Pirate-themed kids' discs have been done before, and they generally fall into the same musical black hole that swallows up other such single-minded projects (think railroad yard music for 4-year-old train buffs, monster re... more »cords and the occasional daring clown-themed disc). Pegleg Tango makes itself the exception--the treasure chest at the end of a rough voyage--and here's why: Captain Bogg, First Mate McGraw, Charlie Scuppers, and the eye-patch-wearing, plundering brigade of others who populate this disc seem to have been actual pirates before they were kids' artists. "Pieces of 8ight" is served up with enough salt to sink an iceberg, and "What it's Really Like on a Ship" invites scallywags of all ages aboard for a scurvy-skirting adventure. Some surf music washes up, a little reggae reaches the shore, and the occasional mermaid sighting is celebrated with skull-and-cross-bones-style pop harmonizing (imagine a cast of Broadway crooners cutting up with parrots on their shoulders). Bogg & Salty's crew effectively capture Captain Jack Sparrow's swagger and set it to sound; there's not a musical deck-swabber among them. --Tammy La Gorce« less
Pirate-themed kids' discs have been done before, and they generally fall into the same musical black hole that swallows up other such single-minded projects (think railroad yard music for 4-year-old train buffs, monster records and the occasional daring clown-themed disc). Pegleg Tango makes itself the exception--the treasure chest at the end of a rough voyage--and here's why: Captain Bogg, First Mate McGraw, Charlie Scuppers, and the eye-patch-wearing, plundering brigade of others who populate this disc seem to have been actual pirates before they were kids' artists. "Pieces of 8ight" is served up with enough salt to sink an iceberg, and "What it's Really Like on a Ship" invites scallywags of all ages aboard for a scurvy-skirting adventure. Some surf music washes up, a little reggae reaches the shore, and the occasional mermaid sighting is celebrated with skull-and-cross-bones-style pop harmonizing (imagine a cast of Broadway crooners cutting up with parrots on their shoulders). Bogg & Salty's crew effectively capture Captain Jack Sparrow's swagger and set it to sound; there's not a musical deck-swabber among them. --Tammy La Gorce
M. Subotnick | Pdx, OR USA land of YAR | 06/30/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"and I didn't even know it! Yar!
So my wife says, "there's this pirate band..." and right there my eyes are rolling and I'm thinking of yet another saccharine morning with my 2 year old suffering through some "Wiggles" knock-off when............
Oh my lord!! What a band! What a show!
When you can get a 2 year old to sing over and over again, "I'm a Scallywag, pinching your purse that is my bag" you've got it good, matey!
The really really nice part about this CD is its musicality. Sure, it's clever and funny, but when you get down to it, this band features good music and great songwriting.
Dance your partner around to the pegleg tango, jump up and down like a maniac with your child to....wait for it......Nellie the Elephant.
I've trained my son to sing back up when I proudly stand and proclaim, "I am a pi-rate in this world!" All due to this magical album.
I think "Sea Monster" is a tremendous ballad and love song, and I do want to be a sea king.
All Yar-har-har aside, this is one you can listen to on the commute over and over and over again and you'll never get tired of it because, even with the pirate theme, NO 2 SONGS ARE THE SAME!
Brilliant! Buy it! Play it! and spread the joy.
"
Perfect Pirate Party Music
Renee L. Goethe | Iowa City, Iowa USA | 02/03/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"My son was five. It was his birthday. That morning, thirteen rag tag children gathered at a small park to celebrate a pirate birthday party. Nearby, a play set in the park resembled a ship's deck, and a few game adults gathered there muttering "Aye, Carumba" and other such Spanish epithets. Our pirate children were given cardboard boats to crew, each equipped with a bag of black water balloons (cannon balls, by the powers). We had a jolly time, as the kids pelted their parents with water balloons until one enterprising pirate lad climbed aboard the Spanish galleon and stole the treasure chest pinata. Then, it was back to the cantina (the shelter) where merry wenches served up a lunch of salty dogs and sea biscuits. While they waited for their grub, the children danced riotously to the strains of Captain Salty and his crew, and by the end of the afternoon, they were able to sing along with all the favorite tunes. Even the parents came up afterward, asking about the music and where to aquire a copy. And still, nearly a year after the fact, my son and I will still screech "Pieces of Eight!" at the top of our lungs as we drive down the highway. It's worth the cash, and it doesn't insult the intelligence of adults or children, regardless how you feel about pirates."
Better than fresh limes in yer grog!
celeste_ | Portland, OR | 08/18/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I noticed this group out of the corner of my eye at a local food/music festival. Sticking out over the top of a crowd, I saw the feather of a mighty pirate hat and felt the urge to investigate. What I found was some of the most catchy, creative, inspiring music I've heard in a while.
Now while yes, this cd would be great for kids, I highly recommend it for any adult who isn't afraid to get a little silly. I'm 27 years old, and I listen to it all the time. Why just the other day, I got a strange look from the car next to me at a stoplight when I had the windows down and was blaring "Scallywag"... ok maybe I was also singing at the top of my lungs, but that's to be expected.
Silly or not, these guys make really great music, their lyrics are fantastic ("I'm a Pirate" gets stuck in my head for days at a time, and "What it's Really Like on a Ship" always makes me a little wistful) and I can't imagine that anyone but the most stiff-necked landlubber wouldn't thoroughly enjoy this album!"
Five hooks up!
Bruce D. Rhodewalt | La Quinta, CA USA | 09/18/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If this isn't in your CD player by the time the guests arrive for your Talk Like A Pirate Day party, you're obviously still just figuring this out.
Is this the first pirate-rock theme album? Possibly not, but it's the only one I listen to. If my kids were still little, I would use it to expand their musical exposure without straining their tiny attention spans -- "hear that? that's a banjo! and that's a concertina!" -- thanks to sound effects, parrots, plenty of instruments (as well as characters within the songs), and diverse styles.
The first time through, I noticed tango, doo-wop, rock, sea chanteys and reggae. Eclectic, hummable, with musical hooks throughout and tied all together by narrative episodes, Pegleg Tango will be a handy introduction to a pirate's life for thee."
Entertainment Weekly Review (June 2005)
Angus Bogg, Ye Captain | 06/06/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"PEGLEG TANGO
"As Johnny Depp proved, pirates and scurvy never lose their appeal. On this merrily wacky album, salty-dog sing-alongs that conjure the Monkees, Elvis Presley, and the Beach Boys are linked by buccaneer skits that wink and nod at Spike Jones and Monty Python. Here's a yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum for a disc that kids will memorize down to the last aargh." - Entertainment Weekly (June 2005)"