NEW CD PRAISED AS "SETTING HIGH BAR FOR OTHER CHILDREN'S ARTISTS"."
Here's the Parent's Choice review:
"Les Julian's songs and lyrics are witty and intelligent, employing complex musical forms and poetic ideas that work especially well for grade-schoolers. "Good Things Happen. . . but you must show up" opens the album, giving wonderful examples of people like Albert Einstein, Walt Disney, Babe Ruth and Ella Fitzgerald, who didn't let self doubt or public opinion sway them from accomplishment. On the Swing-style "Knock Knock," Julian name checks Alexander Graham Bell and Thomas Edison, while on "Mighty Jackie the Strikeout Queen," he tells a tale of great female baseball player. Elsewhere, he sings the story of "Punxsutawney Phil," and "The Mad Zapper" humorously tells of Ben Franklin's sometimes annoying fascination with electricity. When Julian turns his talents to tunes about nature, he delivers "Walkin' in an Elephant's Shoes," and the beautifully syncopated ode to the Earth-"Be Good To Mother." Aside from the terrific electric blues of "Do the Dragon Dance," the album's other highlight is the closing "Train Track, Train Track," a wonderfully pastoral tale of travel. Julian sets a high bar for other children's artists; his albums are consistently professional, well written, and sung in a voice that could melt butter."
Lahri Bond ©2009 Parents' Choice
Here's the Parent's Choice review:
"Les Julian's songs and lyrics are witty and intelligent, employing complex musical forms and poetic ideas that work especially well for grade-schoolers. "Good Things Happen. . . but you must show up" opens the album, giving wonderful examples of people like Albert Einstein, Walt Disney, Babe Ruth and Ella Fitzgerald, who didn't let self doubt or public opinion sway them from accomplishment. On the Swing-style "Knock Knock," Julian name checks Alexander Graham Bell and Thomas Edison, while on "Mighty Jackie the Strikeout Queen," he tells a tale of great female baseball player. Elsewhere, he sings the story of "Punxsutawney Phil," and "The Mad Zapper" humorously tells of Ben Franklin's sometimes annoying fascination with electricity. When Julian turns his talents to tunes about nature, he delivers "Walkin' in an Elephant's Shoes," and the beautifully syncopated ode to the Earth-"Be Good To Mother." Aside from the terrific electric blues of "Do the Dragon Dance," the album's other highlight is the closing "Train Track, Train Track," a wonderfully pastoral tale of travel. Julian sets a high bar for other children's artists; his albums are consistently professional, well written, and sung in a voice that could melt butter."
Lahri Bond ©2009 Parents' Choice
