Under a Shady Tree

Laurie Berkner | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 1, 2002)
• Original Release Date: 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Two Tomatoes
• ASIN: B00006JKGN
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (94 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,267 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #50 in Music > Children's Music

Track Listings

1. Under a Shady Tree

2. Rhubarb Pie (Hot Commodity)

3. Mister

4. Drive My Car

5. I'm Gonna Catch You

6. Just Like the Sun

7. Mahalo

8. I'm Me and You're You

9. Choc-o-lot in my Pock-o-lot

10. Shortnin' Bread

11. Running Down the Hill

12. My Energy

13. After It Rains

14. Do the Dragon

15. Song in my Tummy

16. This Hat

17. Who's That?

18. Smile

19. Boody Boody Ya Ya Ya

20. Blow A Kiss

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

From the reggae-tinged title track to the light blues of "Drive My Car" to the irresistible tease of "I'm Gonna Catch You" and at all stops in between, the 20 tracks on Laurie Berkner's fourth record for kids dance off the disc and into the imagination, with a Goldilocks just-right ratio of silly ("Do the Dragon") and serious ("I'm Me and You're You"). Driving home her reputation as an Ani DiFranco for kids is the earthy "Running Down the Hill." "Shortnin' Bread," the Southern traditional, will compel kids to tie on aprons and tap their way across the kitchen floor. The Hawaiian thank-you number "Mahalo" and the Eastern "Boody Boody Ya Ya Ya" draw upon world music, but otherwise, Berkner's days of shaking her noodle head (a favorite dance ditty off an earlier disc) to the delight of 2-year-olds seem numbered. That's not to say Shady Tree's canopy doesn't extend to the sippy-cup crowd, only that Berkner's branching out. --Tammy La Gorce

Product Description

Winner of: 2003 Gold N.A.P.P.A. Award; 2002 Parents' Choice Silver Honor Award; 2004 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award and 2003 Children's Music Web Award.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Can't live without it!!!!!!!!!!, December 7, 2002

By 

Donna Harrington (Newmarket, NH USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Under a Shady Tree (Audio CD)

Laurie Berkner came to N.H. 2 years ago to perform a benefit concert, and ever since my family has been HOOKED. I purchased "Whaddaya Think of That" and "Victor Vito" and we loved them. Recently, I bought "Under a Shady Tree" and was once again blown away by her music. My children want to hear the CD over and over again, and so do I. She has added horns, jazz, an ethnic flair and so much more to her music, which really gets you going. We can't stop from moving when we play this CD. It also has made long trips to Grandma's house much more enjoyable. We all sing along and it seems like we just started our trip when we arrive happy and energized. We call "Under a Shady Tree" our "traveling CD" not only because we bring on all of our trips, but because it goes from the car to the house, and from the house to the car. I don't like to be without it.
After a long day with the kids if I start to feel overwhelmed, I put in the CD and forget about all of my problems. It is impossible too listen to the music and stay in a bad mood. The kids and I just sing and dance and laugh at the songs.
I am unable to pick just one, or even two or three songs, that are our favorites, because they are all so good. Each song has it's own "Special Something" that makes it differennt from the rest. But I must say that the one song that comes closest to my heart is "Smile". I am brought to tears everytime I hear Laurie sing it. The words and music are so powerful about the love a parent has for their child and how he/she makes them feel. I sing it to my children every night before they go to sleep.
I also have to comment on the remarkable ability that Laurie and Suzie have to harmonize with one another. They send chills through me and you can really feel the music (especially in Mahalo, Just Like the Sun, Running Down the Hill, After it Rains and Shortnin' Bread.
If you don't own any of Laurie Berkner's CDs yet, or even if you do, I recommend that you try "Under a Shady Tree". My family has enjoyed all 3 that we have and we have shared them with friends and family. They went right out and purchased their own.
Thumbs up to Laurie, Brian and Suzie!!!!!!!!!

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another hit from Laurie Berkner, April 17, 2003

By 

J. Scharp (Michigan) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Under a Shady Tree (Audio CD)

This is just another wonderful CD by one of my kids favorite artists. Most all the songs are fun and lively, with creative lyrics, and a couple old favorites as well. This is the type of music that your kids can dance around and even act out some of the songs in play. You won't be disappointed in any of Laurie's albums if you like creative music that even adults can enjoy!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Confident, polished, yet every bit as fun as before, November 15, 2002

By 

"dbender19" (Unincorporated Gwinnettlandia, GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Under a Shady Tree (Audio CD)

In the past year our family have gone from being Laurie Berkner newbies to Laurie Berkner junkies, thanks only in part to our now-2½ year old's enthusiasm for her work. Mom and Dad find themselves humming this stuff at wierd moments as well. We were eager, when we heard that a new CD was poised for 10/2002 release, but the previews for "Shady Tree" raised a red flag or two--what, there's ELECTRIC BASS on all the tracks? And a horn section on a bunch of 'em? Won't that dilute the fun, basic, energetic, punky-folky sound we've come to enjoy so on the previous 3 CDs? The answer is, not at all, you goofball! It's not laid on thickly at all--for instance, we get to hear Suzie open up a little with some jazzy piano, and "Chock-o-lot" absolutely sizzles with Laurie doing her torch-song, soulful belting over a horn section, but y'know, she's still singing about candy. Well, I think that's what she's singing about. It's what the kids hear, anyway.

And I've got to say something about the packaging--along with lyrics, there are concise author's notes on each track (per usual), and some great photos. The photo-spread shot says it all--Laurie's prone on the stage floor, looking a little like Iggy, snarling away. It could be any rock-and-roller pic, I guess, except you can just about see what must be a stuffed monkey draped over an amp, in the background. That says it all. Buy. Enjoy. Your kids will love it too.