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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
With each new Dan Zanes and Friends release, many fans worry that his homespun magic will eventually hit the right note with the masses. Zanes' music, as offbeat as it is organic, is so special to forward-thinking young families that plenty have batted around half-baked plans to attach a password to it. Anybody else can sell out, the thinking goes, but please, please not him. Catch That Train, then, is bound to meet with a lot of hand-wringing. For one thing, it's the first Zanes and Friends release since the crazy-haired, asparagus-stalk thin artist started appearing in videos on the Playhouse Disney channel. For another, Starbucks has stepped in to lend a promotional hand. Those are ominous indicators indeed, but if the largely on-track Catch That Train proves anything, it's that Zanes isn't lock-stepping it with the boardroom goons just yet. Once again, the high-profile collaborators (The Blind Boys of Alabama, Nick Cave, Natalie Merchant) could cause a childless hipster to heed the all-aboard call, but also as on previous discs, it's the usual suspects who supply some of the strongest tracks: Barbara Brousal on "Mariposa Ole," Father Goose on "Choo Choo Ch'Boogie," and the Rubi Theater Company on "Walkin' the Dog." True, "Let's Shake" seems suspiciously TV-ready; skip it and pretend it never happened. Then keep your fingers crossed that, once this train leaves the station, Zanes--plainspoken hero to so many--won't trade it in for a stretch limo. --Tammy La Gorce
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Product Description
"Catch That Train!" - the long awaited first new family CD from Dan Zanes & Friends since 2003's Grammy nominated "House Party" - features all the fun and music making that everyone has come to expect of Dan and more. The CD features guest artists Nick Cave, Natalie Merchant, Blind Boys of Alabama, Kronos Quartet and South Africa's Children of Agape together with the added bonus of a QuickTime version of the video for the title track currently airing on Playhouse Disney.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
19 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Okay, I admit we're one of those families that worries about the outcome of Dan Zanes and Friends catching on with the masses, as written about in the editorial review above. It's not that I don't wish him the utmost success. I think everyone around the world should definitely "Catch That Train" (pun intended) with Dan Zanes and Friends (what a great party that would be!). I don't even worry that commercial success will change his organic, homespun magic; it's too much a part of him. I do worry that we'll have to catch the live concert at the Hartford Civic Center instead of the wonderful and intimate performance we saw in Woodstock, CT. If you have a chance to see Dan Zanes and Friends in concert, go!! Their immense talent shines through on every CD, but to see them in person is a treat you won't long forget. Mr. Zanes even kindly and graciously waited after the show to meet and sign autographs for a very long line of fans. I do hope that he'll continue to play the smaller venues once the inevitable masses show up.
But on to this new CD... we love it as much as we love all his other CD titles (and we have them all, including the DVD titled All Around the Kitchen). As with every CD, Dan Zanes generously shares the musical spotlight with a wonderful array of musicians, creating a rich tapestry from different cultures, styles and sounds. The result is another CD that is ageless, timeless and makes you happy every time you listen to it. Tracks like "Welcome Table" with The Blind Boys of Alabama, "Mariposa Ole" with the lovely Barbara Brousal, "Country Life" with Donald Saaf and "Choo Choo Ch'Boogie" with Father Goose are just a few of the highlights. Every track is a winner in our book. I dare you not to sing along or get up and dance! I dare you not to listen and smile from the heart!
The editorial review says to pretend that the track "Let's Shake" never happened but while it may not be a song you'd expect to hear on a Dan Zanes' CD, we still like it. I'm a homeschooling mom of two sweet boys ages 5 and 2. This summer we have 27 friends and neighborhood children joining us on a weekly basis for circle dancing, musical movement and old-fashioned, outdoor games. Rest assured we'll be grooving to "Let's Shake", along with other Dan Zanes' songs.
My only disappointment (and this has nothing to do with the CD) is that my husband downloaded it from iTunes and so we didn't get the booklet with the colorful and whimsical illustrations by Donald Saaf. My boys enjoy looking through the accompanying booklets as much as they do listening to the music. So now I'll have to purchase the CD again, only this time with the booklet.
If this is your first Dan Zanes' CD, you surely won't be disappointed. But don't stop there. Every CD from Dan Zanes and Friends is wonderful in a very special sense. Whether Dan Zanes is collaborating with his talented friends, singing an original song or putting his homespun and unique stamp on a classic, you'll be glad you caught the train. But be forwarned -it's a ride you won't want to end!
But on to this new CD... we love it as much as we love all his other CD titles (and we have them all, including the DVD titled All Around the Kitchen). As with every CD, Dan Zanes generously shares the musical spotlight with a wonderful array of musicians, creating a rich tapestry from different cultures, styles and sounds. The result is another CD that is ageless, timeless and makes you happy every time you listen to it. Tracks like "Welcome Table" with The Blind Boys of Alabama, "Mariposa Ole" with the lovely Barbara Brousal, "Country Life" with Donald Saaf and "Choo Choo Ch'Boogie" with Father Goose are just a few of the highlights. Every track is a winner in our book. I dare you not to sing along or get up and dance! I dare you not to listen and smile from the heart!
The editorial review says to pretend that the track "Let's Shake" never happened but while it may not be a song you'd expect to hear on a Dan Zanes' CD, we still like it. I'm a homeschooling mom of two sweet boys ages 5 and 2. This summer we have 27 friends and neighborhood children joining us on a weekly basis for circle dancing, musical movement and old-fashioned, outdoor games. Rest assured we'll be grooving to "Let's Shake", along with other Dan Zanes' songs.
