Reviews (11)

Great kids CD!
My daughter is 2 1/2 and she loves listening to this CD! She asks for it all the time. I have a copy in my car, and a copy in the house for her listening pleasure. I drive an hour to and from my parents house and it makes the trip enjoyable to her. She loves all the tunes because she's familiar with some of the Nick Jr. TV programs. The tunes are catchy, however, after listening to this CD for an hour at a time, I find that some of the songs stick in my head and drive me crazy for the rest of the day. But as far as my daughter is concerned, this is her favorite CD. As long as she's happy, I'm happy.

FUN, FUN, FUN!!!!
As a parent, I think I enjoyed this cd more than my 3 year old daughter and one year old son! There are songs from almost every Nick Jr. show and my daughter loves to tell me which show each song is from. She dances to all of the songs and is learning the words now. My only complaint is with the Little Bill songs. The only ones on the cd are the opening and closing songs (pretty much the same). Little Bill sings so many cute songs - I just wish they were on the cd too! All in all, it's a great cd for home or in the car!

Love it! Absolutely, LOVE IT
I am not only speaking for myself; my 2, 3 and yes 11 year old (even though he won't admit it) love it as well! I think that not only is this CD fun, but also educational and inspirational. Inspiration you say about a NICK JR cd? YEP. I think it encourages kids to be artistic and different. It's great. What can I say. A 33 year old baby I am. Looks like a duck, quacks like a duck and loves NICK JR.

Get This Well-Kept Secret!
If you like even one show on Nick Jr., then there's something for you on this CD. There's tunes from "Blue's Clues" to "Kipper" and even fairly decent singing by Nick Jr.'s mascot, Face. This CD is classic Nick Jr., from before they changed the look and behavior of Face and ported many of their best programs over to Noggin.

The best thing about this album is the inclusion of some of the great songs that only show up maybe once or twice on your favorite Nick Jr. shows. Enjoyed the "Planet Song" from "Blue's Clues?" It's here. Adore Hamilton's "paper flowers" song from "Maggie and the Fercious Beast?" It's on here, along with his singing about his box to boot.

The only oversight that I can think of is not including more of the instrumental only closing themes from some of those shows. Otherwise, everything is top-notch.

The Absolute Best Children's CD ever!
My husband picked up this CD for our daughter because he recognized Dora and Blue as her favorites. From start to finish, this CD is the only thing that can keep my daughter calm and happy when we strap her in her car seat. She is only 18 months old, but listening to the CD has helped her learn part of the alphabet, some counting, and several words in her vocabulary. The songs are lively and fun. I never get sick of listening to it -- and believe me, I listen to it A LOT, per my daughter's demands. This CD is a must-have for any parent of young children. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

The best cd you can get your children
With all the violent tv, video games and music- finding something wholesome and decent for your young children can be really tough. I grew up listening to these songs and am now buying it for my own. He wrote wonderfly imaginative music that will stimulate your childs mind. They will laugh and sing along with the songs.

¡Fabuloso!
Como maestra bilingüe de Kindergarten, lo recomiendo. Es un clásico, y los niños se divierten mucho escuchándolo.Me gustan las canciones que son cuentos al mismo tiempo.

El mejor regalo para mi y para mi bebe
Que sorpresa ! Haber encontrado todas estas canciones en un solo conjunto de CDs. A mis 33 años tengo a mi primer bebe de 2 meses. Y la musica me enternece mas que nunca y me hace recordar los momentos que pasaba con mi abuelita y con mi mama.

Para llorar de nostalgia y alegria ! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

My son loves this!!
My son is two and has loved the Wiggles since he was four months old. The songs are fun to dance to and have some educational background to them as well (check out the video, too). I am a kindergarten teacher and have used tracks in the classroom to teach letter sounds (Di Dicki Do Dum) and blends as well as poetry timing. I am very pleased!

Wish I had bought a different Wiggles CD
My daughter loves the Wiggles Yummy Yummy CD, so after reading some good reviews on Dance Party I decided to buy it. This CD is a lot more annoying than Yummy Yummy - some songs actually make me cringe. My daughter likes the CD, but it is not one of her favorites.

Rockin' your child will never be the same....
This album is the only sanity parents of toddlers seem to have when choosing music for their children. It's great in the car and even funner in the living room for dancing. "Doing the Flap" is a great favorite with my son and even "Wags the Dog" is a huge hit with the 12 and 10 year old. When it comes to kid's music, this one ROCKS -- without rolling you over with old cliches and music that dulls vs stimulate those creative juices ... Read more

Amazon.com

All aboard! For kids with a yen to travel farther than over the hill and through the woods to grandmother's house, Papa's Dream is a welcome invitation. Narrator Papa Lalo, Chicano rockers Los Lobos, and a passel of grandkids pile into a Mexico-bound flying balloon in celebration of the grandfather's birthday. Tots, tykes, and preteens will delight in the adventures of this flying family, and even moms and dads will appreciate the muscular feel-good rock of Los Lobos as they bop through contemporary stalwarts "La Bamba" and "Wooly Bully," as well as a handful of traditional Mexican folk tunes. --Paige La Grone ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Lalo Guerrero takes Los Lobos and Los Cenzontles on a trip!
Lalo Guerrero, the grandfather of contemporary Chicano music is "Papa Lalo," who wants to go home to Mexico for the first time in 60 years for a grand celebration for his 80th birthday. He brings along his children and grandchildren, the former turning out to be Los Lobos. "Papa's Dream" alternates between Papa Lalo's narration of this grand adventures and the songs, which are sung mostly by Los Lobos but also by Los Cenzontles (the Mockingbirds), a youth group from San Pablo, California, and Guerrero himself. The CD starts off with a nicely stylized version of "La Bamba" and "Wooly Bully," in honor of Papa Lalo's Chicano blimp, shaped like a bull and held together with "wooly thread." I was wondering why these two songs started the album, but then it occurred to me that for most Americans they represent the most famous songs in Spanish in the history of rock 'n' roll; the fact that it is mainly the opening countdown of the latter that is not in English. There is a wide variety of Mexican folk songs, the lyrics to which are provided in the booklet in Spanish or English as the case may be. There is such a sense of joy to this entire experience and by the time it is over you will want Papa Lalo to take you along the next time he goes sailing away. "Papa's Dream" will introduce you to marvelous songs and I bet I will not be the only one who has never heard the authentic version of "Cielito Lindo," just the tacky commercial. There is also a traditional version of "La Bamba." This is simply one of those feel good albums you stumble across from time to time. The Music for Little People series is an absolutely top-notch series of CDs. I have been very impressed with not only the talented musicians they have have collected for these albums, but the creativity of these efforts as well, which seems to always combine great music with elements of the culture that will delight children and parental units alike.

