House Party

Dan Zanes | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 7, 2003)
• Original Release Date: 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Festival Five Rec.
• ASIN: B0000CC85J
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #33,983 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

For parents, listening to Dan Zanes provides not only instant Raffi relief, but also the warm sense of belonging to the right crowd. On each disc he trots out a posse of cool friends like Sheryl Crow, Suzanne Vega, and Lou Reed and he delivers his openhearted lyrics with the rare roots-rocker's gift for stirring grace into grit. It would seem that the release of his fourth record, House Party would be ripe for a backlash--how long can the hokey conceit of a bunch of aging groovsters banging out kids' tunes in a Brooklyn basement hang onto its charm? Looks like we'll have to wait and see, because House Party rages on with the same winning, welcome-to-our-homespun-revolution vibe as its predecessors. Deborah Harry takes a twirl on "Waltzing Matilda," Bob Weir fires up the "Wabash Cannonball," and Angelique Kidjo bids "Jamaica Farewell," but the Zanes originals are this record's proving grounds, and they pin the tail on the donkey with bulls-eye precision. Contributions from returning regulars Barbara Brousal and Rankin' Don--the best couple of favors a party could hope for--send Zanes' campaign to become the guy who turned lampshade-wearing into a kindergarten fashion craze soaring. --Tammy La Gorce

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I LOVE this guy! December 5, 2003

By "momof2inca"

Format:Audio CD

My 2 year old is hooked. He is our resident DJ and this is his new favorite of choice, and mine too. Nothing puts a smile on ALL our faces in the witching hours of late afternoon/early evening (when I'm trying to get dinner made) like this CD. Between Dan Zanes and Ralph Covert, my kids have stopped asking for TV. In fact, if the TV is on, the younger one will go turn on the music anyway. You cannot go wrong with this CD.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Dan Zanes -- Weapon of Mass Diversion October 27, 2003

By Gabriel Gonzalez

Format:Audio CD

Much like Patty Loveless on "Mountain Soul" and with equal success, Dan Zanes has gone for a more organic, slightly less contemporary sound on "House Party." The result is a timeless record of quality music.

The title is particulary apt, as the album has the feel of a group of friends and family taking turns in the parlor with old, favorite tunes, evoking a fond comparison to Kate and Anna McGarrigle's "The McGarrigle Hour."

While Dan Zanes has set the bar fairly high with his previous albums, there are many higlights on "House Party": Cynthia Hopkins makes one remember what a beautiful instrument the accordion is; Philip Glass adds his own special somberness to the album's closing "A Place for Us"; "Tennessee Wig Walk" is the most fun I've heard on record in many a day; David Jones, on "How Do You Do?" is straight out of "Mary Poppins"; and, Deborah Harry's voice is as fine as always.

It's become a cliche to say that Dan Zanes' music is as enjoyable for adults as it is for children, but it's true. The seeming simplicity of the songs makes them instantly accessible to children, and the many layers of top-notch musicianship make the songs gems to be prized by their parents.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars dan zanes & friends do it again! October 21, 2003

By world traveler

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

i've been a fan of dan zanes for a while. his albums are one of the very few "children's" music CD's that i continue to listen to even when my daughter is not in the car. i wouldn't even classify them as "children's" music, but rather "family" music. this album is lots of fun and has a wide variety of music. you won't be disappointed with any of the dan zanes CD's, and this one is no exception.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I'll listen to this anytime! January 13, 2005

By S. Baird

Format:Audio CD

I have to be in the mood for alot of my children's music. I can only take so much Raffi and Laurie Berkner and I have to leave the room. From the minute I turned this CD on, I was dancing around the room and singing along with this wonderful man's music. What a relief to actually like my kids music! How nice to actually listen to someone who can sing well!

What I liked most about this CD is that alot of these songs were songs that I sang in grade school music class. Songs like Waltzing Matilda and Hop up Ladies. Wow, take me back! I also love, absolutely LOVE, Sunny Old Sun and Shining Star. Not only is the singing good, but the musical ability of his band it outstanding.

I listen to this, even when my kids aren't around...that's how good it is!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best children's disks ever! January 27, 2005

By MikeG

Format:Audio CD

This is simply a wonderful disk that both children and their parents will love. It has great songs and a wonderful flow to the album. The excellent playing and musicianship has an "organic" quality to it. I would rank it #3 all time behind "Not for Kids Only" by Garcia/Grisman and the greatest childrens disk of all time "You're Nice People You Are" by NRBQ. These 3 disks are essential to any parent who wants to enjoy the music as much, if not more than their children.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great fun for kids and a welcome switch from Raffi June 11, 2004

By Maia S. Tolsdorf

Format:Audio CD

I must start by saying that I LOVE Raffi -- but every now and then, it's nice to find something to bridge the gap between "mommy's music" and the kids' music. A great friend gave this to me and said that it was all the rage. My first play left me wondering if she was crazy - I thought that it was too low-key and too Bob Dylan-ish to fly with my kids (3 and 5)....but then we kept listening, and I don't know how it happened, but we are all addicted! It is really fun music, great for singing and dancing, and definitely worth a try. I'm getting it for my sister and her family, and recommend it highly to anyone.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining, Fun, and NOT BORING! August 4, 2005

By B. Rubin

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

If I have to listen to another Wiggles song, I'll just pass out! Thank goodness for Dan Zanes. My kids (ages 4 1/2 and 1 yr) both love his music-- it's lively, entertaining, and not sappy or stupid. It's actually interesting enough that I don't mind tuning in instead of tuning it out and trying to ignore the lyrics. 'House Party' is fun for adults and kids. The music is a mix of contemporary and folk from around the world. This is a welcome relief from nursery rhymes and 'Fruit Salad'. I really enjoy this CD, and I think you and your little ones will, too.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars best children's music you'll ever find! January 3, 2005

By GracegirlPA

Format:Audio CD

My 2 1/2 year old son loves all of the albums, but this one is all of our favorites. We just saw Dan and friends in concert in the fall and it was an amazing show!

This music is so much fun and I love how they take old standards and breathe new life into them.

This is definitely "cool" kid's music. If you are a hip parent, you need to check this out!