Review: Kids' Stuff

Artist: King's Singers and Judi Dench

Primarily A Capella; 1987; 14 tracks

CD; Children's Music

Ages: Birth-Adult

A world-renowned a capella vocal group teams up with the incomparable Dame Judi Dench on this delightful compilation of traditional songs, stories, and nursery rhymes.

My Thoughts:
This album is amazing. Not only is it rife with British accents and witticisms (I am an Anglophile), but it is full of the unexpected. The King's Singers are known for their vocal acrobatics and sound effects. They bring these into full swing on this CD. For example, on "Old King Cole" they imitate an orchestra warming up before a performance. Dench is also in rare form. She begins by introducing herself, ("Hello, my name is Judi. What's yours?) and with that invites children to wander through imaginary lands with her. Her recitation of poems and stories are enchanting, and blend perfectly into and out of the music that the King's Singers offer. Rather than distinctive tracks, the whole album melds together into a fun journey.

I truly appreciated the fact that the songs were, for the most part, truly children's songs. They are traditional standards. Yet, the sophistication that the King's Singers and Dench bring to them makes for an album that adults would enjoy listening to even without the kids along. Unlike a lot of children's albums offered by adult singers, this CD does not feel forced. It caters to the kids without losing any of the group's adult appeal. (I especially love the version of Yellow Submarine. It is not something one would look for on a children's album, and yet it is so appropriate!)

Thoughts of Others:
I was unable to find any critical reviews of this album. Since it was originally released in the 80's, that was when it would have been reviewed. However, several websites had user reviews. One of which I really agreed with. He said:
" I enjoy the album because here is a chance for children to hear music that is attractive to them being sung by the group many consider to be the finest vocal ensemble in the world." Doug Anderson

FYI Track Listing (My Top 5 in Bold):

1. Teddy Bears' Picnic - The King's Singers, Kennedy, Jimmy

2. Humpty Dumpty/Old King Cole/The Grand Old Duke of York/Intro: ...

3. This Old Man

4. Over the Hills and Far Away/Intro: Wind on the Hill

5. King John's Christmas/Intro: The Snowman - The King's Singers, Milne

6. The Riddle Song/Intro: Cottleston Pie

7. Walking in the Air - The King's Singers, Blake, Howard

8. Yellow Submarine/Intro: Baby Sardine - The King's Singers, Lennon, John

9. The Owl and the Pussycat/Intro: The Island - The King's Singers, Lear, Edward

10. Here We Go Down the Line/Into: The Land of the Bunbley Boo

11. Lavender's Blue/Intro: There Once Was a King

12. Wendell the Worm/Intro: At the Zoo/Little Worm - The King's Singers, Parker

13. I Know an Old Woman - The King's Singers, Bonne

14. Frog Went A-Courtin'/We All Stand Together/Intro: The Frog