5 comments about The Wiggles - Santa's Rockin'!.

1. We got this for Christmas for the kids, they loved it. It was very cute, fun, typical Wiggles!



2. Surprisingly my daughter didn't go ga-ga over this. She loves all things Wiggles and Santa, but this could not hold her attention. It is a lot like Wiggly Wiggly World, a lot of effects. They also use the same format of introducing the songs and their special guests/ singers. It was a bit too flashy for me. I recommend Wiggly Wiggly Christmas over this DVD.



3. My 2 and 4 year old sons LOVE THIS.
   Weeks until Christmas and they run around singing the songs all of the time.
   For the adults it is watchable the first few times at least.



4. My son is 14 months old and loves The Wiggles since he was about 10 months old when I first introduced them to him.
   This Christmas DVD is beautiful. We love the songs and above all it teaches our child about our faith. Also, you get to see the Wiggles family and children.



5. This video is a lot of wiggles fun. It is nice to hear traditional Christmas songs along with new Christmas songs! I love that it doesn't shy away from songs about the nativity! It is my favorite of their Christmas videos. The Wiggles songs and music are contagious and as a parent you know you will get the songs stuck in your head too. My boys love The Wiggles. Also some great singers join the Wiggles for a few of the songs.

5 comments about My Best Day.

1. Young fans of Trout Fishing In America will have the depths of their love put to the test by My Best Day, a surprisingly slow-paced concert album that finds Keith and Ezra telling long stories about the history and origins of some of their best-loved songs. There's no escaping these fish stories, either, because they are bundled trackwise as the opening to each song on the CD.
   
   The effect on an album by a band that is ostensibly focused on entertaining children is crippling, in our opinion - a musical equivalent to making your kid watch their favorite cartoon edited by Ken Burns. But if you're wondering how the heck they came up with the idea for "Alien In My Nose," and are looking for a "best of" album of Trout Fishing crowd-pleasers, you will enjoy My Best Day, which features such hits as "My Hair Had A Party Last Night," "My Pants Fell Down" and "Beans and Weenies."
   
   Top Tracks: My Hair Had A Party Last Night / Bob and Bob



2. Keith Grimwood and his tall friend Ezra Idlet have been performing for over 30 years as Trout Fishing in America. They write the songs which they perform and they are truly an entertaining pair. Audiences will identify with the universal experiences in "My Hair Had a Party Last Night" and "I've Got a Friend (and He Won't Be Quiet)". My personal favorite is the song entitled "Bob And Bob" which is about two identical snowflakes (thus repudiating Keith's elementary school teacher who taught that no two snowflakes are alike.) Their songs have wide appeal and children will enjoy them as well as adults. These are two very creative and entertaining musicians who are lots of fun whether they are appearing in person or on a CD.



3. I've followed Keith and Ezra for years and years - seen many of their shows and own all their recordings. Before now, as great as their albums have been, I never felt they captured the magic of their live performances.
   
   "My Best Day" changes all of that. I have no idea how he did it, but somehow Fred Bogert has managed to bottle the excitement and exuberance of this performance and made it available to all of us on demand with this album. Amazing job.
   
   You should still take your kids to see a live performance if you get a chance. The whole family will come out smiling.



4. "My Best Day" is the latest CD album of children's music to be released by the Grammy Award nominated group, Trout Fishing In America (otherwise known as guitarist Ezra Idelt and bassist Keith Grimwood, who have been playing together and making music to delight and entertain children for more than 30 years). This simply outstanding and highly recommended contribution to family and community library music collections for young listeners was recorded before a live audience in an event sponsored by the Arkansas Educational Television Network where Ezra Idelt and Keith Grimwood were joined by multi-instrumentalist performer and Trout record producer Fred Bogert. "My Best Day" is almost like being in the front row of a Trout Fishing In America concert and includes the performances of I've Got a Friend - and he Wont Be Quiet (3:19); My Hair had a Party Last Night (2:57); My Best Day (3:37); Simon Says (4:48); Sailing (2:50); It's a Puzzle (2:41); Fill It Up (4:05); Alberta Postcard (4:55); Bob and Bob (3:47); Day Care Blues (5:30); Alien in My Nose (3:36); Something Sweet (2:11); Beans and Weenies (2;25); Murrell's (4:10; and My Pants Fell Down (2:13).



