This Grammy Award-winning CD for "Best Musical Album for Children" in 2007 will please parents, too. Zanes' newest release is a musical journey through rock and folk to boogie and ballads, spirituals and Spanish tunes. Original works, beloved standards, and world music make Catch That Train worth a listen.
Zanes begins his musical mélange with the title track, a tune about a summertime train trip to the lake. When I heard this tune I thought it was good, not the soporific, sickeningly sweet stuff often written for kids. Imagine my delight when I found myself enjoying the next track, and the next track, and the one after that too.
Zanes invites celebrity friends along for the ride, including the Blind Boys of Alabama, who provide harmony for the spiritual "The Welcome Table." Natalie Merchant sings with Zanes on a lovely rendition of "Loch Lomond." I think there will be a whole lot of people out singing these songs on their porches this summer. Be ready to join in.