My only disappointment (and this has nothing to do with the CD) is that my husband downloaded it from iTunes and so we didn't get the booklet with the colorful and whimsical illustrations by Donald Saaf. My boys enjoy looking through the accompanying booklets as much as they do listening to the music. So now I'll have to purchase the CD again, only this time with the booklet.
If this is your first Dan Zanes' CD, you surely won't be disappointed. But don't stop there. Every CD from Dan Zanes and Friends is wonderful in a very special sense. Whether Dan Zanes is collaborating with his talented friends, singing an original song or putting his homespun and unique stamp on a classic, you'll be glad you caught the train. But be forwarned -it's a ride you won't want to end!
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is kids rock in the same sense that the Beatles were when I was a kid; bright silly happy bouncy sing-songy songs. Nothing free to be, no learning, no deeper meaning; just a bunch of train songs (sample title: "Choo Choo Ch' Boogie.") The musicianship is sublime and oozing with fun; Zanes mixes country, ukelele, African chants, rock'n'roll, Guthrie folk, humor, and above all, always, the shimmy. My 2-year-old daughter got a case of the hippie hippie shakes half way into the first song, and they haven't let up.
Zanes doesn't talk down to kids or tell them to eat broccoli. He isn't like Mr. Rogers at all; more like your kind of cool, thin, sloppy-haired, fun-loving uncle who still reads comic books at 45. Which is, of course, the kind of uncle I've always endeavored to be.
Zanes doesn't talk down to kids or tell them to eat broccoli. He isn't like Mr. Rogers at all; more like your kind of cool, thin, sloppy-haired, fun-loving uncle who still reads comic books at 45. Which is, of course, the kind of uncle I've always endeavored to be.
15 of 17 people found the following review helpful
By AM
Format:Audio CD
This is our sixth Dan Zanes album, and I guess one of them has to be our least favorite. I am sorry to say that Catch That Train! holds that dubious distinction in our household. I am not writing this review to slam the album, but merely to offer the opinion that if you are new to Dan Zanes, you may wish to consider one of his other albums first.
As other reviews have indicated, Dan Zanes is fun, loose and all about the sing-along. I suspect that's why he collaborates so often and so well. If you're looking for tight, sophisticated arrangements, look elsewhere. If you're looking for music that everyone can get into, music that is accessible to children without being cloying to adults, then start filling your cart. Bruce Springsteen gets a lot of credit for bringing the Seeger catalog and other folk treasures to younger audiences, but we think he got the idea from Dan! We love the folk/americana covers, Dan's originals and the songs that he pulls in from other cultural traditions. Here are the albums we own and how we'd rank them:
1. Sea Music
2. Parades and Panoramas
3. Rocket Ship Beach
4. Family Dance
5. House Party
6. Catch That Train
As other reviews have indicated, Dan Zanes is fun, loose and all about the sing-along. I suspect that's why he collaborates so often and so well. If you're looking for tight, sophisticated arrangements, look elsewhere. If you're looking for music that everyone can get into, music that is accessible to children without being cloying to adults, then start filling your cart. Bruce Springsteen gets a lot of credit for bringing the Seeger catalog and other folk treasures to younger audiences, but we think he got the idea from Dan! We love the folk/americana covers, Dan's originals and the songs that he pulls in from other cultural traditions. Here are the albums we own and how we'd rank them:
1. Sea Music
2. Parades and Panoramas
3. Rocket Ship Beach
4. Family Dance
5. House Party
6. Catch That Train
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Don't miss THIS train!
Dan has done it again! Fun music for all ages! Everyone in the house will enjoy all the tunes! You, and your kids if you have them, will be smiling and grooving with Dan and all... Read more
Published 2 hours ago by D. Sherman
5.0 out of 5 stars
You just can't go wrong with an Oberlin College dropout
It's Zanerific. Like David Holt on an electric popcycle diet. I just want to own everything Zanes records. Buy and visit his website for the lyrics and chords.
Published 5 days ago by Peter Puppet
5.0 out of 5 stars
We love it!
Its our first Dan Zanse Album and its our favorite. We are now looking for all his albums. He is so talented and each song is wonderful. Read more
Published 1 month ago by adidas
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic album, a must have for children
This is my second time purchasing this CD, it was one of my daughters favorites and to be honest it's one of the few children's CD's that doesn't make me want to put knitting... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Jason Main
5.0 out of 5 stars
Catch That Train!
Awesome cover daugther even payed with it like it was a train
She has dance/music parties with her friends and all sing a long and dance
Item in good condition
She has dance/music parties with her friends and all sing a long and dance
Item in good condition
Published 4 months ago by L Jazz
3.0 out of 5 stars
A kids tune.
I was hoping for more then just one video of the sounds and the videos that were shown on TV. It is ok but not 100 % of what I had expected.
Published 5 months ago by Stephen P. Stevenson
4.0 out of 5 stars
great quality,fun cd!
Love this cd and so does my son. Every song is great! Very funky and laid back.great for adults and children. Unique packaging with guitar chords for the musician
Published 6 months ago by Catherine M. York
5.0 out of 5 stars
Catch That Train CD
I purchased this to give to my granddaughter for her birthday and was really pleased when it came quickly and in good condition. It's getting played A LOT especially on car trips. Read more
Published 19 months ago by becky m
5.0 out of 5 stars
good for everyone
Some kids music is rather annoying for adults. This album is very enjoyable for everyone. My husband and i like it as much as our kids do. Read more
Published on June 6, 2008 by P. Allee
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great Recording
Great recording, all of the arrangements are very well done. The contributions of other artists are done in taste. This is good listening for either children or adults. Read more
Published on May 15, 2008 by Mr. Burruss S. Williams
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