J&R in Children's Music

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"Here Come the ABCs" (10/25/2005) Children's They Might Be Giants, DisneySoundThey Might Be Giants: John Flansburgh (vocals, various instruments); John Linnell. Critics may laud They Might Be Giants' knack for ingenious pop hooks and nimble, brainy wordplay (and those things are certainly true), but another aspect of their appeal is that their music is so fun and goofy it can make the listener feel like a kid. It is no surprise then that Giants John Flansburgh and John Linnell are naturals at making recordings for children (see their excellent release NO!). HERE COME THE ABCS, released on Disney's label, bears all the giddy hallmarks of TMBG's best work. As the title intimates, HERE COME THE ABCS is about the alphabet. The album-length conceit spins the 26 letters through the Johns' wacky imagination, anthropomorphizing them ("E Eats Everything"), using them to illustrate geography ("Alphabet of Nations"), and even pitting them against each other ("D & W"). As usual with the Giants, there are games galore ("Can You Find It?"), interesting philosophical questions ("Who Put the Alphabet in Alphabetical Order?"), and a kaleidoscope of musical styles, including Beatlesque psych-pop ("Pictures of Pandas Painting"), twangy country ("Fake-Believe"), and funky indie-rock (the aforementioned "E Eats Everything"). HERE COME THE ABCS is ingenious, weird, silly, and great fun for playful kids and adults.

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"Pooh's Top 40" (01/27/2004) Children's Disney, Walt Disney Records

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"Mommy & Me: More Playgroup Favorites" (01/20/2004) Children's Various Artists, Concord Special Products

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"Children's Songs, A Collection of Childhood Favorites" (07/27/2004) Children's Tallman, Susie, Rock Me Baby RecordsPersonnel: Susie Tallman (vocals).

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"Lullaby Classics" (03/16/2004) Children's Baby Einstein, Walt Disney RecordsBaby Einstein: Anik Oulianine (cello); Aaron Drake (flute); Dan Willis (English horn, oboe); Tom Nazziola (piano, keyboards); Bill Weisbach (keyboards, percussion, chapman stick); Clive Smith (keyboards). Though there exist many children's-music discs geared towards dancing, singing, learning, and generally keeping kids active and entertained, there are fewer that address the all-so-important nap time that follows. Luckily, Baby Einstein's LULLABY CLASSICS is perfect for when youngsters (and parents) need a break. The 17-track CD features well-known classical pieces performed by the Baby Einstein Music Box Orchestra, an ensemble comprised of several keyboards, cello, flute, English horn, oboe, percussion, and Chapman Stick (a stringed instrument that combines the ranges of the guitar and bass). Throughout, the tunes are played in an even-tempered manner that is, while often sprightly in tempo, light and soothing. The instrumentation seems carefully chosen to smooth out the music's more animated edges, making the proceedings just right for drifting off to sleep. Even classical music neophytes will be familiar with Beethoven's "Fur Elise" and "Moonlight Sonata," but less well known pieces such as Smetana's "The Moldau" (a gentle waltz with a slight ethnic flavor), and Mendelssohn's jaunty "Spring Song" contribute equally to the prevailing sense of tranquility.

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"Mary Had a Little AMP: Music's Biggest Stars/Chilhood's Greatest Songs - A Preschool Education Benefit CD" (10/05/2004) Children's Various Artists, Epic (USA)Proceeds from this CD support Project Kid Smart--Preschool Education for All.

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"Free to Be...You and Me" (05/09/2006) Children's Thomas, Marlo, Sony WonderAdditional guest artists: Dick Cavett, Carol Channing, Billy De Wolf, Rosey Grier, Shirley Jones, Bobby Morse, The New Seekers, Diana Ross, Diana Sands, Tommy Smothers. Recorded at A&R Studios in New York City. Marlo Thomas & Friends: Bobby Morse, Rosey Grier, Dick Cavett, Harry Belafonte, Jack Cassidy , Alan Alda, Marlo Thomas, Mel Brooks, Shirley Jones , The New Seekers, Tom Smothers, Diana Ross, Billy DeWolfe, Carol Channing (vocals). This soundtrack album to the Emmy Award-winning 1974 children's TV special has become something of a classic over the years, and with good reason--its kid-friendly message of tolerance still resonates. More importantly, the songs, including contributions from Broadway vet Sheldon Harnick and Dr. Hook auteur Shel Silverstein, are cute without being cloying--"My Dog Is a Plumber" and "Don't Dream Your Cat in an Apron" are particularly endearing--and the cast is pure '70s variety-show heaven. Frankly, any album featuring Alan Alda, Mel Brooks, and Carol Channing is doing something right from the get-go.

