Music Review: I Got Shoes
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What Parents Should Know
Emphasis is placed on counting and language. Travel to the
other side of the globe with two songs from Africa, one from
South Africa and one from Guinea, each sung in the vocal style
of that country. There is a counting song in five
parts/languages sprinkled throughout the album. Even the
traditional spiritual "Little David Play on Your Harp" has new
lyrics that teach counting. Poetry and rap are used to convey
important social messages in "Young and Positive."
Sweet Honey in the Rock is an a capella (strictly vocal) group made up of six African-American women, including a sign language interpreter. As usual their beautifully harmonized vocals and rich textures entrance the listener. While all of their albums provide cultural and social lessons, this one focuses on numbers and language.
Children's ears will prick up as they recognize "African Numbers" from "Sesame Street." Parents can create fun lessons by having children look at or write numbers while listening. And listeners get to practice their English, Swahili, French, Spanish and Japanese!
I GOT SHOES, devotes time to lessons but falls short in the overall planning as an album. Truly wonderful tracks (especially the alluring "Down the Road I Be Going"), are lost in a hodgepodge of themes and styles--the album is literally all over the map. One minute it's a counting song, then a love song, followed by a spiritual, rap, lullaby, and so on. The shifting rhythms and styles affect the mood and make it hard to kick back and enjoy.
Sweet Honey in the Rock creates music to educate. Though not their best album, this, along with their superior, more unified children's recording ALL FOR FREEDOM, will add some worldly seasoning to your family's listening.
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