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Special Music from Special Kids

CD-R

Kids Of Widney High Format: Audio CD

21 ratings

$4.88

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Editorial Reviews

This remarkable recording results from a songwriting class at Widney High, where Michael Monagan was teaching severely handicapped students. The students poured their efforts into the writing and performing of the songs, and for this recording they were accompanied by studio musicians. As a result of the project many of the students' behavior problems decreased and they experienced a tremendous boost of self-esteem and a feeling of accomplishment. 1990 Notable Children's Recording: American Library Association

Product details

Language ‏ : ‎ English
Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 5.5 x 0.25 inches; 2.5 Ounces
Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ Rounder
Run time ‏ : ‎ 42 minutes
Date First Available ‏ : ‎ December 8, 2006
Label ‏ : ‎ Rounder
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0000003FC
Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1

Best Sellers Rank: #331,087 in CDs & Vinyl (See Top 100 in CDs & Vinyl)
- #604 in Children's Educational Music
- #9,338 in Indie & Lo-Fi (CDs & Vinyl)
- #19,137 in Folk (CDs & Vinyl)

Customer Reviews:
21 ratings

Customer reviews

5 star		73%
4 star		7%
3 star		7%
2 star		7%
1 star		7%

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Top reviews from the United States

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jonathan paul labonte

Dope.

Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2021

Verified Purchase

Inspirational.

Helpful

Dave K.

Special K (the K is for Kids)

Reviewed in the United States on September 23, 2011

Verified Purchase

Kids Of Whitney High is an album that Brian Eno or Rick Rubin should've produced, but they are too busy working w/ "serious" artists. If you need a chuckle, just listen to "Instects," it will put you on yer butt!! Also, if a more poignant tune is what yer cravin', put on yer headphones, ease the seat back, & listen to "65 Years Old;" that song just pours over you...This album is the "Sgt. Peppers" of retard albums, yo!!

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Drugs can harm you unborn baby

Depressing

Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2006

Everything about this album and everyone who reviewed it is just freakin depressing. I almost cried listening to these kids give it their best and i knew, i could hear it, it wasn't good. Watching people say that this is "hearfelt" makes me kinda cringe watching people say this is "funny." is even worse. Just because these kids have a disability does not mean they should get such praise or putdown. Plenty of great bands had handicapped people in them, "Joy Division" their lead singer- epileptic, "The Vines" lead singer, autistic. If you want a laugh go buy Wesley Willis, his music has a much more lighthearted approach to it and is a lot easier to laugh at. This music is so god damn eerie it makes me scared, more scared than the most violent Marilyn Manson song or the scariest horror movie.

Buying this could scar you.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Dan Burke

This is pure expression!

Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2001

The Kids of Widney High are better than the Backstreet Boys. They rock...their music, tho not the best ever technically, surpasses many artists just in pure expression. No attitude, no [...] like Jacob Dylan riding on their father's success...no lamer Boy Bands shoved down our throats..just pure love for Mayra, fear of Insects..and Every *is* my girlfriend, dammit (from another album).
The Widney Kids rule..and I shall buy all of their CD's. :)
[....]

4 people found this helpful

Helpful

Winthrop Harrison

A triumph for disabled children - but unworthy of CD release

Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2003

Why was this CD released and why is it still available, 13 years on? It can't be a 'triumph of the human spirit' story, or a lesson in 'you can do anything you want.' Part of the CD's notoriety and sales must be in the novelty of hearing severely disabled children sing badly to very slick pop arrangements. A freakshow.
This is unfortunate, but really, the producers/arrangers should have seen it coming. If the songs had been purely created by the disabled students and their music teachers and then recorded in the same spirit, we might have had something both touching and beautiful, along the lines of the truly special "Langley Schools Music Project" album. That available CD captures a Canadian music class as they were, as they sang, on their terms. If this CD had been recorded acappela or with simple in-room instruments, this might have worked just as well. But the Michael Jackson-esque/hi-tech production clashes with the (charitably) quaint vocals, smashing any beauty to be found.
The liner notes mention that the students involved provided many ideas for this CD, and that their behavioral problems decreased as they took part in the joy of creating music. I don't doubt this - it's a wonderful result. But it is too bad that the CD result is such a bad stew of slick/dumb production matched with children who could never control their own destiny. The results here may not be exploitation, but why do they feel that way?
Perhaps you had to be there. Is this worth hearing?

34 people found this helpful

Helpful

Steve Combs

Way to go Kids!

Reviewed in the United States on October 10, 2001

I think a lot of people could learn a thing or two from this group of kids. They approach music in a sincere and pure way that few others could ever do. These kids are achievers and I am sincerely inspired by what they have accomplished. After all, how many of you have cut your own nationally released CD. I for one do not feel at all sorry or sad for these children because there is no reason to. I do however greatly admire them.

6 people found this helpful

Helpful

Kosmo Prufrock

An Album of Love

Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2005

One cannot listen to the songs of these Special Kids without thinking of true love. Whether it is the heartfelt longing for Mayra or the finger snapping ballad about a new car, these Kiddos are professing their love. I am a little troubled thinking that one of these kids could now possibly be a grown person behind the wheel of a vehicle veering towards pedestrians, but I digress. I believe there may possibly be a true American Idol in the making on this album. My biggest challenge would be deciding which child would not receive my vote. There is a rumor, maybe an urban legend, that Daveed Hassleme was actually the troubadour on several of the tracks. If this is true, I now know the possible origins for Hot Shot City, which is particularly good.

9 people found this helpful

Helpful

Jack Kaffer

For Science!

Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2001

It's irritating how many people rated this who obviously didn't buy it. These children have very unusual minds, and I think it is fascinating to hear how people who function differently write songs. As an experimenting song writer, I may have learned as much from their songwriting class as these 13 kids did. As to those who think this cd is "disturbing" or in poor taste, maybe people with a severely handicapped sense of humor shouldn't be allowed to post reviews.

5 people found this helpful

Helpful