 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Purple Burt
- By Mitch Friedman
- Genre: Children's Music
Common Sense Media says
Noisy songs, stories about invisible purple boy.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that the overall theme promotes tolerance and the importance of friends, and will most likely appeal to older children. Some of the wacky lyrics address thinly veiled racial issues. A song about a boy who's dad has '"gone away" could upset a young child whose parents are divorced or deceased.
What's the story?
PURPLE BURT contains 29 songs and stories about an invisible purple boy named Burt and his friends. The opening song profiles "Purple Burt" as an invisible boy who "eats green beans, orange porridge and red bread...drinks blue juice, wears pink mink and black slacks." Singer songwriter Mitch Friedman, the narrator and voice of Purple Burt, jumps back and forth between those personas, explaining things such as how Burt became purple and invisible.
Is it any good?
Friedman has a raggedy, often endearing, singing voice. A track devoted to burping and slurping in rhythm is destined to be a young listener's favorite. "Color Feel" is a lovely, mid-tempo Beatles-like tribute to the power of color in Burt's life. Two standouts include the nonsensical do-wop dance song "Wonder Where," and Burt's friend Dr. Fritz Von Nozzle singing the energetic, slightly demented standout rock song "What a Gas!"
The homemade production quality makes it difficult at times to hear the words, a particular problem when lyrics play such an important role. Fortunately, the CD package includes a lyric booklet with colorful illustrations. The music occasionally veers beyond wacky to sloppy dissonance, though young kids and some parents might like the garish sound. While it won't soothe young listeners, the album's well-meaning themes may provoke lively family discussions.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about prejudicial attitudes toward people who are different.
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| Artist: | Mitch Friedman |
| Release date: | May 19, 2005 |
| Label: | Meechmusic |
| Genre: | Children's Music |
| Parental advisory: | No |
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