurt for a baby to be exposed to several different dialects, but be aware that this cd won't be part of your "learn to speak Chinese" collection. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Following a now-familiar recipe, this musical revue uses a new narrative to string together a series of classic tunes. This time, they are culled from Disney's ample vaults. The material is impressively comprehensive. The oldest song originated in The Shindig (1930) and the newest are from Toy Story 2 and Disney's Tarzan (both 1999).Many of the numbers are grouped in likeminded "sessions." Some focus on a single movie, like Dumbo or The Little Mermaid, while the session dubbed "Silly Symphony" is pulled from nine different flicks. Kids will be delighted by the evergreen classics, while music-minded parents will get a kick out of nuggets written by 20th-century pop titans such as Peggy Lee (cowriter of the tunes from Lady and the Tramp)and Carl Stalling ("Minnie's Yoo-Hoo"). The cast is adept, the plot is--oh, who cares? This is all about the songs, and it's almost scary to realize just how many of them have become part of the American collective unconscious. --Elisabeth Vincentelli ... Read more

Reviews (9)

AWESOME!
I went to see this show a few nights ago, and I was really worried because I had read what it was about and it seemed like a REALLY DIFFERENT type of Broadway.But my mom and I went to see it, and it was awesome!!The Disney music was woven into a complete story of the different characters.The stage setting was very simple and nothing extravagent, but the lighting was what had a huge effect on it all!I recommend this show to anyone and everyone!!I have the CD on order, and I believe that the CD in and of itself is the whole show, because there is no dialouge in the show!There were a total of 16 people who did the show, 8 actors/actresses (4 main actors and then a quartet which were onstage) and 8 Muscians which were also on stage playing the music as opposed to an Orchestra Pit!

I will say this though, it was not as good as The Lion King on Broadway, that is a Disney classic.But Disney pulled it off and did an excellent job with On the Record!

Very enjoyable!
I just saw this show last night in Fort Myers, FL. It was really good. The cast did an excellent job of singing these great tunes and there was a simple storyline to follow among the characters. It IS a simple show...taking place in a recording studio. So not a lot of glitz and glamour. But I would definately go see this again...and would see it before seeing some of the "hits" that I have seen. If you are considering to buy this CD....get it. It's fast and slow and fast again...and leaves you feeling....good.

Makes you feel like a kid again!!!
I saw this show with my parents when it came to Richmond, VA!!! I had so much going to see these wonderful talented people prefrom the songs that we all grew up on!!! They were able to tell a story and have songs from all different movies flow!! I'm 21 and I loved going to the show with my parents and seeing them go hey i know this song!!! The stars were freaking AWESOME!! And Ashely Brown who has a AMAZING voice is going to broadway in september to start in Beauty and the Beast!!! So people should go out and by the record, see the show!!! Really listen to track of I'm Wishing/One Song-Beautiful harmonies and A change in me and thats a taste of what she'll do onBroadway!!!

Worst Broadway ever!
I can't believe that someone would take such great Disney songs from the movies and turn them into this horrible Broadway. Have they no shame? I guess if your between the ages of 5 -10 years old you may get something out of this, but any adult knows better. The album did have its moments but they were very few. I would not recommend seeing this live either. Save your money. If you have to see a Disney Broadway, stick with The Lion King or Beauty and the Beast.

Average Show, Excellent CD
I was able to see this show when it came to East Lansing, MI. While I cannot recommend going out to see the show, I can suggest giving the cast recording a try. What made the show most enjoyable for me was the music anyway. The staging of the show was unimaginative and was hard to accept at times. The performances heard on the cast recording are very enjoyable, the variety of Disney standards is quite impressive, and contains a few songs that are not to be found on other CDs. While the cast recording is a little pricey (even for a set) it would be far less expensive then buying tickets to see the show, and I believe is far more enjoyable. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

the muppets wizard of oz
when I'm with you i feel so safe !!!la,la la, la, Yea!!! ... Read more

Reviews (11)

very playful.Cute and lively.
This music is so fun! Lets children learn to love and appreciate classical.My children beg for this cd! Its nicely put together.

Not just for babies
This CD contains lightly arranged pieces which suit children very well. I am a 19 year old college student, and I use it personally for study music-it is really good background music without any of the distractions that usually arise from trying to listen to music and do homework at the same time. Highly recommended for children as well as adults.

