The Columbia Gypsy
TROUT FISHING IN AMERICA
InFINity
Trout (2001)
http://www.troutmusic.com
"I don't believe there is a God," said my daughter. "I believe the universe, the moon, the stars, the planets, were created during the Big Bang and has been expanding ever since."
Back when I lived in Bryan, Texas, TFIA was a lightbulb in our local musical chandelier. It was common for them to do two shows, a(n) (sometimes very) early show for kids, and a later show for grownups. The repertoire differed, at least I think so, because I was always roped into doing the kids shows. It was, in fact, at one of these shows in the open air of Downtown Bryan, that I signed up to volunteer at the then prospective KEOS radio, way back in '94.
InFINity is TFIA's latest kids album, comparable in style to a stylistically varied, sometimes rocked-up contemporary folk album, but with lyrics kids can relate to. It's always interesting to compare the live shows, which integrate funny sketches and kid-relative comments into the performance. Unfailingly the live shows are more fun, but the CDs can be and often are played over and over (and over and over). It's also interesting to consider that "kids" are a hodge podge; kids, like adults, differ in age and interests. I for one can remember flunking piano in third grade because I felt John Thompson's selections were patronizing, as opposed to, say, Ravel. To this end I called on the experts: I put InFINity on while I had my two younger kids captive in the car on a long trip up river.
The song that went over the best was "Your Name Backwards" which is about spelling names backwards, giving a number of examples, along with the social situation of a few of the people involved. We all got into spelling our names backwards. This, however, proved to be the only song either me the old grouch or my 12 year son were truly interested in. Conversely, my eight year old daughter made comments on many of the tunes. One exception was "Simon Says" which is aimed at kids young enough to "stick out their tummy" rather than argue the creation of the universe via Big Bang. This "Hokey Pokey"ish selection would be a great song for little kids or adults who are very drunk. "Sailing," a boisterous mimic of an old campfire sailing song, was a big hit with my daughter, who made a lot of sailor motions during the track. She also liked "Dinosaur In Your Bathtub," a Vance Gilbert cover, commenting, "It would be good to have something hidden under your bed." A couple times since that trip she's asked for "That good CD you had in the car."
Most of the songs are TFIA (Ezra Idlet and Keith Grimwood) originals. One is about a birthday, one is about junk food, one about that legendary long trip in the car...how much longer? They vary in details, silliness, and ability of adults to relate. The song I related to most was "I Did It All By Myself" which is about the messes kids make and which have to be cleaned up. There's also a Berryman cover, "It's Better Than That" about how great it is to be a grown-up.
G The Columbia Gypsy