5. This is recording of a live concert they did in Conway, Ar.
   Live concerts are absolutely what they do best.
   If you are anywhere close to where they are performing-GO SEE THEM. We have driven 15 hours, walked three miles in the snow and braved 100 degree Texas heat to see them live.
   I don't care if you are 4 or 40 -you'll have a great time.. They'll have you quacking like a duck, spinning around by your seat, craving Mexican condiments, putting up your Little Bunny Foo Foo ears, wishing you could juggle, saying tongue twisters, hugging your kids to sleep and counting in roman numerals (I am going to make my youngest a T-Shirt that says "I can count to 18 in Roman numberals and I'm only VI)."
   
   So Grammy gods, are you listening.. this is a another great CD...
   
   Fred Bogart plays with Keith and Ezra and adds a wonderful dimension to the music- a fullness and richness that enhances the fun.
   "Fill It Up" is especially gorgeous with his guitar playing adding to an already lovely song. And who can imagine "Murrel's" without his jazzy piano?
   
   Listening to the CD, it is obvious that the audience is having a blast-laughing, clapping, singing along. Don't forget later, you'll be able to buy the concert DVD and SEE that the audience is having a blast). The intros to the songs are very funny and get a great responses. I especially love the intro to "Day Care Blues". You'll have to buy it to see what Keith says.
   
   There are two new songs on the CD which show that they haven't lost their touch. The songs are as funny and clever as their previous offerings. Of course, this just tantalizes us a little bit- an offering of completely new material would be wonderful. Or how about a dual kids/adult release?
   
   Do not let the fact that some of the songs are on previous releases deter you from buying this- they have many new takes on the old favorites. "Day Care Blues" particulary stands out in this regard- it is a wonderful rendition. You can feel that kid's pain. "Sailing" is also a lot of fun with an audience and "Simon Says" is a quintessential audience participation song. We were having a great time getting very dizzy.
   
   As usual, I am giving a shout-out to their wonderful musicianship. I defy you to listen to "Beans and Weenies" and tell me that's just three guys playing. Ezra's guitar playing rocks on "Day Care Blues" and Keith's voice sounds particularly nice on "Something Sweet".
   
   So, all in all, a nice selection of songs. A nice way to catch a Trout concert and a fun time was had by all.
   
   UPDATE DEC. 2006...
   This has indeed been nominated for a Grammy. Congrats to the guys- they deserve it.

3 comments about So Smart!: Sights & Sounds.

1. I bought this when my daughter was 3 months and she is now 6 months. It is an absolute lifesaver. She can be crying and screaming uncontrollably and the second I put in this DVD, she is silent and in awe. She loves the colors and shapes and especially the cartoon people that smile at her - she smiles and laughs at them! I highly recommend this DVD. I think it is much better than the Baby Einstein DVDs, of which I have two. I always resort back to this DVD. I'm now in the market for a new one by the same makers.



2. My kids absolutely loved this video as babies. The bright pictures and wonderful music kept them mesmerized (especially my daughter). I limited the amount of time they could watch it, because no matter what aged child you have, you don't want them glued to the TV. It was a wonderful way to keep them entertained when I had to get something done. They both bagan watching it around the age of 3 months, and along with the alphabet & shapes videos, enjoyed them all the way thru their toddler years. The music is very soothing and I would sometimes just use it to get them to wind down in the evening.



3. I got the SO SMART! COLORS! first and the little stories told in a woman's soothing voice along with the quiet music was a real hit with my 8 month old which she was mesmerized with until about 14 months old. But this dvd is completely different and my baby nor older children like it at all... no narration at all, just music and simple drawings. BORING!!!

No comments about Disney's Chicken Little (Disney's Read Along).

5 comments about Whoever Shall Have Some Good Peanuts.

1. My 3 year old son just loves this CD and it's one I don't mind listening to over and over again. It's very fun and entertaining. I highly recommend this for kids of all ages. It would make a great gift too.



2. This is my favorite children's CD of all time. I grew up on folk music like Burl Ives (I also recommend his music) and I also love this CD along with my kids. As a side note, I loved the hunting songs too, it is so rare to hear old folk songs preserved for kids and I'm glad they kept them as is.



3. I had the record as a child, and the songs have stuck with me all of my life. It had been a while since I had heard Hinton sing them (rather than conduct a self performance), so I was amazed to rediscover how technically proficient Hinton is. I consider this recording a cultural treasure. I would recommend it to everyone, but perhaps especially to southerners as it expresses so much of the folksy tradition, eccentric humor and soulful sensibilty of the South.



4. I purchased this cd after hearing it praised on NPR (they featured a story that discussed children's recordings.)
   It is a simple recording-- a man and his guitar. He sings well-known songs-- no gimicky sound effects, no electric guitars, drum sets or synthesizers.
   My niece and nephew listened to the cd with me during winter break and IMMEDIATELY "stole" it from me. They were singing these tunes around the house all day and constantly played it both in the house and the car. This simple recording of folk songs sung by a master STORYTELLER has captured the attention of a new generation. BUY THIS CD for your kids-- it's great stuff!



