Customer Reviews

Singin' in the Bathtub

5 star:		(104)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

We received this CD as a baby gift when we had our first child. Little did we know it would become such an integral part of our lives! Each time we climb into the car, my 2-year old asks for "fish ball" (The Codfish Ball) and "aff-bet song" (A-You're Adorable). She knows all the words by heart and sings until her tiny voice fills the entire car. Personally, I can't help but sing along to most of the songs, but "No One Loves You Better Than Your M-O-Double M-Y" is especially good and Lithgow's remake of "Swingin' on a Star" is just plain fun.

The only (minor) thing I don't like is that in the song, "Triplets," they say "...and we hate each other very much, we hate our folks, we are sick of jokes and what an art it is to tell us apart!" It's all said very quickly and in fun, but "hate" isn't a concept I'd like my kids to think is acceptable. We skip this song when we listen.

Overall, I highly recommend this CD. It's high quality--the music, the lyrics, and the energetic John Lithgow make it our top pick during a car ride (with the Bear in the Big Blue House Soundtrack coming in a close second). It's not for those who are looking for a soft lullaby, but if you want music as energetic and fun as your toddler, this is it.

I bought this CD for my 18-month old son as a way to introduce him to "fun" music beyond the simplistic Sesame Street tunes. Not only is it clear from my son's laughter and attention to the songs on the CD that he enjoys it -- my husband and I also enjoy it. The lyrics are very entertaining and the musical accompanients are simple enough to appeal to kids, but rich and textured enough to appeal to moms and dads as well. It is a great mix of old familiar songs ("A -You're Adorable") and new nonsense songs ("From the Andes to the Indies in his Undies") This CD has appeal for all ages -- from babies to grandparents, a great way to make music fun for the whole family.

Many of the songs on this CD were not originally written for children, but originally were performed decades ago for popular audiences by fine showmen like Cab Calloway, Donald Swann, Allan Sherman and Danny Kaye. With the help of a full orchestra, a few enthusiastic children, and an occasional ukelele, slide whistle and washboard, John Lithgow has taken these classics and reintroduced them for a brand new generation. I'm pleased with the variety in the selection of songs on this album. "At the Codfish Ball" had me swing dancing in the living room with my sweetie. "No One Loves You Any Better Than Your M-O-Double-M-Y" is a song everyone can sing along to with gusto (and it's even nicer to have someone sing it to or about you!). "A-You're Adorable" is perfect to sing with a special little one in your arms, and much more fun when learning your ABC's than the traditional ABC song. "I Had a Rooster" is a step or two more challenging than "Old MacDonald Had a Farm," but you still get to make the fun animal noises (and motions!). I bought this CD for myself (a confirmed bathtub Diva), and I shared it with several children in my life ranging in age from 9 months to 12 years old. I've found that it incites not only singing but dancing, too! Singing is much more fun in the bathtub, but even if you don't have one you'll find yourself singing these contagious arrangements along with your favorite kids and your own inner child. --M.M.Cooper

I'm ordering my 2nd - 5th copies of this CD today. The songs are wonderful, and Mr. Lithgow has the perfect voice (and enthusiasm) to perform them. The songs are very happy and catchy without being too sickly sweet. My son and I are always singing the songs around the house. My husband will catch up to us when we play it on car trips this summer, but for now he thinks we're a little crazy! My mother, a Danny Kaye fan, was excited to hear "The Twins Song" again. My favorite is "Everybody Eats when they Come to My House" and the "Codfish Ball" (watch out Shirley Temple). I'm giving this CD as a little Easter gift to my son's godparents. My son is giving a copy to his second grade teacher for Teacher Appreciation Week at school this May. This CD makes a great gift.

Chock full of silly, fun and learning songs! Lots of great rhymes and rhythms - the kids will want to play it over and over so brace yourself; better yet just jump in and enjoy.

My personal favorite: Cod Fish Ball which is not only fun to sing and dance to but also teaches the names of different ocean creatures with fun couplets. Those of you who hark back to the original three stooges will remember another favorite: Triplets. And, "A you're adorable" helps the little ones learn their alphabet.

