Crossing Over to Kids
While it is not new for traditional singers to release a kids-focused album--Peter, Paul, and Mary, Carole King, and Pete Seeger have, to name a few--record numbers of artists are putting out CDs and tapes for children. And the best of the bunch may not be goin' back.
Undoubtedly the most surprising of all the new kids releases is My Name is Cheech, The School Bus Driver (Ode 2 Kids/BMG Music, 1993) by Cheech Marin, of Cheech and Chong fame. Cheech combines his zany (albeit now clean) sense of humor with a South American cumbia sound, a seeming wedding of zydeco and samba. The polite swing of the accordion bolsters his torrential drypan throughout.
The disc opens with the title track, "My Name is Cheech, The School Bus Driver." Cheech relates the entertaining and educational adventures of a bus trip gone awry with too many wrong turns. Adults in the household may well find themselves humming this tune at the office.
The only other truly memorable tune, "Red and Blue and Yellow Too," follows. One of the kids on the bus is discouraged because he has only three crayons to color a school project, but Cheech comes to the rescue with a song about mixing primary colors. This song will help a child to learn the primary colors unwittingly.
"Trading Lunches" is another moderately funny tune. With "Courage" and "Mathematical Polka," Cheech tries to offer ethical and educational exercises, but he mostly fails in the attempt. "Tell Me How Do You Say...?" is a song about learning Spanish, but merely as a way to "get the girl." There's no real damage in any of these tunes, but no great contribution to the human struggle either.
Converted by Kids
Tom Chapin's career has been changed by his work in kids music. Formerly an adult folk singer, this brother of fellow folker Harry Chapin began writing quality music for his own kids; we are all the beneficiaries.
Chapin has become the Mr. Rogers of kids music: Always respectful of the children, singing about both silly and sensitive concerns, Chapin moves at a measured pace, unlike some of the other popular kids acts--like Joanie Bartels and Craig and Co.--who have adopted MTV-velocity for the pre-pub set. Without fireworks or lightshows, Chapin can capture the imagination of listeners, and his creativity can keep it.
The title track of Chapin's latest release, Billy the Squid (Sony, 1992), tells the story of an underwater outlaw who "took from the selfish and gave to the shellfish." But it is, after all, a love song, because in the end "Clamity" Jane "prevailed where the sheriff had failed/And she captured bold Billy the Squid."
Another hit on this tape, "The Ghost of Bleak House," is a Halloween tune that plays well year-round. When a family moves into the haunted house of the late Josiah Bleak, the ghost tries to frighten them out. Of course the love of family wins over this grumpy old ghost, and by the end of the song he is playing hide and seek with the children.
"Happy Earth Day" has an environmental theme, and "I Got the Blues, Greens and Reds" is an anthem for kids' feelings. "Bye Bye Dodo" is a gentle plea for disappearing animals, and "Great Big Words" offers a humorous look at language development in children.
My favorite song musically is "Bedtime Round," with Lily Chapin and Victoria Forster. Anyone who has put to bed an unwilling child will get a kick out of this song:
Oh Mom. I need another story. Just a short one.
Mom, please. I need a glass of water. Just a small one.
Mom, please. I need another hug please.
Chapin's seeming lack of ego makes it possible to forget just how talented he is. That would be a mistake, though, for anyone who wants quality music for kids.
Maria Muldaur, famous for her "Midnight at the Oasis," offers the most finely produced recording with On the Sunny Side (Music for Little People, Box 1460, Redway, CA 95560; 1990). With a voice that adapts to each song, Muldaur demonstrates again her virtuosity. And, like baby bear's porridge, each tune's level of instrumentation is "just right" --not too thin and not too thick--making each easy to listen to as well as fun.
Most of the tunes will be recognizable to all listeners: She includes such favorites as "Would You Like to Swing on a Star," "Side By Side," and "Dream a Little Dream." Despite a problematic line in Dolly Parton's "Coat of Many Colors," implying the poor are only poor if they choose to be, the tape is still well worth listening to, especially on car trips. Muldaur's fine offering will indeed feel like an oasis in the midst of the desert of most "family entertainment."
Noted Christian musician Ken Medema has released his second children's tape, Kiddin' Around (Brier Patch Music, 3825 Meadowood Lane, Grandville, MI 49418; 1992). Medema brings the same energy, enthusiasm, and insight to this tape as he does to all his recordings.
Gospel values shine forth in each song, and Medema hooks kids in a myriad of ways, ranging from funky call and response to funny facial noises. These tactics are just the thing to pull in kids in a group setting, like a church youth choir.
"Happy Are the Ones" is a popularized lyricization of the Sermon of the Mount. Those who are happy are those who show mercy, who suffer for the right, who work for peace. During times when the weight of the world can slow down the most optimistic of kids, this song can remind them of the simple excitement of following the path of Jesus.
"Pockets" is the story of Alice, whose pockets were so "stuffed with stuff" that she waddled up the street, weighed down by her possessions. How easily all was lost when riding a carnival ride. But on the way home she discovered she could walk, skip, and jump now that she wasn't held down by full pockets.
Medema's powerful synthesizer is an orchestra unto itself, and he knows how to use it to break down inhibitions. "Dance Together" is an invitation for people "to know one another until our fear is gone."
Now there is a message that has a future for kids.
Kids have a wider variety of music to choose from than ever before. Now's a good time to give the young children in your life something entertaining and high quality to listen to. It's out there.
Bob Hulteen was Under Review editor of Sojourners when this review appeared.
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