Walt Disney Records : Children's Favorite Songs, Vol. 4

Wow!As my title alludes to, I had a "whirlwind" of emotions and thoughts when I received this CD-- the only (vol)ume of the series never pressed on vinyl unfortunately, but that's another story for another day. Cutting to the chase, knowing it was the final of the series--understandably so as they were likely running out of songs to come up with--made me hope that certain "favorites" of my own during 44 years of life would be on there. *FULL DISCLOSURE: I even came up with my own list of hopefuls ahead of time without looking at the contents, with a few that I guessed correctly and others that disappointedly were left off.* Why it took me so long to finally buy volume 4 is my own mystery, yet after having bought vol 2 and 3, four and three years ago respectively, I had to give it a go. During three listens in less than 25-ish hours, I became more and more hooked! It is of little wonder that over 35 years since I first heard vol 1 at age nine (5 years after its release) that this series--according to source--has "continued to sell".I will give a brief mention/opinion of each track. *SPOILER ALERT* for if you want to be as surprised as I wanted to be prior to listening:--1. Oh Where, Oh Where Has My Little Dog Gone? -- fun integration of the "looking for Pluto" skit, featuring Mickey & Goofy. This is the first time, not including the Christmas album (a side-project with same singing cast following vol 2 that year), that Disney animated-character voices are featured in the series.2. The Wheels on the Bus -- one of the few "young children" songs not yet done, so good choice.3. Do Your Ears Hang Low? -- I hadn't heard this since _Wee Sing: Silly Songs_ back in the early 80's, so fun to hear the slightly faster [tune] Turkey In the Straw-esque tempo, with upbeat vocals as always, by Larry [Groce].4. Dry Bones -- One of a few songs that I guessed MIGHT be on here, and it was --and yes, Halloween is near as I type!.5. The Wabash Cannonall -- A pleasant surprise. I learned of this song via several instrumental-only plays from 'The Lawrence Welk Show' episodes from the late 60's,, so hearing the lyrics for the first time was fun.6. Brother, Come and Dance With Me -- I have rarely, if ever, heard this song. Short, quick-tempo, but good to have.7. Froggie Went A-Courtin' -- Outstanding, down-tempo blues-version, with the guitar/piano, accompanying Larry's vocal. I first heard Burl Ives do a rapid version when very young, yet like this one much better!8. Big Rock Candy Mountain -- Okay, duh, I SHOULD have guessed this was on here(!), yet either way, will take it! This is up-tempo version, as opposed to the "comeback" bluegrass one used in, for example the movie _Oh Brother, Where Art Thou_. I first heard Tom Glazer sing this version when I was barely 4 or 5 years old.9. Kookaburra -- a no-brainer, as far as my predictions, figuring that after no round-songs on vol 3, they would come back and find one. A good Australian "sequel"--if you will--to 'Waltzing Matilda' from vol 3.10. You Are My Sunshine -- Not predicted, yet figured that this was meant to come! It would have been great if they had coupled it via medley-arrangement with 'Red River Valley' from vol 2 a decade prior, yet with the different tempo used here compared to RRV, it stands well on its own.11. Funiculi, Funicula -- I am barely familiar with this one, yet after a few listens, sounds good!12. Old Dan Tucker -- This is a fun throwback perhaps, to [dog] 'Old Blue' from vol 2. I had never heard it, but great song!13. It's a Small World -- this sounds more like Disney's famous single version from ?? year, as opposed to the [Sing-Along] chorus, yet I may be mistaken. Regardless, always a child favorite, so I understand it being included.14. Camping -- the final from the Disneyland/Golden Book Read-Along series, and unlike having 3 on the first three vol's, the only on this one. A good song with fun lyrics for campers!15. There's a Hole in My Bucket -- fun melody swaps between Goofy and Bobbi ("Liza") White. This is the first song in the series to not feature Larry, a solo-vocal by a member of the chorus (i.e. 'Just for You' from vol 3) or the chorus as a whole.16. Cockles and Mussels -- A good duet of an Irish traditional (folk song), with Mary [D'Arcy] accompanying Larry very nicely on vocals. The instrumentation is spot-on! Great version.17. I'm a Little Teapot -- the first, shall I say Caribbean-reggae version (instrumentally) I have ever heard of this song. I did not predict that this would be on there, so another good young-child fav'!18. Comin' Through the Rye -- A good Scottish(?) sequel to 'Loch Lomond' from vol 3. Mary and Larry once again do a good duet on this one.19. Git Along, Little Dogies -- I probably heard this at least once ages ago, yet REALLY like this version!20. Reuben and Rachel -- I have only heard a simplified, shortened version of this from _Wee Sing Around the Campfire_ 3+ decades ago, so to hear different and extra verses was interesting. Very good arrangement accompaniment-wise with the instruments, as well as vocally between Larry and the chorus.21. He's Got the Whole World in His Hands -- I knew that this song HAD to be on there, so my #1 prediction was correct! With 'When the Saints Go Marching In' from vol 2, I figured that another spiritual was to be included. Once again, I first heard Tom Glazer sing a slower version of this when little.22. Nursery Rhyme Medley: Hickory Dickory Dock/Jack and Jill/Jack be Nimble -- I predicted the first 2 back-to-back in either order, being the only nursery rhymes left that I could think of at the time in song-structure. I was hoping 'As I was Going to St. Ives' would also be part of it as a "direction medley", but, no.23. Down By the Station -- Forgot about this one. Not one of my favorite arrangements, but nice sound effects!24. Meet Me in St. Louis -- the 3rd and final duet between Larry and Mary. Well done, with nice fade-out "carnival/fair" synth to close. This was a good sequel to 'In the Good Old Summertime' from vol. 1, but the chorus for that, was pre-empted by Mary's vocal this time.25. The Marvelous Toy -- Now THIS was a surprise. I was trying to think of songs that the trio Peter, Paul & Mary covered that might work, yet this was not on my list! I will take it though! It leaves out a verse due to time constraints(?), but still very good.26. Go in and out the Window -- I forgot about this, and although short, good to include. They seemingly have a little fun of their own at the end, as heard a few times for song endings on vol. 3.27. Mickey Mouse March -- What can we say.. it IS Disney after-all. Still a favorite for kids today.Finally, songs that were left out of the series and this vol that I hoped for, yet not included:-Oh, Shenandoah (Across the Wide Missouri)-All Through the Night-It's Raining, it's pouring-Dona Nobis pacem (as a round)-Hey Lolly-Davy CrockettI'm guessing that some or most of these were attempted, recorded, yet for one reason or another, not included, yet just speculation!Thank you for reading, and happy listening! :-)