A wonderful CD
I received several classical music CD's as gifts before my daughter was born, and out of all of them (also including classical CD's I had already owned) this is definitely my favorite. It stands out because it is not full of simply "traditional" arrangements but rather is very light and playful - there are all sorts of cute little chirping and whirring noises that add to it as well. It is just a lot of fun, and provides the perfect background for cuddling with your new little one.

There is one comment below from someone who thought the music was too simple and was of poor quality. I would agree that the music is very simple (not a bad thing), but disagree with the notion that it is poor quality. Anyway, this should be just one CD in a library of different types of music, classical and other, to help your child's music appreciation develop. If it happens to expand other developmental skills as well, even better!

Works as advertised-
The Mozart Effect - Music for Babies is a pretty good disc. Admittedly not the best Mozart recordings around, but then my child is not exactly picky. I prefer Genie's Angels All Around as a lullaby CD but either The Mozart Effect or Angels All Around would make excellent baby shower gifts.

Works Like A Charm
This is a must have for all infants and a terrific baby shower gift. My son is 14 months old and he has been listening to this CD for about 10 months. It has a TERRIFIC soothing effect on him. I think Mozart has become a musical comfort object for him, much like his soft blankie has become a comfort object. If he is cranky in the car and trying to unwind for a nap, I pop this CD in and he is automatically soothed. It's like magic.

I like that this CD is organized into more up tempo songs for playtime, and slower paced songs for sleepytime. I admit I wouldn't buy this CD if I were looking for some real Mozart listening pleasure, but this is for my infant, not for me. (Although I do admit, I am also soothed too by a little Mozart Effect.) And, I wish there weren't two versions of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, but it is still worth the $$. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Dan Zanes, lead singer of the 1980s roots-rock band the Del Fuegos, didn't need to enlist the high-profile help of pals Sheryl Crow and Suzanne Vega to produce a crowd-pleasing kids' record, but he got it anyway. On Rocket Ship Beach, where traditional tunes such as "Polly Wolly Doodle" (with Crow) and "Erie Canal" (with Vega) mingle in loosey-goosey, just-for-the-fun-of-it fashion with originals such as the plucky "All My Friends Live in the Woods" (written by Bad Company buddy Simon Kirke), Zanes exhibits the same plugged-in exuberance that gave his former band its unpredictable zing. Besides the no-amateurs instrumentation, which includes Zanes on guitar, lap steel, banjo-mandolin, and studiophone, and G.E. Smith on banjo-mandolin and guitar as part of a kickin' string band that performs the classic "King Kong Kitchie," plus a cluster of others, what stands out most about this 17-track funfest is its draw-you-in friendliness. Pitching in with the pros (who also include dancehall rapper Rankin' Don--he delivers the gruff stuff on "Father Goose" and "Sunny Side of the Street") are family friends such as the gang of West Indian babysitters turned vocal group the Sandy Girls, who give it up to impressive, get-you-boogying effect on "Emmanuel Road," and a kindergarten class that contributes, adorably, to "Sidewalks of New York." All told, this is way hipper than most kids' records and it also razzle-dazzles with its packaging--Rocket Ship Beach arrives in a chunky, colorful board-book illustrated with sweet, fantasy-fueled beachside scenes by banjo player and Zanes's brother-in-law, Donald Saaf. --Tammy La Gorce ... Read more

Reviews (34)

Not Just For Kids
My wife, son, and I were given this CD as a gift. I was skeptical because I feel many new efforts geared towards kids are either too Smurfy or too preachy. I was very pleasantly surprised. This CD is now not only one of my son's favorites, it is also a favorite of his parents.

Zanes has put together a collection of songs that keep you tapping your feet the 70th time you listen to them. I stay at home with my son and this music has saved me many times when he has been too cranky to eat, or hang out by himself while I get a few things done. After a little dancing to "Polly Wally Doodle" or "Erie Canal" he is bright and cheery.

I knew many of these songs before I heard the CD - - but not all of them. And even though I knew the tunes, Zanes has produced them in fresh new ways sure to surprise even the most jaded parent.

It was fun to hear artists I had heard previously singing songs for kids. I especially like the efforts of Sheryl Crow, Suzanne Vega, and Barbara Brousal - - all of whom sing with the same clarity and spirit their fans love them for on their own CDs.