"Papa's Dream" - Los Lobos; Mama's Review
"Papa's Dream is a lively tale about a family that goes on a special trip. It is quite suitable for the classroom of the Beginning Level Learners of Spanish. Notice the accompanying audio CD or cassette, filled with entertaining music, as well as narration. This cassette or CD will be particularly useful for the teacher who may not be themselves fluent in Spanish.

This book and accompanying cassette or CD will enhance your students learning as they are entertained and educated in the Spanish language.

Great job - especially on the music!!

Outstanding
Los Lobos teams up with Lalo Guerrero to take children on an extraordinary adventure and musical tour. I don't know who has enjoyed this CD more -- my children or their parents! We've been trying to learn Spanish as a family, and this has been a wonderful, fun supplement to our language lessons. Some of the songs are in English, but many are in Spanish, and all the lyrics are helpfully printed in the liner notes.

too much narrative
I found the story was too intrusive and sometimes contrived. The idea of Papa Lalo sewing his own hot air balloon was outrageous and that he did it using the hide of a wooly bully is just dumb. The story was too long and took up too much time between songs. I also didn't like that sometimes the story's narrative was overlaid onto the muscial tracks, not just in the beginning and end, but was right in the middle of the songs. I felt there was no escaping from the story. Other things bugged me such as sometimes calling it a blimp while the illustration and other description really is a hot air balloon; the two things are worlds apart. My dislike for the narrative is so bothersome to me that I can't even listen to the CD.

The music alone is great. I just wish the story was toned down (like the perfect balance in Choo Choo Boogaloo).

great mornings!!!
With two small children in the house, happy mornings are the key! They love dancing to Papa Lalo after breakfast. It is such a wonderful story, besides great music. My oldest wants to have a pinata for her next birthday, and is working at learning the Pinata song... ... Read more

Reviews (11)

My daughters LOVE this CD
We have had the tape of these songs for a few years, and have worn it out completely, so I was very happy to find it here. These, and even more so the More Silly Songs CD, are great for killing time in the car and for sing alongs. On our drives from Columbus GA to Atlanta, we would play these over and over and sing at the top of our lungs. Great memories...

Disney's Silly Songs is Great
This is a terrific album. I've bought it dozen's of times & it is always a hit with young children who like its high energy and fun music. It has a good mix of both old favorites and new material.

Mickey, Donald, Goofy and the gang sing some silly songs
The idea here is to tickle the ribs of little kids by putting together twenty of the world's wackiest songs and have Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, and other Disney cartoon characters make their appearance throughout the album. For example, doing "Ta Ra Ra Boom De Ay!" Mickey and Goofy exchange some bad jokes. A few of the songs have actually appeared in Disney movies, such as "When I See an Elephant Fly" from "Dumbo," which is given a different interpretation by a "teacher." Some of the songs are sung by a group of kids, but most are done by adults singing solo, usually with vocal affectations (e.g., "Little Bunny Foo Foo"). If you little ones have never heard these songs, then "Silly Songs" is certainly one way of providing an introduction. Every kid should know the words to "I'm My Own Grandpaw," "A Peatnut Sat on a Railraod Track," "Three Little Fishies," "There's a Hole in the Bottom of the Sea" and the classic "Be Kind to Your Web-footed Friends" (with all due apologies to John Phillip Sousa--and do I really have to tell you who sings this one?). Parents should just look over the playlist and if you know these songs then your kids should too, and it is probably better if they learn then from this record then having to endure you teaching them "Boom, Boom, Ain't It Great to Be Crazy?" Besides, think how their jaws will drop when they find out you already know the words when they try to teach YOU.

Childhood Favorite
I had this album on vinyl when I was little and I wore it out! This is a GREAT album for children; really works the imagination.

Annoying
Husband HATES it! Makes my 2 year old son cry, but my daughter LOVES it. The characters can't sing and the jokes aren't funny. ... Read more

Reviews (21)

Stands the test of time
I taped this album off of vinyl from the college radio station where I spun tunes in 1988, and while I preferred much more rough-around-the-edges grunge music at the time, I had a soft spot for the whole album.

My tastes mellowed out in the following 15 years (just a bit) but still this cassette keeps coming out of the drawer year. The subtle, talented and completely original takes on the Disney movie songs manage to imprint the artists' vision while still retaining the original magic of the movies (you can picture in your mind a group of seven dwarves who all look like Tom Waits chanting Heigh-Ho). Then last year, I found myself singing "Blue Shadows" in the manner of Syd Straw and "Stay Awake" in the manner of Suzanne Vega as lullabies to my daughter at bedtime. This album stands the test of time, so of course I finally have to have it on CD.

The Mouse never roared like this ...
Disney Music can sometimes seem a little too ... well ... Disney. Neat, catchy little tunes sung by voices that you just KNOW have never seen a zit in their lives. Subject matter that is trite at best, portraying characters so cute that they're almost embarrassing.

Embarrassing, because even at thirty years old, you still whistle Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah from "Song of the South" when you're happy.

