Customer Reviews

Walt Disney Records : Children's Favorite Songs, Vol. 4

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have all four volumes of the Disney CDs. I would note, for the record, that these are not really Disney movie songs, but just classic children's songs put on a CD by Disney. I think they're great!!! We listen to them all the time. There are one or two that aren't my favorite on there, but otherwise I love them. My children (2-1/2 years and 14 months old) listen to music often at home and in my car.

We own all four CD's in this series. Unfortunately, this is the least appealing of the four. The songs are second rate, the mixing is of the voices is uninspired, and the orchestration is substandard. One of my favorites, "It's A Small World," is a mechanical performance accompanied by an equally monotonous synthesized strings. Admittedly, I had high expectations for this CD. Afterall, Disney is noted for stimulating fantasy and excitement. Unfortunately, this CD is more suited for MUZAK than Disneyworld.

A great collection of upbeat childrens songs. My daughter dances around the house singing along whenever we play this CD. All familiar tunes that you can sing along with your child.

If it were possible to rate this recording ten stars, or twenty, I would. I grew up listening to this one on long car rides, at home, and lots of other places. The songs are fun and comforting, and if I'm any indication, even adults will find them enjoyable to listen to.

My one year old son and I love the Disney Children's Favorites Series. We currently own volumes 1,2 and 4, but plan to get more. Volume 4 is the one we keep in the car. I enjoy singing along with the "old classics" and my son seems to like it too. On more than one occassion I have been able to quite his crys by putting this CD on. He seems to find it very soothing. He also likes it when I sing "Theres a hole in my bucket" in my "Goofy" voice. We both find this CD a lot of fun!

I could talk for hours about this CD. When this music was originally recorded by Disney and sold on records (yes, real vinyl!), it was billed as music for children between the ages of two and five. Disney misjudged not only the mass appeal of the songs themselves, but the range of people of all ages who would come to love this music. The quality of performances, the rendition of each selection, and the musicians behind the vocalists are all second to none. I bought these songs on two audio tapes when my children were small, and was immediately struck by the professional quality of the recordings. Several reviewers have commented that the Disney Children's Chorus that often accompanies lead singer Larry Groce becomes a bit monotonous after a while; I must respectfully, yet emphatically disagree. The arrangements of the songs are so unique and refreshing (even dynamic in some cases), that I never got tired of listening to them. Thirty years later, they are still as delightful as the first time I ever heard them. Groce is one of those unique singers whose amazing voice somehow fits every, single song no matter what it is. Whether it's "Waltzing Matilda", "Down in the Valley," or "Froggie Went A-Courtin'," my thought is that he was born to sing these songs. This collection of more than 180 songs in four volumes has such a wide range of appealing and classic tunes that there's something for everyone, no matter what their age may be. There's nothing else like this music, anywhere on the planet. Testament to this is the fact that there is still a brisk trade of these recordings after more than thirty years. Even the audio tapes and original vinyl records are still sought after by collectors who enjoyed, nay, LOVED this music back when they were children and it was still relatively new. Disney re-released the songs in CD form in the 1980's (not as many songs on each CD) and again in 1991. The 1991 version boasts all the songs from the original soundtrack, intact and uncut. We absolutely LOVED this music when my children were small and though they are both adults now, we still love it! There are funny songs, happy songs, sad songs, and tunes that are practically "national anthems" where they originated. Many are toe-tapping, rollicking songs; others have a tale to tell. A few are hauntingly beautiful, and some are the best renditions I have ever heard of wonderful classics--bar none. Quite simply, almost all of it is exceptionally good music. It's not like so much of the sappy stuff for small children that gets on your nerves the first time you hear it. Instead, it sounds more like awesome music that might have been performed for grown-ups--who just happen to have children, who love it, too. True, some of the songs are specifically for little people, but they are so well done that adults can also enjoy them. That's one thing that makes the music on these discs so darn good. Buy the CDs, all four volumes. As an erstwhile musician myself, I guarantee you won't regret it. A word of caution, though: Be sure to ask the seller if the product for sale is EXACTLY like the picture in the listing. Some sellers list stock photos, then switch a CD with the same music but different artwork. Also ask about the spelling on the actual CD they intend to sell; if it was manufactured in Canada or Australia, the word "Favorite" in the title will be spelled "Favourite." If none of that matters to you, buy the CD anyway; the music is all the same, and it's still fantastic. One last thought: Disney put out several albums with similar titles. To get the same music I've got, be sure Larry Groce is listed as performer with the Disney Children's Chorus; that the title of each CD is "Walt Disney Records Children's Favorite Songs" (volumes 1 through 4); and that each CD contains 23-27 songs. If they are the versions released in 1991, you've nailed it. Enjoy!

I've got all 4 volumes of these Favourites on Audio Cassette! Yeah, that long ago! I've been looking to get them on CD but they don't have them on the Amazon UK site so I've come here.

They're an excellent collection. We first started listening to them in March 1995 when my 10 month old son was seriously ill in intensive care. There's something magical about the music. This music and all other music that has followed. Any kind, be it children's songs, chart music, classical etc. He loves it and I truly believe this music (and these 4 volumes being the start) has helped him talk. My son has an excellent sense of rhythm which was apparent before he could talk and he's still got it today. He's forever imitating tunes on his little toy piano and considering he's visually impaired, this is excellent. He works purely on memory and the sound of the notes. It's all thanks to these 4 volumes that he has achieved what he has so far.

I have all four volumes and think they're all good, but volume 1 is the best.

First of all, don't let the "Disney" in the title mislead you. None of these songs are sung by Disney's animated characters except for a few brief seconds of Mickey Mouse speaking during the first song. This was a big disappointment for us.

All songs are performed by a rather bland sounding singer accompanied by a bland bluegrass/folk band and an even more bland group of young backup singers. Are you catching my theme here? Childrens' music is supposed to be fun and playful, but the performances here are too polished and completely lacking in real gusto. There's just very little here to really engage the young listener's attention, and adults will find it pretty dull as well. There are plenty of better choices in the category of childrens' music.

I just had to say that because I saw this warning in another review for another children's song CD. The CD hadn't given a warning about how "Christian" it was, even though these people could have easily previewed it! They expressed how uncomfortable they felt playing it to their children (I wonder how uncomfortable their children felt about it since the parents carry the baggage). Well, before the great polarization our country has gone through since Disney recorded these classics, Disney had songs that were a mix of old and, relatively, new favorites that included the Creator. Yes, the Disney organization has gone through its rough patches since Walt's passing. I'm sure Walt wouldn't have appreciated some of the darker sides his company reflected after Eisner came to power. Here, though, is a thorough compilation of old favorites, including "religious" ones (e.g. He's Got the Whole World in His Hands). You might even call it a retrospective. And, if you have problems with any of the songs in any children's music CD's, make your own compilation CD and guard your child's innocence (but don't stunt their spiritual health - kids know right from wrong, good from bad, they always amaze me)! You may be surprised at what appeals to your child, and what does not!