CHOOSE SOME FUN CDS FOR FAMILY ROAD TRIP.Byline: Chris J. Parker Correspondent THIS IS the summer of the family road trip, thanks to a conflux con·flux n. A confluence. [From Latin c  nfluxus, past participle of c of factors. Many of today's parents want to relive re·live v. re·lived, re·liv·ing, re·lives v.tr. To undergo or experience again, especially in the imagination. v.intr. To live again. their wood-paneled-station-wagon youth with their own kids (and wood-paneled SUV). Plus, both the nation's mild recession and anxiety caused by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks have most summer travelers sticking to the nation's highways. Road trips can be a great way for families to make lifelong memories together. They're also a great way to see the country at ground level rather than 35,000 feet above in an airplane. The disadvantage to road trips? All those hours in the family car together with one stereo system. So anyone planning a family road trip this summer should make sure to include family-friendly music to the packing list, right after maps and snacks. Forget any of those and it's going to be a long drive. The following are some family-oriented CDs new this summer: ``Big Rock Rooster'' Daddy a Go Go (Southern Music Distribution) - Three and one half stars This near-perfect family CD celebrates the important stuff for kids set to '60s-era pop-rock music that parents can appreciate. Highlights include ``I Wanna wan·na Informal 1. Contraction of want to: You wanna go now? 2. Contraction of want a: You wanna slice of pie? Be an Action Figure,'' ``I Caught My Daddy Watching Cartoons,'' and ``I Can't Find My Shoes.'' The lyrics on the CD's original songs are fun and cleverly written; the music is toe-tapping for even the most stubborn parent. There are a few familiar songs - ``Come On, Get Happy'' from ``The Partridge Family'' television show and ``Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah'' - but the bulk of the 14-song disc is original. ``Big Rock Roster'' is listed as appropriate for kids 5 to 10 years old. Daddy a Go Go also has CDs for kids 2 to 6 (``Cool Songs for Cool Kids'') and 4 to 7 (``Monkeys in the Middle''). ``Latin Playground'' Various artists (Putumayo World Music Putumayo World Music is a New York City based record label, specialising in folk, Latin and Afro-Cuban music, as well as other genres that may be classified as world music. It was established in 1993 to introduce people to the music of the world’s cultures. ) - Three stars Proving that a listener doesn't need to understand the words to enjoy a song, Putumayo's latest kid-friendly CD is a fiesta of sounds. This follow-up to the two ``World Playground'' CDs includes Spanish-language music from Colombia, Cuba Colombia is a municipality and city in the Las Tunas Province of Cuba. It is located in the western part of the province, km ( mi) south of Guáimaro. Rio Tana flows through the community. , Mexico, Brazil and even the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. (Terri Hendrix's ``Lluvia de Estrellas'' or ``Rain of Stars'' and Flaco Jimenez's ``De Bolon Pin Pon'' or ``Right Away''). The liner notes liner notes pl.n. Explanatory notes about a record album, cassette, or compact disk included on the jacket or in the packaging. are bilingual and extensive and include song lyrics plus brief descriptions of the artists, their songs and their countries. ``Pied Piper'' Donovan (Music for Little People) - One and one half stars Donovan is probably best known for a string of '60s folk hits, including ``Mellow Yellow'' and ``Sunshine Superman.'' Donovan has continued to record in the decades since and is an experienced writer, producer and performer of children's songs. This CD, however, is as bland as faded paint on an old park bench. The highlight is the very first song, ``I Love My Shirt.'' After that, the songs mush (MultiUser Shared Hallucination) See MUD. 1. (games) MUSH - Multi-User Shared Hallucination. 2. (messaging) MUSH - Mail Users' Shell. together in a slow, syrupy blend of half-speed ballads and forgettable for·get·ta·ble adj. Fit or apt to be forgotten: a movie with very forgettable characters. Adj. 1. forgettable - easily forgotten unforgettable - impossible to forget choruses. ``Pop 4 Kids'' The Countdown Kids (Madacy Entertainment Madacy Entertainment is a video and music corparation that was founded in 1980. They produce many videos and DVDs of classic television programs that include The Beverly Hillbillies, The Lucy Show, The Andy Griffith Show, among others. Group) - One star This series of CDs is one of the worst collections of pop songs imaginable. The CDs feature well-known pop songs from four different genres (``Motor City,'' ``Party Startin','' ``Disco Dancin','' and ``Peace Lovin' ''). But the songs are sung solo by children with no discernible talent. Kids like to hear other kids sing, but only if it sounds good. And parents shouldn't have to listen to this kind of caterwauling cat·er·waul intr.v. cat·er·wauled, cat·er·waul·ing, cat·er·wauls 1. To cry or screech like a cat in heat. 2. To make a shrill, discordant sound. 3. To have a noisy argument. n. unless it's their own children singing. One other thing: Since when are Jennifer Lopez's ``My Love Don't Cost a Thing,'' and Mandy Moore's ``I Wanna Be With You'' appropriate songs for children to sing? The chorus of ``I Wanna Be With You'' includes the lyrics: ``I wanna be with you, if only for one night. To be the one who's in your arms, to hold you tight.'' CAPTION(S): 4 photos Photo: (1) no caption (CD covers) |
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