Don't you?

Fear not, closet Disney-phile. This album takes all those songs from your favorite movies, and gives them an adult twist. This album will serve a two-fold purpose. First, you can get your fix of Disney anytime your middleaged-child heart desires. But most importantly, if you get "caught" by your friends, you can pass it off as serious music.

Whether a mere fresh coat of paint (as with "I Wanna Be Like You" from Jungle Book) to a slight sarcastic tone on old favorites (Sinead O'Conner singing "Someday My Prince Will Come" -- 'nuff said there!), to downright spooky versions of bettime songs (Suzanne Vega's acapella version of "Stay Awake"), to absolutely twisted rehashes of formerly tired standby's (Tom Waite rebuilds "Heigh Ho" in his own graven image), this album is a fantastic work. It not only transforms these scores into wonderful new pieces of art, but it also remains true to the basic spirit of Disney. Perhaps it is irreverent in places. Yes, it may even poke a little fun at our favorite childhood icon. But it is still a respectful tribute to the original artists who put these tunes in our heads in the first place.

Don't close your eyes
This album features various types of performers doing Disney songs. It is a pretty uneven album. Some of them are good, some of them are not so good. Different people will like different performances, depending on their taste. My favorites are by Tom Waits, Buster Poindexter, Aaron Neville, Sinead O'Conner, Sun Ra and Harry Nilsson. There were some performances I didn't really care for, but I won't mention what they are. One problem that I had with this CD is that many of the songs are connected together as "medleys". So that makes it hard to skip around and just listen to your favorite songs. You may have to sit through something you don't like to get to something you do like.

Disney's dark side
One of the things that's easy to forget about the original wave of Disney films is that they were dark, both in terms of story elements and animation. Its been a long time since I was a little kid, but I can still vaguely remember being slightly creeped out by moments in those magical old films.

That's why this record was such a joy to me when I first discovered it (in a cut out bin in a supermarket checkout lane, believe it or not) a dozen years ago. It instantly became one of my favorite records, not for any individual performance, but for the overall mood which recalls the dark, dreamlike feel that permeated the films.

Not that the performances aren't great. Its hard to pick a favorite, although I've always had a soft spot for the Ken Nordine stuff, Syd Straw's take on Blue Shadows and, especially, Sun Ra's Arkestra cutting loose on "Pink Elephants on Parade." There's really not a weak one in the batch though. Ask me again tomorrow and I'd probably pick something else.

Its someone surprising to me that this is still in print. I can't imagine it selling much and its certainly not the good time nostalgia one might expect from such a compilation. At any rate, its well worth purchasing and will make an interesting addition for fans of the acts contained as well as the original wave of Disney films.

A strange and wonderful little disc!
Seldom have I ever heard a more eclectic compilation album. I first came to know this disc in the early 90's thanks specifically to the Ken Nordine bit on track 11, and the Suzanne Vega bit on track 4; each of which got a fair amount of air time on "Variables" heard Sunday nights in Salt Lake City. Structurally, the 11-track disc actually contains many more pieces than one might first assume, as each track is usually composed of two or more sub-works, each blending into the next. Sometimes the blends work smoothly, other times they can be jarring. All in all you wouldn't believe this to be Disney unless you already knew some of the songs beforehand. Some of them, like the Tom Waits dwarf march, are almost the antithesis of Disney, which is appreciated. In addition to the Vega and Nordine standouts, I also adore part b of track 1, and track 2. But really, if the pool of your musical taste is wide, and you don't mind surprises, this is a gem of a disc that I highly recommend. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential recording

When you hear this creative collection of alliterative alphabet anthems, you'll be amazed at the various verses and clever choruses. Whether it's the classic "'C' Is for Cookie" or "MMM Monster Meal," young kids will get a kick out of the frivolous fun while learning language set to song. Along with the lyrical letter tunes, there's a "What's My Letter?" skit with Prairie Dawn and Guy Smiley and a fantastic fable, "The Tale of Tom Tattertall Tuttletut," featuring Herbert Birdsfoot and the Anything People. You'd be hard-pressed to find a more alluring alphabet album anywhere. --Deborah Moore ... Read more

Reviews (19)

Great for Kids and Parents!!
As a music teacher and the mother of a toddler, I love this collection of alphabet songs!! Not only are the songs well written and entertaining, but my child is learning from them as well. My 21 month old has been listening to this CD for several months and still asks for it first thing in the morning and before bed time at night. This CD is a must for parents of toddlers!!

I learned from these songs, too!
I am a college student whose parents played these exact same Sesame Street Alphabet Songs ( I mean they haven't even been re-recorded!) for me on a record player in the early 1980s. I can still remember most of the words to the songs, and believe me, as a child learning the alphabet, I sure enjoyed this version much more than the traditional "next time won't you sing with me..." alphabet song.

masked education!
My three year old loves this. I love things that my kids think are fun when they happen to be educational. That's this CD. We have it on in the car all the time. I have a singing lesson CD "Voice Lessons To Go" by Vaccarino that I put on for my older daughter and myself- (you should hear the 3 year old try to keep up with that) She's actually learning her abc's and her Do Re Mi's. Should we try Spanish tapes next???

I've been looking all over for these songs!!
My brother had these songs on 45's when he was maybe 3 years old (late 70s) and I can remember singing along with many of these songs. Definitely a great find!! I hope my kids will enjoy these as much as I did as a child.

