Reviews (18)

Their albums are better
This soundtrack fit the anime very well, and not having vocals in a lot of the songs was more appropriate in this context, but a lot of songs on the soundtrack actually have vocals to them which are awesome and make the music a lot better, and those who only hear the soundtrack are missing out.
If the cost of importing their albums is the issue, buy this, since its now a domestic release, and scrounge around on *emule* or an equivalent until their albums are released here.
Imported, they're just not worth it ($40+) unless you have plenty of cash to throw around.

Great music from a Great Anime
After seeing FLCL on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim, I was awe-strucked by not only the great visuals and great intellectual masterpiece of FLCL, but also by the great music, most of which was done by the Pillows. The music just reminds me so much of the indie music scene, not that mainstream processed cheese crap that dominates the airwaves. I can't say anything else beside BUY THIS ALBUM. It's something that both Anime fans and Garage Alternative fans will enjoy. If you like good alt rock, do yourself a favor and pick this album up, I did and I'm loving it.

Why cant other anime have great music like this?
First time i saw the anime like most other people i didnt get it (what?who?or where? the hell) but what i did manage to notice was its incredible music soundtrack and then i got the story. Filled with the original music that brings flashbacks of freaky scenes wacky diologe and awsome fights. the only thing wrong with it its that it lacks a full version of "LAST DINOSAUR" but thats avalible in the sister soundtrack which i forgot the name (my bad)but its out ther so goand buy the two of them if yopu dont like it i pay you back the money you spend.
hehe right... till next time this is Najava sining off.

Great music, crappy CD mastering
This thing sounds like they used mp3's for a master. Very compressed and flat sounding (compared to Happy Bivouac, for example). But if you are on a budget, I suppose it's OK for the price.

you guys are all screwed up
Yo, just get the new furi kuri album- the pirate king- Now if amazon made a bundle pack of addict and pirate king, what would ya say to that? ... Read more

Amazon.com

Equating Martha Stewart with hip is enough to give any parent pause. Are "good things" on the order of ribbon-festooned lampshades what cool has come to? Yes and no. Sleepytime may not crash through the cool barrier entirely--its liner notes leap right over the music, choosing, instead to instruct how to frame hand-knit booties--but it comes admirably close. Sending preciousness scampering to the opposite side of the street on this 14-track disc are the artists: Keb' Mo', Lucinda Williams, Billy Bragg, and Alison Krauss represent, in more hushed tones than usual, what makes modern music worth listening to. The Barenaked Ladies loosen the tongues from their cheeks for "Close to You," Linda Ronstadt works out the bedtime kinks on a cover of Lennon and McCartney's "Goodnight," and Bobby McFerrin lulls listeners along unintelligibly on "Common Threads." Songs by Tuck and Patti, Jenny Bruce, and Nickel Creek swoop in softly, grab us by the mushy parental core, and encircle us with an intoxicating calm. With Sleepytime Martha Stewart proves, in a typically tasteful package streaked with uncharacteristic cool, that she hasn't lost the scent of success. --Tammy La Gorce ... Read more

Reviews (31)

Wonderfully soothing
I really LOVE this CD. It is wonderfully soothing for both child and parent. I especially love "baby mine" by Alison Kraus - the lyrics make it easy to calm yourself after a long day of business and reconnect with what it is to be a parent. Both my 18 month old and my 4 year old love it although the 4 year old thinks some of the songs are "sad" (like "close to you"). But it is really wonderful. My kids scratched up the first one so I am buying another today!

Very relaxing
I'm 5 1/2 months pregnant and I LOVE THIS CD. After a stressful day at work, I go home and listen to this CD. It's so soothing, I play it everyday. I can't wait for my baby to be born so I can play it for them.

We all love this CD
This one was a surprise - wouldn't expect such a gem of a CD with Martha Stewart's name on it. Bought it on a whim, took a chance, and wow, we never tire of it. We've been listening to it on and off since our daughter was an infant. She's almost 3 now and she still often asks for her "sleepytime music" at bedtime.

Is there any better baby CD on the market? Don't think so!
Another great Cd from Martha Stewart and Rhino records. I run adaycare service and all 30 children love the music at nap-time!!
An A-plus for an over all great compilation!!!!!!!
GREAT!!!

Best Lullaby CD!
A friend gave me this cd before I had my second child. I LOVE it!!! It has so many of my favorite artists on it and some I'd never heard of - but I enjoy listening to them all. It's incredibly soothing without being overly sweet. From the moment Alison Krauss starts singing I can feel every muscle in my body relax. I had never heard of Jenny Bruce, but I really love her song "Home." It adds the perfect touch. This album has such an ecclectic and interesting variety of artists. There's something for everyone. Me my husband and our two children love it! Yay Martha! : ) ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Great cd!
This is almost a duplicate of the video with only a few parts taken out.My biggest complaint about this album is that Greg's mike isn't what it should be.It's almost like he's singing through a vacuum - none of the other Wiggles mikes sound like his so I'm sure it wasn't the recording as much as it was the mike.Whether or not it could have been fixed in the studio, is debatable.It's almost to the point where I would have advised trying to overdub new vocals for each of the tracks.It isn't horrible, but it just isn't Greg either.He's almost in a different key.Anthony was the producer on this set and I think this just may be to his newness to the field.Just the same, I don't think your toddler is going to notice it very much - we're just in the music business and we pick up stuff like that very quickly.Our little one still just loves it and it is quite cute.They do such a great job on everything - it's just a shame that these vocals of Greg's just are not what they could be.He's a baritone and sounds like a second tenor on here.

Anyway, that aside, I'd still buy this over and over again and recommend it to my friends.We play this thing over, and over, and over again in the car because there's such a wide variety of songs on it that you don't tire of it very easily.It's very long but that's good.I particularly liked Captain Feathersword singing "Eagle Rock."Wouldn't mind hearing him sing a few more songs too here and there.I like the live orchestra on this cd and dvd - it just adds to the element of no canned music.Greg's musical ability comes out quite a bit in this set - it's fun to hear him just jump in there and start singing somewhere when the orchestra is playing.That's a plus for us adults out there.The clapping is not overly annoying either - they stop and start it very quickly and it doesn't just keep on going like in most recordings.It's edited quite well.For a children's cd, this really is hard to beat.I've never ever seen such well done performances for children as what the Wiggles give.They've been compared to Mr. Rogers and I honestly think that they may surpass him.It's fun to see what they come with each time and how they keep their audience.Try to keep your kids tuned in as long as possible with these cds of the Wiggles - they're teachers and they certainly teach a bunch.I love that Christmas medley at the end. I think our family favorite Wiggles song is "Go Santa, Go."Plus, the choreography is just something - it is pretty neat seeing all of those people up there doing the same thing in a straight line.Pretty neat stuff and pretty captivating for little ones.

