Simply Suzi - Music for Kids

great for kids and their parents

     

Suzi Shelton produces music with lyrics that are funny or have meaning on many levels - for kids and for their parents, like the best "children's" programming (such as Sesame Street or The Muppets). The music is best for participation. The songs on this album show range, are entertaining for kids, and can pull at the emotions of parents (and make them laugh). You should buy the whole album, but "So Long Chocolate Cake," "One Day on the Porch," and "Can You Imagine?" are particularly noteworthy original songs. (I have a soft spot for "Just the Right Size.") Suzi is even better live with the full band, where she has great rapport with the kids and they really get involved, and the instrumental quality rises to the level expected by adults out at music clubs at night. The music has more of an edge live with kids jumping and dancing and laughing. "Time to Say Hello" and "The Lion Sleeps Tonight (Wake Up Lions!)" are great concert bookends that don't reproduce as well to a studio album (they're still quite good and participatory, especially the twist on "The Lion Sleeps Tonight"). I'm looking forward to the upcoming live DVD!