Enzo Garcia - LMNO Music-Pink

On LMNO Music-Pink, Enzo Garcia presents a refreshing take on classic rhymes and folk songs.

Enzo Garcia is a San Francisco-based children's entertainer and musical educator, as well as a talented multi-instrumentalist. He is constantly developing new movement and music programs for his LMNO Music sessions, and the resulting songs are translated to CD. Pink is the sixth CD for kids in his LMNO Music series.

Most of the tunes on LMNO Music-Pink are traditional songs, which can be a tricky thing for most performers. But Garcia, who's earthy voice is remarkably similar to Burl Ives', makes these songs his own, convincing you that he wrote "Jim Along Josie", "Looby Loo", and "Trot Old Joe" himself.

The spoken word chants "Here is the Sea" and "Let's Make Pizza" are reminiscent of Woody Guthrie's classic LP Songs to Grow on for Mother and Child. And the fact that he makes slight changes in the chord progressions of his "Hello" and "Goodbye" songs shows that Garcia doesn't take his audience's intelligence for granted: even the tiniest kid can differentiate between the beginning and the end of the program by the music, even if he or she can't speak yet.

But the gem of the album is Garcia's own "Hold My Hand", one of those songs that makes you sing along loudly and dance in circles with your loved ones every time you hear it.

Intimate, rhythmic, and wonderfully played, Enzo Garcia's LMNO Music-Pink is a fun album that belongs in every home, classroom, and Toddler Time collection.

Released November 30, 2005; Recaredo Records