I Enjoy It More Than My Son
I purchased this CD for the daily car trips around town when my son is with me. Most every track has characters talking, giving intros to the letters and such. All very cute, very Seasame Street - and 100% a stroll down memory lane. I'm not sure if it's all in mono, but most of the songs are from way way back - probably 70's and 80's. I get a kick out of it because it's nostalgic; and my son enjoys it because he gets to sing along and learn the alphabet. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great Disney CD
This is a really great CD. I bought it because I am a huge fan of Disney, and I was not disappointed. This CD includes such great songs as "The Bells of Notre Dame" From the Hunchback of Notre Dame, and "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes" From Cinderella. It has a great mix of older and more recent songs, and is a wonderful listening experience. Great CD for all fans of Disney. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Good Wholesome Music
My children, ages 2 and 4, absolutely love this CD! It's great for road trips in the car or when the children need a little exercise. Most of the songs were released before my time, but I've learned all the words. It makes a great gift for baby-boomers too.

5 1/2 YEAR OLD WAS NOT AS THRILLED AS I
IT HAS SOME GREAT DANCING TUNES-NO DOUBT. IT MAKES YOU WANT TO GET UP AND SHAKE YOUR BOTTY. I LOVE IT. MY SON, WHOM IT WAS ORIGINALLY PURCHASED FOR, IS A BIT LESS ENTHEUSTAIC.

Dance Music by various artists
I purchased this CD for my second grade classroom and my students and I love it! Each time I play this music my students can't help but to dance while they are working and sing along with the music. It is definitely one of my favorite CDs to play. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

LAME, LAME, LAME!!!!!
This CD really BLOWS!!! When I have my children, I will provide them real music to listen to that can enjoy, not this horrible, stupid rubbish coming from a lame bogus ugly purple creature. This CD is way darn overrated! I would give it no stars if I could. Why the heck did this CD get so many high ratings, when it's nothing but lame rubbish that would drive any parent up a tree? Are these people serious who are listeners that are not little kids? Come on! Don't waste your money on this, because before you know it, your kids will outgrow it!

Instead, I highly recommend anything and everything by Led Zeppelin! Led Zepppelin rules! Get the Led out!

Typical Barney
This is one of my son's favorite Barney CDs. He can listen to it over and over and never get bored. He even sings along with the songs and enjoys all of them. I would definetly recommend this CD is your child likes Barney. A lot of the songs teach kids great lessons like everyone is special, we all grow, friends and manners are good, buckle your seat belt etc. The downside of the CD is, like most Barney CDs, the music can get really annoying after a while for the parent. But if your kids like Barney then they will enjoy this CD.

awesome
Hi, i'm a 15yrs old girl, i'm french and i wanted to say that barney is really really great when i was little i used to sang his songs at school and now i'm older but i'm still a great fan ! barney is fantastic for childrens !

Great CD in the car!
I have an 18 month old who usually hates her 1/2 hour commute to and from daycare. Every morning when we get in the car, she immediately asks for "Barney". She is so happy now in the car, I actually don't even mind listening to it! We've listened to it so much, she now sings to all the songs and knows where they are on the CD!

Not one great volume, but two!!
This cassette, like Barney's Favorites Volume 1, contains voices from cast members of the "Barney & Friends" series. It includes voices from: Shawn, Derek, Tosha, David, Kathy, Min, and even Professor Tinkerputt! I highly recommend this tape, it is just as good as the first volume!! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Alternative-country enthusiasts who've ventured into parenthood will want to climb aboard Justin Roberts's Yellow Bus, a tastefully twangy, boot-stomping affair also fit for musically with-it kids age 2 and up. Roberts, no showoff, delivers the 12 original songs here in a down-homey, deeply satisfying voice that'll set the uninitiated to scratching their heads over why he's not already famous. More than that, though, he proves himself a gifted guitarist and fearless songwriter: Yellow Bus's uniformly excellent selections explore the silly ("Willy Was a Whale," an alliterative ditty in which the title fish twies to be wuff and tough while walking on water all the way to Weno, Nevada), the spooky ("Thought It Was a Monster," a story surveying the potential origins of the kind of creepy noises that'll keep a kid up at night with a refrain--"Thought it was a monster / Thought it was a ghost / Thought it was my brother trying to freak me out"--representative of Roberts's delightfully straightforward songcraft), the hilarious ("Tickle My Toes," a gleefully pulse-raising plea for mercy from a tickle-mad mama), and even the profound ("Mama Is Sad," about a child's sympathy and generosity in turbulent times, in this case a divorce). Musically, the here gentle, there ferocious strumming gets support from occasional trumpet toots, mandolin, banjo, and a back-up chorus of completely natural-sounding kids. Roberts's sophomore outing--his first record was 1998's acclaimed Great Big Sun--is roundly impressive; the only problem with this yellow bus is that its wheels don't go round and round longer. --Tammy La Gorce ... Read more

Reviews (25)

Best Children's Music Ever
Finally, children's music that you truly enjoy.My husband and I love Justin Roberts.We even listen to it when the kids aren't around.The kids love to dance and sing along.

A Must-Have!!
I first borrowed this CD from our Library having never even heard of Justin Roberts.We (myself and my two year-old daughter) immediately fell in love with it.The songs are so well done - the lyrics and music are incredible.I am so impressed with this artist.I would recommend this CD for any parent to get for their kids and to give as presents for any children in their life.

How can you go wrong if it keeps your 2 yr old busy?
Looking to break out of the 24 hour rotation of Dan Zanes CDs usually playing in out house and car (don't get me wrong we LOVE Dan Zanes, but 18 months of pretty much non-stop calls for mixing it up), we decided to give Justin Roberts a try.The songs are very catchy and my 2 year old was singing a few of them after only one or two listens.The quality and catchiness of the songs make it enjoyable for parents too.My only complaint is that a few of the songs go on a little too long.You are probably familiar with the attention span of toddlers - they want the next song a lot.
If you're looking for other ways to avoid the Wiggles and make the car ride as enjoyable for you as it for them, look into Dan Zanes and the Mother Goose Rocks series.

Great CD for parents and baby
The songs on this CD are funny and original and we have really enjoyed singing them to our baby.We just may have all the words memorized by the time she can sing along - they lyrics are quite creative and tricky to sing! This is our favorite Justin Robert's CD and a great one to start the collection.

