Dog Train: A Wild Ride on the Rock-and-Roll Side

Boynton rocks! So does Blues Traveler, who perform a stomping version of the title song, a moody rock journey that Boynton wrote especially for them. And then there’s Alison Krauss with “Evermore.” And Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gorme—really—who do the “Boring Song.” The Spin Doctors, who channel rock’s rebellious side—with a taste of punk—for “Tantrum”: “No No No, I don’t want to, I don’t want to./No no no, I don’t want to, no no./Leave me alone. Leave me alone./LEAVE ME ALONE.” And the sweetly unexpected pairing of “Weird Al” Yankovic and Kate Winslet (yep, Kate Winslet) as a duet singing “I Need a Nap.”

Full of attitude, full of fun, all lit up with star power, and boasting a variety of Top 40 styles—rock and roll, blues, hip-hop, and power pop—Dog Train is the third book-and-CD production by Sandra Boynton, following the #1 New York Times bestselling, Grammy-nominated Philadelphia Chickens and the recently re-released Rhinoceros Tap. Like Philadelphia Chickens, features all original songs recorded by a mix of big-name acts and great voices, for the pleasure of the parents as much as the kids. Packaged similarly to the previous Boynton & Ford recordings, Dog Train is also a full-color book that features a portion of each song’s lyrics set as a little story, accompanied by Boynton’s irresistible hippos, cows, dogs, and more dogs. Full lyrics appear in the back.

Publishers Weekly

The creative team that so cleverly presented musical theater for kids with the star-studded recording Philadelphia Chickens is back-this time with a mostly rock-and-roll romp, and another stellar cast of musical talent. Blues Traveler, replete with John Popper wailing on his harmonica, rides the rails for the driving title track about, yes, dogs on board a midnight train where "Kittycats are not allowed/ .../ their ears in the breeze/ .../ Their cold, wet, happy,/ quiv'ring noises outside." Mark Lanegan takes the octave down a few notches with his deep and bluesy rendition of "Sneakers" about the favorite footwear that's both comfy and quiet. The 1960s British invasion star Billy J. Kramer sounds every bit up-to-date as he blasts off on the spaceship song "Cow Planet." And who would've thunk that actress Kate Winslet and novelty performer "Weird Al" Yankovic could pull off a sunny and theatrically emotive duet on "I Need a Nap?" There are no clunkers here; other highlights include numbers by Alison Krauss, Spin Doctors, Hootie and the Blowfish and Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme (hilariously singing the "Boring Song"). A knockout listen, in all the best ways, for the whole family. Like the songs, Boynton's book showcases her signature zippy sense of humor and loveable critters. It also includes complete lyrics and music for each number and brief profiles of all the performers. All ages. (Nov.) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.