Search - Medeski Martin & Wood :: Let's Go Everywhere (Dig)

Who Will Like It More: Kids or Parents?

Kevin Currie-Knight | Newark, Delaware | 02/13/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Speaking for all my fellow 30 year olds out there, I feel confident in saying that we all know of at least one same-aged peer who never really grew up. Their favorite poet is still Shel Silverstein. They like to pop into the toy store when they are at the local mall. And a whoopee cushion is still good for a chuckle.



I also feel safe in saying that this is the exact listener that John Medeski, Billy Martin, and Chris Wood had in mind with this CD. Yes, they say is was all for the kiddies, but listening to this CD will bring a tickle to the adult ear every bit as much as the kid's.



There are some really adventurous things on this CD that are sure to captivate the imagination and playfulness of all listeners. "Where's the Music," for instance, consists of brief segments of funk that, when they come to a halt, are greeted with kids shouting, "Where's the music?," upon which the groove resumes. (Who can't imagine their kids getting in on that act? And the title track is a playful remake of Johny Cash's "I've Been Everywhere," this time, capturing kids imaginatiosn with a laundry list of exotic places. And then there is a kid chanting "Pat a Cake" to an ultra-funky drum loop. Need I say more about that one?



Then there are some of the instrumental tracks. (About 2/3rds have vocals and the rest don't.) To be honest, many of these tracks sound very much like some of the more "down to earth" stuff that MMW has performed over the years. Just as most of us could picture kids dancing to, and having fun with, those jams, so will they with these. They are imaginative, exploratory, and to a child, maybe even funny and amusing. (MMW does like to throw in strange sounding instruments like the thumb-piano and the gamalan.) The CD is also peppered with more "lullaby" sounding material, like the slow and sleepy "Old Paint," which I think is one of the most beautiful and sensitive songs I've ever heard MMW play. (Most fans would not even believe that it was them.)



The only concern I have about this disc - if I were a record executive, the concern would have been tripled - is where the market is for this CD. My worry is that kids might be a bit confused by this CD (especially the instrumental tracks), and adults might find this to be too "surface level" compared with the MMW they know and love.



My guess is that in the end, this might be the musical equivalent to Harry Potter, not in its success (!) but in the fact that what was intended for kids might find more receptive ears in their parents. Most reviewers have noticed this album's appeal to the whole family. They are correct. But I bet that this CD will wind up getting more rotation in the living room than the play room.

"

Should Somebody Get This If They Don't Have Kids?

The Delite Rancher | Phoenix, Arizona | 06/20/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

""Let's Go Everywhere" is a fantastic listen for kids and their parents. Children's albums typically hire mediocre studio musicians, run a cheap production and talk down to kids. In this sense, "Let's Go Everywhere" transcends the typical children's album. There is a balance of vocal oriented songs and the type of funk infused Rock instrumentals that have become the hallmark of Medeski, Martin and Wood (MMW). In addition to Rock and Jazz, the recording is threaded with tones of R&B and the Blues. The songs that feature vocals are good. While 'Pirates Don't Take Baths' is a highlight, the title track is the blockbuster. 'Let's Go Everywhere' is a reworked version of the classic 'I've Been Everywhere.' Most are familiar with the Country tune through Hank Snow or Johnny Cash. As done by MMW, the song is a funky call to travel. The ditty will travel on a loop through any listener's mind, long after the stereo is turned off. A few tracks on this project even feature children doing spoken word and some singing. 'The Squalb' is an entertaining spoken word story. 'Old Paint' offers an introspective retelling of the cowboy song. One of the benefits of this project is that it is very catchy; the musical hooks will quickly grab any listener. The downside of catchy music is that it tends to get old quickly. Indeed, while this is a fun listen, it doesn't have the staying power of MMW's typical fare. All in all, the answer to the question posed by the title of this review is yes! There's material here that is sure to become part of MMW's cherished studio canon. "Let's Go Everywhere" has something for both adults and children. While the descriptor "all ages" is used a little too loosely to describe children's media, it really fits "Let's Go Everywhere.""

Perfect!

Z. Pike | 02/03/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Having been a mom for about 2 years now and an MMW fan for well over a decade, I was thrilled when I found this CD. My son loves to groove and dance to this and always gets moving when I start the disc. I am shocked by the reviewer that thought it was a "stupid concept" not just because our family loves it, but because many child-less friends of ours have said how much they enjoy it, too.



I highly recommend this for any MMW fan with a light-hearted side, kids, or both!"