Happy, wholesome, sing-a-long fun for kids and parents
Justin Roberts' "Yellow Bus" is an awesome CD to travel with in the car.Children from babies to pre-teen will love it.Songs range from joyful and upbeat to lullaby-esque and beautiful.Also try his fabulous newest CD, "Not Naptime". ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Greg & Steve's We All Live Together Vol. 1
My 3-year old son was introducted to this cd at day care, and he LOVES it!We purchased the CD and have been listening to it everyday since we bought it 6 months ago.His favorites - Popcorn, The World is a Rainbow.It's great to see him singing and dancing to the cheery music.This volume is his favorite!

I use Vol. 2 more, but kids do Love it!
I am a teacher at my local Head Start program, and my students love Greg & Steve.We usually listen, dance, and sing to a song from this cd at least once a week.The ABC rock is an excellent active learning tool toteach language arts skills.We use Vol 2 much more, however! ... Read more

Amazon.com

The Broadway Kids are just that: a group of preternaturally gifted young habitués of the stage (and television). They now have several CDs under their belts and this one combines songs from two of them, Sing Broadway and Back on Broadway. A lot of the material, like medleys from Annie and Oliver, is an obvious choice, but that doesn't make it any less welcome. Other songs are simply kid-friendly, like "You Gotta Have Heart." Then there are choices you don't immediately associate with children, like Hair (the original of which appears on Celebrate Broadway, Volume Seven: Kids, with the note that the song is "just a lot of fun to sing") and "Seasons of Love" from Rent. Overall, the album is best when you don't feel that the material's a stretch for children, as interpreters or listeners. For budding fans who need to hear their peers to relate to a show, this CD is a perfect introduction to Broadway, a first step toward what may well turn into a lifelong love. --Elisabeth Vincentelli ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Vocal Problems Sink this CD
Every star (or group) has a gimmick, and here it's the age of the performers. That still doesn't excuse the low-quality and forgettable nature of this disc. It's a good introduction to Broadway for children under the age of 10, but for children older than that, it's just setting a bad example.

There are a lot of kids around the age of these children (12-15, I think) who have much more mature voices, and would have done a much better job with this CD. Some of the songs, such as Castle on a Cloud and the songs from Oliver and Annie, fare all right because they were written for young kids with these kind of belty voices. However, songs like "I Feel Pretty" and "Seasons of Love" call for more mature, grown-up voices.

However, if these kids were all in the 9-12 age range, I would excuse the juvenile voices. The part that frightens me is that these children all sound like 10-year-olds when some of them are actually as old as 15. I fear that the young voices on this CD have been ruined by too much vocal training, too early. There's a reason why good voice teachers won't train students until they are 11-12--it can destroy a voice to start before that. I shudder to think of what these kids will sound like in a few years. You want an example? Look at the early casts of "Annie."

Perfect for kids and adults!
I bought this CD for my 4 year-old because, for some time, I have wanted to introduce her to one of my greatest passions--the Broadway Song--in a kid friendly, unintimidating way. The Broadway Kids do just that. The children featured have all been cast in Broadway shows, hence the name. Here they sing a wide variety of the most popular Broadway songs, especially those from shows geared for kids like "Annie", "Oliver!", "Peter Pan" and "Charlie Brown". My daughter loves hearing their young voices and since I love to sing to her, she wants to learn to do it herself. My little one sings all over the house now thanks to this CD. The children are naturally gifted and their beautiful voices make listening to this CD a joy. You won't be disappointed.

Wonderful!
My 4 1/2 year old daughter loves this CD. We listin to it everyday in the car. It is fun having music we both enjoy listening too.

Amazing Talent!!
These kids show so much enthusiasm at such a young age! I'm only 13 and I think many of these kids who are younger than me know exactly what they want to do with their futures. Many of the kids on the Broadway Kids Albums have gone on to do big things! Many of these kids, for example Greg Raposo (he sings Hair on the album), have gone onto bigger music careers while others became actors or actresses. These kids show so much knowledge of the buisness and they are all very talented!!

Great for kids!
When my child was only a few months old I noticed that she smiled joyfully whenever I would sing show tunes to her. I bought this CD because I didn't know most of the words to the songs and figured I could gleen them from the recording. Instead she absolutely loves the CD and I can sing along with it which gives her even more joy.
It is a delightful recording offering the best of Annie, Oliver, and the Sound of Music, among others. I highly recommend this for children. It is easy to sing along with and Broadway plays are a great way to start introducing culutre to your kids without them rebelling against it. So much fun!!! ... Read more

Reviews (18)

Beware of the obnoxious tracks!
I saw this CD and thought it would be great for my daughter whom I like to expose to as much wonderful music as possible, particularly at bedtime. The first night I played it, I stayed in her room and listened to the first 2 songs - they were charming versions of some well-known classics. Then, I turned on the baby monitor and went into the other room.

Suddenly, my ears were accosted by the most obnoxious, laughable sound of track 3. It is a synthesized, incredibly upbeat version of Hush A Bye Baby sung by a woman with the most grating voice. The same can be said of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and Frere Jacque (tracks 6 & 11). Besides being irritating, these songs are actually LOUDER than the rest of the instrumental songs and could easily jolt a sleeping baby out of slumber.

Those 3 tracks completely undermine the "Lullaby" theme. I will be burning this CD onto another CD and leaving out those 3 tracks. Had I read the reviews and seen that others had complained about these same tracks, I never would have bought it. This CD defies logic and you will be better off without it!

