Rambles
When I listen to this CD, words like charming, refreshing, playful and
irresistible pop up in my head. I may be 53 years old, but if this is
only meant for children to listen to, then count me in that category.
Children's Favourites is a collection of songs and instrumentals
recorded especially with children in mind. There are a few pieces of
"classical" music on it, like a hornpipe from "Water Music" by Handel
and the first movement from Vivaldi's "Concerto for Mandolins". And
Mayor sings a lovely new lyric to Schubert's "The Trout," renamed "The
Slippery Slimy Trout." Then there are some traditional ones. James
sings "Lavender's Blue" in a very slow fashion, bringing out the songs
original use as a lullaby. Then there is a French lullaby, "Fais Dodo,"
sung in the original language. And they have rewritten "As I Was Going
to Banbury," reworking the lyrics and changing the tune. Here it is
called "The Road to Banbury."
And interspersed between the songs are small sketches, featuring Mayor
and James doing small introductory dialogues.
But what impresses me most about this collection is their ability to
write new songs for children. I must say I have a very critical mind
when it comes to newly written children's songs. During my short stint
as a music teacher, I avoided many of them. Often I found them
underestimating the children who were supposed to sing them. After all,
children do not want to be small. Their wish is to grow up and to be
taken seriously by their elders.
James and Mayor have the ability to write songs that appeal to children
and to the child within adults without ever sounding childish. They do
not oversimplify things, but trust their audience to be able to pick up
on clever musical passages and word games in the lyrics.
"The Snowman's Song" tells of the dangers of being a snowman. Either
you have to freeze, or else you melt away. And can a snowman fall in
love, or will the warm feelings melt him? "The Spider in the Shed"
describes in detail how a spider chews his prey. "My Bike" is James's
description of how any sport but cycling is too dangerous. And "The
Farmyard Tango" cleverly includes a bit of can-can while describing the
difficulty experienced by some of the animals at the farm ballroom
dance.
Well, I could mention all the tracks on it. I really enjoy it, but you
have already guessed that, haven't you? And the label on the cover
"Real Music, Real Instruments" tells it all really. Guitars, mandolins
(of course), percussion, whistles, vocals and sound effects. Everything
is superbly executed and it all fits in.
I have only one question. Will we parents (and grandparents) really
pass it on to our children (and grandchildren)? Or will we keep it for
ourselves? I am in luck, my grandchildren do not understand Swedish,
so...
Lars Nilsson
Acoustics Records
PO Box 350
Reading RG6 7DQ
England
Tel: +44 (0)118 926 8615
www.acousticsrecords.co.uk
