Search - John Lithgow :: Farkle & Friends

John Lithgow
Farkle & Friends
Genres: Special Interest, Pop, Children's Music

Track Listings (9) - Disc #1
1. Animal Crackers In My Soup
2. Marsupial Sue
3. The Bandshell Right Next To The Zoo
4. I'd Rather Lead A Band
5. I Got Two Dogs
6. Carmencita
7. The Hippopotamus Song
8. The Remarkable Farkle McBride
9. The Wrong Note Rag (with Bebe Neuwirth)

CD Details

All Artists: John Lithgow
Title: Farkle & Friends
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: Kid Rhino
Release Date: 6/18/2002
Genres: Special Interest, Pop, Children's Music
Styles: Poetry, Spoken Word & Interviews, Sing-A-Longs
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 081227820824

Synopsis

Album Description

The exuberant new album FARKLE & FRIENDS is a child's guide to the orchestra with a difference. In this self-produced CD, John Lithgow performs with a full-scale symphony orchestra. Several of the songs are originals that he co-wrote with conductor Bill Elliott. Among them is "The Remarkable Farkle McBride", the acclaimed symphonic version of the Simon & Schuster best-selling children's book of the same name. Narrated and sung by John, the colorful piece illustrates the individual instruments of the orchestra and then brings them all together for a rousing finish. Elsewhere the orchestra backs John with lively waltzes,'30s Hollywood swing, thumping marches, and sizzling salsa. Also featured are old favorites such as "Animal Crackers In My Soup", Irving Berlin's "I'd Rather Lead A Band", and Leonard Bernstein's "Wrong Note Rag", a duet that John sings with guest Bebe Neuwirth.

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CD Reviews

Music For Fun

08/27/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I purchased "Farkle and Friends" before even knowing about "Singing in the Bathtub". After reading reviews that this CD was a disappointing second children's album for him, I was shocked!! "Singing..." must be an extraordinary album. I will definitely buy "Singing.." after hearing "Farkle.." My 1 year old absolutely loves "Farkle and Friends". She has been a music lover since the day she was born. John Lithgow's lyrics entertain me and my baby. The sometimes big band sounds, sometimes orchestral sounds are absolutely enthralling."

Love this CD!!!

09/26/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am going to have to buy Lithgow's first CD because I can't believe everyone is saying this one isn't very good compared to the first one. I absolutely loved this CD. Definitely something very original compared to other kids CD's. I highly recommend purchasing this one if you aren't sure about it. Not all the songs are sing along songs but they are all entertaining and my kids love listening to them. I like them too and I can't say that about most of the kids CD's we have. Most kids music can be kinda boring to an adult, if you have to listen to it over and over, but this one is great!"

Really not as Great

Peter N. Risser | Medina, OH USA | 08/14/2002

(3 out of 5 stars)

"After being amazed by his fantastic first album, I have to totally agree with Villekulla. It's just not as great.The first was such an amazing breath of fresh air on an otherwise tepid children's music scene; something adults and kids could all enjoy and sing along with.But this one falls into the typical traps associated with kids music:
- overproduced: too much orchestra and not enough spunk
- too much kids singing: where did adults get the idea that kids like to hear other kids singing?
- talking down to kids
- weaker material, even the stuff not composed by LithgowFor the record, Lithgow's composition Big Kids Scare the Heck Out of Me is one of the highlights of the first album, so he's got the knack. But all of these songs, rather than being catchy and engaging, sort of pat the children on the head and send them to bed with a cool detatched manner.Grab the first one. Do not pass it up.But this one, you can skip."