Not too happy
I purchased this CD under the impression that it was all instrumental music - WRONG! Interspersed with rather lovely renditions of classical favorites -- perfect for bringing a baby to sleepyland -- are painfully perky upbeat vocal variations on a few traditional lullabies that have a tendancy to jar a baby awake! Rather antithetical to the purpose.

this sux chizzle dawgs
this g-unit cd is off da hook

i give it 3 starz

oh classic music sux bach

Its a LULLABY!
A lullaby is a soothing song used to lull a child to sleep. This CD features the most annoyingly rambunctious renditions of Hush A Bye Baby (track 3), Twinkle Twinkle Little Star (track 6) and Frere Jacques (track 11) I have ever heard. (Of course, I've never before heard any rendition of Hush A Bye Baby that could be characterized as rambunctious.) These tracks are peppy, bouncy, not at all soothing. Might be good for a toddler jumping dance, but the CD is called LULLABIES, not Baby Dance Tunes. These tracks are guaranteed to wake up the soundest sleepers. They certainly won't lull anyone INTO sleep. The last track (14), When You Wish Upon a Star, isn't as annoying as the other three, but it also isn't as soothing as it should be. Strangely there are absolutely no liner notes. No indication of who this incredibly annoying vocalist is, or who performed any of the music. The remaining tracks are all instrumentals. They are acceptable renditions, but not particularly noteworthy. A major disappointment and waste of money. I would recommend Mozart Wombsong from Musical Soup instead. Soothes my little guy every time.

A complete hack job
Do you want to raise a child who has absolutely no musical taste or refinement? Subject him or her to this substandard collection of hack-job performances, and you may get your wish.

This CD is obviously a slapped-together production, designed to make a quick buck more than anything else. The production values are absolutely bottom of the barrel.

I am only thankful that I didn't pay money for this. It came as a gift, and as a formality I gave it one run-through on the CD player. It has been permanently retired.

For the record, I tend not to take the "soothing lullaby" approach with my 4-month-old daughter. More often than not, she gets high-volume, thematically complex music when she is in her swing. She likes it just fine and usually falls into a deep slumber in due course. This weekend we went through the Schubert D. 958, 959, and 960 piano sonatas, played by Murray Perahia, which is as far from the "Baby's First Lullabies" hack-job travesty as you can get. Helen liked it just fine, went to sleep, and (I hope) will emerge from childhood with a more refined musical palate than if she listned to this junk. ... Read more

Amazon.com

While Vince Guaraldi's piano playing and composing have had a big influence on George Winston's work, there is little sense of direct imitation in this affecting tribute to the man who composed the memorable music for the television specials based on cartoonist Charles M. Schultz's Peanuts characters. Winston's solo piano style is fuller and more reflective than Guaraldi's, a hearty blend of powerful chords and subdued rhythms. It seems to embrace Guaraldi's tunes, both the Peanuts songs, like the title tune and "You're in Love, Charlie Brown," and Guaraldi's other music, like "Cast Your Fate to the Wind" and "Monterey," which seems to blend somber tones with an almost luminous quality. The warmth, wit, and whimsy here evoke memories of the best work of Guaraldi and Schultz. --Adam Rains ... Read more

Reviews (38)

Its good, but it's not Vince!
George Winston is a good pianist. I particularly like his seasonal works. I also admire his desire to pay tribute to Vince Guaraldi, who immortalized himself by composing music for the early Peanuts TV specials. Winston's album is good in that it expands beyond the Peanuts faire to some of the other sides of Guaraldi's music. That much being said, this is not Vince Guaraldi, and anyone wanting Vince Guaraldi should not look here to find it. Winston obviously tries very hard to do justice to the jazz great, but doesn't quite make par. One of the problems is that most of Guaraldi's compositions were composed for the jazz trio (piano, bass, and drums). Some of the special qualities of his music is lost on solo piano. This isn't a put-down to Winston, but a testament to the brilliance of he to whom he is paying homage. I think this CD is a great tribute album and is enjoyable to listen to, but it does not bring back the magic of Guaraldi, nor does it rank among Winston's better works.

Good Grief, What a cd!
What a beautiful musical tribute to the late Vince Guaraldi by George Winston! You're sure to love this cd if you are a fan of Guaraldi or Charlie Brown and the rest of the Peanut's gang. The songs range in mood from light & lively to soft & serene. You'll find music from many of the different Charles Schulz cartoons...."It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown," "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving," "A Charlie Brown Christmas," "You're In Love, Charlie Brown, "He's Your Dog, Charlie Brown," and more. Probably the most infamous Peanuts song on this cd is "Linus and Lucy." You know.....Da,da,dat, da,da,dat, daaaaa, daaaaa.....

Also on the cd are such Guaraldi hits as, "Cast Your Fate to The Wind," "Monterey," "Remembrance," and "Theme to Grace/Lament." Most of which are from the 1960's. Most people are very familiar with the Charlie Brown tunes, but may not be aware of who wrote and played them. Winston does Vince Guaraldi good in his musical tribute to him. It's a great cd if you enjoy Winston, Guaraldi, The Peanuts Gang, or all three. I love this cd for all three of those reasons! Would be a great addition to your cd collection.

Also of interest are the liner notes in the cd cover. There's a brief bio on George Winston and Vince Guaraldi, as well as how Winston came to admire and play the music of Guaraldi. He also writes a brief overview of each song. Very interesting.

Rembrance of childhood's soundtrack
George Winston delivers a technically well wrought reworking of the songs on "Linus & Lucy: The Music of Vince Guaraldi." I understand that this session is a tribute and not an attempt to copy or co-opt the original, and on that level, Mr. Winston succeeds.

Two issues can work against the material here if one is not prepared for them.

First, most of the originals have worn grooves into my brain, and in some way, these songs are in part like a soundtrack to wonderful, fleeting years of childhood before adolescence. When I was a kid, I used to tape the Peanuts® shows on my small reel to reel tape machine (this was in the '60 so way before VCRs) in order capture the music. And since then, I have no idea how many times I've watched those shows, now with my own children. Hence, it's hard to follow Mr. Winston when he veers in another direction, adds a new twist, or tweaks the material---even though he does so masterfully.