If you're looking for a high quality cd, then this one is your choice for children.We just love it in our house and next time, maybe they can do something with Greg's microphone.

Great live children's music
This is a great disc.The Wiggles are uplifting and entertaining without being condescending.All of their classics are on here, so for the price you can't beat it.It's a nice cd to play during playtime at home or in the car when running long errands. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A Wonderful Introduction to the Classics
With total playing time clocking in at 78:04 minutes of music, you'll be paying about 6-cents/minute, which is a better bargain than long distance phone calls, and often more rewarding!

This disc is far superior than most other "Classics for Kids"-type recordings I've sampled for a number of reasons:

1) This album was expertly engineered. The production quality on this disc is first-rate from start to finish with crisp, clear sound.

2) The pieces were expertly picked. There is wonderful sonic variety here, spanning hundreds of years of wonderful melodies. There are orchestral pieces, harpsichord pieces, solo piano, and a piano concerto, capped off with Saint-Seans whimsical Carnival of the Animals. What kid (or adult) wouldn't love that?

3) The performances are, without exeption, expert! The pieces were definately screened for quality as well as content. Many are simply a joy to behold. Walter Klein is a particular stand-out, almost giddily prancing through Schumann's pieces. Believe it or not, he sounds even more impressive when backed up by the always inspiring Minnesota Orchestra on Mozart's Piano Concerto #17.

In short, this album is a great album even before you factor in the great price. You and your children are almost guaranteed to enjoy every 6-cents worth! ... Read more

Amazon.com

If you've heard Shel Silverstein's bawdy Freakin' at the Freakers Ball, your notion of the man who wrote Where the Sidewalk Ends might've been skewered. Silverstein was nothing if not a tad twisted. But his twists and turns in world of children's arts were well considered and infectiously charming. When he recorded poems and rhymes from Sidewalk, the book was nearly a decade old. But he brought the words to life, albeit a funky, sometimes nasally delivered, sometimes abruptly jolted life. Silverstein knew that his changes in voice pitch, his quickly dashed mixes of spare guitar and pinched singsong delivery, and, most of all, his rhythmically fetching words were ideal for hearing. Sidewalk, which took home a 1984 Grammy for best children's album, still stands boldly above (or at least apart from) so much of what's recorded for kids. One should expect nothing less than pretzeled genius from the guy who wrote such pop hits as "The Unicorn," "A Boy Named Sue," and "On the Cover of Rolling Stone." And that's what comes through on this expanded Sidewalk, with its 11 newly added snippets (including "Hector the Collector," "Hungry Mungry," and "If I Had a Brontosaurus"). If it's a rhyme you're after, look no further. --Andrew Bartlett ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Wonderful travel CD!
We discovered this CD, along with A Light in the Attic, and they have been our travelling companions for family trips. Silverstein's madcap interpretations of his poems are remarkable to hear. His voice ranges all over the spectrum of tone and volume, and occasionally he finds his poems too funny to finish and the track ends in raucous laughter. If you enjoy the poetry, then this is an essential purchase. It will have you laughing all the way to wherever you're headed, both the first and hundredth time you listen.

Shel Silverstein: The thinking children's songwriter
I have lost count of how many "second" childhoods I have gone through, but the latest one is focusing on Shel Silverstein and Roald Dahl; you are never too old to discover this pair of writers of ingenious and irreverent fare for children. As the cover proclaims, "Where the Sidewalk Ends" is "recited, sung and shouted" by Silverstein, who throws himself body and soul into every one of these 36 tracks, of which "Sick" might be the best example. I must have lived an incredibly sheltered life (or was simply born too long ago), because only "Boa Constrictor," "Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout Would Not Take the Garbage Out" and "The Flying Festoon" were at all familiar. Children will delight in the word play of "Ickle Me, Pickle Me, Tickle Me Too," the zaniness of "Warning," the outrageousness of "Stone Telling," and the lesson of "Listen to the Mustn'ts.' But you want to know a secret? There are a couple of treasures in this collection that only we adults can fully enjoy. "Forgotten Language" offers a haunting final question and "The One Who Stayed" gives Silverstein's deep thoughts on what the child left behind in Hamlin by the Pied Piper thought when all his friends had left. Every teacher who uses that classic fairey tale in their classroom should use "The One Who Stayed" as a follow-up. That is far and away the most memorable piece of this album for me, which only goes to show that as the years go bye the children who listen to this album and learn to love it will continue to learn from it; what more could you possibly ask for in a "children's" CD?

A Classic!
Shel Silverstein is brilliant. His light hearted and irreverent approach to poetry leaves everyone with a smile. On this CD Shel reads his poems as they were meant to be read. There is simply no comparison to listening to any poet read his own poetry, and when it's Shel there is no comparison at all. It will be a favorite of anyones always available when you need a smile, a laugh, or a Hug-a-War!

A must have for anyone with children
I was buying Shel's books for my kids several years befor they were born and found this album at the time of my daughter's birth. I have enjoyed Shel's writing, both for Dr. Hook and for his own releases. Shel's interpretations of his own works, on this album, are hilarious. His choice of titles is well done, all of the poems he does work very well.

Wow! Shel is always GREAT!
I have grown up listening to the adult as well as children's recordings of Shel Silverstein. I first heard this in 3rd grade, and I STILL think it is great. Everyone who stumbles upon this needs to do me a favor. Listen to or read anything you can of Shel's. It will be worth your time! ... Read more

Reviews (6)

The Ultimate in Fun
Well, I have this AWESOME CD, and although I have never actually opened and listened to it, I can assure you that this is a super-fun CD. It includes many fun favorites that I loved as a child. Now that I am 13 and 1/2 and a teenager, I find myself remebering these fun tunes and thinking about my fun childhood. Here are some of the funner songs on the CD:
Dig-It: This is in the children's movie called Holes. I totally DIG this song, lol!
Miracles Happen: Whenever I listened to this song as a child, I really thought that miracles happened once in a while when you believe.

