Considering she didn't set out to be a children's performer, singer/songwriter Laurie Berkner has cut out a very impressive career in the musical genre. Berkner, along with pianist Susie Lampert and bassist Adam Bernstein, create playful songs geared toward listeners ages one to one hundred.
After spending time touring as an orchestral guitarist, Berkner took on the role of summer camp music counselor and as a music specialist at day cares, before eventually forming a rock band. It was while playing rock music that Berkner found her voice as a songwriter, only the material she was writing was child-friendly. This lead to a cassette-only release in 1997. Berkner has since released a number of CDs and videos, including a 2006 DVD that has sold more than 400,000 copies.
On her latest disc Rocketship Run, Berkner shifts the glee mobile into overdrive for 24 tracks of pure gaiety. From the opening notes of the title cut, a peppy ride to outer space, to the set-closing "Fly Me To The Moon," a jazzy return flight to the stars, Berkner and crew are highly entertaining from beginning to end. The latter highlights Berkner's talents as a vocalist. She may be singing to children and their parents, but she's a world class singer nonetheless.
Berkner's wit and songwriting skills are also displayed throughout the album. "Mr. Bassman (And Piano Girl)," with its addicting melody, grooving bass guitar, and tinkling piano rolls, not too mention Berkner's exceptional acoustic guitar playing, is a finger snapping, toe tapping good time. Berkner puts her band mates in the spotlight on the funky number. "Let's Samba" will have little ones moving their feet, while "Thunderstorm" will have them singing along ecstatically.
Bernstein shares lead vocal duties with Berkner on "My Blue Sailboat," a strum happy number with tight harmonies and easy to sing lyrics. The trio rides a musical wave and enjoys their time on the high seas. The threesome add a bit of Irish panache to the disc with the exuberant "Fast And Slow (The Rabbit And The Turtle)." Along with Berkner's golden voice and her acoustic guitar playing, the song features some fine bass work from Bernstein, understated piano from Lampert, and whirring bagpipes.
The disc features five short interludes (each titled "Going On A Hunt") with Berkner and her mates in brief spoken word exchanges that lead into short musical jams. Each piece incorporates a different musical style, subtitled "Ska," "Blues," "Conga," "Jig," and "Hand Jive," "Blues" being the coolest of the bunch.
The young and young at heart will enjoy Rocketship Run.
By Todd Sterling
