The Ghost of Bleak House - Tom Chapin, Forster, John
Cameling
Billy the Squid
Sore Loser
Happy Earth Day
Missing Parade
Preacher Herman - Tom Chapin, Forster, John
I've Got the Blues, Greens and Reds
Bedtime Round
City Lullaby - Tom Chapin, Forster, John
Tom Chapin, younger brother of and former collaborator with the late Harry Chapin, hits a peak in his career here with "The Ghost of Bleak House." The song is an animated dialogue between a family of kids moving into a hou... more »se whose ghostly inhabitant wants them out. The mock-frightening music and daunting voice of Josiah Bleak are dismantled by the children's playful fearlessness. Chapin loves scenarios like this, in which he can set up dialogue between two parties (almost always an adult and a child) and have each come to some mutual understanding. Such an avenue, bolstered by colorfully arranged and executed music that feeds off jazz, folk, and tons more, is the key to childhood understanding of music. Chapin's songs come off as ministories, each squared with an apt musical style and then performed brilliantly. And he even takes the time to honor economy in language with "Great Big Words." This is perfect for parents who listen with their kids--in cars, in living rooms, or wherever. --Andrew Bartlett« less
Tom Chapin, younger brother of and former collaborator with the late Harry Chapin, hits a peak in his career here with "The Ghost of Bleak House." The song is an animated dialogue between a family of kids moving into a house whose ghostly inhabitant wants them out. The mock-frightening music and daunting voice of Josiah Bleak are dismantled by the children's playful fearlessness. Chapin loves scenarios like this, in which he can set up dialogue between two parties (almost always an adult and a child) and have each come to some mutual understanding. Such an avenue, bolstered by colorfully arranged and executed music that feeds off jazz, folk, and tons more, is the key to childhood understanding of music. Chapin's songs come off as ministories, each squared with an apt musical style and then performed brilliantly. And he even takes the time to honor economy in language with "Great Big Words." This is perfect for parents who listen with their kids--in cars, in living rooms, or wherever. --Andrew Bartlett
"My children (3 and 4) LOVE this CD. They ask again and again for the Ghost of Bleak House, and for "The Missing Parade". We love the way Bruno always shows up on track 10 of Tom Chapin's CD's. Bruno has much to teach us about life and not judging a person by their goofy voice/exterior. "Bye Bye DoDo" and "Happy Earth Day" still occasionally bring tears to my eyes even after listening to this CD at least 100 times. Tom Chapin is great with his lyrics and the lessons almost all of them teach young children. Recently, my dad was here for 2 weeks taking the children around - and my mother said he liked this CD so much he even played it when they weren't in the car! This CD is well worth the money."
Great Family Sing-a-long Album!!
04/10/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"We are big fans of Tom Chapin, he writes awesome songs everyone can relate to and enjoy! I have a 6 year old and a 16 year old and it is hard nowdays to find music appropriate and appreciated by both. We have been Tom Chapin fans for four years and own 3 of his CD's. Our favorite songs on Billy the Squid--(this will vary from time to time, and from mood to mood!)Ghost of Bleak House, I Got the Blues, Preacher Herman, and Bye Bye Dodo. Chapin's songs are funny, touching, thoughtful, and informative (teaching kids about animal extinction-Bye Bye Dodo, and ecology among other things) Buy this great family CD--you WILL ENJOY IT!!"
Great music for children and adults who are young at heart.
Carolyn Mampe | NJ USA | 03/04/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"My two year old daughter dances while my 4 year old son and I sing along. We all can't help but smile when we are listening."
Terrific music and poetry for kids or adults.
Carolyn Mampe | 11/24/1998
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Tom Chapin is a tremendous musician and song writer whose poetry teaches good lessons while providing lots of entertainment. The title song of this album is one of the finest for adult or child. We love to travel and listen and sing along to the 6 Tom Chapin tapes we have -- so far!!"
From the Hyperlinguistic Polysyllabic Speech Association
Carolyn Mampe | 08/02/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Tom Chapin has really done an excellent job with this recording. I first heard him in concert when I was about 6 - and I haven't stopped listening for 10 years! As one grows in age, new layers begin to appear in his songs - at first I thought Billy the Squid was just some funny animal, but with age I can appreciate the puns and intelligent lyrics. Highly recommended."