Under the not-so-good category fall songs such as:
All the Raven songs: One word: TOTALLY GROSS! oopsies! that was 2 words, hehe! She is not a good singer. At least she has a fall-back career option as a psychic.
All the Lizzie McGuire songs: These songs are bad. period.
Jump 5: They are too young to sing.
A*teens: They have a lame-o music video, and that made me lose all respect for their music.
Any songs that I havent mentioned are mediocre. I cannot recommend them, but little kids might be into that sort of thing.

Overall, I give this CD an A++! ALL the songs are TERRIFIC and I recommend them to any age!

This isn't much help...
This rewiew isn't much help, but I'd just like to encourage children who enjoy this kind of music to buy it! I love it! (It won't be a waste of money!)

ALL THE GREAT SONGS PUT TOGETHER!!! WOW!!!
MEGA MOVIE MIX

1. Why Not (McMix) [From The Lizzie McGuire Movie]-Hilary Duff (2:50)
HILARY'S VOICE IS AMAZING!!! 8/10

2. Can't Help Falling in Love [From Lilo & Stitch]-A*Teens (3:07)
I LOVE THIS SONG!!! 9/10

3. Dig It [From Holes]-D-Tent Boys (3:46)
Neat rap song. 5/10

4. Drama Queen (That Girl) [From Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen]-Lindsay Lohan (3:29)
GO, LINDSAY!!! 9/10

5. Grazing in the Grass [From The Lion King 1 1/2]-Raven (2:59)
Good song. 7/10

6. Happy Together [From Freaky Friday]-Simple Plan (2:35)
SIMPLE PLAN ROCKS!!! 9/10

7. The Tide is High (Get the Feeling) [From The Lizzie McGuire Movie]-Atomic Kitten (3:21)
SLOW SONG. 6/10

8. Cinderella [From The Cheetah Girls]-The Cheetah Girls (3:19)
TOUGH SONG. 6/10

9. Supergirl [From The Princess Diaries]-Krystal Harris (3:39)
GOOD SONG. 8/10

10. Beauty and the Beast [From Beauty and the Beast]-Jump5 (3:27)
PRETTY GOOD SONG!!! 9/10

11. Ultimate [From Freaky Friday]-Lindsay Lohan (3:06)
ROCK'N'ROLL!!! 10/10=A+=100%

12. Keepin' in Real [From Holes]-Shaggy (3:57)
I didn't really like this song. 5/10

13. Superstition [From The Haunted Mansion]-Raven (3:13)
I LOVE THIS SONG AND ALWAYS WILL!!! 8/10

14. Welcome [From Brother Bear]-Jump5 (3:14)
REALLY GOOD SONG!!! 9/10

15. Miracles Happen [From The Princess Diaries]-Myra (4:59)
I REALLY LIKE THIS SONG!!! 7/10

Total Run Time: (49:01)

Triple M ROCKS!!!!!
I don't own this disk yet, but all of these songs totally rock!

What Dreams are Made of: I love Hilary Duff, but this wasn't ther best song. Rating 9
Drama Queen: I ASOULOUTELY LOVE this song! The lyrics are so cool THIS IS THE BEST SONG EVER!!!!!!! Rating is.... duh, 10!

I don't have THIS CD...
I though I don't own the MEGA MOVIE MIX CD, I can tell you that it's great. With songs from tons of great movies, this CD is pure fun.

Some highlights of the disk are:
Why Not (Hilary Duff) - The lyrics don't make sense and are cheesy, and the vocals aren't very good. So why do I like this song? Simply put, it's fun.
Can't Help Fallin' in Love (A*Teens) - I love this song, and this version is better than the original. It's a lot peppier and just soooo fun to dance to.
Miracles Happen (Myra) - This song actually has a Christian feel to it, but don't let that fool you. It's a good song for anyone to listen to and has a great message.
Ultimate (Lindsay Lohan) - Lindsay is making the transition from actress to do it all teen queen, which includes recording music. But she's great! The electric guitar in the song sounds awesome, too.
That Girl (Lindsay Lohan) - From the Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen soundtrack, this song is also great. It's another fun song that doesn't really make much sense.

MEGA MOVIE MIX is a great CD to listen to when you're bored, driving, or on the computer. The songs are fun - but don't really have too much depth - and clean for any age.

Overall grade - A+ ... Read more

Album Description

BabyGenius offers an exciting assortment of the highest quality, award-winning music.Children discover the magical genius of Mozart, the musical brilliance of Vivaldi, the enchanting sounds of nature, favorite nursery rhymes, the soothing seranade of Spanish guitars and much more!Classical music arrangements are selected by Jack Allen from Minnesota Public Radio. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Okay
I have listened to this cd a few times now. It is okay, but I am beginning to find it a little annoying as it "sticks" with you all day long.

Not great
Although the song selection is good, there is too much instrumental music for children and the quality of the music is good, but isn't targeted to kids. The versions are different than the typical nursery rhymes that kids hear.

Much Better than Most Children's Lullubies. Excellent!
We tried this music based on the strong Parents Choice award and the good reviews, and we were not disappointed. Too many children's lullabied CD's are only so-so in quality. Not this one. The songs are very well made and do not get annoying after extended listending.

The music is more on the mellow side, which is great for children four and under. It's perfect for a quiet ride home or just for exposing your kids to some really special nursery rhymes. Our kids have loved these songs.

Every child should grow up with classics like "Itsy, Bitsy Spider," "Rock-A-Bye Baby" and "It's Raining It's Pouring."

This is a quality recording at a good price. You can't go wrong with this - especially at this reasonable price.

Favorite Nursery Rhymes - Baby Genius
My 4 month old just loves the music on this CD. Whenever she hears it she listens intently and gets all excited. If she's fussy this CD immediately quiets her down. I believe she like the sounds of the instruments played in the music and the tempo of the songs. I highly recommend it for any baby.

