Little Golden Records...The Best of

The Microwerks series also revives happy memories for baby boomers with The Best of Little Golden Records, Volumes 1 and 2. How could I possibly explain to a child of today the kick of being able to handle your own unbreakable yellow vinyl record and play it on a portable phonograph back then. How quaint! Each CD offers fourteen tracks, some of which I actually...

remember from my youth. Highlights for film buffs and vintage-show-biz aficionados include the immortal “Mighty Mouse Theme,” Jimmy Durante singing “I Like People,” written by Marshall Barer, Margaret Wise Brown and Ruth Cleary, a sweet new rendition of “Give a Little Whistle” by Cliff Edwards, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans singing “Song Wagon,” (all on Volume One), Jack Mercer bringing his unique vocal styling to “I’m Popeye the Sailor Man,” and Art Carney singing “The Ugly Duckling” from Hans Christian Andersen. Both CDs feature such children’s perennials as “Clementine,” “The Farmer in the Dell,” “Fuzzy Wuzzy,” and “London Bridge,” as well as genuine novelties like a version of “Casey at the Bat” by New York Yankees announcer Mel Allen and a lovely version of Richard Rodgers’ “The Carousel Waltz.” Brief liner notes by pop music expert Greg Ehrbar provide a context for each track. I only wish they’d pressed these CDs on something that looks like those unforgettable golden records of yore.(MicroWerks)