I can't recommend this CD highly enough. If you have kids you owe it to yourself to buy this and share it with them. If you don't have kids I recommend it as a charming, happy, intelligent collection of cherished songs by a group of talented musicians.

Can't say enough...
I honestly can't say enough...I recently went on a mad search for "listenable" children's music and fortunately Rocket Ship Beach was recommended. I purchased about 10 other children's CDs at the time and this one is the definite favorite! My 2 1/2 year old requests "Goodbye Old Paint" at least once a day and it hasn't even started to drive me crazy. Every track is great! I'm thankful for Dan Zanes and company daily. I bought "Family Dance" (his 2nd CD) as well, and while it's good, "Rocket Ship Beach" gets more air time. I would buy them both, but if you need a place to start go with "Rocket Ship Beach".

Baby Music you can Actually enjoy
My husband and I listen to different children's cd's in the car with our children almost every day, and in the kitchen while making dinner. This one beats them all as we all enjoy the laid back feel it brings to us, the folksy rhythm, the swanky voices. A must for parents who are tired of singing their ABC's.

Kids and Adults will enjoy this music
My husband recently purchased this for our 17 month old daughter. It is music that we both enjoy. We catch her in the back seat bobbing her head to the beat of the music and 'chair dancing' in her car seat. This is a wonderful collection of children's music that adults can enjoy as well. It is not the same old boring nursery songs or the classical music that is more appropriate for wind down time. This music is great for the car or during play time. A must for parents. I wish we would have known about it sooner. Now all my friends are getting it for gifts.

I just love this guy...
We just took our little guy to see him, and he met everybody after the show...He had a toddler mosh pit. It was awesome. And this album is great. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Cute CD of Classic Kids Songs
This is a great collection of songs for toddlers and my son enjoys most of the songs on the CD. The only downside of the CD is that after a while it can become a little boring to him and me compared to his other CDs like the Wiggles. But if you are looking for some classics mixed in with some christian favorites for a cheap price then this is a perfect cd to add to your collection.

very nice
It is cute, up beat and Faith, (my daughter), really likes this CD. It is also very easy for me to listen to. My only thought is that it would be nice to be just a little bit more varied in the beats or the tone or instruments or something, from one song to the next. My daughter always enjoys when I put this on for her...but after a while she is a bit disinterested and has me switch to another CD.

All in all I think it is a good CD to own and I enjoy the Christian quality.

Be warned...
While I thought most of the songs were cute, I would have appreciated a warning that this is CHRISTIAN baby songs. There are a couple of songs that are clearly religious... and I was uncomfortable with my child listening to this CD.

Fun for the toddlers, at a fantastic price
THis CD is very fun and bouncy.
My kids, especially the older ones, also love to sing and play to the SCRIPTURE ROCK and Worship Rock series.

Great CD for preschoolers!
I pop this CD into the player we have in our kitchen often, to give him something to listen to while painting or while I'm doing other things. The songs are fun, the kids who sing them aren't annoying, and there is just the right mix of traditional favorites combined with Christian songs for little ones. I highly recommend it! ... Read more

Amazon.com

It benefits a great cause (preschool education for all American children), its star-studded lineup makes you want to have a listen regardless of your station in life (college kid, mother of quintuplets), and its stylishly askew songs are masterfully sequenced (Dixie Chicks chug into Madonna, Jack Johnson gives way to Moby), so that each track comes across a pleasant surprise. The only problem with Mary Had a Little Amp, if there is one, is its title, which gives the impression that it's a hard-rocking affair when mostly it's not. For example, R.E.M. rightfully conjures images of cranking amps, but here the band tones it down with the playful, hyper-rhythmic "We Walk." And Bonnie Raitt, saluted as much for her slide guitar chops as her singing, turns in a snuggly rendition of "Baby Mine" from Dumbo. --Tammy La Gorce ... Read more

Reviews (7)

THE BEST OF THE CLASSICS!
WHAT MORE CAN I SAY I LOVE THEM ALL AND THEY ARE COMPILED GREAT

Great
I just purchased this cd and am totally amazed at the quality. Not only that, me and my husband both love it. If you don't have kids this cd is still worth getting.

