Fun and Games is Ben Rudnick and Friends' second
children's recording, and it's a real winner. Supporting the fun and sweet lyrics
is a wonderful range of musical instruments that produce some very pleasing sounds.
The twelve tracks on this recording offer kids a perfect backdrop for dancing,
playing, and even winding down.
"Spin" is an easy favorite with its dance-along and spin-along rhythm--it's
a celebration of everything that spins, including the Sun, Moon, bowling balls,
and hula hoops! A kid-favorite comfort food is the main focus in "Macaroni and
Cheese"; and "Jessica's Song" is a tender and loving tune dedicated to a special
young girl ("so wild a smile, you can't hide your love").
We were especially charmed by the lovely instrumentals in Fun and Games.
In fact, the recording includes more instrumental interludes than can be found
in most children's albums. This helps make the recording ideal for play time.
"Sailor's Hornpipe", for example, is a playful and rich instrumental version--featuring
the mandolin, accordion, and banjo--of a seagoing classic. The range of instruments
on the recording adds richness to the story-songs and the quality of the album
as a whole helps draw in parents. In fact, Fun and Games is as easy on
adults' ears as it is on those of its target audience.
Jeff Bird of the Cowboy Junkies plays the harmonica, bobby whistle, cowbell,
and wood blocks on the recording, and Margo Timmins, also from the band, sings
the outstanding lullaby, "Everything is Alright"--an enormously soothing song
that parents will happily add to their children's bedtime routines.
Rating: 