Excellent Nursery Rhyme CD that ISN'T Annoying
One of the toughest things to do when selecting a music CD for your baby is trying to find one that you don't mind listening to. This is one like that. While driving in the car, if you are alone, it's difficult to pacify your child since they're in their safety seat. One way to do it is with this CD. My son loves listening to it and will often immediately quiet down as soon as we start playing it. The musical quality of the nursery rhymes is excellent. Highly, highly recommended. ... Read more

Amazon.com

If you're looking for one do-it-all Gershwin cast recording, Crazy for You fits the bill. Touted as "the new Gershwin musical comedy" when it hit Broadway in 1992, it's actually a substantial reworking of the Gershwins' Girl Crazy, the story of a New York song-and-dance man who conquers the West (and a fair maid there) by putting on a show. (The original 1934 cast featured Ginger Rogers and a Broadway novice named Ethel Merman.) Crazy for You preserves the best of the songs from the original (including "Embraceable You," "I Got Rhythm," and "But Not for Me") and adds a number of later songs from Fred Astaire films as well as some undiscovered gems, resulting in an embarrassment of riches. Harry Groener and Jodi Benson (The Little Mermaid) are in strong voice (and they danced too!). The only shortcoming of this recording is that it couldn't capture Susan Stroman's dazzling choreography. The booklet includes a synopsis, full lyrics, and a historical perspective. Not an innovative show, but a rollicking good time. --David Horiuchi ... Read more

Reviews (26)

CRAZY FOR YOU Is a Gershwin Feast!
I saw this fun-filled musical comedy, a "reworking" of the Gershwins' 1930 GIRL CRAZY, on Broadway with most of the original cast. The show comes over superbly on CD; I know of few recordings of any musical that capture so vividly the sense of a live stage performance (complete with tap dancing!) Harry Groener and Jodi Benson in the leading roles both have voices of very fine quality and convey many shades of feeling in songs ranging from "I Can't Be Bothered Now," "Things Are Looking Up," and "Someone to Watch Over Me" to "I Got Rhythm," "They Can't Take That Away from Me," and "But Not for Me." The entire cast performs with infectious energy in each and every number, and the recorded sound matches the quality of the performances. A Gershwin feast!

A greatest hits albem from Girshwin -what a gift!
What many people don't know is that Greshwin did not write any songs for this musical, but rather picked others that he had written already so that the show was sort of like a greatest hits albem. The cast is wonderful! I was in Crazy for You! last year in my high school. The music is fun and makes you either want to sing along or dance. Anytime i am down i play this CD. It is a muct own. A classic Gershwin. need i say more than that?

One of the Best
Awesome CD. You'll be singing along starting from song 2 (since song 1 is instrumental) and not stopping until the very end. The end does come quickly but only because the composition is fabulous and best of all, the singers' voices are GREAT - pleasant to listen to, pleasant to sing a long to, just strong and vibrant voices.

This soundtrack rocks because the voices and orchestra play with ENERGY.

Really Good
I bought this CD to practice for my school play and was really helpful. It also has good songs to listen to.

Razzle-Dazzle helps sell CRAZY FOR YOU
CRAZY FOR YOU was billed as a "new Gershwin musical" when it opened in 1992. It was not really a revival of GIRL CRAZY. Only five of the songs used in CRAZY FOR YOU come from GIRL CRAZY and the plot is a new one fashioned by Mike Ockrent. It is difficult to fit older songs into a new plot but Ockrent did a decent job creating a frothy stage music in the style of the old Fred & Ginger flicks.

Angel has done a first rate job on this original cast disc giving it a bright brassy sound and putting the singers front and centre. The cast and orchestra offer plenty of Broadway razzle-dazzle. The package has a detailed synopis and libretto.
Only one tiny error: The song "someone to Watch Over Me" is in the wrong place on the cd. To follow the show order, program this song (track #6) to come between tracks #9 and #10. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Just when you thought it was safe to stop humming "So Yesterday" from Kidz Bop 5, up crops Kidz Bop 6 with a fresh batch of fizzy brain Velcro. Recommendations in this 18-track bonanza include "This Love," "Come Clean," and the impossible-to-screw up "Are You Gonna Be My Girl?" For adult sanity's sake, skip over "Me, Myself & I" and the big bummer that is "Hold On" and move directly ahead to three dance remixes tacked to the end. Take them as a sign that the Bop gang has run out of serviceable hits, or that "Sk8ter Boi's" staying power is scarier than parents previously imagined. --Tammy La Gorce ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Favorite Cartoon
Why aren't these cartoons on DVD yet? If you too love the Animaniacs, go here to help us get them put out on DVD... www.petitiononline.com/toon0001/petition.html

Incredibly fun and educational!
I have an old cassette of this soundtrack when it first came out. My four children and I had more fun listening to the songs and learning from them than I would have ever imagined!!! We all learned things like the state capitals and planets without even realizing we were "studying". I even sing the state capital song when I can't remember one. This music is super cool and hysterically funny!! I highly recommend it. I'm actually purchasing the CD because we wore the cassette out!

Great fun for Children and Adults Alike
This soundtrack is a wonderful collection of songs from the hit animated TV series from Warner Bros. and Steven Spielberg. Funny, entertaintaining, and educational, these catchy and often exceedingly clever numbers are sure to put a smile on your face, whether you're 8 or 88.

"Yakko's World" and "Wakko's America" alone are worth the price of the disc and are sure to become favorites among both the big and little ones in your family. Adults will be amused by the pop culture references and whimsical, yet intelligent lyrics of each song, while kids will get off on the catchy tunes, and playful attitudes of the voice actors from the series.

Whether you're a fan of the show or a casual listener, "Animaniacs" is a great CD collection for all ages!

Highly Recommended.

Animaniacs will cheer you up!!!
I had this as a tape when it was first released...My daughter was about 9 at the time and now she listens to the CD when she has a bad day at work. It will cheer you up if you need to be cheered and it will sustain a good mood if you already have one. I also like the educational value of this CD. It is helping my 8, 10, and 11 year olds with their States and Capitols. Nmenonic devices to help pass those tests, along with a catchy tune...ENJOY!!!!!

