Customer Reviews

In My Hometown

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This album showcases Chapin's (and his bandmates') wit and range as they use many different musical styles to put together maybe the best disc since Family Tree. Chapin is a musician first, and that sets him apart from some children's artists. The songs are catchy (and many are funny, on both the child and grownup levels), and most important, they have a high parent-tolerance quotient (ie, you can listen to the CD 6-8 times on one roadtrip without wanting to leap out of the minivan into oncoming traffic). Our four children, ages 2-9, love it, and I've been known to pop in the CD when alone just to chuckle at "Da Babysitter" or "Dog Rules."

Our first Tom Chapin album, "Billy the Squid," was borrowed from the library. I found the lyrics so clever, and the tunes so catchy, I ended up tracking down all of his albums available in the library catalog, then proceeded to buy all my favorites. "In My Hometown" is at the top of that list. The tunes are all pretty snappy, and I would be hard-pressed to choose my favorite... although I *love* "A Mozart Duet," which actually incorporates the Sonata in C. It *exactly* captures the way a kid tends to practice the piano and addresses the problem. Not to mention that my 4-year old is now *so* familiar with the piece in question she actually recognized it (Mozart, not Tom Chapin) when she heard it on the radio! She also spontaneously sings several the songs on her own... without the CD! The very best part is that it's "real" music... not the dumbed-down, sacharine pap that usually passes for kids' music.

We hadn't seen a new Tom Chapin CD on the market in quite some time, and were getting a little antsy. Then, my husband found this new one, "In My Hometown". While the themes of Tom's music are aimed at children, the style isn't at all juvenile. They're funny, touching, rousing, and raucous, by turns. He and his co-writers also use very different musical genres on each recording, which never happens in mainstream music. So far, our favorite song on this CD is "Da Baby Sitter", about the new sitter - an ex-con named Harry the Hat! We also loved "Dog Rules", the third of Tom's songs about his Golden Retriever. This Be-Bop song lists all the things that makes a dog, a dog, like "any food that falls on the floor is yours." Wonderful artist, wonderful songs, and a wonderful new recording! We look forward to memorizing all the songs, and can't wait for the next one! If you had more stars in your rating system, this CD would get them all!!

This is our 2nd Tom Chapin CD and we are definitely going to buy more. The songs on this album are so much fun to listen to and sing along with. My two-year-old begs to hear "Piano Song", a Mozart-based tune about a young piano student's struggles. He also loves "Don't Miss the Bus," which features real bus noises and reminds me of my own late-for-school days. My parents came to visit, and because this is a "Don't leave home without it" item for us, got to know Tom Chapin as well. They loved the musicality, cleverness and down-to-earth quality of the songs. This is not syrupy "kiddie music" -- it's intelligent, fun, and you won't get sick of it!!

This brand new collection from Tom Chapin reflects the warm feeling we all have for home, no matter where home may be. Chapins own hometown in the beautiful Hudson Valley region of New York is noted by the song "Muhheakunnuk" (the Native American name for the Hudson River). As always the lyrics reflect a humor appreciated by adults as well as understandable to children. Tom is joined by his usual co-writers and musicians John Forster and Micheal Mark as well as his very talented daughters. The songs on this piece would appeal to children 6 and over, though the younger ones will enjoy dancing to the bouncy tunes of "Don't Miss the Bus" and "Gerties Birdseed Diner." "Homemade Lemonade" is a tribute to all young entreprenours with a lesson in good business practices woven in. "Our Next Door Neighbor, The Moon" is a rich and beautiful tune guarenteed to be sung over and over again while putting your children to bed. In a category of music that gets little recognition and no airplay, Tom Chapin is king and this CD is more proof of that.

This is undoubtedly the most fun recording I have ever bought my kids (ages 6&8) and nearly the most memorable I've bought, period. With top-class lyrics, melodies, and orchestration, this disc has me singing tunes to my children and grabbing for the lyrics printout in the accompanying booklet. My favorites are Goosetown Halloween for its ironic story lines and fast but complex tonal structures and the Lemonade song for its beautiful harmonies and mention of our neighboring Caribbean island Aruba.

I'm not sure if the eager anticipation in our home that accompanies the release of a new Tom Chapin kids' CD emanates more from the children or from Mom and Dad! And this one didn't let any of us down. The 3 year old is addicted to the humor and excitement of "Goosetown Halloween", the 8 year old loves "Our Next Door Neighbor the Moon" for its sense of wonder and gentle melody. Mom and Dad get a kick out of "Da Baby Sitter", about "Harry the Hat" who may be "some kind of hood" but he loves "Goodnight Moon", so he can't be all bad. Tom Chapin has the unique ability to inform and entertain kids without ever talking down to them. And he does so with clever lyrics, wonderfully diverse music styles and accomplished musicians backing him up, which make for a listening experience that never grows old, for the kids or the parents who love them. If there are children who you care about, do them and yourself a favor, and get to know Tom Chapin. This CD is a great place to start, but check out "Moonboat" and "Billy the Squid" and the rest of his work as well. I promise you won't be sorry.

WE LOVE this CD!! Our whole family has it memorized and we sing it again and again! In this day and age it is great to have a CD everyone can listen to, laugh to, learn from and enjoy! "Dog Rules" is cool, "Da Baby Sitter" is such a neat song my older son used it as an audition piece (and won the part!), "Mozart Duet" inspires and encourages all pianists to keep on practicing, and "His name is Ty" helps kids understand why some children may not be so outwardly friendly ("their just a little shy!")GREAT CD FOR TEACHERS!!! Positively wonderful music for children of ALL AGES!

I spent a year in America taking care of three children age 1,5 and 8. We listened to Tom Chapins music a lot in the car. The children love the School bus song and even learned to clap along. This music is worth listening to and you can hear it over and over and over again. The variety of music styles on this album shows the imagination and talent of Tom Chapin I loved the music so much that I got the album myself and I am now playing it for my own children even though they only speak danish. They absolutly love it and so do I. Finally some music for children that even adults enjoy. I also have "Billy the Squid" and "Zag Zig" I recommend all of Tom Chapins music 100% The music brings back great memories from my time in America and helps me creating new memories with my family.

This is real music. Not just children's music, but true musical compositions. As a mother of 2 young boys, I welcome a change from the tired repetitions and remakes of the songs that have been around since my mother was a child. The songs on this CD are wonderful both musically and lyrically. All ages will enjoy the drive to wherever listening to Tom's music along the way. My boy's favorite CD.