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#9 The Great Adventures of Mr. David
I get excited when a children’s record strikes me more as a personal poetic work than something created with an intended audience in mind. The Great Adventures of Mr. David is a very unusual sort of children’s record - one that makes you feel without telling you what to feel, one that gets you dancing without telling you specifically where to put your feet. It is a record that champions imagination and observation and all of the fleeting thoughts and small experiences that should be part of everyone’s world. Are these the adventures Mr. David takes you on? Or is Mr. David himself the adventure? Either way, what you need to know is that the man can play (in all senses of the word). - Kids & Family Music Awards
"While I found the album stunning and artistic on my own adult level, my six-year-old loved it too and I bet your kids will feel the same."
When you hear of a children’s artist by the name of Mr. David, you probably have a certain image that comes to mind. Chances are, the image is not that of a twenty-something Bay-area rocker and former skate punk who was heavily influenced by his hippie parents and their 60s's music collection.
And when you think of children’s music, you probably (still) have a certain (outdated) idea of what you’re going to hear--certainly not sophisticated, poetic lyrics, or a sound that reflects the influence of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Bob Dylan.
But that is exactly what you’ll get from the brand new release, The Great Adventures of Mr. David. And Mr. David? He's actually David Alexandrou. More than a children’s musician, he’s also part of a grown-up rock band, an actor, a painter, and a writer.
Fourteen of the fifteen tracks on Great Adventures are originals, ranging from a few short instrumental tracks to upbeat ditties like “I’m a Fish” to long and rambling ballads. You can hear sample tracks and order your own copy at CDBaby. While I found the album stunning and artistic on my own adult level, my six-year-old loved it too and I bet your kids will feel the same.
The only downside to Mr. David? Sorry girls, he's taken. -Amy - Cool Mom Picks
It's a rare treat this week - reviews of two amazing kids' albums, both reminiscent of music from the 60's and 70's, both incredibly creative, but two distinctly different pieces of work. After reviewing The Quiet Ones' Make Some Noise on Tuesday, I'm excited to bring you, tonight, a review of The Great Adventures of Mr. David, the second album from David Alexandrou (a.k.a. Mr. David), released in July. Fourteen of the fifteen tracks are David's originals, ranging from short instrumentals like the 47-second "The Flight" to long and rambling ballads like "In the Storm, Fighting for the Octopus."
The overarching feel of the album is very grown-up, and I was surprised (but pleased) that my children responded to it so well. Both the music and lyrics are sophisticated and, at times, even trippy. David lists among his influences The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Bob Dylan, and various songs clearly nod to these artists. His sound on "Backyard" and "In the Storm" is very reminiscent of one of the most outstanding Beatles-influenced artists of today, Rufus Wainwright. These, and several other tracks, have faint background vocals that sound completely random and improvised, yet musically fitting and perfectly mixed.
"Sea Song" and "Dinosaurs" are stunningly Dylan-like - especially because David's grasp of Dylan is incredibly solid and mature for someone who is closer to the Dylan McKay generation than the Bob Dylan generation.
David is at his best on "Pearl," a beautifully moving song, where he seems less concerned with paying homage to the great artists of the 1960's and more content with his own voice, his own sound, his own musical style. The chorus - Dancin' above the ground / Jumpin' on the bed / Dogs are barking in the back / Everything is good - makes this the kind of song that inspires you to pour a glass of wine, dig out your old photo albums, and remember special days from your childhood when you felt that everything really was good.
Great Adventures is a stunning and artistic album. - The Lovely Mrs. Davis
When I initially heard about this CD and it's artist, there was talk of "the Bob Dylan of Children's Music", the kind of overgeneralized assessment that, say, People Magazine would give any performer who plays acoustic guitar. But the first time, the second time, the third time I listened to this album I couldn't believe what I was hearing: Stream of consciousness songs; rhythmless rhythms; almost impromptu backing vocals; world music, but not from this world; and a vocal delivery that lets you know this artist is not performing for label owners, music reviewers, or distribution managers ... he's performing music from his heart for himself, and if you dig it, cool. And that is precisely what Dylan would have done.
