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Dave Nathan - All Music Guide
Review of Annie Ross's Cool for Kids
allmusic.com
July, 2002
Renowned jazz singer Annie Ross confirms what many of us who have
raised families already knew, viz., that music for young children
need not be limited to cute, often cloying, and always musically
uninteresting, nursery rhymes. Children come with no preconceived
musical notions shaping the kinds of songs that will get their attention.
If it's got a beat, swings, and isn't too loud, they will likely
enjoy it. That's just what Cool for Kids offers, a set of nine songs
with catchy rhythms and lyrics that will attract not only the very
young set, but their elders as well. Typical is a lilting version
of Danny Barker's "Save the Bones for Henry Jones," a
duet where Ross is joined by Doug White. Ross is the godmother for
White's son, to whom this album is dedicated. White does a bit of
scatting on this track, a set of vocal mouthings that will likely
be familiar to a baby. "Cool MacDonald (Had a Pad)" is
a hip version of the old nursery rhyme with the farm replaced by
bachelor's quarters. In addition to White, Ross is joined by those
excellent musicians who are part of the Juniper stable, especially
the very good Chris Bergson on guitar, whose presence enlivens virtually
every track. As for Ross, the voice obviously has matured since
she started her remarkable career in the 1950s. But her sense of
timing, her phrasing, the allegiance to pitch, and ability to swing
a tune remain impeccable. There are three bonus tracks, all instrumentals
by the White's quintet. "Double-O Joe" highlights the
drums of Joe Strasser, "Moon Song" the pianism of Mike
Kanan, and all feature White's modern tenor sax. This is good stuff
for kids and their adult mentors as well.
go to Cool for Kids
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Reviews of
Cool for Kids
All Music Guide
...catchy rhythms and lyrics that will attract not only
the very young set, but their elders as well more...
TalkInBroadway.com
Throughout the album, Annie is captivating and charming, and free of any goo or corn that plague many a children's album. She lives on Swing Street. more...
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