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"Baby Mozart" (05/07/2002) Children's Baby Einstein, Walt Disney Records

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"Mickey's Top 40" (01/27/2004) Children's Disney, Walt Disney Records

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"Baby Bach" (05/07/2002) Children's Baby Einstein, Walt Disney RecordsThe Baby Einstein Music Box Orchestra: Tom Nazziola (piano, keyboards); Bill Weisbach (keyboards, percussion).

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"Disney Princess: The Ultimate Song Collection" (09/21/2004) Children's Disney, Walt Disney Records

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"Wiggly, Wiggly Christmas" (10/07/2003) Children's Wiggles (The), Koch Records (USA)The Wiggles: Greg Page (vocals, guitar); Murray Cook (guitar, bass, background vocals); Anthony Field (guitar, background vocals); Jeff Fatt (accordion, piano, organ, background vocals). Additional personnel: Terry Murray, Rex Kellehr (guitar); Maria Schattovits (violin); Angela Lindsay (viola); Margaret Lindsay (cello); Dom Lindsay (trumpet, piccolo trumpet, flugel horn); Tony Henry, Peter Lacono (drums, percussion); Paul Paddick (background vocals). The Wiggles: Greg Page (vocals, guitars); Murray Cook (guitars, bass guitar); Anthony Field (guitars); Jeff Fatt (accordion, piano, organ). Personnel: The Wiggles (background vocals). Additional personnel: Rex Kelehr, Terry Murray (guitars); Maria Schattovits (violin); Angela Lindsay (viola); Margaret Lindsay (cello); Peter Iacono, Tony Henry (drums); Paul Paddick (background vocals).

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"Start Singing With Barney" (11/11/2003) Children's Barney, Koch Records (USA)Principal cast: Dean Wendt (Barney); Julie Johnson (Baby Bop); Patty Wirtz (BJ).

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"Party Tyme Karaoke: Kids Songs" (05/06/2005) Children's Sybersound, Sybersound

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"For the Kids" (01/01/2006) Children's Various Artists, Nettwerk AmericaCompilation producers: Tom Gates, Mark Jowett.

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"Disney's Greatest Vol. 2" (02/27/2001) Children's Disney, Walt Disney RecordsIncludes liner notes by Leonard Maltin. This is part of Walt Disney Records "DISNEY'S GREATEST" series. Whether you're a baby boomer who grew up watching such classic Disney films as MARY POPPINS and THE JUNGLE BOOK, or a parent whose kids have developed an unnatural attachment to the likes of MULAN or THE LITTLE MERMAID, you'll find something to enjoy in DISNEY'S GREATEST VOL 2. This compilation of well-known songs from Disney films stretches all the way from 1937 (SNOW WHITE's "Someday My Prince Will Come") right up to the present. On one hand, this disc offers an interesting thumbnail sketch of how movie soundtracks (and pop music) have changed throughout the 20th century. On the other hand, it's simply a solid collection of familiar tunes, from the haunting, Dick Van Dyke-sung "Chim Chim Cher-ee" to the Phil Collins pop ballad "You'll Be in My Heart" (from 1999's TARZAN).

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"The Adventures Begin..." (07/12/2005) Children's Backyardigans (The), Nick RecordsThis is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.

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"A Great Day For Learning" (02/10/2004) Children's Barney, Koch Records (USA)

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"Philadelphia Chickens" (02/10/2004) Children's Boynton, Sandra, Rounder RecordsA portion of the proceeds from the sale of PHILADELPHIA CHICKENS will be donated to The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and The Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. Personnel includes: Meryl Streep, The Bacon Brothers, Laura Linney, Eric Stoltz, Patti Lupone, Kevin Kline, Scott Bakula, Natasha Richardson. PHILADELPHIA CHICKENS was nominated for the 2004 Grammy Award for Best Musical Album For Children.

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"The Princess Movie Song Collection" (10/19/2004) Children's Barbie, Koch Records (USA)Personnel: Barbie (vocals); Czech Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra. Recording information: Abbey Road, London, England; AWR Music, Chicago, ILL; Czech Televison Sound Studios, Prague; Hinge Recording, Chicago, ILL; Signet Sound, Los Angeles, California.

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"Dance-Along: Volume 1" (02/01/2005) Children's Disney, Walt Disney Records