But the lightness and sweetness of these songs is mostly preserved, at least around the edges, and by reinterpreting the music, Mr. Winston provides a fresh take, though not exactly the same sentiment of the originals.

Second, the contrast in styles between Mr. Winston and Mr. Guaraldi sometimes creates a bit of tension in my deep-rooted expectations of what this music "should" sound like. When Mr. Winston applies some of the stride piano playing or alters the beats a bit (see his liner notes for more better explanations), the songs no longer have the same lilting quality I expect from my prior conditioning and sometimes a note sounds more brittle than fluid.

Some of this tension abates after a few listens, but there are a couple of spots where it proves more distracting than enjoyable. Listen to the middle of the title track, for instance, where some of the cords sound harsh.

All this commentary aside, Mr. Winston treats the songs and heritage of Mr. Guaraldi respectfully. His revisions actually make me appreciate the original songs more.

Cast Your Fate to the Wind worth 5 stars alone
George's rendition of Cast Your Fate to the Wind is beautiful. It is a completely different song than Vince Guaraldi's original. I heard him play it in concert several times and was very excited when he finally released it. This CD caused me to take interest in Vince Guaraldi's music and boy do I now have a passion for it. While I agree that some songs work better with a jazz trio, some are very beautiful when played in George's style. Another favorite is Treat Street.

The greatest gift I never asked for
I recieved this CD as a Christmas gift about 4 years ago. When I unwrapped it, I was confused and dissapointed. I had never expressed any interest in piano music. (I mostly listened to pop and techno) I had no idea that this would be the greatest CD I'd ever own. I can still remember the way I felt the first time I listened to it. What a surreal experience! What euphoria! It was like nothing I had ever heard before. I remember my jaw dropping as I was litteraly brought to tears when I heard the boogie woogie part of track 2. The speed of this man's hands is mind-boggeling. I can honestly say that this CD has changed my life in a big way. BUY THIS CD! ... Read more

Reviews (19)

Off-Broadway cast has the edge...
"You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown" is a disarmingly small show which is preserved very well in this original, off-broadway cast recording. Compared to the recent broadway revival, this recording is more charming and less "brassy," and is overall much sweeter and childlike in performance. Especially noticable is the difference in "The Baseball Game" which is sped up significantly in the revival, giving it a rushed, frantic tempo, but here, slowed down, it becomes a humorously poignant song/story. The remastering, liner notes, and bonus tracks are superior, especially interesing are the bonus tracks of "demo" material that is very rare. Decca Broadway deserves public applause for re-releasing this fine, long-out-of-print score. Both this CD and the New York revival disc are worth owning, for there were significant changes in several songs made for the revival, but this disc has the edge in performance.

Charlie Brown Rocks Your World.
It is so nice to have this album of the original cast on cd. YOU'RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN has been delighting audiences for nearly half a decade and the revival version sparked an even greater interest in the show. However, this was the production that began it all. Keeping in tune with the sweet spirit of the comic strip, this version of the musical is simple and relies upon the actors skill to portray the characters rather than a cartoonish tone and big instrumental score. Many of the songs are memorable and the performances bring the beloved comic to life. My favorite songs on the album include:

"You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown"

"T-E-A-M (The Baseball Game)"

"Peanuts Potpourri"

"Suppertime"

"Happiness"

The bonus tracks on the album are interesting and the booklet that comes with the cd is quite informative about the history of the original show. A great album for any Peanuts fan or Broadway buff.

Good, but slightly lackluster
Having lately joined the pantheon of actors who have played Charblie Brown throughout this show's history, I was thrilled to hear the Original Cast. I was, well, not really disappointed, but not really thrilled either with this recording. It will always be the original recorded cast and it has its truly brilliant moments (Reva Rose's execution of Queen Lucy is wonderful, and The Red Baron has its place), but there are some things that just don't jive with what some might call the Charlie Brown sound or feel.

First of all, it seems this cast is made of actors who happen to sing, not singers who can act, and it's sometimes painfully clear. Sure, they're on the notes, but they're not even really pulling off the little kids act. Second, and maybe because I'm a child of the later 20th century, they just sound like old people, even though I know the actors were pretty much in their prime. They just talk like people from the 60s, and I don't feel like they embody the childlike innocence that is Charlie Brown.

In any case, some of it is very good and charming, despite these "few superficial failings," but for some definite character appeal and really excellent reworkings of great music, check out the New Broadway Cast Recording.

Brings back memories
I had the double album set of this show when I was a wee one and enjoyed it immensely then (there was a story book included). I am buying it now for my toddler - talk about connecting generations!

Good, but this is NOT the classic 1967 Release!
I have the original LP release from 1967 and this CD, although it is definitely the original cast, it is *a different performance of the play*. The differences are "minor" but not "trivial" because there are even dialogue changes.

In my opinion the *original* LP release is still better, because these tapes, although they are nicely cleaned up, are not even as charming as the original LP! I was really happy to get this and still am, but I still believe that the original LP is superior (and no I'm not confusing the 1999 revival with this!).

I wish there were some explanation as to why this re-release chose a different set of performances compared to the original LP release. I really liked the LP versions and, except for the fact that they are now a bit scratchy (LPs being what they are), they performances are still more charming than this release.

