Search - Peter Pan Kids :: Songs of Inspiration

Whatever the trouble, be it a bossy big sister, a brush with the neighborhood bully, or a pesky parent pushing piano practice, it's nothing that Peter Pan Records' Children's Songs of Inspiration can't combat. A turn-that-frown-upside-down palliative, this album culls 13 popular songs made timeless by their messages of encouragement and hope. With the exception of four ("Help Is on the Way," "A Different Light," "You'l Never Walk Alone," and "Somewhere Out There"), the songs are performed by kids--a spirited, sweet-voiced troupe known as the Peter Pan Kids. This detail, as anyone who's ever played an album for a child, by a child knows, often makes the music more accessible and meaningful. And from both performance and repertoire perspectives, there's not a weak track on this record. Standouts include the hip-hop-enhanced "Lean on Me," the optimistic, energetic "High Hopes," and the tension-taming "All You Need Is Love." As for its effectiveness, it's a don't-miss for the despairing; when coupled with a reading of The Little Engine That Could, in fact, this CD could lead to unimaginable conquests. But that's beside the point. On its own, it delivers music that reaps more contented kids, and that makes it a solid selection for any CD-buying caregiver. --Tammy La Gorce