We all know Laurie Berkner as the bouncy, curly-haired singer of NOGGIN fame. Did you know that she has four CD releases? One of her CD’s is entitled “Victor Vito” and was released in 1999. Many songs were inspired by some of Laurie’s preschool students. I recently bought this CD because my daughter and I were going on a four-hour trip and I needed to buy some music for her. I already knew of Laurie Berkner from NOGGIN and her new DVD “We Are…The Laurie Berkner Band,” and her music was already becoming a favorite of my daughter. I knew that if I bought a CD by Laurie Berkner, my daughter would be satisfied for a good portion of the trip. I was at Best Buy looking through the children’s music section when I finally spotted the section for Laurie Berkner. I was trying to decide which of Laurie’s CD’s to buy so I looked through the song lists. “Victor Vito” had the most songs on it that were familiar to me so I bought that one.
“Victor Vito” begins with the title song. This song is about two men named Victor Vito and Freddie Vasco who eat rice, beans, rutabagas, collard greens, and spaghetti. It is a silly song with a catchy tune and plenty of rhymes to keep your child’s attention. My daughter likes to clap along with the background.
The song “I’m Not Perfect” is a great song to teach self-esteem to children. It lets your child know that it is okay to be himself or herself. The song goes, “I’m not perfect, but I’ve got what I’ve got. I do my very best…each day. But I’m not perfect and I hope you like me that way.”
One song that really caught my attention is “Oleanna.” Apparently, “Oleanna” is a traditional Norwegian that was introduced in the United States by Pete Seeger. Laurie takes her own poetic license with this song by inserting nursery rhymes in for the verses and then singing the chorus of “Oleanna.” It is a really pretty tune and a fun song.
For the parents, the CD contains an insert which includes the lyrics to the songs. Just before the lyrics of each song, a small explanation for the inspiration of each song is included. On of my favorite inspirations for a song has to be the one for “Shakin’ Down the Sugar.” Laurie states, “This song was a strange marriage of my sitting in a restaurant flicking at those little sugar packets and my friend’s son Christopher teaching me to say, ‘doity doit doit.’ Later, a student told me that we should add a [art about a drum. Who knew?” This song is all about different instruments.
In this mom’s humble opinion, “Victor Vito” is a great CD and a top choice in today’s children’s music. With the combination of traditional songs and Laurie’s originals, how can you not enjoy this CD? Laurie Berkner brings so much life to these songs that you and your child will love it!
For more information, please visit Laurie Berkner’s website or Razor & Tie.
“Victor Vito” is available at MusicSpace, Best Buy, Wal-Mart, and other retailers.
Track Listing for “Victor Vito”
- Victor Vito
- Bottle Caps
- Moon Moon Moon
- Froggie Went a-Courtin’
- I’m Not Perfect
- The Toy Museum
- O Susannah
- BOOTS
- Oleanna
- The Crabs
- Sneaks
- The Goldfish
- Zodiac
- Trucks
- Fruit Salad Salsa
- The Story of My Feelings
- I Feel Crazy So I Jump in the Soup
- Shakin’ Down the Sugar
- Googleheads
- Tingolayo
- White Coral Bells
- Goodnight