Kids'-music pioneer performs
tomorrow
by Melinda Bargreen
Times
music critic
WEEKEND FINDS
Chances are
if you're a music-loving family with small children you're already very
familiar with the likes of Raffi and Sharon, Lois and Bram. But you
may not know the man whose career made all these performers possible: Hap
Palmer.
Palmer is coming to Seattle tomorrow for a 1 p.m.
engagement at the Moore Theater, the last in a first-rate series of
children's artists engaged for 1988-89 by Linden International and its
director, Chauni Haslett. A couple of generations of educators
already revere him for his approach to children's music; so do the
purchasers of his 33 albums, landmark discs that have spawned dozens of
imitators.
Palmer's 20 year career as a guitar-playing
singer/songwriter has its basis in the folk idiom, and he's the kind of
performer who appeals instinctively to children: gentle, easygoing,
up-beat. He's comfortable to listen to. His songs, many of
them strikingly original, take the child's viewpoint to explore such
topics as using the imagination and building good character values.
But he isn't afraid to be silly and fun. Among
his most successful albums are such titles as "Walter, the Waltzing
Worm" and "Tickly Toddle," and their gentle good humor is
just the ticket for the youngster who might be overexcited or frightened
by some of the more frenetic, maniacally energetic children's acts. His
latest album, "Rhythms On Parade," is aimed at parents and
teachers as well as at children, and it helps instill music teaching
skills.
Like its four predecessors in the series, this concert
benefits Children's Hospital and Medical Center.
The
Seattle Times, April 1, 1989
