Customer Reviews

Disney Records Children's Favorite Songs (Vol. 1)

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

There is nothing Disney on this CD. It is deceiving to put a picture of one of the Disney characters on the cover of these CDs. So if you are looking for a Disney character CD, you should look elsewhere.

Aside from that, though, the music is great and my children enjoy it thoroughly.

I was looking for a basic collection of American songs and I am really glad I stumbled on this one. There is no Disney marketing aside from Mickey Mouse on the cover. The arrangements are classic and tasteful -- it's mostly a pleasant tenor with musical accompaniment and sometimes backup singers. The choice of songs is super. There are many newer kids' CDs out there by fine musicians but some of them are a little too artistical or experimental, whereas these will never grate. These CDs are excellent if you want to introduce little kids to classic songs and they don't wear after repeated replaying.

I drive my two kids (ages 2 and 4) to daycare back and forth every day - about a 20 min. drive each way. They are fully entertained with this CD. They really enjoy it. I also have volumes 2-4, and they're all good. Mr. Croce sings most of the songs so that does get a little old, but his voice is pleasing enough that I enjoy listening to these songs too. I recommend these CD's to anyone who has long (or short) trips in the car with small children.

I got this as a little kid and loved it. The songs are wonderful. It is a must for every kid's music collection! As an adult I dug the tape out and used it in my classroom, where I worked as a preschool teacher. THe songs are wonderful and delightful for every generation!

I could talk for hours about this CD. When this music was originally recorded by Disney and sold on records (yes, real vinyl!), it was billed as music for children between the ages of two and five. Disney misjudged not only the mass appeal of the songs themselves, but the range of people of all ages who would come to love this music. The quality of performances, the rendition of each selection, and the musicians behind the vocalists are all second to none. I bought these songs on two audio tapes when my children were small, and was immediately struck by the professional quality of the recordings. Several reviewers have commented that the Disney Children's Chorus that often accompanies lead singer Larry Groce becomes a bit monotonous after a while; I must respectfully, yet emphatically disagree. The arrangements of the songs are so unique and refreshing (even dynamic in some cases), that I never got tired of listening to them. Thirty years later, they are still as delightful as the first time I ever heard them. Groce is one of those unique singers whose amazing voice somehow fits every, single song no matter what it is. Whether it's "Waltzing Matilda", "Down in the Valley," or "Froggie Went A-Courtin'," my thought is that he was born to sing these songs. This collection of more than 180 songs in four volumes has such a wide range of appealing and classic tunes that there's something for everyone, no matter what their age may be. There's nothing else like this music, anywhere on the planet. Testament to this is the fact that there is still a brisk trade of these recordings after more than thirty years. Even the audio tapes and original vinyl records are still sought after by collectors who enjoyed, nay, LOVED this music back when they were children and it was still relatively new. Disney re-released the songs in CD form in the 1980's (not as many songs on each CD) and again in 1991. The 1991 version boasts all the songs from the original soundtrack, intact and uncut. We absolutely LOVED this music when my children were small and though they are both adults now, we still love it! There are funny songs, happy songs, sad songs, and tunes that are practically "national anthems" where they originated. Many are toe-tapping, rollicking songs; others have a tale to tell. A few are hauntingly beautiful, and some are the best renditions I have ever heard of wonderful classics--bar none. Quite simply, almost all of it is exceptionally good music. It's not like so much of the sappy stuff for small children that gets on your nerves the first time you hear it. Instead, it sounds more like awesome music that might have been performed for grown-ups--who just happen to have children, who love it, too. True, some of the songs are specifically for little people, but they are so well done that adults can also enjoy them. That's one thing that makes the music on these discs so darn good. Buy the CDs, all four volumes. As an erstwhile musician myself, I guarantee you won't regret it. A word of caution, though: Be sure to ask the seller if the product for sale is EXACTLY like the picture in the listing. Some sellers list stock photos, then switch a CD with the same music but different artwork. Also ask about the spelling on the actual CD they intend to sell; if it was manufactured in Canada or Australia, the word "Favorite" in the title will be spelled "Favourite." If none of that matters to you, buy the CD anyway; the music is all the same, and it's still fantastic. One last thought: Disney put out several albums with similar titles. To get the same music I've got, be sure Larry Groce is listed as performer with the Disney Children's Chorus; that the title of each CD is "Walt Disney Records Children's Favorite Songs" (volumes 1 through 4); and that each CD contains 23-27 songs. If they are the versions released in 1991, you've nailed it. Enjoy!

Gushing is not my style, but for the four-volume Disney Children's Favorite Songs I can't think of enough superlatives: comprehensive, well-performed and -produced, and inexpensive to boot. What's not to like?

The problem with children's song collections is it's so hard to find what you want, and only what you want. Were it not for this Disney library, one might have to spend a small fortune buying CDs and sorting through chaff and duplicates to build a collection this complete. I'm hard-pressed, in fact, to think of a popular children's tune that isn't here. Buy this collection and you may never need to buy another.

Production quality is what one would expect from Disney: the children's choir is well-trained and well-rehearsed, and the arrangements are more than enjoyable. And while Larry Groce's voice may not be the most impressive, it's quite listenable and well-suited to the material and I have no complaints.

And how can you beat the price? At six bucks a disc, this four-volume set will set you back less than many single-volume albums. It's just impossible to go wrong with Disney's Children's Favorite Songs. Wish I could give more than five stars.

This CD contains songs familiar to the baby boom generation who were raised prior to MTV. The recordings are mixed well, and the lyrics are easily understood. We find ourselves listening to the same songs without boredom. Our daughter seems to enjoy them as much as her parents. This is our favorite of the four Disney CD's.

I owned this record as a child and remember how much I loved listening to it over and over. After searching the lyrics to a couple songs I could remember I found the cd! Thanks Google! I bought the cd for my 1 year old and she loves it. She goes crazy for it when I turn it on in the car. It's nice to listen and sing along to music with her that brings back so many memories for me too. Please note: Other than the cover saying Disney and having Mickey's face on it that's as Disney as this CD gets so if you are looking for Disney music look elsewhere.

I bought this for my kids because I remember having it when I was their age. Still sounds great.

the songs on here are nice, but average. I thought it would be more filled with character fun.