Growing with Gunnar
by Kathy O’Connell
The first song on Gunnar Madsen's I'm Growing builds to a delightful crescendo of voices and sounds to introduce the latest creation by one of family music's true geniuses.
Throwaway lines like "St. Groundhog's Day" bring the giggles on "Pumpkin Hair," a seemingly traditional country song that dissolves into a jazzy scat riff. "Walkin' Back to Texas" is a San Francisco boy's lament for the Lone Star state that displays the depth of production and songwriting skill Madsen brings to this project.
"Sun Comes Up" brings a nice Caribbean feel to a kid's daily morning ritual, while "Mozart's at the Window" is a brilliantly literate homage to classical composition. Madsen's work with acapella group The Bobs serves him well on the latter song, a litany of difficulty including "he's stuck at John Wayne" (Airport).
"Cutest Little Guy" is an upbeat love song to the kid who's "a little like his Mama and a lot like me." "Always on the Bottom" rhymes with "Hillary Rodham" in its celebration of the place that provides "shelter from the storm."
"I Feel a Waltz Coming On" is worthy of Sondheim, making this show tune fan deliriously happy.
The recent death of my 20-year old cat made my personal favorite "There's a Bowl of Milk in the Moonlight," with its chorus of "meows." I'm Growing is simply a brilliant album. You can find all Gunnar Madsen's music online at www.GunnarMadsen.com
For Rock, Say Uncle!
Uncle Rock's Uncle Rock U is a rhythmically varied collection from a performer who understands that kids love rock and roll. The man and his guitar are one entity, delivering beautifully.
"Play Outside Today" is delivered in a Springsteen-like rock mode. The whole album features real kids making real noise, with screams of fun backing Uncle Rock's vocals.
"Superhero Medley" will drag parents down Memory Lane as "Spider Man meets Batman, Wonder Woman and Superman."
"Too Many Presents!" laments gift overload in the guise of a delightful counting song. The simple message "It's Hot! (Don't Touch It!)" is delivered in Uncle Rock's usual goofy style, as jam band meets kids' music.
A nice low-key surprise is "The Season of Light," an all-purpose winter holiday tune. Uncle Rock often tours beyond his New York base, and his live show is worth finding. You'll find Uncle Rock at www.unclerock.com
Deep Giants
They Might Be Giants' Here Come the 123's showcases the depth of musicality and themes the duo brings to all their work.
"Only One Everything" demystifies the complicated concept that everything adds to one. "Number Two" celebrates friendship with "Schoolhouse Rock" roots. "Triops Has Three Eyes" teaches while it delights.
The range of music appeals to me most about Here Come the 123's but then I discover the fun of "One Dozen Monkeys" ("one named Larry"), sung by 11 year-old Hannah Levine, or the hard-rocking "Eight Hundred and Thirteen Mile Car Trip."
Here Come the 123's is from Disney, so it should be easy to find.
Kathy O’Connell is a contributing writer to MetroKids and host of the Peabody-award-winning Kids Corner, weekdays 7-8pm on WXPN 88.5 FM.