I could talk for hours about this CD. When this music was originally recorded by Disney and sold on records (yes, real vinyl!), it was billed as music for children between the ages of two and five. Disney misjudged not only the mass appeal of the songs themselves, but the range of people of all ages who would come to love this music. The quality of performances, the rendition of each selection, and the musicians behind the vocalists are all second to none. I bought these songs on two audio tapes when my children were small, and was immediately struck by the professional quality of the recordings. Several reviewers have commented that the Disney Children's Chorus that often accompanies lead singer Larry Groce becomes a bit monotonous after a while; I must respectfully, yet emphatically disagree. The arrangements of the songs are so unique and refreshing (even dynamic in some cases), that I never got tired of listening to them. Thirty years later, they are still as delightful as the first time I ever heard them. Groce is one of those unique singers whose amazing voice somehow fits every, single song no matter what it is. Whether it's "Waltzing Matilda", "Down in the Valley," or "Froggie Went A-Courtin'," my thought is that he was born to sing these songs. This collection of more than 180 songs in four volumes has such a wide range of appealing and classic tunes that there's something for everyone, no matter what their age may be. There's nothing else like this music, anywhere on the planet. Testament to this is the fact that there is still a brisk trade of these recordings after more than thirty years. Even the audio tapes and original vinyl records are still sought after by collectors who enjoyed, nay, LOVED this music back when they were children and it was still relatively new. Disney re-released the songs in CD form in the 1980's (not as many songs on each CD) and again in 1991. The 1991 version boasts all the songs from the original soundtrack, intact and uncut. We absolutely LOVED this music when my children were small and though they are both adults now, we still love it! There are funny songs, happy songs, sad songs, and tunes that are practically "national anthems" where they originated. Many are toe-tapping, rollicking songs; others have a tale to tell. A few are hauntingly beautiful, and some are the best renditions I have ever heard of wonderful classics--bar none. Quite simply, almost all of it is exceptionally good music. It's not like so much of the sappy stuff for small children that gets on your nerves the first time you hear it. Instead, it sounds more like awesome music that might have been performed for grown-ups--who just happen to have children, who love it, too. True, some of the songs are specifically for little people, but they are so well done that adults can also enjoy them. That's one thing that makes the music on these discs so darn good. Buy the CDs, all four volumes. As an erstwhile musician myself, I guarantee you won't regret it. A word of caution, though: Be sure to ask the seller if the product for sale is EXACTLY like the picture in the listing. Some sellers list stock photos, then switch a CD with the same music but different artwork. Also ask about the spelling on the actual CD they intend to sell; if it was manufactured in Canada or Australia, the word "Favorite" in the title will be spelled "Favourite." If none of that matters to you, buy the CD anyway; the music is all the same, and it's still fantastic. One last thought: Disney put out several albums with similar titles. To get the same music I've got, be sure Larry Groce is listed as performer with the Disney Children's Chorus; that the title of each CD is "Walt Disney Records Children's Favorite Songs" (volumes 1 through 4); and that each CD contains 23-27 songs. If they are the versions released in 1991, you've nailed it. Enjoy!

We had this album when our kids were growing up...long before CD or MP3s were even invented, but with the arrival of our first grandchild, we wanted to enjoy the songs again. We had given the albums to a friend to convert to CD/MP3, but it took him forever to do it, so when I saw this used CD's at a good price, I went ahead and purchased it and was happy I did.

This music is perfect for children and they love the pleasant voices of the chorus and Larry Groce. I used all these Disney favorite song CDs in my preschool classes and now my grandchildren want to listen to them. When my own children were small I had these albums in vinyl and cassette tape. I was thrilled to be able to find them again in an up to date format. They've been favorites for me for over 30 years now. They've stood the test of time!

Larry Groce is a brilliant interpreter of music. We also have volumes 1 and 2 of this series, which are great, but this one is by far the best and especially good for older children. It has songs that are hard to find in children's compilations, like "Wabash Cannonball" and "Big Rock Candy Mountain." My 5-year-old hates "babyish" music and Larry Groce is a joy for him with his mature sensibility as well for myself and my husband. Great for the whole family!