No comments about Sesame Road.

No comments about A Sesame Street Christmas.

1 comments about Happy Birthday From Sesame Street (Jewel Case).

1. Leaving aside the music on this album for one moment, let me first thank the good folks at Sony Wonder and Children's Television Workshop for finally getting it (almost) right with the Sesame Street Records reissue program. For years, Sesame Street collectors have waited in vain for straight CD reissues of the original records; this is about as close as we've come, and surprisingly so. The reason for my surprise is that HAPPY BIRTHDAY features Northern "David" Calloway on a pair of tracks (the album's two best, incidentally), and Sony Wonder has had a policy of removing cast members who have departed (literally, in the case of Calloway, who died in 1990), replacing them with inferior re-recordings of the vocals (by minor characters such as Hoots the Owl or major pains like Elmo and Zoe) over the original backing tracks. (For a well-considered editorial describing the problems with the Sesame Street reissue program, Amazon/Borders.com customers should check out the review by Michael J. Chrush of the horribly botched MERRY CHRISTMAS "reissue," though to call it that is stretching the term considerably.)
   
   Perhaps in response to just criticism from Mr. Chrush and others, perhaps after seeing the success of the SONGS FROM THE STREET box set with nostalgic adults, Sony Wonder/CTW has righted the ship with HAPPY BIRTHDAY. The entire original album (almost) is included, complete with lyrics. Also, since Wonder/CTW still insists on using covers other than the original album covers (an inexplicable policy), at least it is good to see a cover that is well-thought-out and nicely presented, rather than the cheap, cheesy covers that adorned earlier packages like "Numbers" or "Oscar's Trashy Songs." I was sorry that some lunkhead decided to omit the second chorus of "Happy Birthday To You" that appears later in the album (in fact, its lyrics are printed in the corresponding slot in the booklet, which makes the decision more puzzling). But progress has been a long time in coming here, and we'll take what we can get.
   
   The music? Well, they don't make 'em like this any more, and with good reason, since the two prime songwriters, Joe Raposo and Jeff Moss, have passed away far too soon. This is a Moss album, and though it contains some of his more formulaic fare like "Musical Chairs" (which at least gives the distinctive session players room to stretch out a bit), it also features fine numbers like Oscar's "A Very Unhappy Birthday To You," Bob McGrath's showpiece "Blow Out The Candles," Calloway's funky "A Cat Had A Birthday," and the title track, one of the best tunes Moss ever wrote, which picks up where his still-astounding (and criminally unavailable) "My Name Is David" left off. All in all, a fine album, and a welcome return to the catalog.
   
   Is this the start of the comprehensive reissue campaign that Sesame Street collectors have desired for years. Will SIGNS, LET YOUR FEELINGS SHOW!, AREN'T YOU GLAD YOU'RE YOU?, or even the Holy Grail of Sesame Street records, ON THE STREET WHERE WE LIVE, follow? Or is this just a happy accident, a one-time-only lucky strike? Time alone will tell. But one thing's for sure: collectors who want more straight reissues as opposed to endless (and careless) repackagings should pull out the credit card now. Even with something as pure and delightful as Sesame Street music, money talks. So consider this an investment, and one you can make without fear. What we have here, my friends, is the real deal, and it's about time!

No comments about Happy Birthday 91260.

5 comments about Monster Melodies.

1. My 2 year old freaks out over this CD. He won't stop dancing. He was in such a frenzy to hear it one day that he opened up the player and knocked the disk out breaking it. All we heard for days was, "Broke Cookie Monster?" We haven't been able to find it anywhere around her so now I am going to order a new one from Amazon. This CD is worth buying it again. and again.



2. This is such a great cd. Not too sure the kids today will ever hear these songs on the new Sesame Street episodes as these are pretty old. But I know every word and sing with such enthusiasm that my daughters have a blast!! Just one side note...they removed one of the original songs from the album ("I want a monster to be my playmate") and replaced it with a different one.



3. I'm a single mother in my mid 30s and I've been singing these songs for YEARS. I still have the original album I got when I was little and thank heaven they now have a CD. There are messages in the song lyrics that still apply more than 3 decades later. All people could benefit from it. Thanks to Sesame Street for keeping it alive.



4. Lots of cute and funny songs. We like Fuzzy and Blue the best.



5. When I was a kid this was my favorite Sesame Street record. I cried the day it started skipping. The funny thing is that I actually got excited when they released it on a CD. I rushed out and brought it. Yes, I also listened to it when I got it home. You gotta love the genius of Jim Henson. He's definitely someone who's legend will live on for many years. Hey, I can't help it I'm a grown child. Anything Sesame Street is worthwhile to get a hold of. Where is Sesame Street Fever? I'm still waiting. i love the song "I Can't Help It". Herry Monster is great.

5 comments about Hot! Hot! Hot! Dance Songs.

1. For a toddler who loves all things Elmo/Sesame Street, and who loves music and dancing, this is a must have. Definately a favorite CD for dancing while making dinner or listening to on car rides.



2. I purchased this CD for my 2 1/2 year old daughter. She loves it! As soon as we get in the car, she asks for "her" music. The characters sing the songs. The music is upbeat and easy to listen to. We've only had it a week and my daughter has memorized most of the songs and sings along. Great purchase!



3. We purchased this CD for our two year old son who has Down Syndrome. He absolutely loves it! As soon as he hears it, he starts moving his arms back and forth (his dancing). I highly recommend it for any child who loves music and Sesame Street.



4. Baby loves these active songs. Parents can move along with baby. Much more exciting than lullabyes.



5. I'm the mother of 3 children ages 12, 5 and 2 years old. Even though I purchased this for my 2 year old who is a fanatic of Sesame Street especially Elmo and Ernie, my entire family enjoy the songs and sing along. Yes...even my husband who loves the Mambo song. My 12 year old wants to add the songs to her IPOD. Wonderful addition to our music library.

No comments about Vol. 1-Kids' Favorite Songs.

No comments about Best of Elmo.

No comments about Elmo Saves Christmas.

4 comments about Elmo in Grouchland.

1. They left out the best song from the movie (Make it Mine by Mandy Patinkin)
   I want that song! mine! mine! Buaaaaaaahahaha



2. THe whole reason I bought this CD is because I love that song Mine that Huxley sings. I can't figure out for the life of me why they don't put all the songs on soundtracks! Why, why, why? Can you tell I bought this for my kids?



3. I'm an adult having seen the movie and immediately bought the soundtrack. Sesame Street is the greatest influence for our little people, and Elmo is my favorite. This soundtrack is "fun", upbeat, toe-tapping, pure pleasure and a welcome escape from the sometimes harsh reality of the world. I love Kevin Clash as "Elmo". His voice is so sweet, you can't help but smile. I was disappointed at the absence of Mandy Patinkin's song, as Huxley, "Mine"! As you may, or may not know, Mandy is a great singer/actor in his own right, and his song was also fun...very catchy and makes you want to move. It's exclusion took my rating down 1 point. Great soundtrack. I'm glad I bought it.



4. As soon as me and my friend went to see the movie in the cinemas I loved the soundtrack. "I See A Kingdom" by Vanessa Williams is still my favorite. It's a very happy soundtrack and not just for kids. I'm sure it'll brighten up anyone's day.