5. We did not know Hinton's work but ordered on a whim for our grandson. When we played it, we couldn't stop and listened again and again. These are wonderfully engaging and a must for anyone with children or grandchildren.

4 comments about Hans Christian Andersen's 200th Anniversary: The Fairy Tales.

1. Let's start with the:
   
   Pros: Beautiful animation, solid story-telling in the spirit of HC Andersen, impressive opening scenes and narration, good box quality, colorful 6-page episode list and nine (9) colorful discs.
   
   Cons: Price... $10 more and this will reach a hundred dollars. Outer episode guide is in paper and placed in the back of the box making it subject to easy tearing when the box gets moved around. Discs are placed in ordinary plastic CD jackets instead of thinkpaks (slimpacks) and this is a $90 item! :\
   
   So what does this DVD box set offer? A lot in terms of telling great and classical fairytales. The animation is colorful enough to get the attention of kids. They are rich and vibrant which reminded me of backgrounds made by Hayao Miyazaki ("Spirited Away"). The voice-overs are perfect and well-suited for the characters portayed. Most of all, they end up with a good morale story.
   
   All in all, this is a great DVD set and worth getting. Your kids will defintely have a great time watching this set.



2. When the below reviewer says its "not great animation", what I think she means is it's not DIGITAL animation. This series is less in the tradition of "Cars" and "Antz" and more like "Redwall" or the old "Sleepy Hollow" movie that I grew up with.
   
   The stories themselves are interesting little parables that even adults can appreciate. In fact, it has given me a whole new respect for Andersen and the seemingly simplistic art of the fairy tale.
   
   These are great little DVDs to put in on a cozy, rainy day and watch with your kids!



3. it's disappointed when i bought it. the animation very bad and the story is edit to short....



4. I just received this set of DVD. I gave only 4 stars because when I try to watch on my laptop, the picture makes me giddy. But when I switch it to watch on TV, the picture is good. The story are in british english. I wish they do have subtitle for this DVD.

5 comments about The Wiggles - Dance Party.

1. i bought this dvd even after i read the horrible reviews on amazon but after watching it with my 2 young children, i realize it's not all bad. yes the production isn't as high tech as the new releases, but it is nice to see the guys starting out.(i swear Anthony is wearing a greenish shirt. Why did they decide on a blue wiggle and not stick with the green?) Also the two different Captain Feathersword(one being Anthony the other his brother) were no where near as good as Paul(the guy you all know and love as the captain) but it was nice to see how even that character has evolved! Not all that bad dvd and the music still sounds the same!



2. I have to disagree with the people who dislike this video for its low production values--that's precisely why we like it. The songs are great -- all the classics are here. Also, the skits are few and relatively short. (Our two-year-olds get bored during the skits and long conversation-pieces.) There aren't a huge number of distracting colors and lights on the stage; just tons of good singing and dancing. We love this video, along with "Wiggle Time", which is also a relatively early pre-Disney production of theirs.



3. Yes, the production quality is awful; Anthony's hair looks like he doesn't own a mirror; and in half the scenes Anthony has on a short sleeve shirt/half long sleeved. However, it is still my favorite.
   
   Dance Party was our family's first introduction to the Wiggles in 2003. My son (now 5 1/2) had a HUGE Wiggles obsession right as they first started gaining popularity in the US.
   
   The songs were silly and fun, whereas many of the later ones seem like they ran out of ideas and yet still felt compelled to keep writing songs, no matter how stupid they are. Maybe I only feel this way because these are the Wiggles songs that I knew first, but all of the subsequent Wiggles videos we have (close to 10!) just don't measure up.
   
   Perhaps it is because I watched it a million times before they even HAD a "real" big red car, but there is something appealing about 4 guys and their Cardboard props that is more original and refreshing than the over commercialized, over-done videos that followed.



4. we bought this because we were going on a 15 hour car ride vacation and I wanted something to keep my 15 mth entertained. he was in love with the wiggles (i didnt know who they were) and he "asked" for them every time we got back in the car. Those men are a tad bit silly but that is why babies love them i suppose. my son dances and "wiggles" right along with them and I am looking to get a few more dvds. I would definitely recommend it for any age



5. I bought this for my 1 1/2 year old daughter. She is so addicted to it! It is obvious it is one of the earlier ones they did - much less "production" but we really prefer it that way. There are more children dancing and singing with the Wiggles than paid dancers.....and the songs are really cute and catchy. My daughter is not a TV buff at all but she dances along with the songs - it is adorable. We love this one! Their hair cuts do change throughout the video, but she could care less. We really love this!