Classic
If you love Animaniacs, you'll love this soundtrack. This is the first cd released by the makers of the series and has the most popular songs on it. My personal favorite is schnitzelbach, but the universe song rocks too. buy it, you won't regret it. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The jewel in the crown in the Music for Little People catalog, Gift of the Tortoise is stunning in its beauty and uncompromising in its delivery of excellence. Expressed from the viewpoint of a very wise tortoise, the lush harmonies of Ladysmith Black Mambazo are supported by renowned guitarist Johnny Clegg and storyteller Gcina Mhlophe, creating a captivating blend of Zulu lore, South African history, and that country's brave optimism in the post-Apartheid era. As the drama unfolds, the listener is drawn into the spell cast by this marvelous group of players as they carry out the chant of ancestral names on "Two Shelleni," the folk legend of the "Boy Who Turned into a Cat," and the classic "Mbube (the Lion Sleeps Tonight)." --Paige La Grone ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Gift of Excellent Music
This CD is a musical journey. Ostensibly a children's recording, it is rich in harmony and diversity of sound. Some songs sound hauntingly familiar -- possibly because the theme is one that children sing all around the world. The acapella voices are accompanied only by percussion and sometimes percussive vocal sounds. The entire album takes the form of a story -- each song progressing naturally into another. The finale, "In the Jungle" is the best rendition of this song that I have ever heard, and brought tears to my eyes! Incidentally, my musical experience is almost exclusively classical, and the Zulu harmony is now one of my favourite musical forms! Don't take my word for it -- listen to it, share it with a child, and watch his or her body respond to the gentle rhythms and patterns!

They called him Tortoise, because he taught us...
Like most Americans I first heard the majestic harmonies of Ladysmith Black Mambazo when they sang on Paul Simon's "Graceland" album. "Gift fo the Tortoise: A Musical Journey through Southern Africa" provides more of the same in this collection of 13 South African children's songs. You will even find one that you will recognize, called "Mbube," but better known on this side of the ocean as "The Lion Sleeps Tonight." But when you listen to how Ladysmith Black Mambazo sings this familiar song, you will appreciate how their differences make it even better than what you have heard before. Gcina Mhlophe's provides the narration as Fudugazi the minstrel tortoise and introduces each song, providing a context for the children listening at home. "Gift of the Tortoise" presents not just the music but the culture of South Africa. But while this album was clearly put together for the "Music for Little People" series, it proves equally captivating for adults. I have always enjoyed vocal harmonies, from the Everly Brothers to Fleetwood Mac, and there is just something special about the resonant harmonies sung by this group. As Fudugazi tells us: "There is magic in these songs; close your eyes and listen, and you will feel the magic too!" The lyrics for these songs appear in both Zulu and English and on some of the songs, such as "Kanje Kanje," you have children singing in English at the same time Ladysmith Black Mambazo is singing in Zulu. Finally, yes, the title is blatantly taken from Lewis Carroll; it came to mind while listening to this album.

Perfect for Children
My son (3 years old) absolutely loves this CD. The music is beautiful and the stories have enough excitement to keep him listening all the way through, over and over again. I highly recommend this CD as a way of introducing different music to young children, after all, kid's music shouldn't begin and end with The Wiggles!

Not What I Expected
I have the "Journey of Dreams" CD by Ladysmith Black Mambazo. It is delightful, swirling, singing music by a group of men from Africa. I liked it so much that I bought another CD "by" the same group called the "Gift of the Tortise. A Musical Journey Through Southern Africa". Most of it consists of a lady talking- not singing- about the animals, places, and people of Africa. In a couple of places ordinary children are heard singing in the screechy, ordinary way children sing. Every ten minutes or so, a muted male voice sings briefly in the background. There seems to be a big difference between what the producers of this CD consider artistic freedom and what I consider a bait and switch rip off. I threw the CD in the trash.

South African journey
Ladysmith Black Mambazo has this overexageraded voice, when she speaks. It is really taking you of on that african journey.
The wise tortoise explains all the zulu songs and stories. With lots of clicks and animal sounds you can try to copy. One of the classic songs is The Lion Sleeps Tonight. But it is preformed in an more authentic way. That "aaawwwiiii!" is a word, I'm guessing and not some mad women screaming.
Like almost with all African songs, rythm, drumming and clapping hands are basic ingredients. There is also a children choir who preforms. Songs are in Zulu and English language.
As Fudugazi (the tortoise) wisely stated; "There is magic in these songs; close your eyes and listen, and you will feel the magic too!" ... Read more

Reviews (2)

wonderful songs!
i like listening to the children'songs!
like the children'songs in china they are so wonderful and give you a pure world!
though i am 20,but after hearing so many ROCK ones,i prefer to this cd to let me easy!

lacking the song I wanted
I remembered a song that my mother taught me and my brothers when we were little. I so wanted to find it and teach it to my little granddaughter. The name of the song was Let the sunshine in. I searched and searched and finally saw it on this CD. I was so excited I ordered it immediately along with two other cd's. To my disappointment when I got the cd the only song that was changed on the cd was song number 14 to be repeated as number 29. It was changed to the song twelve deciples. Oh man, I was disappointed, disappointed, disappointed. Now where can I find the song. I wonder why they changed the only song on the whole cd. It was misrepresented. Can anyone help me find the song "Let the Sunshine In?" ... Read more

Reviews (11)

A third generation American classic
I remember many of these songs and Burl Ives' warm and friendly voice from my own childhood, played on a heavy vinyl LP. My children and I listened to a tape of Little White Duck over and over. Now I am buying this classic recording of American children's songs, in CD form, for my two year old granddaughter.

One of the greatest childrens albums of all time
"Little White Duck" is a compilation that was first released on LP on CBS's Harmony budget imprint in the 1950's, recorded in the 1940's and features some of the greatest childrens songs about animals including the title track, Froggie Went a Courtin', The Grey Goose and Two Little Owls plus tracks about other topics that kids are interested in such as "The Little Engine That Could," a medley of Mother Goose songs, and "Fooba Wooba John." Quite a few of the tracks do have Burl telling stories behind the songs as well. The artwork on this CD is the same as the 1974 LP reissue of the album, not the original Harmony album pressing, and uses "rechanneled" sources for all the songs so while this CD isn't exactly "audiophile" quality as quite a few of the songs do have surface noise, it serves the purpose of a great childrens album in Burl Ives fashion. It is a great album to learn nursery rhymes as well, just like another reviewer said, so if you come across this CD or LP anywhere, please pick it up and enjoy. Even older people can enjoy this album as well as children.

