Best Friends. Performed by Various artists. CD. Approx. 30 min.
Kid Pan Alley Records. 2019. $14.98.
K – Grade 5
Founder
of award-winning Kid Pan Alley, Paul Reisler, celebrates its 20th
anniversary with this excellent 5th album, which includes 12 songs
performed by special guests Heather Mae, The Not-Its, Vance Gilbert, Steve
Paltz. Lisa Loeb, John McCutcheon, Lea Morris, Bill Harley, Robbie Schaefer, Randy
Kaplan, Silly Bus and Sonia De Los Santos. Each lively song was co-written by
elementary school students and KPA songwriters. The backup musicians give excellent
performances on guitar, bass, keyboards, ukulele, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, drums, percussion,
and bells in jazz, rock, pop, folk, and Latin salsa musical styles. “Life Is
Good” because we have music. When “School’s Out” in the summertime, it’s time to
scream and shout, go to movies, and be with friends. “Best Friends” are always
by your side, stand the test of time, and cheer you up. One child wants to “Quit
This Job” (meaning school) and get a job in New York instead. “I’ve Got an
Apple Pie in My Book Bag” which tastes better than homework. “A Happy, Happy Birthday
Song” celebrates the best day this child has ever known. “I Forgot to Charge My
Phone Today” so I’ll go outside and play if I remember how. One child has a “Sister for Sale”
and he’ll sell her in a second if he knew they wouldn’t put him in jail. “My
Shadow Leads a Double Life” --by day it stays close by my side, but I wonder
where it goes at night. Randy Kaplan discusses with children why “Santa’s on
Vacation,” for example, after Christmas, Santa needs to take a break and work on his
tan. “Who Decided” to put “a” before “b,” that pigs can’t fly, that wheels are
round, and other observations. “La Vida Es Bella” reprises the first song in
Spanish. This album is a great example of creative teamwork between children
and adults.
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