Rockin' with Roseanne - Calling All Kids
Roseanne Barr played a one-of-a-kind mother on prime time television'sRoseannein the late 1980's and her entrance to the children's music market is no less unique.  The harsh, almost raspy tone quality that made Roseanne seem so believable as a frustrated, loud-mouthed television mother is also evident in Roseanne's singing voice.  While her distinctive tone quality is used to good effect in songs like "No Monsters Allowed" and "I'm Gonna Tell on You" which are sung from the point of view of querulous young children, it isn't particularly pleasant listening.  The themes of the songs vary from outright disobedience and obnoxious behavior ("Don't Do It") to the fantastical ("Down on the Donut Farm") to the appreciation of natural beauty and all that is good in classics like "Popcorn Poppin'" and "Three Little Birds."  The visuals run the gamut from Roseanne dressed up like a child in a blanket sleeper to full animation to puppetry, and the music styles include rock, jazz and country.  Roseanne Barr fans with young children may get a kick out ofRockin' with Roseanne - Calling All Kids, but it's definitely not your typical warm and fuzzy children's musical collection.  Selections can be viewed with or without on-screen lyrics. (Ages 2 to 7)--Tami Horiuchi