Customer Reviews

Family Tree

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Ok, I'm pregnant and a little bit tired. So after dinner tonight I told my 2.5-year-old son he could watch a video (I really needed the half hour of rest). Nothing doing -- he wanted to listen to "the new Tom Chapin" CD. Ok, fine with me. I turned on "Family Tree" (which we bought last week, more about that later...) and he immediately started marching to the first song, Parade Came Marching. I followed him and he marched all around the house, singing along at the top of his little lungs. When the song ended, he paused, and when the next song, Nick of Time started, he jumped with glee and started marching and singing again. The two of us marched and sang our way through the entire CD...it was a really special and enjoyable time, and it chased my fatigue away. This is music that's more fun than a video, whether you're at home or in the car. Speaking of the car, that was our introduction to this CD. I bought it for the car ride from our Virginia home to our North Carolina beach rental place last week. Little did I know we'd spend 9 hours stuck in traffic as all of coastal NC was evacuated for Hurricane Floyd! Good thing this is such a wonderful CD...our son insisted on playing it over and over, and my husband and I didn't mind at all. It gave us a chance to learn all the words to these creative, crafty, songs. If you already know Tom Chapin's music, you'll love this CD as much as the others. If you don't know Tom Chapin yet, you gotta try him!! Your kids will love him, and equally importantly, you'll sing along too and will marvel at the quality of the music and lyrics.

Early on, we found Tom Chapin when we (adults) got tired of other kids' artists. Back then, our child was 2, and our friends kids were 6 and 10, and we all loved singing the songs, and even seeing Tom in concert. Great family fun!

Later, our girls continued to love Chapin's songs and concerts, and we make his concerts a family trip every summer, even with our (now) teen. These are songs kids can grow up with!

Our family favorites include Family Tree (this album), anything about Bruno (two other albums), and many more. Our elder daughter now loves some of his adult songs, especially A Study's About To Begin.

I'm from South Africa and went to America on a business trip. I'm a Harry Chapin fan and bought a couple of CD's - between them this Tom Chapin CD. I sat in my hotel room, listening to this CD on a portable player - with tears in my eyes - longing for my children. Ariving back in S.A., I played this CD to my children -- from then on our family CD!! We sing the songs, we play the piano, the guitar, we dance - all because of this beautiful music. Tom, thanks for a very fine, true-to-life piece of music.

As with all of the Tom Chapin recordings I have heard, this is an excellent collection of songs. The songs are full of humor and you will usually recognize some "character"from your own life in one of his songs. One of my favorites on this album is "Nick of Time" because I've done the "I'm-gonna-count-to-five" Routine and it's so funny to hear how it comes out in this song. Also, my whole family likes "Shoveling" because we love the blues-ey rhythm and, once again, the humor. Once you buy one Tom Chapin collection, you'll be back for more.

This is the best album for children I've ever heard. Chapin's songs run the gamut of moods and situations, all from the kids' viewpoint, with sensitivity, love and abundant humour. What distinguishes these songs from those of many others is that he is never condescending or cloyingly sentimental. Another distinction is the unfailingly high standard of musicianship, from the sheer beauty of his round with Judy Collins to the fun and funky blues number about shovelling snow. My children have long since grown, but this album remains a steadfast favourite with us all, and now I'm ordering one for my three-year-old niece's birthday. Every family should have one.

Got this CD as a surprise for my 4 year old when we were taking a long car trip. He was upset at first...(would have rather had a candy bar I think)...but one listen to "Rock Candy Mountain" and he's hooked! We listened to this over and over and over again and absolutely LOVE IT! The best ( in my opinion ) is "Nick of Time"...now all I have to do is count to five when he needs to pick up his toys. My son smiles and the toys get picked up! HIS favorite song is "Shovellin'". It's so cute to hear him sing, "hey daddy, daddy, daddy-o"! This is a great CD for the kids and adults will like it too! It's not annoying when played over and over like some children's music. (I think we all know which music that might be...) I'd say this was money very well spent...and I plan to get more by Tom Chapin!

This is my all time favorite children's album - and having been a kindergarten / pre-school teacher for 20+ years, that is saying a lot! The title song is always a favorite, but every song on here is great! My class is doing two songs from this CD for our kindergarten graduation tomorrow ("Family Tree" and "Together Tomorrow") and the kids wanted to do several others. I had to draw the line somewhere! My own children (now ages 20, 11 and 9) still love this CD, too. This is really a winner! Strongly recommend!

I used to babysit for a family of 5, all of them under the age of 8. We would listen to the Family Tree tape over and over, and sing along with the music. It teaches kids (and adults) life lessons such as sharing, caring and being responsible for your actions. It made such an impact on me that I purchased it for 6 of my neices and nephews as gifts.

I remember Tom Chapin from the tv show "Make a Wish," so when I found out he'd done a number of kids' cd's, it was a no-brainer. "Family Tree" is everything I'd expect from Tom Chapin. It's great for even the youngest kids -- catchy tunes, playful lyrics, humor, fanciful stories, kooky characters -- but it's not so sugary that parents cringe. In fact, I look forward to hearing this cd along with my kids. As others have said, "In the Nick of Time" is brilliant, striking a chord with kids and parents alike. I love the environmental message of some of the songs, like "This Pretty Planet," which is achingly beautiful, and "Someone's Gonna Use It," about water conservation. Then there are the songs that are just plain fun, like "Uh Oh Accident" and "Plenty of Room." Great stuff.

The last viewers' comments compelled me to write because not only has my daughter loved this CD for years (she's 7 and has had it since age 4) but it's always an immediate favorite of her friends. It's guaranteed to immediately calm down a carload of kids who are getting a little overzealous - they want to hear it over and over again! Another new classic from Tom Chapin.