Music Review: Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas Soundtrack
What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that little fans of the
Curious George TV series and holiday DVD should find
this album a welcome musical addition to the collection. With
nearly half the songs being instrumentals, this isn't the type
of album to inspire holiday sing-alongs, but might appeal more
to those quiet times when a little age-appropriate background
music is in order. With an emphasis on jazz, this album will
introduce young listeners to a new genre in a familiar and
cuddly package of the beloved monkey tale.
In the movie that CURIOUS GEORGE: A VERY MONKEY CHRISTMAS is
inspired by, Curious George can't wait for Christmas Day to
arrive. To help make the wait more tolerable, the venerable
"Man with the Yellow Hat" engages George in all the joys of
preparing for the holiday, from decorating to picking out
presents. This album follows that progression, with songs such
as "Christmas Tree Shopping" and "The Gift Song." There's also
a slew of instrumentals from Nick Nolan, the composer behind
the animated PBS series.
What's most to like about this album is the sophisticated
nature of the music: complex instrumentals performed by real
musicians. Similar to Vince Guaraldi's wintertime classics that
accompany Charlie Brown's holiday special, this album doesn't
pander to a young audience with simple music-box stylings.
Instead, youngsters awaiting Santa will be treated to an
introduction to genres of music that they might not have a
chance to hear any other time of year. Dr. John performs the
Curious George TV theme song with near perfect New
Orleans jazz style, and simian-themed tunes like "Christmas
with a Monkey" add a lighthearted spirit. A little more of
Curious George's impish spirit and lovable comedy is all that's
missing.
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