David Alexandrou (aka Mr. David) kicks off The Great Adventures of Mr. David with what seems at first to be a typical kids' song, with lyrics about making a sandwich (albeit with peanut butter from the sky and a blueberry jellyfish), but as he strums along and the lyrics become more Dadaist you begin to get the hint that something special is going on. It seems a recent trip to Mexico, among other events, made a profound impact on Alexandrou's outlook on life, and that shift in perspective has been translated to The Great Adventures. Scenes from a cabana, epic stories of the sea, a wildly enthusiastic original version of "La Cucaracha", Zen observations of the joys of a backyard ... the sound is so laid back, sometimes, that it seems like David's backing band, particularly the horns, are recording their parts while leaning back against a stucco-walled cafe with a frozen drink close at hand. And the rich, organic production gives the recordings an even more intimate feel.
Wonder what kind of kids' song Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass might have come up with? Listen to "Hello". Then "Come To the Plaza" and join the unbridled joy found therein, discuss the philosophical musings of lizards and fish as they contemplate their existence, wonder at a grandson's profound faith in the healing powers of his dinosaur sippy cup, and marvel at the precious treasure that is a home run ball.
And then comes the good stuff. Percussion instruments appear and disappear during the surreal and beautiful "In the Storm, Fighting the Octopus"; and rhythms chase each others' tails throughout the best cosmic beach song Brian Wilson never wrote, "Surf's Up All Around the World". And David's "Mother Goose Medley" combines powerpop and minimalism to create a string of tunes that seems like a child dreaming about memories of songs he's heard that day.
This is a great one to listen to on your iPod while lounging on the beach with your toes in the sand, or relaxing on the living room couch in the middle of the afternoon with your little ones. Another indie rock masterpiece that kids, grownups, college students ... that everyone will fall more in love with every time they listen to it. - Warren Truitt, Children's Music that Rocks
Sometimes it's easy to review kids' music -- a little of bit of this, sounds like that, there are songs about food. Then an album like The Great Adventures of Mr. David (2006) comes along, making the task much more difficult. Whatever it is (and it's many things, sometimes all at once), this is not a typical kids' album.
The second album for kids from San Jose-based musician David Alexandrou, who performs as Mr. David, The Great Adventures has, as you'd expect from the title, a number of songs about adventures and travels. But these aren't typical adventures. The very first line of the album, on the winding Bob Dylan-esque track "Sea Song," is "Golden brown peanut butter fell from the sky." And then it gets odder. (Yes, the narrator quickly gets to the sea. The sea serves as the location for other songs -- "Surf's Up All Around the World," "In the Storm Fighting the Octopus," and the Beatlesque "I'm A Fish." There's a sense of wonder and absurdity in the lyrics that sets it apart from the concrete lyrics of many other artists. Not that one is necessarily better than the other, but this is definitely the road less-traveled lyrically.
The lyrics would just make the album slightly unusual if it weren't paired with a fabulous musical approach. Instrumentally, the album employs, among other things, horns, dulcimer, washboard, and ukelele. It's very Dan Zanes-ian in that regard. Mr. David also has a rough voice reminiscent of Zanes, but is also willing to use voice almost as an instrument, as at the end of the terrific "Surf's Up All Around the World," which sounds like the Beach Boys-meet-Laurie Anderson, or the instrumentals "Dream Away; Sail Away" or "Dancing with Peter Pan," which have a touch of Peter Gabriel in them. There's also the Jane's Addiction-goes-mariachi of "La Cucaracha" or the blues-rock of "Rock 'N' Roll." Even when something doesn't work (the medley of nursery rhymes), at least it's different.
The album probably would interest kids ages 3 through 9, though different songs would interest different kids. You can hear "I'm A Fish" here or samples of all the songs at the album's CDBaby page.
