Customer Reviews

Night Time

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Dan Zanes, Barbara Brousal, Father Goose, and the others who sing and play on this CD really must remember what it's like to be a kid. Their songs are really kid-friendly, but nuanced and sophisticated at the same time (this is why they are great for adults, too).

The album, as its name implies, is for those more mellow moments, not the stand up and dance moments like in Dan Zanes and Friends' first two albums. There is a wonderful slower version of Down by the Riverside. Barbara Brousal has penned a new classic in Que Fortunidad, a song that will have your kids trying to sing along in Spanish even if they don't know the language. Aimee Mann lends her smoky voice to Night Owl.

Father Goose's voice has a Louis Armstrong quality to it -- not what you'd think of as a classic singer, but it really works with this material. And, perhaps most amazingly, or ironically, Lou Reed shows up to sing "What a Wonderful World."

Other great songs include "Pay me My Money Down", which is an old sea shanty, and "Rattlin Bog," which is nonsensical and just plain fun.

Night Time is a collection of old songs, new songs, folk songs, and traditional songs. It's performed by a wide range of talented singers and musicians, with plenty of stars thrown into the mix. Dan Zanes & the Rocket Ship Revue are now touring the country, and their music plays equally well live and on this CD. If you or your kids love music, this is another great CD to have.

Dan Zanes has few if any equals in his ability to connect with children and other lovers of great music. Having seen him in concert twice, I have witnessed the joy that he and his merry band, chief among them the wonderful Barbara Brousal (with her early Nanci Griffith voice), bring to kids, who seem to feel real freedom when they are listening and dancing to the music. "Night Time" maintains the extremely high level of quality and listenability of "Rocket Ship Beach" and "Family Dance". While less raucous then the prior two albums, "Night Time" adds an extra layer of sweetness, best exemplified by the gentle gem, "Firefly". The use of the celebrity guests is once again appropriate -- no big star turns here. I find it somewhat amusing that Aimee Mann, John Doe, Dar Williams, and Lou Reed, a serious group of singers if ever there were one, are singing on a record aimed at little ears. But, having become familiar with Dan Zanes, I realize that anyone who actually knows him could not resist doing whatever he asked. I feel lucky to have stumbled upon his music and his magic, and I hope that years from now, my two kids will look back on Dan Zanes as one of the reminders of the simple joys of childhood.

I must admit first off that this was not the CD of my kids' dreams when I first put it on. When I first played it, they demanded I put Laurie (Berkner) or Ralphie (Ralph's World) back on. But, as much as I do enjoy both Laurie and Ralphie and find them quite listenable, they remain childrens music to the core. This CD is the very first one that I ever feel myself happily singing tunes from, even when my kids aren't around. And, while their enthusiasm wasn't immediate, it wasn't long before my children came to absolutely love it and frankly they refuse to listen to anything else now! We have an hour commute each way every day, so thank you Dan Zanes! Each of the songs on the CD is truly wonderful! There is nothing more satisfying, not to mention adorable, about hearing a two year old sing about laying down her sword and shield and studying war no more!!! And, some of the tunes incorporate foriegn languages - I guarantee that hearing your children navigate through the lyrics of those songs will bring a smile to any parent's face.

Top notch recording of covers and originals. This goes beyond the usual just for kids albums. Dan's NIGHT TIME! (and his most recent FAMILY DANCE & ROCKET SHIP BEACH) is safe for adults to listen to! Our 3 year old is into Wilco Yankee Hotel Foxtrot because he listens to what we listen to. Firefly is his favorite (today). It's a lot of fun! Congratulations Dan!!!

Simply put, Danny Zanes and Friends Night Time is a knock out punch for warm hearted, cool minded little ones. My wife and I are fairly serious about getting our 1 year old Marley introduced to music she can really enjoy and groove to from day one. Danny and crew offer the beat, lyrics and diversity we find so appealing.

Let me reiterate our enthusiasm by saying: 1. this is the best kids cd ever made (we have dozens); 2. all Danny Z. CDs are fun for the whole family (if you can get certain songs out of mind); 3. we have changed our answering machine message several times in the past year and always default to a Danny Z. song in the background (if only for a lick or two); 4. we just ordered 9 copies for all our friends who recently announced a birth!

How's that for a ringing endorsement.

Have fun,

Paul Klein, SF California

songs for children that won't drive their parents completely around the bend! It's as much fun listening as an adult as it is for our 2 year old.

We love this CD!!! The music is so fun and wholesome while also musically sophisticated. There are so many great instruments and words...fantastic. This CD has been a nice background while pacing with an overtired little one. It is also great sing a long music as well. I can't wait to get the rest of Dan Zanes CD's!

We saw Dan Zanes perform here in Houston and it was great. Afterwards we bought the Cd and our two year old loves it. It's kind of funny to hear your child singing "Pay me/ You Owe me" at the top of his lungs in the car.

Musically, it's quite sophisticated folk music that most adults will enjoy juts a smuch as the kids. The thing I really appreciate is that Zanes doesn't dumb it down for the kids. Oh and yea, guests include people like Lou Reed and the brillian Pappa Goose (who you just have to see live to appreciate fully) are a treat.

You won't be disappointed.

No need to say much. Others have captured the beauty and value of this CD quite well. Just wanted to throw in another thumbs-up from a family that now owns three Dan Zanes CDs. Niko, our 3-year-old, digs the tunes--almost as much as my wife and I do. This is can't-miss stuff, folks.

After seeing Dan Zanes on Noggin, I was hooked. This is a great CD that I keep in the car. I find myself listening to it without my three year old in the car! It's great for singing along to - and even if it's titled "Night Time" it isn't lullabye music, it's perfect music for my toddler and preschooler and even me, an ageing generation X-er! Since this purchase, I bought Dan Zanes most recent DVD and absolutely LOVE it. I almost qualify as a groupie. Buy this CD and you won't regret it!