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Classic Children's Songs for Each New Generation

Volkert Volkersz | Snohomish, WA United States | 03/13/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've been singing for children since I was a teenager in the late 1960s, when I began entertaining my nieces and nephews at family gatherings. Many of the songs on this album became a standard part of my repertoire, not only with the family, but as I eventually became a music teacher and also in my involvement in many camps, and now as a school librarian. At the drop of a hat you can still get me to pull out my guitar and sing "The Marvleous Toy," "Goin' to the Zoo," "The Boa Constrictor" and my favorite, "Puff, the Magic Dragon." (Incidentally, most people don't know that "Puff," was inspired by "Custard the Dragon," a silly poem for kids written by Ogden Nash. It was written years before Peter Yarrow knew what marijuana was. I often introduce the poem before singing the song in my library.)This album captures the intimacy and simplicity of folk music at its best. It sounds as good today as the day it was recorded. Some recordings are timeless, and this is one of them.Let's pass these great songs on to yet another generation. My nieces and nephews already have!"

"Peter, Paul & Mommy" Sets New Standard for Kids' Folk LPs

Anthony G Pizza | FL | 10/21/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"It seems unusual but fitting that Peter, Paul & Mary, whose songs commented on and often inspired the 60s' social changes, picked that decade's last, violent year to release this gentle, witty children's folk LP. "Peter, Paul,& Mommy" must have been refreshing balm to those raising young children during those tumultuous years. The set's gently strummed, intricately sung tunes recall how special childhood is not just to children, but to those caring for them and even wishing to resing a few songs on their own childhood stage."Mommy" is, in many respects, a concept album celebrating not only children's firsts and minor thrills (trip to the zoo, new toy, Christmas) but their inevitable transitions (the somber "Day Is Done," "Puff the Magic Dragon"). Peter, Paul, & Mary's unpretentious approach, especially on the long (for kids and for the 60s) "I Have A Song To Sing-O," melds with unobtrusive production by Milton Okun and a young Phil Ramone. The result is that songs seemingly part of children's DNA (Mary Travers' turn on Shel Silverstein's "Boa Constrictor," "Mockingbird," a singalong cover of "Puff," "It's Raining") are interpreted fresh, sweet, and warm in their traditional way as new-baked bread. Despite several attempts, sincere and otherwise (including several by Peter, Paul & Mary themselves) to recapture the informal feeling caught here, the original "Peter, Paul & Mommy" ranks among the finest works any popular musician or group has done for or about children. Full of love and respect, and highly recommended."

A fun classic for children of all ages

cnyadan | Bavaria, Germany | 12/04/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"My parents played a tape in the hospital less than an hour after I was born. On the beginning of that tape was this album. When I was older, I found the tape and played it over and over until it got lost. I was devastated, because I didn't even know where most of the songs had come from. A couple years later, my parents bought this CD, and to my great pleasure, these were the songs that began my "baby tape". I am now older, but still greatly enjoy listening to this album. The music is simple but intricate and supurb. The harmonies are wonderful, and the playfulness is great. These are children's songs that aren't the sugary-sweet junk that many children's albums consist of. In these songs, there is a lot of goofiness, like in "Boa Constrictor" or "Going to the Zoo", but there is sadness, like in "Puff, the Magic Dragon", and also seriousness, like in "Christmas Dinner". "Mockingbird" (Hush, little baby, don't say a word...) and "Puff, the Magic Dragon" are the songs that are instantly recognizable, but the rest of the album is a real treat as well. After all these years, I enjoy listening to it every time."