Search - Barry Louis Polisar :: Old Dogs, New Tricks

Forced to single out what, exactly, makes Barry Louis Polisar a brilliant and hilarious kids' artist, one would be hard-pressed to pick between his absurdist songwriting and his deadpan delivery. On Old Dog, New Tricks, a 1993 album so named, presumably, because of its minor canine angle ("Our Dog Bernard," "I Wanna Be a Dog," and "I've Got a Dog and My Dog's Name Is Cat" are among the 13 tracks), the choice is as challenging as ever. Consider "My Brother Thinks He's a Banana," for instance. Here, a hapless fellow "sleeps curled up in the fruit bowl" despite his grandma's protests, and turns yellow "but seems to be O.K." In fact, his fruity predicament notwithstanding, the banana brother "really is a scholar / [He's] read all the books by Bellow / Although he likes to clown around / And cut up in the Jell-O." There's also the sweet, just shy of sincere "I Need You Like a Donut Needs a Hole," in which a sheepish Polisar admits that "I need you like a peanut in a shell / Gonna hold you in my arms like water in a well." This album bubbles over with silliness--from the nonsensical "Giggle Tickle Fiddle Little Wiggle Around" to the goofy "One Day My Best Friend Barbara Turned into a Frog." Old Dog even incorporates a thought-provoking number or two, most notably "What If a Zebra Had Spots"--"What if a tiger had spots? / What if a leopard did not?" But, as usual, Polisar's believability--he may clown around, but he never seems to be putting on a condescending kiddie act--also makes this album leagues more likable than similar-minded releases. Others may try to portray "3-Toed, Triple-Eyed, Double-Jointed Dinosaurs" in song, but none will pull it off with the polished comic punch of Polisar. -- Tammy La Gorce