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

Review: Kidults

Artist: Mandy Patinkin

Nonesuch; 2001; 16 Tracks

CD; Children's Music

Ages: 2 to Adult

ISBN: 0-755-9795-3428

A collection of music that blends traditional children's songs with more adult offerings.

My Thoughts:

I was a little puzzled at first when I saw that Mandy Patinkin had a children's music album out. I was only familiar with him from television and The Princess Bride. When I listened to it, I was pleasantly surprised. His versions of several traditional kid's songs were innovative and delightful. I appreciated the fact that, as an actor, on some of the songs he did character voices and sang multiple parts (i.e. Singing in the Bathtub, A-Tisket A-Tasket). Also, as a fan of Kristen Chenoweth, I enjoyed the duets that he included.

There were a few tracks that I thought were more than a little odd. I suppose he included the Japanese Sandman/Cat in the Cradle medley as part of the -ults portion of the album. However, I find that Japanese Sandman is no longer p.c., and Cat in the Cradle is a depressingly weird choice for a children's album. Another strange medley, but one which really worked, was the Time in a Bottle/School Days/Inch worm combo. The nostalgia might be hard for kids to relate to, but it was a thouroughly charming arrangement. Overall, though admittedly strange, this is an album that both kids and adults will enjoy. Parents and caretakers won't get the kid song headache.

The Thoughts of Others:

Entertainment Weekly's Melissa Rose Barnado reviewed the album in 2008. While she gave a generally positive review, she did describe Patinkin as "over-the-top," and warned that not everyone would enjoy his "histrionics."

Amazon.com's review of the album commented on its attempt to blend two generations of listeners. They don't seem to be sure as to the success of the hybridization. They sum it up as "either an especially lively grownups' record or a sophisticated and glamorous-sounding kids' disc."

FYI Track Listing (my top 5 are in bold):

1. If I Only Had a Brain

2. Holiday for Strings

3. Minute Waltz

4. Singin' in the Bathtub

5. The Ugly Duckling

6. Soon It's Gonna Rain (with Kristin Chenoweth)

7. School Days Melody (with Kristin Chenoweth)

8. A-Tisket, A-Tasket

9. The Japanese Sandman / Cat's in the Cradle

10. Not While I'm Around

11. Rhode Island Is Famous for You

12. April in Fairbanks

13. How Could You Believe Me?

14. Everybody Says Don't / The King's New Clothes

15. New Words

16. "A" You're Adorable / Getting to Know You