3 comments about We All Live Together, Vol. 3.

1. This album is a Story Time staple due to Greg & Steve's version of "If You're Happy And You Know It." Other than that, this album was released in the 70s, and the duo throw out some wild disco moments which, while entertaining for me, probably leave the kids uninterested. The disco version of "Simon Says" is pretty awe-inspiring, as is "Disco Limbo" and "Dancin' Machine." "Rock 'Round The Mulberry Bush" has an irritating chorus, but I'm sure the kids would love it due to the opportunities for participation during the verses. Not the greatest kids album out there, and definitely not a priority purchase, but a good album to have if you can find it cheap. Recommended for kids with a retro leaning, if such kids even exist.



2. I'm a substitute teacher and I used "the shapes" song to review shapes with a kindergarten class. The kids loved standing up and sitting down when their shape was called. They asked me to do again and again.
   
   Also "the disco limbo" is good to do around the room on a rainy day. Kids had a blast!
   
   I gave it 4 stars because there aren't many other songs on this Cd that involve movement like the first two volumes.



3. Just like all of the other Greg & Steve albums, this one is outstanding. "Piggy Bank" was a favorite of my first grade class. Greg & Steve provide wonderful, fun music for children of all ages.

5 comments about Wiggle Bay.

1. My daughter really loved this CD but then afain she really loves all the Wiggles and the Wiggles stuff. But it is good.



2. My daughter is a huge Wiggles fan and enjoys this CD. It is different from their other songs I have heard, just like some other reviews stated. I think you either like it or hate it...we like it. My daughter is 23 months and wants to listen to it every day. We have not seen the video and still enjoy the music.



3. This is the worst wiggles album ever made. Going way over the edge on the experimental level, the wiggles try to hard to make new characters out of the same characters. Do not buy for your kids; instead get "Yummy, Yummy" or "Shout At the Devil" by Motley Crue.



4. My son loves this CD. We love the beach & these are great songs to sing while singing or going to the beach. We love the upbeat songs that make you want to dance.



5. What a fantastic CD! If you are a pop music fan you would have to love this album-- You don't have to have the DVD to appreciate this album. The songs are more of a rocking late 60s and early 70s sound, "Zing Zang Zong" being one of the highlights.
   
   Like all the songs on this CD, "Let's Make Some Rosey Tea" sounds even better on CD than on the DVD. It also features some songs from "Space Dancing," which are equally awesome-- "What's This Button For?" and the cover of "Eagle Rock".
   
   I love how the Wiggles explore pop music and don't stick with the traditional folk songs, I think "Wiggle Bay" and other late Wiggles albums are a great introduction for kids to pop music.

3 comments about Blue's Clues - Magenta Comes Over.

1. hi i wached this with christian hes soo nice heelpfeelll we decided to wach this video with him itss soo nice that maganta comes over to stev and blues house it starts he
   re the phone rings its magenta blues friend but wgat does blue want to do? when magenta comes over? you gussed it steve and blue play blues cluesb to figorse out hat blue wants to do when magenta comes over in the 2nd epasode blue made a drawring? shev doesnot want to hang it up? find out while they play b;ues clues to figore out why she doesont want to hang her drawwring up? they help feltfriend get dressed and bake muffins with bowl and spthula then blue finly mails her drawring to magenta bye adriana



2. As with all "Blue's Clues" videos, my 2-year-old daughter just loves this one! We have to keep Steve on the TV all day. My daughter knows all the songs, and she follows along with Steve and Blue's actions (waving, nodding, jumping, etc.). She has it all memorized. Oh, and a word of caution to all parents with toddlers who love Steve: there's a REALLY cute song at the beginning of this video called "Bedtime Business", in which Steve sings about getting ready for bed and bunny slippers and such. My daughter is OBSESSED with this song. We have to keep rewinding back to the beginning of the song like 8 times before she'll watch the rest of the video! Thank goodness this song is on the CD "Goodnight Blue", which fortunately we own! But the two episodes on this video are really cool. I highly recommend it! Oh, and there's a part where Steve and Blue are talking to Magenta on the phone, and it's so cute, because my daughter grabs her "Blue's Clues" phone and pretends she's talking to them, too! Yep, it's definitely one of her very favorite videos!



3. My daughter and all of her friends at our day care center love this video. All of the Blue's Clues videos are great. I love the fact that they are so interactive and upbeat.