Madsen

When Gunnar's music is on we're all happy and we're all young! I can't say enough good things about this CD, we play it all the time. My four year old just sits holding the CD case and marveling at all of Gunnar's voices----She giggles and hums and squeals with each new song and then of course throws herself into the middle of the room to boogie with her sister. Truth be told; I do the same thing! The music is rich and beautiful and 100% delightful. You'll be playing this one over and over again whether the kids are in the room or not. Thanks for keeping us in the moment Gunnar and celebrating the wonders of 'Growing'.

Wacky, goofy (but, oh, so clever) music. For those who remember what it's like to be a kid and want to expose their children to music that is completely accessible but expertly arranged and produced for all ages.

As soon as I put this new CD on, my 2 and 4 year olds started dancing. They just couldn't hold back! Thanks for another fun one, Gunnar. For those of you who haven't heard others of his, I highly recommend "Old Mr. Mackle Hackle" and "Ants in Your Pants". I can't help humming the tunes, and the lyrics are great fun.

Gunnar Madsen, like Ralph Covert and Peter Himmelman, makes music for adults as well as children, and it shows in the music that is ostensibly for kids -- my kids love it, but I listen to it when they're not around, because the music is beautiful and the lyrics are clever and moving, all at once.

Ms. Wekre is very adept at every technique she is asked to perform. She makes Madsen's Op.24 alone worth buying this album. It has it all from incredible rapidfire horn work to rapidfire piano virtuosity. It has heartmelting melodies and aurally delicious chords. I performed it for my Senior Recital in college. The rest of the pieces are also good. The solo horn pieces are haunting and mournful. You will feel alone in the dark woods. The accompanied ones are quirky and untiring on the ears.

He is more than a tubist - he is a musician.

In other words, any instrumentalist, from tuba to banjo could benefit from hearing him play.

One of many examples.

I was fortunate to have been a Los Angeles Philharmonic subscriber while Bobo was principal tubist. He anchored what was then one of the finest low brass sections of any orchestra. Any doubt as to his virtuosity is dispelled by this recording. This should be in the collection of any aspiring tubist as an example of what can be accomplished in the hands of a master.

Bobo's rendition of Carnival of Venice left me with my jaw on the floor. I was amazed at the technicality he produces. Hearing my old high school trumpet playing teacher play it and then hearing Bobo was definitely a treat.

There is so much style, wit, and good musicianship here. My children range in age from 5 to 14 and they all enjoy it. I can't believe my library had only one copy and more people don't know Gunnar Madsen's name. There are several styles of music reflected in this CD and all are well done. My kids especially like "Don't Shake Hands With A One Eyed Pirate". We all bounce to "Two Coconuts", tune about little kids riding in a bike trailer whose helmeted heads look like two coconuts bouncing around. My children howl with the sad dog who is home alone during "Lonesome Dog Tango". Everyone of these songs is a winner. I would like to see Gunnar come out with more of this work.

What appears to be a kids' CD is much more! This album is full of gems, all but "Home on the Range" are Madsen originals. I had expected him to do something funny with that last number, but instead he gives it a beautiful harmonic rendition with a delicious final barbershop chord tuning! "Are we there yet," the classic phrase of backseat kids, is a relaxing song, again with sublime harmonies, countering what one would expect from the title. Madsen clearly had a great time making this album, and I certainly am enjoying repeated listenings!

Gunnar Madsen's Ants In My Pants offers wildly entertaining and highly recommended selections for kids that range from Elvis-style "rock & roll" to Western swing and pop-powered funk. The lively and engaging songs include Welcome To My Fog (4:13); Don't Shake Hands With A One-Eyed Pirate (2:25); Tuna Fish (2:11); Old Baloney (2:46); Like Two Coconuts (1:12); And The Children Rolled (2:38); Ballad Of The Lonesome Rider (2:58); Lonely Dog Tango (3:29); I Am Loved (3:29); Are We There Yet? (4:03); Mayonnaise And Pumpernickel Bread (1:53); Home On The Range (2:39); and the title piece, Ants In My Pants (2:32).

This CD gives me tremendous hope for the music industry. I can only hope more and more composers emulate Mr. Madsen. He has the ability to feel.In turn,I do too. I love this one. Every moment.

The Power Of A Hat is an eclectic selection of some of the oddest semi-funk, semi-pop, semi-jazz, always quirky music you'll ever have the chance to hear. It's certainly quite different from Gunnar Madsen's work with The Bobs, and it is a joy to hear how varied Mr. Madsen's talents really are. The song "The Pants" is alone worth the cost of this CD.