Customer Reviews

We are . . . The Laurie Berkner Band

5 star:		(273)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

My son watches Noggin quite a bit, and we were thus introduced to the music of the Laurie Berkner Band through their "music videos" on that network. The songs are cute and catchy and generally not as annoying as most children's music, but lately our favorite song videos--for songs like "Pig On Her Head" or "Victor Vito"--have been airing less and less frequently. So I was really excited to see this collection advertised on TV. It not only has our favorites (other songs include "Buzz Buzz Buzz," "We Are the Dinosaurs," and "Under A Shady Tree") but a few songs we didn't know yet and a bonus audio CD to take along in the car. One song, "I'm Gonna Get You" goes over the days of the week, and I think it will be a fun way to teach the days to my son, so I'm looking forward to getting to know it better.

The settings for the videos are simple and colorful, the band's scenes are mixed with kids singing along, just as on the Noggin videos, and the band members themselves are fun, seem friendly, and wear really colorful clothes that are sure to catch kids' attention. It should be noted that the videos on this DVD are NOT the same as those on Noggin; they've been redone with slightly more elaborate sets and with a different group of children.

The quality of the songs, videos, and performances are all top-notch. My only real complaint is that one song is sung by the backup singer Brian, who is apparently much better at harmonizing than at singing a melody. His "Oh Susannah" is off-key and not nearly as enjoyable as the other videos.

The DVD has 10 songs as well as bonus behind-the-scenes videos. As mentioned it comes with a bonus audio CD as well. Overall, I think this is a great buy for anyone familiar with Laurie Berkner's music or with the videos on Noggin, and I also think it's a great buy for any parents looking for some fun music to sing and dance along to with their children. Considering the number of CDs Laurie Berkner has out there, there could perhaps have been more songs on this collection, but it's on par with most children's music videos and indeed some adult music video collections, so I don't think this is a detriment to the item.

I bought this CD/DVD combo after reading the reviews here. I was mistaken in thinking the DVD would show the same videos that are shown on Noggin. They are not the same.
This DVD shows the band playing in front of a cheap, tossed together prop set. Some songs are a bit more visually pleasing with a few kids tossed in or some costumes.

*I am updating this review after having the DVD for a couple of months. Apparently my son's initial dislike of the CD has worn off. At age 2.5 he is completely captivated by the DVD. He knows all the words to "Moon, Moon, Moon" & asks for me to sing it to him each night before bed.
I would update my review to 5 stars, but I am unable to change it.
Moral is....if you child doesn't initially like it, try again a month later. My son now loves this DVD

My childern ages 3&6 love this dvd! They watch noggin and have seen her videos several times. This is a great way to get them up and moving for some exercise! They get excited not matter how many times that they see this. I would highly recommend this to any one!

About all I can say is this...when my first son was young, he watched a Raffi video over and over and over...it felt like nails on a chalkboard. Thankfully my younger son who is now three has laurie Berkner to listen to with songs that are far more catchy and fun for children to listen to. All of her favorites are on the DVD including We are the Dinosaurs, Victor Vito, and Pig on her Head. My son just loves marching to We are the Dinosaurs. Her band are all solid musicians who seem to really love what they do. I'm glad my son knows how to work the DVD player himself because it's one he's going to be watching a lot. Great DVD and great value too!

We just love this DVD! The music is great and my daughter can't get enough of it. It is nice to see her dancing and singing instead of sitting there just "watching" television. I was even up dancing with her for most of the songs.......great exercise for us parents too!! Can't wait for another......we will definitely purchase if they come out with any more.

My daughter Brooklynn, age 3, received this DVD from her aunt who saw the Laurie Berkner Band performing on a morning show. We had never heard of the band before, but really enjoyed the DVD. The first time I played it, Brooklynn was up and dancing around; by the second time, she was singing along to some of the songs (Especially "We are the Dinosaurs") It is now her favorite DVD to watch and asks for it all the time. The songs are very catchy and cute, but not annoying. It is great entertainment for anyone looking for an fun music collection.

This DVD is a blast! My kids love it and watch it over and over! It gets them moving, dancing and singing daily! The songs are easy to learn and fun to sing. The bonus CD is great for the car too! What a great gift to give too! We Love Laurie and the Band!!!

I had never heard of the Laurie Berkner Band until I saw a commerical for this DVD on Nickelodean channel. They had me and my daughter at "Susie has a cow on her head". My daughter would come running everytime from different rooms to see the cartoon cow on Susie's head. Heck--so would I.

So for my daughter's 4th birthday she received this awesome DVD from her grandparents. I have been so very happy with the product. I especially love "Pig on her Head",
"Telephone", "Walk Along the River", "I Know a Chicken", and the lollybye (as misprounced by my daughter) "Moon, Moon, Moon".

Along with Laurie is Brian Mueller and Susie Lampert. They are excellent entertainers. They are all so vital dancing around and are uninhibited and seem so spontaneous. And I love how they use children in this DVD to sing and dance with them.

I wish I could be a mom who could whip out a guitar and sing sweet songs to my child. At least Laurie's voice which is homey and warm is in a range where I can sound pretty good myself. The harmony between the threesome is beautiful.

Our entire family was dancing to this DVD tonight. A wonderful way for toddlers and parents to enjoy music together.

VERY IMPRESSIVE!! I bought this today, on the day of its release, before it even hit the shelves (it was on in a box on the counter) and watched it tonight with my 4 year old twins. IT IS OUTSTANDING. Very well shot, the music is well done, and the kids love it. What you see are NOT the same 'videos' that are shown on the Noggin cable channel; these are much better. There are colorful backdrops, different kids, and the music sounds fuller. The first few tunes will sound familiar and are favorites among Burkner fans. The new songs are just as lively and enchanting. I've read comments about other CDs from this same band that point out that the sound and mixing is different than what they expected after seeing the band on TV. You will not find that to be the case this time.

For those uninitiated with the Laurie Berkner Band, they are a fun trio with a perky female lead singer on an acoustic guitar who pack a lot of energy and entertainment into their performances. Backed up by an electric bass and electric keyboard, the three of them perform catchy tunes that are sweet but not syrup-y, and celebrate the wonder (and sometimes the silliness) of childhood.

Parents, this is a great DVD for a winter release, because watching this will get your kids happy and dancing around on cold, dreary days when they are dying for something to do! Thankfully, the last two songs, "Moon Moon Moon" and "Telephone" are calming ("Moon" is a capella and beautifully done", so while the DVD might get your little one going it will bring them back down for you, too. (THANK YOU!!)

There is also CD enclosed in this set that, while it doesn't include all the songs that are on the DVD, we can use in the car -- a very nice touch.

The bonus material is fun also, though I found it odd to be hearing "I Know a Chicken" (not on the DVD) while watching behind-the-scenes shots from the taping of "Goldfish" and "We are the Dinosaurs."

As a person with a background in music I really appreciate the musicianship that went into producing this. A few of the songs are even done a capella (without accompanyment), and the harmonies are tight, well tuned, and very well done. In fact, I foresee me using this DVD for some covert ear-training excercizes ;) . Personally, I love having the opportunity to use good harmonization from the songs of one of my daughters' favorite artists as a way to teach them an important life lesson: "hey, not everyone sings [or does] everything the same way, but things can come together beautifully if people listen to each other and work together."

BUY IT! You won't be disappointed.