Victor Vito

Amazon.com Laurie Berkner’s Victor Vito is a 22-song giggle-fest for the under-7 crowd. Witness “The Goldfish,” one of 16 originals on the former educator’s third album, in which a bunch of fishies find themselves lathering up in the shower and pedaling furiously on bicycles until it dawns on them that their species doesn’t do that sort of thing. And there’s the title tune, which finds Victor Vito and Freddie Vasco snacking on a burrito with Tabasco and then tipping the hot stuff on their rice and beans and rutabagas and collard greens before Victor dives into a plate of spaghetti with Freddie. Loopy takes on classics like “O Susannah” round out the acoustic-guitar-driven drollery, and after both “Shakin’ Down the Sugar” and an ode to feeling crazy enough to jump in the soup, the last cut, “Goodnight,” is a welcome wind down. Berkner blurs the way too distinct line between goofiness and hipness with major aplomb, and this album’s simple production, combined with her playful singing voice, seals the deal. Victor Vito is unwaveringly victorious in its friendly, laugh-a-minute mission. –Tammy La Gorce Product Description Victor Vito is Laurie Berker’s third album, winner of five awards including “Best Recording for Toddlers” from the Children’s Music Web. It’s easy to see why Billboard magazine called Victor Vito “one of 1999’s best kids’ albums.” On this recording, Laurie’s acoustic guitar is joined by a variety of instruments including flute, harmonica, horns and maracas. From the lovely a cappella harmonies on “Moon ” and “White Coral Bells” to a song about some very silly goldfish, to the bouncy, irresistibly catchy title track, Victor Vito is chock-full of songs that kids love and parents sneak off to listen to! Destined to become a family favorite! Songs include Victor Vito, Bottle Caps, Moon , Foggier Went A-Courting’, I’m Not Perfect, The Toy Museum, O Susannah, Boots, Oleanna, The Crabs, Sneaks, The Goldfish, Zodiac, Trucks, Fruit Salad Salsa, The Story of My Feelings, I Feel Crazy So I Jump in The Soup, Shaken’ Down the Sugar and more! 22 song collection. Review “Bound to win the hearts of music-loving kids (and parents).” — U.S. News & World Report, January 26, 2000 “Loopy lyrics and terrific tunes . . . a surefire mood lifter.” — Working Mother, May, 2000 “The Ani Di Franco of kids’ music . . . Berkner has taken children’s music out of the nursery and into summer camp.” — Tower Pulse, May, 2000 “[She] matches fun and catchy lyrics to her beautiful voice, encouraging kids to sing and move to the beat.” — American Baby, January, 2001 “[Victor Vito’s] title cut has already become a birthday-party anthem.” — Us Weekly, April 16, 2001 About the Artist Laurie Berkner has been working with children since 1992, singing, writing and teaching music, but her recent success as a children’s recording artist was a surprise to her. “It was so unexpected,” says Laurie. “I’d been performing in rock bands and struggling to write original music. Writing music for kids has not been a struggle at all.” While Laurie never planned to be a children’s performer, looking back on her career it almost seems inevitable. Growing up in Princeton, New Jersey, Laurie was always involved in music. In high school and throughout college (at Rutgers University), she toured Europe with several choirs and orchestras as a soloist and guitarist. After college, Laurie began working as the children’s music specialist at New York area preschool and day care centers. Laurie Berkner’s first release in 1997, ‘Whaddaya Think Of That?’ (only available on cassette at the time) was inspired by the parents of her young students. “The children were really responding to the music we created together,” explains Laurie. Many of the songs involve movement, and all of them invite children’s participation. Songs such as “We Are The Dinosaurs” allow children to act angry and to feel that they have power, while quieter songs inspire feelings of security and warmth. By the time she released her second CD in 1998, ‘Buzz Buzz,’ Laurie had formed her own record company, Two Tomatoes Records. Her work began to sell briskly in the New York area as word of mouth began to spread and critical acclaim began pouring in. Laurie’s inventive, playful, and well-crafted songs, as well as her accomplished guitar playing and engaging vocals, stood out among other, often over-produced, children’s fare. By the time Laurie’s third release, ‘Victor Vito’ came out in late 1999, she had national distribution and a fanatic following among children aged 0-7, including the offspring of celebrities such as Madonna, Sting, and Ally Sheedy (all of whom invited Laurie to perform at their children’s birthday parties). The CD received enormous critical acclaim, as well as two Children’s Music Web awards and a Parent’s Guide To Children’s Media Award. ‘Whaddaya Think Of That?’ was remastered and re-released on CD in September, 2000. The recording features many of Laurie’s ki

Features

• 22 song collection
• Destined to become a family favorite
• Great children’s music CD