Not mere child's play
Jim Andrews | Chicago, Illinois USA | 03/08/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
""The Cool School" (not "Cool School") was, along with "The Intimate Miss Christy," among June's minimalist albums. She is accompanied by a small group, not a big orchestra, and as I remember no horns. The album concept is clever, a collection of children's songs but arranged and interpreted for adults. The sentimental songs have that heavy-lidded, fog-banked lamentlike sound June effected so touchingly. The upbeat numbers are carefree and fun. Not a dull moment in what could have been a most dull venture. The darling cover includes June and Bob Cooper's daughter Shay, who looks a lot like both mommy and daddy. I believe Shay now lives in Long Beach. When June came to Chicago in 1965 with the Kenton Orchestra and Four Freshmen I thought I saw Shay seated on a folding chair in the wings enjoying the show. "Do Re Mi" was one of the projects the major labels did under agreement with Broadway shows (Capitol did "Do Re Mi" with June and Atlantic "No Strings" with Chris Connor). Through the years this album has been dismissed as a minor effort but in fact it swings start to finish and June's "All You Need Is A Quarter" has inspired several other lady singers to take on this fast, tricky pop confection. One wish: That June had done a vocal on "Fireworks," a spectacular number that became Nancy Wilson's opener at live shows. I'm hoping we can still get "Something Broadway, Something Latin," June's last Capitol album, with as bonus tracks the single sides that have yet to make C.D., including the fabulous "I Lived Till I Met You," which borrows the arrangement of "Wheel of Fortune" of all things."
A Lighter Side of June Christy
Brent Trafton | Long Beach, CA | 07/22/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It took over 40 years for these albums to finally be released on CD, but it was worth the wait. I absolutely love this CD!
I had apprehensions about "The Cool School" because I thought it was going to be a children's album. It is actually June Christy's most upbeat album and while about half the album has songs children might enjoy, the other half is just upbeat and joyful. My favorites are "Kee-Mo Ky-Mo," "Aren't You Glad You're You," and "Scarlet Ribbons (For Her Hair.)
"Do Re Mi" is also good, but June Christy only sings on half the songs, so I skip over the instrumentals.
This "two-fer" CD is essential for the June Christy fan and anybody else who loves great music."
At last
Sarah E. Reynierson | florida | 10/14/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I listened to this album again and again during those all-important formative pre-age-seven years. My Dad later told me that June Christie couldn't hold her own musically... they had to carry her through the recording sessions, but what a voice. I don't know if it's true, but Scarlet Ribbons, Baubles and Bangles, Aren't You Glad You're You... have been in my mind for 40 years now and I can't wait to hear them again."
Track Listings (22) - Disc #1