What fun!
Having grown up with Disney movies and cartoons, this collection of memorable songs is a lot of fun to sing along to in the car (especially with some friends as we are driving up to Walt Disney World). These songs are from some of the best-loved movies in Disney history. They are all in digital quality (not those audiotapes I used to make by hooking my cassette player to my VCR). The liner notes even include the full lyrics to these classics.

Great CD but save money w/the 5 dics set
This CD is great. It has both old and new Disney classics. But...for about [$$$] more you can get all these songs and about 80 more. The 5 disc set sold here at Amazon has 99 Disney classics and sells for about the price of 2 CDs. The 5 disc set includes songs such as Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah from the no-longer released Song of the South, songs from the theme parks like the Electric Light Parade theme, It's a Small World from the NY World's Fair...it has them all! Buying the CDs seperately you probably spend twice as much + shipping; save some money--the 5-CD set is the way to go.

Old School Disney Fan
With the possible exception of "Mulan", I haven't found any Disney movie made after "The Lion King" up to par (though I've yet to see "Tarzan"). That said, don't overlook Classic Disney, Volumes 1 and 2 (there are more, but the producers really started to add a lot of "filler" songs). They contain many of the songs some of us might indeed consider "classic" Disney. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Vol. 2 is good, but not the best.
I have owned all four volumes of the Disney Children's Favorite Songs since I was three years old, and although this one is enjoyable, I think it is probably the poorest of the four. The songs just aren't as much fun to listen to as on the others, and I recall that one of them, "Old Blue," in particular, used to frighten me when I first got the tape because the singer sings that his dog died. Well, I'm over that fear now *muffles a sob* but I still don't think this tape is the best one to start off with. I'd advise buying all four volumes together, and if you only want to buy one, get Vol. 4. It's undoubtedly the best.

Love it!
What a great cd! I have wasted so much money on cd's that say they have the traditional versions of the songs only to end up with real rubbish with electric guitars, distortion and rap!! Its enough to drive parent. . . and child . . .insane! This collection is absolutely wonderful. The songs are the ones you grew up with, sung in a way that encourages sing-alongs. I'm getting a second copy for the car!

Absolute magic
My sons adore this CD. They ask to listen to it all the time! There are enough songs here and of different styles to keep them entertained. Well recorded and performed. We can highly recommend it...

This is a must buy!!!!
As metioned above, I too had 4 volumes of Disney classics on record, but when I was 16, lent them to a friend.. You know the story, never got them back. These classics will be well worth your time, and they are not corny like some children's CD's I now have. It will be a worthwhile investment. :-)

Withstands the test of time
I first heard this album back when vinyl was in and cassettes were not yet popular. My mother had bought it for me and I played it over and over on my Fisher-Price record player. I was in love with it back then and still love it now. I pull it out every once in a while when I go to my parents house and feel like reminising. I recommended it to every one I know who has children and I plan on getting a copy myself when I have kids of my own (I might not even wait until then to get it). Some people might be disappointed because it doesn't actually have any of the Disney characters singing, but don't let that deter you from buying it. It's a great collection. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The Bacon Brothers say it best on this hilarious CD's titletrack: "Poultry in motion is a beautiful thing." So is a record that grabs you by the funnybone from its opening (the Seldom Herd's "Cows") and doesn't let go till the final note is clucked. Sandra Boynton, whose illustrated board books have become as much a part of everytoddler's reading list as Mother Goose, makes a convincing case herethat authors can succeed brilliantly as very silly songwriters. MerylStreep, Laura Linney, Kevin Kline, Natasha Richardson, and fourteen otherperformers all qualify as contenders for king and queen of the coop, and they whoop it up enough to guarantee the most enjoyable sing-along ever. --Tammy La Gorce ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Up, Over and Into the CD Player
This CD is alot of fun.

Sandra Boynton takes words from some of her short-story books (snoozers, for example), and creates some brand new lyrics for a really enchanting CD of music for kids that's OK for adults.

If you child is anything like my son, it might even spark a career in dance or music (assuming you don't mind dancing to the "Philadelphia Chicken" over and over and over again ;))

At some point I read a review of this that wanted to know how they got all these famous people and incredible singers to sing on the CD - I did actually ask one of the more famous singers and she said "Well, Sandy asked me" - wish I'd thought of that!