The soundtrack of my childhood!
I almost cried when I found this CD. I never thought it would be available after all these years. I had the LP as a child and my brothers and sister and I listened to it constantly. It was THE soundtrack of my childhood. Even as adults, we'd sometimes comment about this song or that song. It made such an impact on our growing up years. So when, just on a lark, I did a search for it and actually found it I was ecstatic! I've now had the opportunity to not just tell my kids about these songs, but to let them experience them for themselves. And they love them today just as much as we did 30 years ago. And I think what I like most about it is that it is just a man singing. And unlike so many other kids albums, it is not high pitched and sugary, like so many adults do when they talk to kids. He just uses his regular, beautiful voice to talk and sing, this time through songs kids (and adults) love over and over and over again. Theses are timeless. THIS IS A MUST HAVE CD!

I got tears in my eyes
just listening to sample of this album that Amazon.com provided. I remember the LP vividly from my childhood - my sister and I listened to it over and over. One time our mother sat on it and broke it and we cried so much that she went out that same day and bought a new one.
Now I have my own 3-year old son, and the other day I sang the song about Sarah the whale for him as well as I could remember it. He wants to hear it all the time now! I didn't really expect that the album would be available after all these years, but there it was! Since I now live in Germany, I'm just sad that it's not listed on Amazon.de, only on the US Amazon.com
I can only recommend this album. The songs are clever and fun for adults as well as kids, and Burl's voice is just magical. I hope it will be around for a few more generations!

Great songs!!!
I bought this CD for the song "Little White Duck" but I found much better songs included on it. My daughter has loved this since she was 3 months old, the songs have lots of fun sounds like trains and whistles, besides how can you go wrong with Burl Ives singing children's songs! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Tom T. Hall writes songs for children, he says, because they have a lot of the same interests, including the quest for simplicity. "One day I just found that we got along great. They understood me," he says. And in this compilation of songs from the '70s and '80s, Hall demonstrates his knowledge of the magic between children and animals and the thrill of taking a trip with the imagination, especially to Hall's own Fox Hollow farm, where such characters as Sneaky Snake, Randy Raccoon, and Ole Lonesome George, the basset hound, await. With the storytelling skills he gleaned as a child in the hills of Kentucky, Hall makes many of his songs into fables. "The Song of the One Legged Chicken," for example, teaches a valuable lesson about disability and difference. While other songs bring soothing comfort or merely raise a smile ("A mink wears a mink coat the whole year round"), and still others encourage play-acting, they all become treasures by the record's end. Packaged with a sing-along booklet. --Alanna Nash ... Read more

Reviews (25)

Great music for kids and parents!
I don't usually listen to country music, but I loved Tom T. Hall as a kid. When I found out I was pregnant, I bought this cd for the baby. I thought it would be a nice way to share something from my childhood with him. Well, he is five months old now, and we have listened to this music every night since he was 1 week old. The first song "I Love" calms him no matter how fussy he gets. If he is crying, all I have to do is turn it on and he quiets down to hear the music. The songs are sweet and often funny. The music is memorable and very original. Even after hearing it many times, I still enjoy holding my son and listening to the stories in the songs.

Great Memories!
I have been searching for this CD for a very long time and have not been able to find it in any stores that I have looked. My cousins and I grew up listening to these wonderful songs. Every time we would go to our grandparents house, we would beg them to put this album on. Then we would fight over the picture book. I would usually lose as I was the only girl. I absolutely love, 'I Care' and 'Sneaky Snake'. I can't wait to play this for my mother. I am sure it will even ignite some great memories for her also.

I thought I'd never get these on CD!
(...)I never thought I'd be able to find the songs for my own kids to enjoy, but I found them here in just a few clicks! I can't wait to have the CD in my house! My kids are sure to love Sneaky Snake, Fox Hollow, and all the original songs as much as the new. Tom has a way of making kids feel validated in a way that parents can enjoy too. YEAH! I'm FINALLY going to have these songs in my life again!

Every Child Should Have This!
My brother and I grew up listening to 1974's "The Songs of Fox Hollow". Like most of the other reviewers, I can still sing the majority of the songs (which are all included here, first 11 tracks) from memory 30 years later. After many years of thinking that I'd never find these songs on CD, I stumbled upon "Country Songs for Children". It was getting hard to find a turntable to play the original record on so I bought the CD as soon as I found it, although I miss the original artwork on the record jacket and accompanying booklet. I still enjoy these songs even though I don't yet have children of my own to share them with. In the meantime, I'll be giving a copy to each and every one of my friends who are now all starting to have children of their own. Buy this for your child even if you don't like country music - it won't matter, the music is just plain good.

The storyteller for all the family
There has never been anybody quite like Tom T Hall, the country singer who was able to tell stories of everyday life within the limits of a song. The most famous song he wrote was Harper Valley PTA, a story about parents of schoolchildren, which was a huge hit for Jeannie C Riley.

Tom T Hall recorded two albums of songs for children. All the tracks from Songs of Fox Hollow (1974) plus seven of the eleven songs from Country songs for kids (1988) are to found on this CD, though it seems a little bit mean of the record company to leave out the four songs, as there is room for them. That said, I haven't heard the other four songs and the price is reasonable for the eighteen songs here.

Two of the songs - I love (the opening track) and I care - are classic songs that would not be out of place on any Tom T Hall album. I first came across them on a hits compilation of his, and didn't even think they would have first appeared on a children's album.

The remaining songs are definitely targeted at children - but there's a child in all of us. If you enjoy Tom's normal music, you will find that his style of singing suits the songs here. Many of them are inspired by animals to be found on a farm - snakes, foxes, dogs, birds, chickens and ducks - although one of the songs is about a raccoon.

