Robin And The Giant: Press

Album Title: Winds Of Change
Artist: Robin And The Giant
Reviewer’s Name: Andrea Guy
Rating: 5 stars (out of 5)
Title of Review: Folk For The Family

Review Summary:

Robin And The Giant create folk music that the whole family can listen to. The songs are funny and touching, but most of all they are unique. A must-listen for anyone with a love for folk tunes.


Review:

Robin And The Giant is the perfect band for the family. Their album, Winds Of Change, is a compilation of songs from their past recordings and is a great introduction to the band. After hearing these twenty-one songs, it’s easy to believe that they have an appeal that stretches across all ages.

The duo of Robin MacBlane (Robin) and Larry Whitler (The Giant) have been performing together since 1987, amassing a string of albums together prior to this compilation’s release. Larry has released several albums as a solo artist, as well as those with Robin. The songs are reminiscent of Peter, Paul and Mary. They have a very folksy feel and a certain childlike innocence, which is why these songs can really cross the ages. Robin and the Giant don’t sing down at children. They just sing simple, pretty, and often-funny folk songs that both young and old can enjoy.

The lightly-reggae-tinged “In The Caribbean” tells a story of falling in love in Jamaica. The song has a slow beat and vocals that conjure up images of white-sand beaches and crystal-clear water. It also has a little bit of light humor that keeps the song from crossing over into a more grown-up sound. If it’s smiles you are looking for, Robin And The Giant will deliver those to your ears with songs like “A Hamster Poops” and “Doggy Dog World.” Little ones will particularly love “A Hamster Poops.” What child would not break into a grin when someone sings about poop?

There’s a lot of hope to be found in “Aim High, Sweetie Pie.” This is a song that reminds us that our dreams are always within our reach, as Larry eloquently sings -- “And every day they could see those dreams grow. With a vow they would never let go. It’s a great big world, and an even bigger sky, so aim high sweetie pie.” The heroine in this song never forgets that, and she helps those around her achieve their dreams, too. Would that all people could be that way.

The songs aren’t all light fare, though. The song “Mr. Freeman’s Roses” is just a bit on the sad side. The song is about an elderly woman who is living in an assisted living facility, with, as the song says, “lots of grandmas doing lots of grandma things.” Perhaps a child won’t pick up as quickly on the melancholy subject matter of the song, but all the grown-up listeners will. The song is particularly bittersweet for anyone that knows someone who has had to move from their home for health reasons. The song paints a lovely picture of an older woman who loved her garden and loved her husband who passed away.

“Heloise O’Lantern” is another tune that isn’t all too happy. Heloise is Jack O’Lantern’s sister, whom nobody knows because she sits in the middle of the cornucopia on Thanksgiving. But, on a happier note, she’s content to let her brother Jack shine. This is probably the most memorable holiday tune that most people will be fortunate enough to hear.

Robin And The Giant create beautiful folk music for the family. Winds Of Change is a wonderful compilation to introduce you to their music. No matter what your age, one of these songs will touch your heart and possibly even open your mind.

Review by Andrea Guy

“Not Too Long Ago,” by a band who hail as Robin and The Giant, is a magical collection of children’s tunes that will have all the little ones bouncing with excitement! Through this entire record, Robin and The Giant maintains a high-energy mood, backed by an atmosphere of fairy-tale magic that is sure to mesmerize children of all ages. “When the Rain Falls” illuminates one of the most noteworthy elements of this record: positive, easy-to-remember lyrics coupled with vibrant, pure vocals. This is perhaps what will make this assembly most captivating to children. Furthermore, “Not Too Long Ago” radiates quality production that allows the irreplaceable element of fun to flow through the music. Parents and children alike will enjoy this playful and energetic collection of uplifting tunes.

Ocala, FL (PRWEB) August 13, 2008 -- Robin And The Giant have released a new song for children that has kids and parents giggling. The song, "A Hamster Poops" will appear on an upcoming CD for children expected from the duo in mid-September.

The song tells a story of a child who brings his two hamsters (Dave and Bruce) to class for show-and-tell and then, when the teacher asks what has been learned from the two pets, the only answer that the child can think of is that "a hamster poops."

The reply to the teacher results in the other children laughing and the reaction from their laughter is that Dave and Bruce get scared and run away to hide 'where the crayons are kept.'

Robin MacBlane, "Robin" in the duo, says, "We've always produced music and stories that entertain and often have a deeper message. In this song we've simply recorded a song for the fun of it so don't look for any deeper meaning."

"The Giant", also known as Larry Whitler, wrote the song and agrees that this one is simply telling a funny story. "If there's any deepness to this song," Whitler says, "it's that a good chuckle is therapeutic for the soul."

MacBlane and Whitler have worked together as Robin And The Giant producing children's music and children's books and radio programs since 1987. Their music is available from CD Baby and from many online retailers including I-Tunes, Rhapsody, and others.

Children's format radio stations can download a 320 kbps mp3 of "A Hamster Poops" from www.airplaydirect.com/robinandthegiant.

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