Billy the Squid

Tom Chapin | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 24, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Gadfly Records
• ASIN: B00005QK3K
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #139,741 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #51 in Music > Indie Music > Children's Music > Children's Educational

Track Listings

1. Great Big Words

2. Bye Bye Dodo

3. All of My Friends

4. You'll Be Sorry

5. The Ghost of Bleak House

6. Cameling

7. Billy the Squid

8. Sore Loser

9. Happy Earth Day

10. The Missing Parade

11. Preacher Herman

12. I've Got the Blues, Greens and Reds

13. Bedtime Round

14. City Lullaby

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording

Tom Chapin, younger brother of and former collaborator with the late Harry Chapin, hits a peak in his career here with "The Ghost of Bleak House." The song is an animated dialogue between a family of kids moving into a house whose ghostly inhabitant wants them out. The mock-frightening music and daunting voice of Josiah Bleak are dismantled by the children's playful fearlessness. Chapin loves scenarios like this, in which he can set up dialogue between two parties (almost always an adult and a child) and have each come to some mutual understanding. Such an avenue, bolstered by colorfully arranged and executed music that feeds off jazz, folk, and tons more, is the key to childhood understanding of music. Chapin's songs come off as ministories, each squared with an apt musical style and then performed brilliantly. And he even takes the time to honor economy in language with "Great Big Words." This is perfect for parents who listen with their kids--in cars, in living rooms, or wherever. --Andrew Bartlett

Product Description

Awards:

American Library Association's Notable Children's Recording
Parents' Choice Award
New York Music Award for Best Children's Album
Parents Prize Award from Parents Magazine

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great CD for young children - and their parents!, November 14, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Billy the Squid (Audio CD)

My children (3 and 4) LOVE this CD. They ask again and again for the Ghost of Bleak House, and for "The Missing Parade". We love the way Bruno always shows up on track 10 of Tom Chapin's CD's. Bruno has much to teach us about life and not judging a person by their goofy voice/exterior. "Bye Bye DoDo" and "Happy Earth Day" still occasionally bring tears to my eyes even after listening to this CD at least 100 times. Tom Chapin is great with his lyrics and the lessons almost all of them teach young children. Recently, my dad was here for 2 weeks taking the children around - and my mother said he liked this CD so much he even played it when they weren't in the car! This CD is well worth the money.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Family Sing-a-long Album!!, April 10, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Billy the Squid (Audio CD)

We are big fans of Tom Chapin, he writes awesome songs everyone can relate to and enjoy! I have a 6 year old and a 16 year old and it is hard nowdays to find music appropriate and appreciated by both. We have been Tom Chapin fans for four years and own 3 of his CD's. Our favorite songs on Billy the Squid--(this will vary from time to time, and from mood to mood!)Ghost of Bleak House, I Got the Blues, Preacher Herman, and Bye Bye Dodo. Chapin's songs are funny, touching, thoughtful, and informative (teaching kids about animal extinction-Bye Bye Dodo, and ecology among other things) Buy this great family CD--you WILL ENJOY IT!!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great music for children and adults who are young at heart., March 3, 2000

By 

Carolyn Mampe (NJ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Billy the Squid (Audio CD)

My two year old daughter dances while my 4 year old son and I sing along. We all can't help but smile when we are listening.