Greetings from Amazon.com Delivers Children's Music Editor, Andrew Bartlett FEATURED IN THIS E-MAIL: * New and Notable: "Toddlers Sing Playtime," "Nursery Rhymes and Other Fun Songs," "Listen to the Storyteller," and "A Child's Celebration of Silliest Songs" * 1999 Parents' Choice Award Winners in Music: "Singing in the Bathub," "Really Rosie," "Toddlers Sing," and more * Jazzin' the Kids: "A Boy Named Charlie Brown," Josh Greenberg's "Go with the Flow," Dave Brubeck's "Dave Digs Disney," and more * The Return of the Rabbit Ears Series: Award winners like "John Henry" (with Denzel Washington and B.B. King) and "Pecos Bill" (with Robin Williams and Ry Cooder) are back NEW AND NOTABLE *************** "Toddlers Sing Playtime" Various artists http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00001W0BK/entertainmentsit Now there are two episodes in the bright, funny "Toddlers Sing" series. This sophomore CD is as energetic as the debut, with short ditties sung with glee and fondness, making it ideal for the dark months of winter, when parents yearn for entertainment outside the "box" of television. It's eloquent, educational, and sweet. "Nursery Rhymes and Other Fun Songs" Teletubbies http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00001QGQQ/entertainmentsit In the hands of Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa, and Po, everything on their second CD--from "Little Miss Muffet" to "Jack and Jill"--has a unique spin on it. Narrators recite most of these tales, with the characters providing flourishes. Po translates "curds and whey" as "eating tubby custard," and on "Grand Old Duke of York Song" the Teletubbies recall Cab Calloway. As if that weren't enough, Tinky Winky just can't get enough of "Pat-a-Cake." "Listen to the Storyteller" Wynton Marsalis, Edgar Meyer, and Patrick Doyle http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000K4IP/entertainmentsit With narratives drawing on the Afro-Caribbean, Celtic, and Native American traditions, "Listen to the Storyteller" is quintessentially democratic. Scored in the classically appealing style of Prokoviev's "Peter and the Wolf," this CD features exquisite compositions by Wynton Marsalis, Patrick Doyle, and Edgar Meyer; expert playing by the famed Tennessee duo of bassist Meyer and dobro player Jerry Douglas, as well as trumpeter Marsalis and the vaunted Orchestra of St. Luke's; and narration by Kate Winslet. "A Child's Celebration of Silliest Songs" Various artists http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000JZB8/entertainmentsit In an age when children are expected to meet the seriousness of living with their own early sobriety, a good bit of goofin' seems in order. And levity is just what "A Child's Celebration of Silliest Songs" delivers: campfire favorites like "On Top of Spaghetti" and "John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt," schoolyard rhymes such as "Tiny Tim" and "Apples and Bananas," and ticklishly wholesome renditions of "Three Little Fishies" and "Shake My Sillies Out." 1999 PARENTS' CHOICE AWARD WINNERS IN MUSIC ******************************************* It's time once again for the venerable, nonprofit Parents' Choice organization to reward great music (as well as books, toys, videos, and games) for providing supportive, creatively stimulating experiences for children. Here are a few of the winners: "Singin' in the Bathtub" John Lithgow http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000I8A3/entertainmentsit You've seen him on the television show "Third Rock from the Sun," and perhaps elsewhere on stage and in films. And you've probably realized that John Lithgow is both eccentric and a gifted performer. Here he combines his unique character with undeniable talent, creating a silly, snappy set of songs to delight bathers and nonbathers alike. "Softly We Sing" Various artists http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000JTBD/entertainmentsit The independent Twin Sisters record company has struck artistic gold more than once before, but this gentle, soothing collection is a winner on many fronts. It is both elaborate and simple, creating a weave of sounds that will both lull the tired and delight as an homage to sleeping babies and children. "Really Rosie" Carole King http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000J2PJ/entertainmentsit In the annals of children's television, "Really Rosie" is a classic, with its art by Maurice Sendak and its compositions by Carole King. The original music returned with added luster in 1999, only to win legions of new listeners and a host of accolades. Cheery and as smart as any other Carole King work, "Really Rosie" seems brand new even today! Find more 1999 Parent's Choice Award winners at http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=entertainmentsit&path=tg/feature/-/13238 JAZZIN' THE KIDS **************** When pianist Vince Guaraldi wrote music for the original Charlie Brown television special, he helped usher in a fertile meeting ground between jazz--often considered too complicated for kids--and the ears and hearts of children. "A Boy Named Charlie Brown" Vince Guaraldi Trio http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000000XDH/entertainmentsit Though Guaraldi wasn't the first to play piano to accompany an animated special for kids, he wrote some unforgettable melodies based on Charles Schulz's cartoon-strip mainstays, Charlie Brown, Linus, Schroeder, and Lucy. Here's the original jazzy score for the TV special. "Dave Digs Disney" Dave Brubeck Quartet http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000002864/entertainmentsit Pianist Dave Brubeck hails from the same neck of the woods as Vince Guaraldi, and while this Disney tribute isn't at all predictable, instantly familiar fare, it's as creative as Guaraldi's "Charlie Brown." It's a father's understated testament of love for the Disney art, which was busy charming his own future-musician clan of kids as he made this album. "Go with the Flow" Josh Greenberg and the Mother Goose Jazz Band http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000003A30/entertainmentsit Here's an ecstatic curve ball between jazz and... Mother Goose! Josh Greenberg leads a jazz ensemble that sounds as committed to the art of great tunes as they do to the great tradition of nursery rhymes. The songs are familiar--aptly so!--and the music spruces them up and smartens the delivery of what could seem dated. Find more jazz for kids at http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=entertainmentsit&path=tg/feature/-/14928 THE RETURN OF THE RABBIT EARS SERIES ************************************ It boggles the mind to think that classics from the Rabbit Ears series could ever disappear. But that's precisely what has happened in the years since they were initially released. With a cast of great actors telling timeless stories--Denzel Washington, for example, sharing "John Henry" and Robin Williams chiming in on "Pecos Bill"--the drama is often only matched by the music. The series brags Ry Cooder, B.B. King, and several others, all of whom make fantastic, fun entertainment at a perfect price! "John Henry" Denzel Washington and B.B. King http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00001XDRT/entertainmentsit "Pecos Bill" Robin Williams and Ry Cooder http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00001XDSG/entertainmentsit Find more Rabbit Ears selections at http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=entertainmentsit&path=tg/feature/-/14957 ****** You'll find more great music, articles, and interviews in Amazon.com's Children's Music section at Children's Music ******
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