My nieces (both under 8) had the entire thing memorized in two days.

I bought this CD based purely upon the reviews I had read and planned on using it during a six-hour car trip with our three kids ages 5, 4 and 2. They really enjoy the funny and zippy tunes, but I think that secretly, I enjoy it even more. We have listened to this CD, literally, at least 50 times. My kids all have their specific favorite songs and really, I don't think that there is a "DUD" song in the bunch. I recommended it to my daughter's pre-school teacher---she had never heard it--and her question was regarding the qualitiy of John Lithgow's singing voice. I told her that the real appeal of this CD isn't his voice but on the great diversity of the songs, the zany lyrics and great orchestral accompaniment. Eventually, I know that we will tire of this CD, but for now, it is the one that I grab first. This would make a great gift for kids (and parents) who want to listen to something that has a cheerful, child-like spirit but is sophisticated enough for the parents to enjoy as well.

One of the things I hate about much kids' music is the dumbing-down of the musicality you often hear. Audio flotsam like Raffi, Barney or even Elmo's ruination of the once proud Sesame Street lineage treat toddlers like morons, assuming they only want sappy songs about how to look both ways before crossing the street or about how nice it is to share and be friends. Sure, these songs do have a place, but is there a reason they have to be delivered so pedanticly? And who dictated that every kid's song needs a moral?

John shows it doesn't have to be so. Drawing from the classic performers of his own youth, like Danny Kaye, Cab Calloway and Bing Crosby, he delivers these catchy and wonderful sing-a-long tunes with just enough of his own wacky energy to make them his own. With excellent swinging big band arrangements, the songs are exciting, intellegent, musically interesting and eminently singable, which is the key to their success with children and adults alike. (There's a reason parents don't like Elmo or Barney.) When you catch your youngest singing a few bars of "From the Indies to the Andes in his Undies" or "I'm a g-nu! A g-nother g-nu!", you know there's been a connection, and memories are being built.

Like early Sesame Street, A.A. Milne or Shel Silverstein, these tunes aren't preachy, just good, clever fun.

I LOVE IT! MY KIDS LOVE IT! LOVE IT,LOVE IT,LLLLOOOOVVVVEEEE IIIIT! I caught my husband sing'in in the shower to this glorious C.D. and he showed no embarrassment{although he did show a bare a**, Never Mind}The point is ,This is the BEST Children's Music our family owns. My only concern regards track #7. Triplets. the Melody is a blast and the vocalisation is full of character,however I believe the "character' of the song does need to be explained to small kiddies.The lyrics are in fun but they are different sounding coming out of your child's mouth as opposed to John's."We hate each other very much,We hate our folks,We hate our Mom,She did not want to have us and We did not want to have her{OOOOHHH NOOOO}".Looks bad in print and you may get glares at the grocery store but hey, at least Sing'in In The Bath Tub does just that-gets your kids SING'IN.

My three year old and I were up and dancing from the very first track..while my 5 month old happily babbled along. The songs are lively and fun. I was about to order it for all my friends with children when sadly I heard track #7 (Triplets). The lyrics are totally inappropriate for any child. They include:"We hate each other very much, we hate our folks.... Mamma says that we're a bore and what is more she didn't want to have us and we didn't want to have her no more" It is so sad that that one song ruined the entire CD for me. I do not want my girls singing along to those lyrics!

We all want our children to be happy and listen to toddler music, but frankly, most of it starts to get on your nerves after listening to it over and over and over again. Some productions are good, some are fair, and some are really awful, and for the most part, I cross my fingers when I purchase a new children's tape or CD. Then along comes John Lithgow! Yeah! This CD is GREAT! I enjoy listening to it, and my boys think it's hilarious. Actually, I do, too. "Big Kids," "Triplets," -- oh, heck, every song is awesome. Lithgow is so talented, and you can really see that he did not miss his calling when he became a performer. Love the arrangements, and the banjo gets my toes tappin'. Buy it.