Billy the Squid
Tom Chapin, younger brother of and former collaborator with the lateHarry Chapin, hits a peak in his career here with "The Ghost of Bleak House." The song is an animated dialogue between a family of kids moving into a house whose ghostly inhabitant wants them out. The mock-frightening music and daunting voice of Josiah Bleak are dismantled by the children's playful fearlessness. Chapin loves scenarios like this, in which he can set up dialogue between two parties (almost always an adult and a child) and have each come to some mutual understanding. Such an avenue, bolstered by colorfully arranged and executed music that feeds off jazz, folk, and tons more, is the key to childhood understanding of music. Chapin's songs come off as ministories, each squared with an apt musical style and then performed brilliantly. And he even takes the time to honor economy in language with "Great Big Words." This is perfect for parents who listen with their kids--in cars, in living rooms, or wherever.--Andrew Bartlett