The Bottle Let Me Down: Songs for Bumpy Wagon Rides

Various Artists (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 18, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Bloodshot Records
• ASIN: B000066JE8
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #79,078 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Some kids' records perch themselves atop an anti-Barney platform in the name of parental palatability, others reach out with artist recognition. But The Bottle Let Me Down: Songs for Bumpy Wagon Rides goes one better, reversing the whole premise so that parents, for an entire 26-track album, fully reclaim their listening rights. So what if "Rubber Ducky," "On Top of Spaghetti," "The Three Billy Goats Gruff," and "Señor El Gato" are among the song titles--this is music meant to celebrate Mom and Dad's last remaining shreds of coolness, from the retro-inspired jewel case to the alt-country acts' indie credibility. Alejandro Escovedo laments hitting the big One-O ("Candy just doesn't taste as good anymore") on "Sad & Dreamy"; Rosie Flores sends 'em flocking to the speakers with first track "Red, Red Robin"; Robbie Fulks feels the pain of "Godfrey," the sickly unemployed amateur children's magician; and the Cornell Hurd Band makes a compelling case for napkin use with "Don't Wipe Your Face on Your Shirt." Also weighing in on such subjects as funky butts, the difficulty of being green, and weasels, beans, frogs, and dogs are Devil in a Woodpile, Rex Hobart & the Misery Boys, and Split Lip Rayfield. Granted, grownups with R&B, jazz, or rock leanings won't get as much mileage out of this CD as those who sniff the twang in song titles like "Hinky Dinky Dee" and like the aroma, but there's no denying its down-home, keep-it-real musicianship--everything from Dobros to duckies do their part. If ever there was a record for musically deprived parents, this is it. Slip it in and show them, for 45 minutes if not once and for all, who's in the driver's seat. --Tammy La Gorce

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally!, December 8, 2002

By 

Sue "beetlebum13" (Chicago, IL, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Bottle Let Me Down: Songs for Bumpy Wagon Rides (Audio CD)

Since my daughter was born, I have pondered on the question of how long I would have to endure dull and obnoxious "children's" music. Well, Bloodshot has given me the answer! NO MORE!

Its nice to have familar artists (and some familiar songs! I immediately broke into singing Senor El Gato like we had never left the first grade) on this album. The songs are cute and silly (Funky Butt is ironically funny for parents) and fun to sing.

I will buy this for any friends or family who have children.

PS- Godfrey is not about a pedophile, but rather about a cranky old, homeless wannabe magician who is perhaps crazy but harmless. its a silly song and maybe one of my favorite tracks on the CD.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best, December 24, 2005

By 

Alina V (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Bottle Let Me Down: Songs for Bumpy Wagon Rides (Audio CD)

There are two reasons why I decided to make this my first review of a product ever:

1. This is probably the BEST children's music CD out on the market and it is most enjoyable to listen to over and over again (as we parents do when our kids like a particular collection of songs and request them time and time again). This CD is a unique collection of oldies and some new goodies; each and every one of them a gem. I am a music enthusiast that has been rather disappointed with many of the children's music being mass prduced today and found this one to be exceptional. It features a group of Chicago musicians and is released by an independent record label in Chicago, Bloodshot Records, who need to start working on their next chilren's album...

2. To the person who thinks that Godfrey is about a pedophile (not to trivialize your concern):
a) please listen to the words and do not overread the simplcity of the lyrics.
b) accept Godfrey as what he is, a crazy, cranky, old, "sickly, unemployed, amateur magician" who hangs around the playground because his only captive audiences for his gross (BUT NOT SUGGESTIVE) tricks are schoolchildren.

Thank you for reading my first review and I hope it inspires you to add this album to your children's (or your) music collection...

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding album for children of all ages, April 20, 2003

By 

Peter Durward Harris "Pete the music fan" (Leicester England) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Bottle Let Me Down: Songs for Bumpy Wagon Rides (Audio CD)

It seems an unlikely idea - alternative country singers getting together to do a children's album - but it works brilliantly.

Rosie Flores opens the album in great style with her cover of the classic song Red red robin. It sets the tone of the album, which is almost relentlessly upbeat, fun music, with just the occasional slow song like It's not easy being green, performed by Rex Hobart and the misery boys. Yes, this album is occasionally slightly silly, but nothing to make you squirm or run away from.

Apart from Red red robin, perhaps the most famous songs here are Camptown races (done as an instrumental), I am my own Grandpa (sung here by the Asylum street spankers), Three billy goats gruff (narrated by Carolyn Mark) and The fox (sung by the Waco brothers). Snowball is a new song by the Handsome family, set to the tune of the classic train song Wabash Cannonball. Likewise, On top of spaghetti, with new lyrics sung by Jane Baxter Miller, uses the music from On top of Old Smokey.

Many of the other songs are completely new, specially written for this project. All the contributors clearly enjoyed themselves. Buy this album and join in the fun.