EVERYWHERE YOU GO, by Joe McDermott, True
Blue Music, $15.00, ages 4-8;
As a big fan of Joe McDermott's 2001 children's release,
"Great Big World," I was really looking forward to his newest
recording. When it arrived, I immediately had to give it
a listen. Wow! As I suspected, his songwriting remains stellar,
but the first thing that jumped out at me was the elaborate,
though not excessive, production quality and the creative,
meaningful and well-thought-out themes. I enjoy his storytelling
style of singing a song that gently get important points
across to children, as in "Patience and Time," a song that
weaves the importance of our public librarians in with the
idea of planting some seeds and waiting for the wonderful
results. "Baby Kangaroo" is a bouncy little story about
picking out a pet. The craftsmanship with which McDermott
arranges the song in the doo-wop vocal extravaganza spotlights
his ever-growing creative abilities. And his knack for writing
memorable choruses will hook you in and have singing along
the next time "get yourself a baby kangaroo" comes around.
The instrumental introduction to "Transportation Vacation,"
with its trombone, vibes and muted trumpet, is so cool that
I didn't want it to end. Luckily it led into a fun little
journey supported with a soulful Bo Diddley groove. McDermott's
songwriting shines again on the title track, "everywhere
You Go," a touching song in which he paints a wonderful
picture of his neighborhood full of friends who will help
you out when you need it. A big band number follows as McDermott
gives a tip of the hat to the importance of being polite,
but extols the virtues of sometimes making a lot of "Noise."
And, "Thank You Mud," with its string quartet introduction,
is a quirky and silly remedy for those times when the story
you are concocting is in need of an ending: Just ad a little
mud. This recording is filled with other great child-centered
songs, including "Spider Detective," "Flying Saucer," and
the uplifting and danceable "Let Your Light Shine," where
we are reminded, "What you give is what you gain." Joe McDermott
is quickly emerging as one of the most promising artists
in children's music with his imaginative songs, outstanding
musical arrangements and sincere approach. He deserves all
the attention and national exposure he can get. |
Joe McDermott has a youthful face, voice, and imagination, and Everywhere You Go practically brims with his boyish energy and verve. In the vivid, “Flying Saucer,” McDermott turns a routine dog walk into a visit from an “inter-galactic ice-cream ship.” In the supremely silly “Thank You Mud,” he expresses gratitude to the gloppy stuff that “…makes the baby laugh/ And it makes your momma cry.” The rootsy rocker identifies with children on a very basic level, and that comes through his music loud and clear. |