So in Charlie Brown fashion I sigh and shrug and figure that life is bittersweet and that some things, loved as they were in childhood, are lost forever... and let sweet distant memories be what they are. ... Read more

Reviews (20)

Yet another superb CD from Tom Chapin. Amazing!!
Ok, I'm pregnant and a little bit tired. So after dinner tonight I told my 2.5-year-old son he could watch a video (I really needed the half hour of rest). Nothing doing -- he wanted to listen to "the new Tom Chapin" CD. Ok, fine with me. I turned on "Family Tree" (which we bought last week, more about that later...) and he immediately started marching to the first song, Parade Came Marching. I followed him and he marched all around the house, singing along at the top of his little lungs. When the song ended, he paused, and when the next song, Nick of Time started, he jumped with glee and started marching and singing again. The two of us marched and sang our way through the entire CD...it was a really special and enjoyable time, and it chased my fatigue away. This is music that's more fun than a video, whether you're at home or in the car. Speaking of the car, that was our introduction to this CD. I bought it for the car ride from our Virginia home to our North Carolina beach rental place last week. Little did I know we'd spend 9 hours stuck in traffic as all of coastal NC was evacuated for Hurricane Floyd! Good thing this is such a wonderful CD...our son insisted on playing it over and over, and my husband and I didn't mind at all. It gave us a chance to learn all the words to these creative, crafty, songs. If you already know Tom Chapin's music, you'll love this CD as much as the others. If you don't know Tom Chapin yet, you gotta try him!! Your kids will love him, and equally importantly, you'll sing along too and will marvel at the quality of the music and lyrics.

A Great Timeless Family CD
As with all of the Tom Chapin recordings I have heard, this is an excellent collection of songs. The songs are full of humor and you will usually recognize some "character"from your own life in one of his songs. One of my favorites on this album is "Nick of Time" because I've done the "I'm-gonna-count-to-five" Routine and it's so funny to hear how it comes out in this song. Also, my whole family likes "Shoveling" because we love the blues-ey rhythm and, once again, the humor. Once you buy one Tom Chapin collection, you'll be back for more.

a family favorite
This is the first Tom Chapin CD that I've purchased and it's become a favorite of my two girls (age 2 and 4). They either start singing along or bouncing around to the music. The lyrics are intelligent and also silly. I have been a Harry Chapin fan for many years and am amazed at the talent of these two brothers. Some of the songs will have more meaning to the girls when they're older (e.g. Family Tree and Someone's Gonna Use It) and that's also a plus... highly recommed this artist and CD.

SELDOM I LISTEN TO-
TOM'S VOICE SOUNDS LIKE HE COULD DO BETTER AT ADULT MUSIC.
WHEN HE SINGS CHILDREN'S MUSIC, HE SOUNDS SO OUT OF PLACE.
THE LYRICS ARE WAY TO PRE-SCHOOLISH FOR ME IN MY OPINION.

IN FACT I COULD HAVE FUN WITH THIS CD BY BACKING
THE CAR OUT OVER IT!!

USE THE CD AS A FRISBEE, OR USE IT AS A SHOTPUT!!!

TOM JUST DOES NOT CUT THE MUSTARD FOR ME!!!!

funny, clever and cool
I remember Tom Chapin from the tv show "Make a Wish," so when I found out he'd done a number of kids' cd's, it was a no-brainer. "Family Tree" is everything I'd expect from Tom Chapin. It's great for even the youngest kids -- catchy tunes, playful lyrics, humor, fanciful stories, kooky characters -- but it's not so sugary that parents cringe. In fact, I look forward to hearing this cd along with my kids. As others have said, "In the Nick of Time" is brilliant, striking a chord with kids and parents alike. I love the environmental message of some of the songs, like "This Pretty Planet," which is achingly beautiful, and "Someone's Gonna Use It," about water conservation. Then there are the songs that are just plain fun, like "Uh Oh Accident" and "Plenty of Room." Great stuff. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

All time favorite
We sing the songs as much as our kids who are 2 and 5 years old. The songs are fun, easy to understand, and educational. Wait - let me emphasize the fun part again! A must for your collection of kids music.

Catchy tunes great for kids and parents on a road trip!
My 4 and one-half year old is learning spanish in school. He loves this CD and the pronunciation is so clear, we can learn the words and sing along. Very catchy tunes by a great vocalist!

A Favorite in Any Language!
This is a great album no matter what your language. Songs are upbeat and very catchy. I love them all, which is fortunate because these are the kind of songs that get stuck in your head and stay with you long after the music stops. You will baila baila baila all day long! Some of the songs are quite repititious-- I find this wonderful for learning the songs and the language but it does sometimes get on my husband's nerves. If you don't know Spanish I highly reccommend getting the book as well to explain the songs, but once you know what they are saying it's a great way to learn some Spanish and have fun while you're doing it.

A must have for car trips
Music always makes the car ride more tolerable - but this CD is number 1 in our collection. My 14 month old daughter giggles, imitates, and claps along. Mr. Orozco knows how to make the most simple of messages fun! ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Both parents and kids will enjoy this great collection
Since I became a new mom, I had bought several CDs of children's songs for my baby. However, most of them are [weak]. So I didn't expect too much from this set of CDs. What a nice surprise, the Ultimate Kids Song Collection is by far my favorite as well as my 1 year old's. Baby loves it and starts bouncing whenever I play the CDs. The set contains 3 CDs with 101 songs (over 3 hours of music). This is quiet a bargain at around [$$] considering the great quality of recording. The performance by the Wonder Kids choir is superb. Also, the songs were recorded in split tracks so you can have karaoke style fun.

Simply Excellent
The music on Disc 3 is snappy, upbeat and a pleasure for adults and children. I am a rock-n-roll fan but this is a cool disc. My wife and I will certainly locate and buy the remaining discs in this set.

Group should be called the 'wonder why' choir...
Please do not get me wrong. I received this collection as a gift and it is quite comprehensive. However, as an elementary school teacher and mom I have had plenty of experience with the genre. I am a firm believer that children deserve the same (or better) quality as adults do (in music and all other things).

That said, this recording is very inferior. The recordings are of a quality that makes them unpleasant (almost downright irritating) to listen too. The nice melody, rhythm and careful arranging that goes into other recordings is missing here. The end result is considerably less enjoyable, than say a Raffi or even a Barney CD, and there is a whole lot more of it to endure.

kids song
i want to review kids songs ... Read more