This is an excellent album for children of all ages. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Inspired by 1992's 'Til Their Eyes Shine: The Lullaby Album, an all-female collection of sleepy-time songs for children, Daddies Sing Good Night proves that men are no less tender in nurturing their wee ones. Or at least that's true of these men--including Jesse Winchester, Doc Watson, Peter Rowan, and the late Townes Van Zandt--who wrote the songs for their own offspring, and, in their day jobs, rank among the finest practitioners of folk, country, and bluegrass. In guiding their young charges to dreamworld, these fathers visit exotic lands, lonesome prairies, and even the wide heavens on the gossamer wings of horses. Parental listeners will likely detour into the recesses of their own hearts, in exploring the special bond and soothing strength of fatherhood. --Alanna Nash ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Faithfully puts my son to sleep
Though I'm not a country music fan, I enjoy listening to this CD, too. It's very soothing, and the songs are hearfelt with some truly precious lines. "Green-pea toes" comes to mind, along with "today you have the hands of a baby, tomorrow the hands of a lady."

Tender Fathers Sweetly Sing
Such a wonderful collection of loving songs, sung mostly by bluegrass and folk singers inspired by their own children. The words and melodies are both soothing to our baby and also so moving to her parents. Truly our favorite lullaby cd-- I would buy it for any parents who like good, folksy music and who have tender hearts.

Our *favorite* lullaby CD!
This is absolutely our favorite lullaby CD. Adults can enjoy the music as much as children can! We played this CD on the way home from the hospital with our son, and love it as much now that he is 6 months old as we did then. Some of the songs, such as "Little One," bring tears to my eyes, while my husband has a great time singing "My Little Buckaroo," to our son. A fantastic collection of songs!

My all-time favorite
The baby might be tired of this one, but, I can't stop listening to it. A must own for babies and parents who hate banal "baby" music.

I never get tired of this CD!
I love, love, love this CD! I don't care for those typical, sappy lullaby CDs, but this CD is different. It has a wonderfully earthy, bluegrass feel to it. I get teary-eyed every single time I hear "Little One," and songs like "My Little Buckaroo" are so much fun! Mommies and Daddies both will love this CD. ... Read more

Amazon.com

I think this music is intended for adults, though the photo on the cover is of a sleepingbaby. In any event, Schumann's work, Scenes From Childhood, Op. 15, featured here ismore likely to bolt you out of bed than put you to sleep, as the mike is far too close to the pianobeing played by Cyprien Katsaris. Purcell's Adagio from The Indian Queen is magnificent,performed by John Elliott Gardiner and the English Baroque Soloists. The Weird Award goes totriple harpist Tim Hobrough and lutenist Stephen Barber for their bizarre, spiky rendition ofMinuets Nos. 4 and 5 from the Notebook of Anna Magdalena Bach. I would like to meet BillHolland, producer of all these Atlantic Records classical compilations. He's programmed Satie'sGymnopedie No. 1 on three different CDs, billed alternately as sensuous, romantic, and now here:good for a long snooze. --Gwendolyn Freed ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Fantastic sleep time music
Not only does our baby love this music, but it is beautiful for us adults to listen to as well. There are 24 tunes, all strictly instumental except the last one. It runs over an hour and does not have any major "loud spots" despite a very nice variety of music.

Highly recommended!!!

Great for ages 0-101!
I am a trained classical musician, and father of 3. I generally steer away from most compilations, which generally consist of the same old classical top-40 stuff, in dumbed-down packaging. This CD is different- it is "smarted-up"! Still, it is totally accessible, and the selections are perfectly chosen to soothe the little ones. I like to play it while they are playing, to help them wind down towards nap time.

The selections, and the performances, are first rate. THere is a wide variety of styles, periods, and instrumental combinations. Some are off the beaten track, such as the Elgar. You will buy this for the baby, and use it for the baby, but will probably listen to it yourself for years to come!

This makes a great gift, much nicer than that "Music makes you smarter" junk. Music makes you musical, and that is its justification. This CD will foster music appreciation (and help at naptime too!).

This CD makes a wonderful baby gift for new parents.
I have given this CD to several new parents and have never received less than a rave review. Many of these folks are musicians by profession, and without fail they have been very enthusiastic about the soothing qualities of the music on the album. My own daughter who is 14 listens to this recording while going to sleep at night. I highly recommend this CD as a gift for new parents who will enjoy spending some quiet time with their babies!

Fabulous !
I listened to this CD when I was pregnant, through the rough parts of breastfeeding, and during the day. My son responds instantly when it begins to play. I am getting an extra copy for traveling / babysitter. Calms me when things get a little hairy.

The music is very soothing.
A wonderful mixture of musical textures. I'm a nurse practioner at a hospital, and even my patients and their parents responded favorably to the sounds. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Nice collection, but...
This collection of exciting arrangements wonderfully executed by professional players is unfortunately marred by old technology and carelessness. The short, twenty nine minute CD seems to be copied from an LP. The pops, clicks, distortion and glitches are all there. At one point you can even hear the annoying pitch wow commonly heard on LPs pressed out of round. The tone arm is obviously being dragged right and then left as the off center groove dictates the key.

Should Legacy International ever locate the master tapes and produce a cleaner version of "Circus Music from the Big Top," I will be first in line to buy. Frankly, Merle Evans deserves better--much better.

If you are adding to a collection of circus music, you do need these arrangements. However, if you are just beginning a circus music library, your first purchase should be "Screamers" from Frederick Fennell. It delivers over an hour of expertly performed circus marches recorded with precision.

Merle at his best
Merle evans was the greatest since sousa. please come out with more of his albums. Harvey Esto ... Read more

Amazon.com

Pete Seeger's recording career covers more than 60 years, so a single-CDcollection is bound to leave out more than a few worthy songs. But the 16selections on Pete Seeger's Greatest Hits include indispensableSeeger-composed classics like "Turn! Turn! Turn!," "Bells of Rhymney," and anabbreviated a cappella version of "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" Alsoincluded are songs Seeger popularized, such as "Wimoweh," which he learned fromSolomon Linda's original South African recording in the 1940s, and"Guantanamera," which he picked up from some children at a Catskills summer campwhere he was singing. All of the performances are drawn from his 1960s tenure atColumbia Records--only the first 12 tracks were included on the original 1967package--and include both studio and live recordings. This CD features only asmall fraction of the songs that could legitimately be called Seeger's greatesthits, but because most of these selections are so important to his career, thisset can be thought of as the greatest of his greatest hits. --MichaelSimmons ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Very Talented Songwriter
I wanted to explore His Work having heard alot about Him.I liked "We Shall Overcome" from Him but the Main Song I wanted to hear was "Where have all the FLowers Gone"? Being a Huge Earth,Wind&Fire Fan I had to hear the Original&His Version is nice.I like His Arrangements&Overall Concepts to Music Making.a really Good Set.

a 'Very Nice' collection !
If you are willing to hear just 1 CD of Pete Seeger to know his music, listen to this. It has almost all his hits.
I especially loved -
Guantanamera
Little Boxes,
Where have all the flowers gone,
We shall overcome

Listen carefully to the words.

