Customer Reviews

Small Fry: Capitol Sings Kids Songs for Grown-Ups

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

My car CD player was just stolen, and I don't care about the $500 system, but I want to replace this CD as soon as possible. I make the excuse that my 3-year-old son loves the songs and that's why it's in the car, but I listen to it all the time. It's excellent.

The Capitol Sings collection is one of my favorite musical anthology series. During the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s the record label basically had its artists singing just about every song ever written (well, it sure seems that way). Most of the volumes I had are devoted to a particular composer or team thereof (e.g., Cole Porter, Rodgers & Hammerstein), but "Small Fry: Capitol Sings Kids' Songs for Grownups" takes a different approach, providing some of Capitol's big names, such as Nat King Cole and Gordon MacRae, singing what are essentially novelty songs.

That means you will recognize the songs, such as "Teddy Bear's Picnic" and "Swinging on a Star," but you probably have never heard these versions, done respectively by Frank DeVol and the Four Freshman. There might be some exceptions to this rule, such as Johnny Mercer's "Glow Worm" and "Mairzy Doats" by the Pied Pipers, but you get the idea. There is something charming about Gordon MacRae doing the "Pussycat Song (Nyot Nyow)" and "'A' You're Adorable (The Alphabet Song)" (he likes parenthetical song titles apparently). Sometimes you just have to smile at the idea of the Merry Macs recording "Pop Goes the Weasel" or Tony Bennett doing "Jepers Creepers." You have no other choice when Mel Blanc does the "Woody Woodpecker Song."

I had never heard the whole version of "Bushel and a Peck," so it was nice to finally hear that and everybody needs to know about the "Hokey Pokey." It is also interesting to hear covers of a lot of tunes from Disney films, with June Christy doing "Give a Little Whistle," the Jubalaires singing "A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes," Mercer doing "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah," MacRae's "Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo," and the Lettermen doing "When You Wish Upon a Star." You also get a couple of nice lullabies from Nat King Cole, "There's a Train Out for Dreamland" and "(Go to Sleep) My Sleepy Head." You will recognize enough of the songs and the artists to appreciate that you will probably enjoy the rest. All of these Capitol Sings albums are worth at least a listen for those who appreciate such musical stylings.

I remember singing along with all these songs when I was little. These are all my childhood favorites, performed by some vocal masteres, and there's plenty of songs on here too! This is an excellent buy, you can listen to it yourself and reminisce about your youth, and best of all your child can grow up listening to the same happy melodies you did!

This is a must have for any young or young-at-heart.

~C~

This is the most enjoyable kids albulm I have found. Wonderful songs sung by wonderful voices. We listen to it on car trips and play it over and over. Different songs are favorites at different times, but everything (except Woody Woodpecker) is great!! I recommend this for anyone who does not want to listen to the same old mindless kids songs.

I am buying this CD for the second time, the old one basically wore out.

These songs are wonderful. My little ones smile when they hear Teddy Bears' Picnic, and we do baby dances to it. The orchestrations are lush and the singers varied. A You're Adorable is fun to sing along to, as is My Little Playmate and The Hokey Pokey. All of these were recorded between the late 1940s and early 1960s. Even though it's before our time, the music is classic.

This CD brings back to me some of my very favorite momories of the songs that my mother used to sing to me that she heard on the radio at the time. My mother is now in her 80's and her great grandchildren are hearing these songs as they were produced and that she still sings today to all of our family's new youngsters. These catchy tunes will never go out of style and are reminiscent of a time when our world was a lot more peaceful. I am ordering more of this CD all the time because so many who have heard this CD are requesting a copy. I truly reccomend this CD to all who love any of these old songs.

My cousin gave this CD to me when my daughter was 2, that was 3 years ago... I didn't even open it for about 6 months after it was given to me, it just didn't look like something I would like. I was SO wrong.

We just moved and this CD was somehow destroyed, and I was devestated, I am so happy that I can purchase it here. I am having "withdrawl" symptoms!! Fun and happy, I can't imagine anyone NOT enjoying this music.

I am thrilled that I can listen to music that does not drive me insane (Barney-type songs), and that my children are learning different musical styles. They enjoy this CD more than any of the others.. which goes to show that truly good music, performed by wonderfully talented performers, will never go out of style.

My Sister-in-Law gave us this when my daughter (now 15 months) was born. It is "her" CD when we are in the car - and she kicks along to the rhythm of the songs! But the best part is that it's great to listen to for adults too...
Not your usual, insipid, sing-songy giggly-gaggle-of-children songs... classics by big bands and great artists!
Sure, one or two WILL get on your nerves after several repetitions - but that's what the fast-forward button is for!

Best CD for both adults and kids I've found!!

Simply stated, the entire CD is fantastic. It is a nice change from the traditional sing-along tunes and exposes a new generation to music from another era. Personally I love it because it contains songs that my grandmother sang to me and now my little ones can learn the lyrics to sing the songs to her. Our three-year-olds giggle during Woody Woodpecker and Three Little Fishes, hiss on cue during The Pussy Cat Song (Nyow! Nyot Nyow!), they do The Hokey Pokey in their carseats, and sing along to Jeepers Creepers, Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah, and Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo.

This CD features Capitol Records recording artists performing "kids songs". Kids songs is this case are songs based on nursery rhymes, or songs from Disney movies, or silly novelty songs that kids like. The performers are mostly "pop singers" from the pre-rock and roll era. People like Nat King Cole, Tony Bennett and the Lettermen. Sadly, Frank Sinatra singing "Old MacDonald" is not included. But the songs that are included are pretty entertaining. This is a fun, lighthearted CD.