Under a Shady Tree

Laurie Berkner

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 1, 2002)
• Original Release Date: 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Two Tomatoes
• ASIN: B00006JKGN
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (83 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #616 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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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 More variety and a bit more mature, October 10, 2002

By	Father to three wee ones - See all my reviews

This new offering from Laurie is excellent. I've had about 5 listen throughs with my 2 year old daughter, and it is quickly growing on both of us (she loves to run around saying "Hot Commidity" now). It's hard to say that this one is better than any of the other albums yet, because we have so much dancing and singing invested in each of the songs on the other albums, and we're just beginning with this one.

The styles on this effort are more varied than Laurie's previous offerings. The first track, "Under a Shady Tree" has significant reggee undertones, and is followed by "Rhubarb Pie (Hot Commodity)" with its salsa-ish sound and horns. There is Hawaiian influence in "Mahalo". There are also big band era and ragtime sounds mixed in for good measure. The horns were a great addition to the mix. Wonderful stuff throughout.

I would also point out that this album seems to have quite a few songs that are more mature, in the sense that they cover deeper feelings and more abstract concepts. I think that this would be the best Laurie album for an older child, but my two year old loves it as well.

One more thing, the lyrics are included as well as Laurie's description of each song with motions for some of the songs (the most fun for us is "Drive My Car"). Thanks for including them.

11 of 11 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 (REAL NAME)

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!

10 of 10 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

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!!!!!!!!!