Pete Seeger is a National Treasure
There hasn't been another that's walked among us that has been quite like Pete Seeger. Pete's 83rd birthday was in the last week, and I thought I would write this note of thanks to him for all that he has given us.

My Mom used to sing me "Little Boxes" (originally Malvina Reynolds) when I was quite young--a memory I realized when this CD began to play for the first time in my player. I now sing this song to my children. It's great to hear these songs sung by the source..."Turn Turn Turn" and "Guantanamera" are wonderful. There isn't a bad song on the disc.

This man has led a folksinger's life, and his voice is warm like a Pendleton blanket in the Fall. Don't stop with this CD...get some by The Weavers, too. Pete sounds awfully good with Lee Hays, Ronnie Gilbert and Fred Hellerman. There's a VHS tape out there, too, about The Weavers and is quite good.

Thank you, Pete Seeger.

Still inspiring
Decided it was time to add Pete Seeger to my CD collection while working on a paper titled "Profiles in Activism: How and Why People Get Involved". I conducted a series of interviews for this project, and one of my questions was "Who inspired you?" Over and again Pete's name came up.
Now I have the CD (listening as I key this in) and I can see why. The first song alone is worth the price ("Little Boxes" - written by Malvina Reynolds). "We Shall Overcome" is a classic from the Highlander school and the civil rights movement. Shoot, all of these songs are classics.
If you care about community, fancy yourself an activist, and want music that helps refill the well, or if you just like fun music with intelligent lyrics, click the 'ADD TO SHOPPING CART' button now. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

A Wonderful Sampling of Children's Music
This cd samples several different styles of children's music, from lullabies to calypso beats and in between. This a wonderful way to engage your child in moving to rhythm and share a part of American History with them. Our infant music class dances and sings to some of the songs on this cd collection. To truly enjoy this cd get up and move with your children to the music. Pretend to drive a car when you hear "Ridin' in the Car" or pretend to be a big lumbering elephant while dancing to "Mary Mack".

This is a must-have CD for every American child!
This is a beautiful, varied collection of American folk music and poetry for children, that reflects the rich diversity of our shared culture. Not only will it introduce your baby, toddler or young child to American cultural heritage, but also to rhythm, melody, rhyme, language and fun with music. It will enrich the adults in the house too! Probably only a few of the songs will you recognize immediately, like Miss Mary Mack and Skip to My Lou--but you and your child will be familiar with and singing along with many of the other songs after hearing them only a few times.
Worth every penny.

Runs hot & cold
I was initially quite disappointed with this CD - I felt that it wasn't a particularly good representation of international music (yes, when I read the label closer, I realized it was intended more as an American music collection, but some of the reviews and summaries were misleading).

I was also disappointed that there were multiple songs by the same artists - 4 by Ella Jenkins alone - really not the variety I was looking for. There are far too many "slow" songs (including the unforgivably boring "One Grain of Sand"), several informative and historic but depressing songs about coal mining, and a poetry reading in the middle of the CD that my son invariably requests we skip.

To be fair, my 16-month-old does enjoy about half the songs on this CD - especially "Riding in the Car" and "I Had a Rooster." I personally think "Old Bell Cow" is a hoot. But if you have a toddler that loves to dance and boogie, this isn't the CD for you. I heartily recommend the World Playground CD produced by Putumayo Kids instead.

Leaves you wanting more!
This sampler does what a good sampler should do -- makes you want to buy the full CD versions that these cuts were taken from. A must for every nursery CD shelf.

Best Children's Album Ever!!!
This CD is fantastic! It has a variety of children's songs: American Folk, West Indian, African, French, Jewish and Spanish. It includes some classics like 'Twinkle, Twinkly', 'Skip to my Lou', 'Mary Mack' which are all done in a fun folksie style. Many of the songs will have you dancing 'All Around the kitchen' and making animal sounds. I like the variety of styles with the folk tradition. I feel that I am exposing my daughter to something educational and fun which I can also enjoy. In fact, I have already listened to this cd 100 times, and I know I will not tire of it. I enjoy listening to it as much as my daughter! You certainly can't say that for most children's cds. ... Read more

Reviews (32)

Beautiful!
I think I like listening to these songs more than my kids do! It isn't very often you can find a lullaby tape that parents love. The songs are so soothing and sweet without being the same old stuff we grew up with. My children get all dreamy-eyed when we play the CD. I suggest all parents buy it and really listen to the lyrics. It will help to remind you how precious your children are!

til their eyes shine-the lullaby album
This is the best lullaby CD I have ever heard. I am a teacher of young children and we listen to this at nap time every day. The children love the songs and sing to them. It is heart-warming, soothing and calming. I also enjoy listening and singing to all the songs (it calms me down too). It has a wonderful collection of various artists. I have given this as a gift to many new parents. A must buy!

A Good Night's Sleep!
I received this album as a gift when my son was born in 1998. He has listened to it EVERY night since the day we brought him home and he's now 6 yrs old. We have brought this CD on vacation, for sleep overs at grandma's house and even have it on our MP3 player (just in case...)! The music is very soothing for children and adults. For me, it is a "must have".

Good, but I would also get GENIE's CD's for lullaby/sleep
This is a good album. It's got nice songs for baby boomers. It's really kind of a stretch to call it a lullaby album. It's just not that soft. Some of the songs are soft. Some are more of a stretch than others. It's kind of peaceful and quiet. There's some cheese here and there, but then some really magical moments like the Scottish track.

For real lullabies I'd really steer you toward GENIE's ANGELS ALL AROUND CD. Or if you want more of the ki