Jack Johnson - Sing-A-Longs & Lullabies for the Film Curious George
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Free Music Notes for Sing-A-Longs & Lullabies for the Film Curious George
Free Music Review: THISisMODERN.net Review
Hit: 5 Stars
He's a surfer and a popular musician, and now he can add coolest-dad-on-the-planet to his resume. What kid wouldn't love to be able to say that his dad was responsible for soundtracking the film 'Curious George' with his own array of acoustic chill out bliss (with a little help from his friends). Johnson's signature sound of mellow, chill acoustic folk shines on this album, which features 10 originals, 1 cover song, and 2 of his friends' tunes redone, J.J. style. The first single, which is soon to be everywhere on radio and TV is 'Upside Down' which is a classic tune in the making, a la 'Flake' and 'Taylor'. It's incredibly well written, fun sounding, and connects Jack and his music to the movie, without actually writing or singing about the characters or plot. Jack also includes a couple of really good messages for the kids about sharing ('Sharing Song) and recycling ('The Three R's' -- his take on the schoolhouse rock classic '3 is the Magic Number'). The White Stripes' song 'We Are Going To Be Friends' (a staple cover on Jack's touring setlists) is covered to perfection and with full Jack Johnson flair, and the lyrical content surprisingly fits with the mood of the entire disc. Jack's friends duet with him in several spots on the disc. G. Love ('Jungle Gym'), Matt Costa (a duet of Matt's song 'Lullaby'), and Ben Harper (a duet of Ben's song 'With My Own Two Hands') all appear on the disc. It's amazing that a whole entire soundtrack can be written and executed so well that it could pass off as a standalone CD that has no relation to any movie whatsoever. Jack has outdone himself this time, showing that, not only is he a talented musician and songwriter, but he can really get the job done in creating specific themes and moods for films as well. Maybe it's just his background in filmmaking to begin with, but Jack Johnson is sure to have a long career. Whether it's in music, film, or surfing, one thing is for sure: he will do it best and he will have a lot of fun in the process.
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Free Music Review: Really Good...
Hit: 5 Stars
The only other Jack Johnson CD I listened too was "Brushfire Fairytales". That CD was awesome; Johnson is an amazing talent. This CD, which features music written directly for the big screen adaptation of "Curious George" is interesting. It is for kids, for the most part, but is capable of pleasing adults as well. The songs are mature, again for the most part, and excellently played. I can't say it's better than the other CD I mentioned, but it's good in its own right. Here are the tracks:
1. Upside Down-5/5-It's got a really great beat to it. The song is really really good.
2. Broken-4/5-This song is OK, I guess...But it just annoys me for some reason.
3. People Watching-5/5-This song is pretty good, I liked it a lot.
4. Wrong Turn-5/5
5. Talk of the Town-5/5-One of the catchiest songs on here.
6. Jungle Gym-5/5-This song features G. Love and is also a terrific song. I like the lyrics too.
7. We're Going to Be Friends-5/5-The song is great; the lyricism is smart, but it's really meant to be a kids song.
8. The Sharing Song-3/5-I can't say I like this song that much. I don't even think it's Jack Johnson singing, but it's pretty bad.
9. The 3 R's-5/5-This song is a kid's song all the way, but it's a pretty damned good song anyway.
10. Lullaby-5/5-This song features Matt Costa on vocals; It's at a perfect spot on the album and just as good as anything else.
11. With My Own Two Hands-5/5-Ben Harper on vocals, it's a good song but I'm not a huge Harper fan.
12. Questions-5/5-The same thing I have to say about this song, I've said about the others. It's a great song.
13. Supposed to Be-5/5-I've found the album closer can decide the fate of an album and this song is great.
There you go. Whether your buying it for your kid or buying it for yourself, you shouldn't be dissapointed.
GRADE: A-
Free Music Review: Music for Everyone.
Hit: 5 Stars
Sometimes movie soundtracks are good to listen to, but only if you've seen the movie. Other times there are movie soundtracks that are much better than the movie they come from. The best movie soundtracks not only make the films they are a part of a better movie, but they can also stand alone upon themselves. Such is the case with SING-A-LONGS & LULLABIES FOR THE FILM CURIOUS GEORGE. Most of the music on this album was written and is performed by the great and magnificent Jack Johnson. Johnson has an unique way of writing music that is catchy and upbeat, full of hope and promise, but seeped in meaningful lyrics. I could listen to Jack Johnson play music all day long and not grow tired of it. G. Love, Matt Costa, and Ben Harper each contribute on one song on this album, but the rest is all Jack. Some of my favorites are:
"Upside Down"--this song broke onto contemporary and pop radio stations all around the country giving Jack Johnson more recognition than he ever had before.
"People Watching"--similar in style to other tunes on the album, but I like it because I like to people watch.
"The 3 R's"--this song reminds me of songs I heard from my childhood on SEASAME STREET and THE ELECTRIC COMPANY.
This album was originally marketed towards children, but the music is so wonderful that it has quickly caught on with teenagers, college students, and adults. It truly is an album that everyone in the family can enjoy.
Free Music Review: Great for kids and adults alike!
Hit: 5 Stars
Jack Johnson has accomplished many things in his short life; he grew up in Hawaii where he was the youngest surfer to make the finals at the pipeline trials, obtained a film degree from UC Santa Barbara, became a surf film director, photographer, producer and score composer and even won a few awards for his surf documentaries. Oh yeah, and he also records music now. Jack's blend of acoustic guitar, upbeat lyrics, and soothing voice made him an instant mainstay on college campuses all over the country. First catching the ear of fellow musicians and record executives with his recording of "Rodeo Clowns" for the G. Love and Special Sauce album Philadelphonic, his career has been unstoppable ever since. First "Brushfire Fairytales" broke through to mainstream radio stations all over the country with hits like "Flake" and "Bubble Toes", bringing the mellow surf-influenced music of Hawaii and the West Coast to the whole country. Through successive albums
"On and On" and "In Between Dreams" he has expanded his fanbase with more acoustic melodies, meaningful lryics, and upbeat messages. And now with his creative and unique soundtrack to the new "Curious George" movie, he has managed to make the ultimate album for both young children and adults.
Free Music Review: Sweet, mellow CD for parents and their kids
Hit: 5 Stars
Like at least one other reviewer, I was exposed to the track "Upside Down" while watching Noggin with my three-year-old son. I haven't seen the film yet (we're planning to take our three- and six-year-old sons soon), but the music stands totally on its own.
Many of these songs' lyrics may be too juvenile in subject for listeners who don't have kids, but the acoustic-guitar-based songs are mellow, generally upbeat, and quite lovely to hear. I brought the CD with me to play while I do software testing, but plan to bring it back home so my kids can listen at night when they're settling down for bed.
I'm so pleased that the soundtrack for a major-release kids' movie is all original music that's truly appropriate for children. I definitely have enjoyed hearing songs that appeal to adults in other films (ie the track listings for Shrek and Shark Tale), but the fact that Jack Johnson wrote these songs with his own son in mind is touching and far more personal.
This is really a nice bunch of songs. Don't expect it to drive the next big party you have, but if you're looking for pleasant, lyrical songs to enjoy with or without children, give this a shot.