Even though I've made a lot of comparisons here, as a whole this album sounds like nothing else you've heard all year. It's got a sense of wonder and playfulness that will interest kids (and their adults) for a long time. Definitely recommended. - Zooglobble
I help program a local kids' music radio-show and we get in a lot of music to listen to and choose from. This crazy thing is the BEST record we've gotten since I've been here. It's like Subterranean-Homesick-Springsteen, in an Octopus's Garden with Brian Wilson vibrations. Wacky wacky fun. - Bruce Triggs, 102.7 Co-Op Radio, Vancouver B.C.
Discography
Hey! It's Lunchtime! Single (2007)
Frosty the Snowman Single (2006)
Winchester Festival Single (2006)
The Great Adventures of Mr. David (2006)
Mr. David's First Album: Songs with Music and Movement for Kids (2004)
XMKids Radio: I'm a Fish (2006)--top 5 most requested songs, Come to the Plaza (2006), Backyard (2006), Dream Away; Sail Away (2006)
Photos
Bio
Mr. David has never been one to give up easily. In fact, his friends and family would say that hes just about the most stubborn (in a good way) person theyve ever met. When he sets his mind to doing something, nothing short of achieving it will stop him. Its probably the one characteristic that was most influential in bringing Mr. David to childrens music. In my early twenties, I found myself in job after job, feeling really unhappy because I wasnt doing what I love, he says. I knew I couldnt go on like that, so I started thinking about what I could do that would allow me to play music every day. Then someone asked me to play a gig for some kids at a local school, and the rest is history.
From his modest beginnings, Mr. David has worked steadily for more than four years to build a loyal fan base among the discerning 28 set. His enthusiasm and energy in performance, ability to connect with the kids and saltoftheearth style that brings a bluesy, rockinfluenced sound to childrens music is fast making him a favorite among kids and parents alike.
Born and raised in San Jose, Calif., Mr. David is the youngest of four children who grew up with the rich cultural traditions of their fathers Mediterranean heritage. His parents encouraged spirituality, creativity, passion and individuality in the household, introducing their children at a very young age to the music and culture of many different people from around the world. Some of Mr. Davids earliest memories are of guests being welcomed into their home from countries like Greece, Norway, India, Denmark, the U.K., France, Russia and the Sudan, bringing with them stories of their homeland and ways. This early exposure to so many different cultures now plays a great influence on Mr. Davids music.
For or as long as he can remember, Mr. David has been performing. From the childhood home movies he would make with his best friend to Hollywood, where he worked in national commercials and as an extra on television shows like Nash Bridges, and films such as Sweet November, The Wedding Planner, Bedazzled, The Princess Diaries and more, Mr. David has always felt most at home in front of an audience.
He first picked up a guitar at the age of fourteenit was mothers 1965 Karl Hauser that had been sitting in her closet for years. Hes been playing ever since, experimenting with different music genres and styles and studying many of the great songwriters of this century. A near obsessive devotee of The Beatles, Mr. Davids influences run the gamut from Bob Dylan to Johnny Cash and Buddy Holly, touching on Paul Simon, Roy Orbison and The Rolling Stones in between. His appreciation for bluesinfluenced rockn roll, with simple, classic melodies and guitar rifts, comes out in much of his own music. And, his childhood exposure to the many different sounds of the world plays a significant role in his original compositions, where he often interweaves a variety of instruments together, like Mediterraneaninspired mandolin rhythms and African drum beats with classical guitar rifts and rockinfluenced base lines. Hes willing to use any instrument, from the piano to the conga drum to the harmonica, wash board and everything in between to create unexpected, exciting sounds that get children enthusiastic about singing and moving to music.
Mr. David has developed a music enrichment program that he takes to preschools, elementary and middle schools in the Bay Area. The program is aimed at getting children excited about hearing and experiencing music.
Im an entertainer, in the truest sense of the word, he points out. Im interested in telling a story, and Ill use every means I havemy voice, instrument, body, mind, whateverto deliver a song and get the kids involved. This isnt an easy job. Ive had so many moments of doubt and frustration, but once I get in front of the kids to perform, everything seems to fall into place, and it just feel right. So, I just keep telling myself do what you love, and the rest will come.
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