Customer Reviews

European Playground

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

 

 

This is one of the best "Playground" collections. Each song, perhaps with the exception of #3, stands on its own, and is a catchy representative of its nation. My particular favs are the tunes from Belgium, Hungary, and Greece, very catchy and singable (well, if you don't mind mangling the words!).

My only "complaint," or knock, if you will, is that the music seems more geared to parents than to kids. I don't know if older kids would be into this music, since my frames of reference are a 3.5 year old and a 2 year old, but our kids aren't just that "in" to these songs. They don't object, but they still prefer "The Wheels on the Bus." (to our detriment -- we're working on them!)

So all in all, a solid Putumayo collection. If your older kids are established world music'ers, this disc will likelyy go over well. But I'd say use a little judgement in buying for toddlers. They'll probably listen to it if you have it on, but won't be clamoring for it the way they might for more "traditional" kiddie music.

Happy listening!

The Putumayo record label is unlike any other. Not only have they introduced "World Music" to many folks who wouldn't hear it - by marketing their CDs to gift shops (they are a lot better than new age music which often permeates the air in these shops), but they produce some wonderful CDs for kids with songs that their parents will like as well.

While this still isn't my favorite in the "Playground" series - it's hard to top their initial release, "World Playground" for that - there are some catchy songs here that the whole family will enjoy. "En Voici, En Voila" (from France) is a great swing tune! And the lead-off track, "Trampolin", even has a trampoline rhythm to it.

When the second track comes on you'll immediately realize that Bonjour Tout Va Bien" may have been recorded in French in Belgium, but its roots are a long way away. It's Ausssie Rolf Harris' big hit "Tie Me Kangaroo Down". And the producers mix up cultures again with track 7 - "Den Kanei Krio" from Greece. It's really a reggae song.

One of the tracks - "Sandy River Belle" - an American Folk Tune here listed under Ireland - is an instrumental. All the rest have vocals. And all last less than three minutes, with the Hungarian entry running a really brief 1:20.

As with ALL Putumayo releases, there is a paragraph about heach country and one about the included recording provided in four different languages. And a portion of the proceeds goes to a charity, in this case the European Federation for Street Children.

Steve Ramm
"Anything Phonograpic"

European Playground is a delightful, family-friendly music CD of fun songs, each by a different artist with roots in nations all over Europe. Liner notes in English, Spanish, French and German round out this playful, multicultural music adventure, enthusiastically recommended for public library children's collections. Highly recommended; adults are sure to enjoy the catchy, cheerful themes too! The nations represented by each track are Finland/Sweden (2:16); Belgium (2:17); England (3:29); Denmark (2:15); Hungary (1:20); France (2:29); Greece (2:12); Portugal (2:23); Germany (2:43); Scotland (2:25); Netherlands (2:13); Spain (1:44); Switzerland (2:28); Italy (1:53) and Ireland (2:07).

My daughter and I enjoy listening to this CD. Other educational material is available online at the CD's website to enhance the learning experience.

My kids really liked it and I couldn't be happier. My four kids,little and not too little,like it the same. They learn music and other languages, while dancing along.

I enjoy this CD and my baby seems to like it too. The songs are mostly upbeat, with a few slower ones mixed in, so it's a play time CD rather than a lullaby collection. Although the liner notes contain information about the songs and countries, I would have liked to see the lyrics for each song in the original language with an English translation. An earlier reviewer referred to the Belgian song as being an Australian song about a kangaroo. Actually, the Danish song is the one about the kangaroo (Stop Den Lille Kaenguru - Mek Pek (Denmark))!