This album takes favorite classic children's song and remakes them with new sounds, tempos, and ways to interact for a whole new kind of fun! Pop Goes the Weasel becomes an entertaining rap; Down in the Valley is made hip with an electric guitar and very cool organ solo; and Say, Say, Oh Playmate has a funky feel as a child repeats Tallman saying "Say, say whaaaat?" after each verse. Red River Valley is slowed way down from its traditional tempo and given an almost-dreamlike quality to its guitar-led melody. The clangs of percussion adds a new feel to Row, Row, Row Your Boat, and Tallman sings rounds opposite of children and at a different speed.  Children also help Tallman sing Old MacDonald had a Farm by shouting out which animal she should sing about in each verse; they even get goofy and yell out 'brontosaurus'!  Do you even know what sound a brontosaurus makes? I don't! The Spanish song La Cucaracha and French song Sur Le Pont d'Avignon add more diversity and new sounds to the album. Lyrics to both are translated in the cover booklet.

Tallman has made it quite easy for listeners to interact with the music, whether your little one wants to belt out the "Da da da"s after each verse in John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt, practice their vowels in Apples & Bananas, or clap along with BINGO. The Alphabet Song offers great fun for those willing to sing along, as the singers try out a new accent each verse; the first verse is sung traditionally, the second verse is sung like cowboys, the third verse is sung in a classical style with Tallman sounding like an opera singer, and the fourth version makes up a word to go with each letter. Your little one can play along and come up with his or her own words, or their own ways to sing the verses. Some listeners may want to move around while - or instead of - singing, so why not Hokey Pokey?! If your little one is still too young to do the moves on their own, you can either provide the entertainment and perform for them, or help them participate by moving their arms and legs gently back and forth, then 'shaking it all about'. Be prepared for the giggles and smiles!

My Two-year-old friend Kyle had never heard the song Kookaburra before, but it was an instant favorite. He repeated the word "Kookaburra" - or his version, which sounds more like "Coo-coo-ba" - the rest of the day. When I would repeat it after him, he would smile and clap his hands. Funny enough, I have the same reaction to the word "Chocolate."

 

--Audra