Merry Fishes to All

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Leave it to a coupe of quirky Arkansas buskers preoccupied with all things snowy to deliver a uniquely hatched collection of original Christmas songs. Ezra Idlet and Keith Grimwood have made a name with a family brand of entertainment that combines humor, harmony and imagination. There's plenty of each on Merry Fishes to All, but this is truly a record wrapped with the kids in mind. Surveying the seasonal landscape, the flaky duo sizes up the disappointments of getting clothes for Christmas, having a birthday on December 25, and getting a Cheese Log! In between there's a whacky reworking of a classic called "The Eleven Cats of Christmas" and some simply lovely songs even a hardened old Scrooge could love, including "Snow Is Falling" and "You Got to Get Up," the enchanted desperate plea of every kid who ever burst from bed Christmas morning before sunrise. There's only a couple limp lines drifting off here, but overall the fish are jumpin' and Santa approves. --Martin Keller

Tracks:

Chocolate Christmas
My First Christmas
Snow Is Falling
Santa Brought Me Clothes
Snow Day
The Eleven Cats Of Christmas
Just Because, Mrs. Claus
I Got A Cheese Log
Bob And Bob
You Gotta Get Up
My Birthday Comes On Christmas
The Christmas Letter

Amazon.com

Leave it to a coupe of quirky Arkansas buskers preoccupied with all things snowy to deliver a uniquely hatched collection of original Christmas songs. Ezra Idlet and Keith Grimwood have made a name with a family brand of entertainment that combines humor, harmony and imagination. There's plenty of each on Merry Fishes to All, but this is truly a record wrapped with the kids in mind. Surveying the seasonal landscape, the flaky duo sizes up the disappointments of getting clothes for Christmas, having a birthday on December 25, and getting a Cheese Log! In between there's a whacky reworking of a classic called "The Eleven Cats of Christmas" and some simply lovely songs even a hardened old Scrooge could love, including "Snow Is Falling" and "You Got to Get Up," the enchanted desperate plea of every kid who ever burst from bed Christmas morning before sunrise. There's only a couple limp lines drifting off here, but overall the fish are jumpin' and Santa approves. --Martin Keller

Customer Reviews:

Great music!!!.......2007-01-10

This is wonderful music for families. The music and the musicians are very entertaining--the humor can be appreciated by young and old alike. The music is creative and the musicians are very talented. We as a family highly recommend this CD.

merrileewesing.......2007-01-09

Really loved this so much so that I gave it for presents this Christmas.
"The Eleven Cats Of Christmas" soon became a favorite of my grandson's and there are too many to list that are my favorites--"I Got A Cheese Log"; "Clothes for Christmas"; etc. Such good vocals, not heard since the 60's groups.

Well, Merry Christmas to me! .......2005-12-21

Every year, I have to get a couple of new holiday CDs--especially, the different ones. Instead of "White Christmas" this album starts with chocolate, chocolate, and more chocolate...

This isn't just a happy album, though. Trout Fishing shows you the good and bad side of Christmas. How many of you lament the year you got a cheese log, clothes---or the fact that your birthday is too darn close to Christmas?

And the "Christmas Letter" at the end is just too good. If you're feeling down this year, this CD will definitely get you smiling.

I got a cheese log!.......2004-12-25

This is a terrific album by a folk music duo. At least they are ostensibly a folk duo. Many of the songs here have accompaniment from additional musicians and have more of a rock or jazz feel to them. This album was nominated for a Grammy for Best Children's Album. And while it is indeed an album that can be enjoyed by children, it is also quite enjoyable for adults too. In fact, some of the songs here have lyrics that are a bit too sophisticated to be really appreciated by children. Most of the songs are humorous, but there are a few songs that are played "straight". To sum it up, this is a fun Christmas album that can be enjoyed by both the young and the young at heart.

Another Grammy nomination!.......2004-12-18

I admit it. My family and I are Trout junkies...we can't seem to get enough of these 2 talented guys. We have traveled near and not-so-near to see them live. It's because they really get it, and by "it", I mean the BIG it. As in, "what's it all about?" Things like childhood, growing up, being part of a family, having fun, enjoying each other. And they are fabulous musicians to boot! This album has just been nominated for a Grammy!

With the release of this holiday CD, our annual dilemna of "do we listen to Trout or holiday music?" has been solved. We now have the best of both worlds! The songs are for the most part their original works...you haven't heard them a gazillion times before, but they will become instant classics in your family. Every song is someone's "favorite" in our house, so there are no skipped tracks.

"Snow is Falling" is my personal favorite. I can't put it in words any better than another person who wrote that a real love and respect for children shines through. As I often do when I'm listening to Trout music, I find myself inspired to strive to be the kind of parent my children deserve.

"Snow Day", "Bob & Bob", a great song about 2 "flaky little snowflakes with ordinary names", "You Gotta Get Up" and "The Christmas Letter" are also on my list of favorites. This last one is a touching and pretty song, written much like the familiar Christmas letter sent by many families to keep in touch with loved ones.

"My First Christmas" is a very fun song that cleverly uses titles of popular Christmas carols to tell the story of a baby's first Christmas. "Just Because, Mrs Claus" is a plea for Mrs. Claus to help Mr. Claus lose a few lbs, because "when he was walking rooftops last year, ceilings started cracking." The words are hysterical! After listening to "I Got a Cheese Log" I guarantee you will find yourself humming this catchy little tune at your next holiday party when you come across the obligatory cheese log. "The Eleven Cats of Christmas", or as they call it at our house, "Meow-y Christmas", is The 12 Days of Christmas meets We Wish You a Merry Christmas. Fans of the album My World will be happy to hear a reference to Chicken Joe in this song.

To summarize...great words and music as always. Thanks Keith and Ezra and congrats on the Grammy nomination. I highly recommend this CD. There you go. There you have it.

Music:

Music

Music