The Crazy Zoo: an Animal Songfest

Joe Ross and Friends | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 1, 2000)
• Original Release Date: August 1, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Zephyr
• ASIN: B00004WZQK
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #777,822 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's adorable!, August 21, 2000

By 

Julie Koehler (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Crazy Zoo: an Animal Songfest (Audio CD)

I was delighted to get the new CD, THE CRAZY ZOO. It's just adorable! I've played "The Cat Came Back" for three other people so far and everybody's loving it and going around singing the chorus... "For Families from 3 to 93," says this CD's cover. Tell the store clerk it's for your kids or grandkids, but chances are you'll enjoy it as much as any youngster lucky enough to hear it. Joe Ross is an Oregon musician who has been performing a "Roots of Bluegrass" family show for years. The Crazy Zoo is a collection of 19 animal songs aimed at children and those with youthful souls. Several selections will be delightfully familiar to baby boomers ("The Unicorn," "Puff the Magic Dragon," and "Joy to the World"-as in "Jeremiah was a bullfrog"). Some are less common but equally fun ("The Sow Took the Measles," "Baby Beluga," "The Tale of a Bear"). And there's a healthy serving of traditional and bluegrass standards ("Six Little Ducks," "Tennessee Stud," "Old Rattler," "Crawdad," "Turkey in the Straw"), tying past and present together for all listeners. Helping Joe are several friends, including Bryan Bowers, Peter Ostroushko, Dean Magraw and Radim Zenkl. The result is an uncomplicated, fun, sing-along album with clearly understandable lyrics. A Parents' Choice Foundation award nominee and an excellent way to introduce your kids to the joys of music. Julie Koehler, Associate Editor Bluegrass Now Magazine, Rolla, MO.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun, heart-felt and fabulous!, January 25, 2005

By 

K. Loftis "www.KimLoftis.com: Spiritual Fulfi... (the picturesque North Carolina mountains) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Crazy Zoo: an Animal Songfest (Audio CD)

What do you get when you put together a cast of utterly stellar musicians with a lot of zany songs about various critters and a lot of love? The answer is this cd, The Crazy Zoo!
When I said the musicians are utterly stellar, I wasn't over-exaggerating! All the tracks are played with an incredible amount of grace and sheer talent. Not only that, but the instrumentation of this album is highly diverse, including fiddle, harp, mandolin, banjo, and that's only a brief list. Just as diverse as the rich instrumentation, is the wonderful song selection. From classics like "Joy To The World", "The Unicorn" and "Puff, the Magic Dragon", to perhaps lesser-known songs like "Crawdad", "Tale of a Bear" and "Rattler", this cd has something for everyone. Plus, the addition of tracks like "Turkey In the Straw" and "Tennessee Stud" is a real treat! Not to mention the terrific instrumental tracks sprinkled throughout the cd! Wonderful!
As I already stated, the other ingredient that sets this cd apart from so many others is the love that so obviously was put into it's creation. Joe sings with warmth, sincerity and richness, which draws the listener straight into each and every song. The music is absolutely infectious, and one can't help sing along and dance around the room. Well, at least, this listener couldn't.
I must pay special tribute to Joe's beautiful original song, "Touch The Earth." Written from the Native American's point-of-view, it discusses the exploits of the white men, and their extravagant and brutal wasting of the land and her natural resources. It is a somber reminder of the cruelty inflicted on both the Native American's, and the land for which they were the caretakers. Nevertheless, this song brings hope that those fortunate enough to hear it will remember the mistakes of the past and do their best to facilitate healing for the earth and all her people. I'm so thankful that Joe wrote and included this wonderful piece, and hope that others will appreciate it as well.
I would highly recommend this cd to kids of all ages. It will bring a smile to your face, a spring to your step, and certainly, a song to your heart.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stellar musicianship, February 17, 2001

By 

Kathryn LaMar (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Crazy Zoo: an Animal Songfest (Audio CD)

The musicianship throughout is stellar, and the fun had by the musicians shines through on every note. Even if you're not a kid, or don't have kids with which to share this music, you'll like this recording as a reminder of the emotional reactions to music that led most of us to become avocational (or even professional) musicians. --Kathryn LaMar, Folknik Nov/Dec 2000, San Francisco Folk Music Club