Customer Reviews

Rocket Ship Beach

5 star:		(39)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Dan Zanes (former leader of the seminal Boston band the Del Fuegos) has assembled a delightful cast of supporting players (including Sheryl Crow, Suzanne Vega, Donald Saaf and Rankin' Don) to produce one of the most endearing kid's records I've heard in ages. Unlike much of the treacly, saccharine music that's targeted at children, this cd is as enjoyable for moms and dads as it is for the little ones. It features some unusual takes on standards ("Polly Wolly Doodle," "Bushel and a Peck," "Over the Rainbow") as well as some unfamiliar, funky sing-alongs like the West Indian-inflected "Father Goose." A major bonus: you're not likely to mind too much when Junior asks to hear a song for the 300th time in a row. In a word, wonderful.

I honestly can't say enough...I recently went on a mad search for "listenable" children's music and fortunately Rocket Ship Beach was recommended. I purchased about 10 other children's CDs at the time and this one is the definite favorite! My 2 1/2 year old requests "Goodbye Old Paint" at least once a day and it hasn't even started to drive me crazy. Every track is great! I'm thankful for Dan Zanes and company daily. I bought "Family Dance" (his 2nd CD) as well, and while it's good, "Rocket Ship Beach" gets more air time. I would buy them both, but if you need a place to start go with "Rocket Ship Beach".

My wife, son, and I were given this CD as a gift. I was skeptical because I feel many new efforts geared towards kids are either too Smurfy or too preachy. I was very pleasantly surprised. This CD is now not only one of my son's favorites, it is also a favorite of his parents.

Zanes has put together a collection of songs that keep you tapping your feet the 70th time you listen to them. I stay at home with my son and this music has saved me many times when he has been too cranky to eat, or hang out by himself while I get a few things done. After a little dancing to "Polly Wally Doodle" or "Erie Canal" he is bright and cheery.

I knew many of these songs before I heard the CD - - but not all of them. And even though I knew the tunes, Zanes has produced them in fresh new ways sure to surprise even the most jaded parent.

It was fun to hear artists I had heard previously singing songs for kids. I especially like the efforts of Sheryl Crow, Suzanne Vega, and Barbara Brousal - - all of whom sing with the same clarity and spirit their fans love them for on their own CDs.

I can't recommend this CD highly enough. If you have kids you owe it to yourself to buy this and share it with them. If you don't have kids I recommend it as a charming, happy, intelligent collection of cherished songs by a group of talented musicians.

I can't say enough about this CD. It is truly mom's favorite, and my 2 and 4 year old kids can't get enough of it!! I sometimes find myself playing it when I'm alone in the car. It is such a nice change from Raffi, etc. (raffi has his place, but we need a change sometimes!). You won't be disappointed.

The first customer review is dead right -- this is a CD that rock and roll parents will love just as much as their kids. I'm in the biz and hear a lot of CDs for kids, but as most parents know most are excruciating after a hundred or so listens. Not this baby. I actually had to fight another adult to keep it. And then I went out and bought a couple of old Del Fuegos records just for good measure.

The best clue that this is my 1 year old son's favorite CD is that he starts dancing when he sees the CD jacket (cleverly disguised as a board book). Dan Zanes' Rocket Ship Beach exemplifies what music is all about: A good rythym, a good tune, a good tale and lots of FUN. The vocalizations set the mood perfectly in each song. Mr.Zanes and friends have a knack for writing and selecting songs with an automatic sing-a-long character that will set your whole family to howling together with the music. For children, this is a perfect introduction to songs they will remember all their lives. As for adults like me, its refreshing to finally hear these familiar songs sung by someone who can carry a tune. Mr. Zanes' selections cross barriers of time and space that may give children a taste of growing up in past eras; but Father Goose crosses cultural barriers with a hilariously groovin' fusion of old nursery rhymes, reggae, and a little hip-hop. Singing the ABC's will never be as much fun sung any other way. I have space reserved on my shelf for any new releases they may be working on.

As a parent of two young kids, I'm a great fan of music that kids can enjoy without the parents going insane. This CD is definitely in this category. The songs are mostly upbeat folk favorites, but the artists never sing down to their listeners. My kids like to dance and sing along with this CD, and sometimes I join them, too!

My husband recently purchased this for our 17 month old daughter. It is music that we both enjoy. We catch her in the back seat bobbing her head to the beat of the music and 'chair dancing' in her car seat. This is a wonderful collection of children's music that adults can enjoy as well. It is not the same old boring nursery songs or the classical music that is more appropriate for wind down time. This music is great for the car or during play time. A must for parents. I wish we would have known about it sooner. Now all my friends are getting it for gifts.

The Del Fuegos rocked and so does this. Dan has his finger on the beat of what kids AND parents want to hear. We all know all the words, dance to it turned up too loud, and sing it a capella to ourselves at bedtime. Thanks Dan for a great CD.

My husband and I listen to different children's cd's in the car with our children almost every day, and in the kitchen while making dinner. This one beats them all as we all enjoy the laid back feel it brings to us, the folksy rhythm, the swanky voices. A must for parents who are tired of singing their ABC's.