Good Morning Sun Goodnight Moon

Album Review

The second album from singer/songwriter James Konwinski brings more of the same kid- and parent-friendly songs he presented in A Giggle Can Wiggle Its Way Through a Wall. While the musical diversity of his debut isn't quite as apparent in Good Morning Sun Goodnight Moon, the themes of friendship, love, learning, and fun are still explored. There are also more songs that fall more typically into the "children's realm," like "Chick-a-Moo," about "a cross between a chicken and a cow," "Alphabet Stew," which has a chorus of children (including two of Konwinski's own) reciting the 26 letters, and the Cajun-inspired "Crocodile," about dancing and having a good time. The music doesn't come across as contrived or corny, though; Konwinski truly wants to share his positive ideas about life with children to inspire and encourage them to enjoy themselves and their childhoods. The singer has a nice way of presenting his messages in an accessible way to both his younger listeners and their older companions, and although the melodies don't change much from song to song and the gentle acoustic guitar can get a bit monotonous, there's such honesty and joy in Konwinski's voice that it's hard to hold the repetitiveness against him. If the purpose of a good children's album is to provide songs to which kids can not only sing but also from which they can learn, Good Morning Sun Goodnight Moon accomplishes that.