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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
There are thousands upon thousands of children's albums out there, but the one that quietly left its mark with more '70s children than perhaps any other album was this disc. Free to Be...You and Me was a pet project of proud feminist Marlo Thomas (a.k.a. "That Girl"), and it was born--according to the liner notes--by the desire to provide her niece with music "to celebrate who she was and who she could be." Harry Belafonte sings "Parents Are People," ex-football great Rosie Grier offers an incredible, touching melody titled "It's All Right to Cry," and Diana Ross waxes future-positive on "When We Grow Up." A great hour of brain food for young--and not-so-young--children. --Denise Sheppard
Product Description
The iconic pet project of Marlo Thomas. Features Harry Belafonte, Rosie Grier, Mel Brooks, and Diana Ross.
A great hour of brain food for the young—and not-so-young.
A great hour of brain food for the young—and not-so-young.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
89 of 91 people found the following review helpful
By Amber58
Format:Audio CD
I love this record. I remember listening to it and watching a movie in elementary school at least 22 years ago and really THINKING about the messages in songs like "William Wants a Doll". Anything that inspires deep philosophical thought in a 7 year old is amazing. Later I came across this record when I was 17, brought it home and cried while listening to it over and over again. If you grew up in America in the 70's it's a little piece of your childhood. It's also amazing to think about how far we've come and where we got stuck trying to make this world a better place for all kids. I took the album with me to college and it was a favorite with everyone, men and women. I remember a guy on my floor said something about how lucky we were to grow up in a generation that began to question gender sterotypes. I just bought this CD for my nephew, as much as I love it I'm kind of sad that the messages are still pertinant nearly 30 years later.
57 of 58 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I think it's funny that so many reviewers who didn't like this album (and yes in the 70's they were albums) refer to those of us who DO give high reviews as hippies. I have news for you. Children of the 70s were not hippies, their parents were. I was born in the early 70s, my teenage years were in the 80s and my young adulthood was in the 90s. I really don't qualify as a hippie in any way, shape or form.
Having said that, I still have my old album, which I saved all these years because this was my absolute favorite album of all time! (I no longer have a record player, but the album lives on!) I loved these songs so much as a child. I remember the movie we used to watch in school. They are such wonderful memories. Twenty something years later, I found the cd and purchased it immediately. I now sing and play these songs for my baby. True, the songs are somewhat dated. The 70s were very big on feminism and equality - but is that such a bad message? Plus, as a child, I didn't pay attention to the message, just to the silliness and the catchy tunes. I had no idea who Alan Alda, Carol Channing, and Marlo Thomas were. When I sing these songs to my son now, it's not becaue I want to raise a budding feminist, but because I loved it so much and I would love to share my fond memories. And if he doesn't enjoy it as much as I did, that's ok too.
PS - for other 30-somethings who want to relive another childhood memory - check out the School House Rock series (DVDs, Cd's etc)... another cheesy 70s tool to educate our children about grammar, science, politics, etc. (I'm sort of embarassed to admit this but most of what I know about how a bill is passed through Congress comes from the "I'm just a bill" song.)
Having said that, I still have my old album, which I saved all these years because this was my absolute favorite album of all time! (I no longer have a record player, but the album lives on!) I loved these songs so much as a child. I remember the movie we used to watch in school. They are such wonderful memories. Twenty something years later, I found the cd and purchased it immediately. I now sing and play these songs for my baby. True, the songs are somewhat dated. The 70s were very big on feminism and equality - but is that such a bad message? Plus, as a child, I didn't pay attention to the message, just to the silliness and the catchy tunes. I had no idea who Alan Alda, Carol Channing, and Marlo Thomas were. When I sing these songs to my son now, it's not becaue I want to raise a budding feminist, but because I loved it so much and I would love to share my fond memories. And if he doesn't enjoy it as much as I did, that's ok too.
PS - for other 30-somethings who want to relive another childhood memory - check out the School House Rock series (DVDs, Cd's etc)... another cheesy 70s tool to educate our children about grammar, science, politics, etc. (I'm sort of embarassed to admit this but most of what I know about how a bill is passed through Congress comes from the "I'm just a bill" song.)
20 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
The music from Free to Be was the best music that my kids listened to as they were growing up. If you're interested in a cd that shows children how there are lots of different ways to be special, this is the cd for you. It's such a positive role model and it's so much fun to sing along with, too. I was watching Inside the Actor's Studio and when he asked Gwyneth Paltrow if she had any actors or actresses that she loved when she was little, she smiled and said that she really didn't, that she spent lots of time in her room singing along with her Free to Be, You and Me record. My kids did, too.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great kids gift
I had this album (ageing myself lol) as a kid and I'm so happy it's still around to give as a gift to my nieces and nephews as a great gift and they love it just as much as I... Read more
Published 15 hours ago by qmmp
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love it!
Brought back the young, growing years of my daughter when we played the album over and over. We love the fun and positive messages it delivers.
Published 3 days ago by Barbara P. Cummings
5.0 out of 5 stars
For children of all ages
I just purchased the CD version of "Free to Be ...You and Me" as a gift for my nine year old granddaughter. Read more
Published 10 days ago by susan carpenter
5.0 out of 5 stars
the original
Free to Be.....seems timeless. Listened to the songs again after 25 years or so and they are as fresh and relevant today as they were in the mid-1970's. Read more
Published 29 days ago by Corinna E Crafton
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is a classic
I love the stories, poems, songs in this book. Had it for my girls and have given it as a present to many baby boys and girls--shower gifts. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Wilhelmina C. Hinton
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is a classic!
I wanted this for our grandchildren. It is just as good as I remember - even if a little dated.
Published 4 months ago by Par Golf
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good, Fun for kids.....and adults....I had this album when I was...
I had this album when I was little.....forgot all about it until
I was speaking with a friend about Marlo Thomas and
the St.Jude Foundation...... Read more
I was speaking with a friend about Marlo Thomas and
the St.Jude Foundation...... Read more
Published 4 months ago by denise kiliz
5.0 out of 5 stars
Christmas gift
I purchased this DVD for my 10year old granddaughter so she would have the benefit of the wisdom of these songs.
Published 4 months ago by Linda
5.0 out of 5 stars
Just as remembered
Chosen because our children listened. Now it is time for the grandchildren. Very nice while driving to occupy those not old enough to have a tablet or other device or bored with... Read more
Published 4 months ago by david p
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best soundtrack!
I've downloaded this for myself, but wanted to share it with my nieces and nephews. I'm so glad I finally got it!!
Published 4 months ago by Sandy Lieb
