Hi-5 will keep the whole family jumping and jiving!
Written: Jun 30 '05
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Shaun, Curtis, Karla, Jenn and Kimee!!!
Cons: You may not be able to get certain songs out of your head!
The Bottom Line: Hi-5 is a breath of fresh air in children's music, Jump and Jive with Hi-5 is proof positive!
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| jenb123's Full Review: Jump & Jive With Hi-5 by Hi-5 |
As a mother, childcare worker and teacher, I have heard my share of children’s music. My children outgrew The Wiggles, Barney, Kidz Bop, Disney and more; and I have nearly worn out discs by Hap Palmer, Greg & Steve, and Dr. Jean. My accidental “discovery” of a talented group called Hi-5 has earned them four new fans- two are my children, one is my husband, and of course, there is me.
For anyone who is not familiar with the group, Hi-5, I must point out that I am referring to the American version of the group as I review Jump and Jive with Hi-5. Executive producer Helena Harris, known for such shows as Bananas in Pajamas, launched Hi-5 in Australia, where they have been very popular. In 2003, an additional group was created, also called Hi-5, featuring Kimee Balmilero, Curtis Cregan, Karla Cheatham-Mosley, Jennifer Peterson-Hind and Shaun Taylor-Corbett. The American Hi-5 films their shows in Australia, utilizing concepts, costumes and music performed by the Aussie group. I have heard only a few songs performed by the original line-up, so I will not compare the two any further.
In the United States, Hi-5 can be seen on TLC, Discovery Kids Ready-Set-Learn, and Discovery Kids On Demand, Canadians can find them on The Knowledge Network, and there are DVDs available. Jump and Jive with Hi-5 is an enhanced CD which features 37 audio tracks and some special bonus features such as a video preview and photo gallery. The CD contains the music video for Move Your Body (CD track 3) and offers a glimpse of Kimee, Shaun, Curtis, Karla, and Jenn in action. The CD booklet is filled with colorful pictures and song lyrics, so there is no reason not to sing along.
The audio tracks include nine upbeat and educational songs, each of which relates to a weekly theme. These songs are featured in the opening and closing the corresponding episodes, Robot No. 1 is in Machines, North South East & West goes with Adventure, Ready Or Not is part of the Games theme, and so on. Tracks 2 through 10 are included with and without vocals, for karaoke fun, so those lyrics can really come in handy.
The track listing:
1. Hi-5 Theme
2. Ready or Not
3. Move Your Body
4. Three Wishes
5. Living in a Rainbow
6. Five Senses
7. So Many Animals
8. North South East & West
9. Robot No. 1
10. Feel the Beat
11. Sailing Down the River [Songlet]
12. Pizza, Pizza, Pizza [Songlet]
13. Space Friends [Songlet]
14. Clean My Teeth [Songlet]
15. Skeleton Bones [Songlet]
16. Funky Reggae Music [Songlet]
17. Building a Fence [Songlet]
18. Belly Wobble [Songlet]
19. Build a City [Songlet]
20. My Best Friend [Songlet]
21. Elephant's Trunk [Songlet]
22. Dragon Dance [Songlet]
23. Buzzy Bee [Songlet]
24. Pitter Patter [Songlet]
25. Rock-Melon [Songlet]
26. Yodel-Moo [Songlet]
27. Night Time, Sleep Time [Songlet]
28. Ready or Not [Karaoke]
29. Move Your Body [Karaoke]
30. Three Wishes [Karaoke]
31. Living in a Rainbow [Karaoke]
32. Five Senses [Karaoke]
33. So Many Animals [Karaoke]
34. North South East & West [Karaoke]
35. Robot No. 1 [Karaoke]
36. Feel the Beat [Karaoke]
37. We're Hi-5
The various songlets are included within episodes, usually performed by individual cast members (with some help from the rest of the gang as back-up) during their signature segments. For example, Karla’s segment is known as Body Move and emphasizes motor skills and coordination, encouraging movement with singing, dancing and playing. Jenn and a puppet named Chatterbox use games, songs and other fun activities to build language skills, and Curtis stresses rhythm and music. Kimee loves puzzles, encouraging problem solving and logic, and Shaun uses many creative activities to develop visual and spatial awareness. Songlets like Sailing Down the River and My Best Friend are pretty melodies, no doubt calming and soothing to many. Yodel-Moo, Dragon Dance and Rock-Melon are sure to elicit giggles and Clean My Teeth promotes healthy little smiles. Many of these songlets are testaments to each cast members’ vocal talent
All five cast members display an enthusiasm that is so genuine, it can be seen, felt and heard by children and adults alike. Their voices meld beautifully when they sing together, and their individual personalities bring the concepts contained in each songlet to life. The songs themselves are unique among most children’s performers, mixing a variety of musical styles with simple, often educational, lyrics. As they used to say on American Bandstand, many of these songs have “a good beat, and you can dance to (them);” which is exactly what children do when they hear them. Parents can also enjoy songs like North, South, East and West, Ready or Not, and Feel the Beat, and many really do. Variety and originality is the backbone of this album.
If watching the shows and listening to their CD was not enough to hook this family on Hi-5, a recent promotional appearance sure did. On a very hot Sunday afternoon, Hi-5 performed songs from Jump and Jive with Hi-5 at a local Meijer Store’s grand opening. My family arrived while the group was doing a sound-check, and we quietly watched, much to my children’s delight. Once the group noticed us early birds in the parking lot, they waved to the kids. As they practiced Robot No. 1, someone brought the kids some Hi-5 stickers and mentioned the performances and autograph sessions to come. As the cast left the stage to go change clothes for the show, they paused to greet the children who were excitedly staring at them. They posed for a few pictures, and were very warm and friendly. Shaun and Karla were especially kind. When they performed later, they made a point of interacting with the kids in the audience, and after the show, they patiently signed autographs. Curtis and Shaun made my daughters particularly happy, mentioning that they had seen them in the audience and recalling that we were “the first ones there.” After a few more high fives from Hi-5, we returned to our car and listened to Jump and Jive!
Obviously, I highly recommend Jump and Jive with Hi-5, which is very appropriately titled. The high-energy songs, fun songlets and bonus features alone make this CD worth having, plus the karaoke tracks are hard NOT to sing along to. Shaun, Jenn, Karla, Kimee, and Curtis are as talented as they are dedicated. Their performances make it clear that they each give 110% to the fans, with personalities that shine through colorful costumes and funky styles. As someone who works with tots and preschoolers, I am glad to have something fresh, new and fun to incorporate into classes.
Hi-5 is a welcome change in children’s entertainment. I believe that Hi-5 is likely to appeal to families who enjoy The Wiggles, as well as to those who cringe when they hear wiggly tunes like “Hot Potato.” Toddlers can bounce to Hi-5’s beat, preschoolers can sing and dance along, and older “kids” can “swoon” over Curtis and Shaun. As I have, you may find that siblings with a large age difference can Jump and Jive together, and fathers that are uncomfortable around Captain Feathersword seem to have no problem watching and hearing Karla, Kimee and Jenn.
Jump and Jive with Hi-5 is ideal for those newly discovering the group, as well as for loyal fans. The smiles on the cover photo are as genuine as their charismatic personalities, their energy is contagious, and their talent is real. My family looks forward to an upcoming tour and I suspect that Hi-5 tickets will sell out quick. Your children will enjoy singing along with you and with Hi-5 too.
Recommended:
Yes
Great Music to Play While: With Family
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jenb123
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