Then again, when I get as many great books published as Sandra Boynton it might actually work for me!

Great for kids and parents alike
My kids are big fans of Sandra Boynton's books, and I love her quirky humor. One of our favorite books ("Pajama Time") is included in the musical score on this CD, and the rest of the songs live up to my (very high) expectations as well. The music is well done, a good variety of styles and decent complexity, so the songs won't drive Mom nuts after she's heard them a few times! It's refreshing to have various voices, including some actors whose singing is a previously untapped talent (Scott Bakula, Natasha Richardson) as well as some I already knew (Kevin Bacon, Kevin Kline.)

ABSOLUTELY THE BEST! (for all ages)
I have given this cd/book/music to many kids and adults, including my mom. I've also kept it for myself! The songs are so fun and funny, they crack you up. They also introduce kids to all types of music, from blues to jazz to country to everything. The book itself is great, and I read stories to my grandson and nieces from it. And this is the best bargain in the business: You get the cd with 19 songs, the hard cover book with illustrations and words to each (which we enjoy as stories), and the sheet music for piano and additional lyrics in the back. The favorite of one of my nieces is "Please can I keep it -- it followed me home." The other niece loves "Those Dinosaur Blues," and MY favorite (or one of them) is "Be Like a Duck." But then the song by aardvarks pretending to be cows is charming, too. You just can't go wrong. BUY THIS!

Great music to sing and dance to....
This CD is one that every child should have in his/her collection! It is just awesome! It is so upbeat. My 4 year old loves singing to it, and my 8 month old moves to the music. As an adult, I think the lyrics are very clever, and give parents a break from the normal kids songs!

SO refreshing.
Alex loves Sandra Boynton's board books and we bought this because I'm from Phila. The songs are great, just the kind of stuff I like (and Alex can understand most of the words to sing along). An interesting thing is that all the women singing on this CD sound the same! Since we had the CD in the car for the first few days, we were just singing along and not reading the book, and I wondered who the female artist was that did all the songs...turns out each song is by someone different, and other than Meryl Streep I don't know any of the female singers. But that doesn't stop it being excellent entertainment! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

BUY the "50th Anniversary The Sounds of Disneyland" CDS
I'm sure the music here is wonderful, but a 6 CD edition (box set) is available at the Parks or on the web at Disney Direct.Do a google search. I just got mine in the mail and it is AMAZING! (Beautifully packaged with a wonderful coffee table book) The price is steep (well for some) BUT you get complete soundtracks to all your favorite attractions. For example the time for The Haunted Mansion on the six CD set is ...13:52 and the time here runs 5:37. For the real big enthusist check out the 6cd set. Some other fun tracks include the preshow to the tiki room (The Tiki Room Garden Show 3:58) and The Golden Horse Shoe Review (31:33)
Sadly the LeAnn Rimes song Remember When is not on the 6 CD set. The boxed set is $124.98. There are a limited amount of sets that come with Gold Vinyl Records of WD's first ever album release - Walt Disney Takes You To Disneyland.

Revised Track Listing
I bought this CD the other day, but the tracks aren't as amazon.com has them listed.Here's what they were on my CD:

1. Walt Disney's Dedication Of Disneyland
2. All Aboard
3. Meet Me Down On Main Street - (The Mellomen)
4. Alexander's Ragtime Band - (Rod Miller)
5. The Tiki, Tiki, Tiki Room
6. Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye
7. Tarzan Medley
8. Yo Ho (A Pirate's Life For Me)
9. Grim, Grinning Ghosts
10. Bear Band Serenade
11. Spalsh Mountain Medley
12. The Great Outdoors
13. The Many Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh
14. Rainbow Caverns
15. it's a small world
16. Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin
17. Star Tours
18. There's A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow
19. Space Mountain
20. Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
21. Space Mountain (New Daytime Track)
22. Remember When - (performed by LeAnn Rimes)

So yeah, you need to buy this one for track 21 - the new Space Mtn track written by "The Incredibles'" Michael Giacchino.Genius.Oddly enough, it's only 1:27 long even though the liner notes and everywhere online says it should be 3:00.The old Space Mtn Dick Dale track was only 2:42 (or 2:46, depending on the CD).How does this add up?Ya got me. ... Read more