Dinorock: Dreamosaurus

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Ostensibly a way too tightly niched project for nightmare-suffering dinosaur lovers, Dinorock's Dreamosaurus is actually a ton of fun for anybody who's ever pondered the prehistoric bumblers or, for that matter, anyone who dreams. At the outset, we're introduced to everykid Nelson, whose parents are contemplating the consequences of reading their scary-dream-susceptible son a hair-raising tale about the humungous lizardlike creatures he spends his every waking hour obsessing over. At Nelson's insistence, they proceed--but not before his mom helpfully reminds him that he can control the outcome of nightmares. Once the lights are out, listeners whirl around a windmill-like profusion of Nelson's dreams. First our slumbering subject stumbles into the dreamweavers, a reassuring band of well-wishers along to remind Nelson that he can conquer his fears. And then the artfully disguised archaeology lesson begins: We meet Doris the stegosaurus, who's "not even 2 but knows what to do" by relying on stegosaurus instincts; Tina Titanosaurus, an Argentinean longneck who dances a mean tango even though she has "two left feet and two right feet, too"; and a sometimes fierce, sometimes friendly selection of other swaggering sauruses (with the exception of Shy Kyle the ankylosaurus, who's more likely to squirm than swagger). Each cut's clever lyrics linger long enough to warrant Schoolhouse Rock comparisons, and Darryl Duff's deep-voiced delivery in the a cappella-styled "Alan Apatasaurus Lament" will live on long after this album has become extinct in the minds of its young listeners. That's not to say this album won't have Stone Age-like staying power in most collections, though; its spot-on production and skilled musicians seal the deal on its sticking around for more than a few spins. --Tammy La Gorce

From Parents' Choice®
Good news for pint-sized dinomaniacs: Dynorock's latest edutainment is another wonderfully creative treat chock-full of real information about dinosaurus galore. This time, the creative trio - Michele Valeri, Mike Stein and Ingrid Crepeau - begins its well-researched, smart and tuneful songs with the "Dream Weavers" who "slide through the window on moonbeams," and weave the threads of a child's sleepy dinosaur thoughts into a dream.

No nightmare images here: A comfort zone is established... read more

Dinorock: Dreamosaurus

Tracks:

Dinosaur Babies Guitar Solo
Nelson, My Little Dreamosaurus
Dream Weavers
Hey, Am I Asleep?
Dinosaur Babies
Really Good Instincts
Doris The Stegosaurus
The Perfect Long Neck
The Tina Titanosaurus Lament
An Old Fossil
The Alan Apatosaurus Lament
You're Talking Too Loud
Shy Kyle The Ankylosaurus
I'm Not A Bird Brain!
The Quetzalcoatlus Kid
What Was That?
Harry The Honker
Will You Let Me Talk!
A Triceratops Named Sam
Mister T. Rex Is My Daddy
Roxie Regina
I Do Know What To Do
Moms To The Rescue
I Had An Amusing Dream!
Dream Weavers (Reprise)

Amazon.com

Ostensibly a way too tightly niched project for nightmare-suffering dinosaur lovers, Dinorock's Dreamosaurus is actually a ton of fun for anybody who's ever pondered the prehistoric bumblers or, for that matter, anyone who dreams. At the outset, we're introduced to everykid Nelson, whose parents are contemplating the consequences of reading their scary-dream-susceptible son a hair-raising tale about the humungous lizardlike creatures he spends his every waking hour obsessing over. At Nelson's insistence, they proceed--but not before his mom helpfully reminds him that he can control the outcome of nightmares. Once the lights are out, listeners whirl around a windmill-like profusion of Nelson's dreams. First our slumbering subject stumbles into the dreamweavers, a reassuring band of well-wishers along to remind Nelson that he can conquer his fears. And then the artfully disguised archaeology lesson begins: We meet Doris the stegosaurus, who's "not even 2 but knows what to do" by relying on stegosaurus instincts; Tina Titanosaurus, an Argentinean longneck who dances a mean tango even though she has "two left feet and two right feet, too"; and a sometimes fierce, sometimes friendly selection of other swaggering sauruses (with the exception of Shy Kyle the ankylosaurus, who's more likely to squirm than swagger). Each cut's clever lyrics linger long enough to warrant Schoolhouse Rock comparisons, and Darryl Duff's deep-voiced delivery in the a cappella-styled "Alan Apatasaurus Lament" will live on long after this album has become extinct in the minds of its young listeners. That's not to say this album won't have Stone Age-like staying power in most collections, though; its spot-on production and skilled musicians seal the deal on its sticking around for more than a few spins. --Tammy La Gorce

Customer Reviews:

very catchy, well-made tunes.......2003-02-04

As other reviewers have said, these DinoRock productions are great for kids. Each one has several songs that I love to sing along with, and I often sing or hum the catchiest parts off and on during the day.

But I must offer an opinion differing from all the other reviews I have read -- the narration is kind of annoying. And I feel bad expressing this opinion, because I really do like these works, but I would like them so-o-o much better if they had hired professional actors to do the spoken parts. I'm sorry, the tunes are great, but the spoken lines fall flat! Very amateur sounding. I'm pretty sure that even I could do a better job reading the lines. So, if you are easily annoyed by that type of production flaw, be fore-warned. But of course, the kids don't mind, and most assuredly don't even notice.

Great children's entertainment with quality musicians.......2003-01-17

This whole series is fantastic! They are done by real musicians with talent and excitement. It's fun for the kids and not annoying for parents. Some children's music is so out of tune and poorly done. Also, a lot of things for children include lots of potty humor or focus on characters who are rude or mean. These CDs do not include such traits and they are educational. They are really great quality entertainment for your children. You will be very pleased with them.

Fantastic CD, Tricks you into learning too!.......2002-11-13

We received this CD as a gift and played it for our kids without previewing it first. We started to get leery as it mentioned Nelson's nightmares, but there was no need to be concerned -- this CD is AMAZING!

It has wonderful characters, excellent use of different musical styles, and you can learn more about dinosaurs as well. The concept of the dreamweavers helping you deal with your dreams has been adopted by our son (he lets his dreamweavers come on vacation with us).

Can't believe this one didn't win the Grammy.......2000-03-06

I have to wonder if the Grammy voters actually have kids, or if they merely vote for Name Brand as reflex. What a shame, when there's so much more creativity around than strictly Sesame Street. This album is a case in point. Not only is it stylish, catchy, well-performed and well-written musically, it is also uniquely educational. We were fortunate enough to have been able to attend some live performances by this talented group, but I know many families who haven't and whose kids still adore this album. The theme is dinosaurs, of course, but there's a sensitively-handled subtext about handling fears and nightmares. I can't recommend this one too highly, we're giving it as gifts all the time, along with Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer's "Changing Channels" (which was also nominated for a Grammy and lost out to Sesame Street).

Andrew Lloyd Webber for kids!.......2000-02-24

Okay, so I don't have kids. But this record has some great tunes that are fun to listen to (and sing along with).

It reminds me of "Starlight Express", with its introduction of different characters, each singing his or her own distinctive and individual song. There's an actual plot, which sweeps you along with it. And the singing is great.

I think kids (and other adults) will love this record. By the way, did you know that it was nominated for (and may have won) a Grammy? It's definitely worth the price.

Music:

Music

Music