 The ABC Children's Choir The ability to fully appreciate a children's choral recording seems to be an innate one – you either have it or you don't. I am fortunate enough to have been blessed with the golden ears necessary to "tune in" to little delights like this album. The producers of Songs For Children … By Children evidently did all they could to secure the most preening child actor/vocalists possible, and turned them loose on topical material like "Dominique," "Batman Theme," "Chim Chim Cheree," and, amazingly, "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'" (which is up there with Kenny Bledsoe's "Brandy (You're a Fine Girl)" as one of the more blatantly inappropriate match-ups of children with "adult" material … the clear winner of which must surely be the Santa Monica District 7 Chorale's rendition of "Finger Lickin' Pussy"). Much of this will make some cringe or laugh derisively, but not me – I think it's so adorable! For pure cuteness, you can't beat "How Much is That Doggie in the Window?" sung in unison by a group of children at the top of their field (and the top of their voices) … unless you count "On Top of Spaghetti," which never fails to deliver a chuckle. Or a seizure, depending on your point of view. It's too bad the album doesn't actually feature songs for children written by children. I think that was a major missed opportunity! And just because I'm incarcerated for child molestation, that doesn't make my opinion any less valid.
Review by Randy Pederast |