Purple Burt (by Mitch Friedman, Children's Music)

common sense media says

Noisy songs, stories about invisible purple boy.


parents & educators 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.

Positive messages: Not applicable.
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on Purple Burt

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about prejudicial attitudes toward people who are different.

What's the story?

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?

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.

Music themes & details

Music Details
Released on: May 19, 2005
Label: Meechmusic
Genre: Children's Music

This review was written by Common Sense Media Editors
 
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is 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