Lots of family music entertainers make albums suitable for the whole family to rock out, but few aim for the toddler-preschool set. Even fewer do it without sounding like they’re talking down to the wee ones. This is why Debi Derryberry is a such a breath of fresh air on the kid tune scene. Her third album demonstrates her ability to connect to the youngest children with warmth and wonder.
Baby Banana is the musical elaboration on a story Derryberry created for her son about an imaginative family that includes a flying banana, Daddy Gorilla, and Momma Duck. These characters populate most of the nine songs on the CD, ranging from the Calypso-swinging title track (previously released on another recording that garnered heavy airplay on satellite kids radio) to the country lilt of “I Wish You Could Fly With Me” (on which Derryberry’s voice is at its most enchanting).
Playing with the gentle jungle theme throughout the album, Derryberry swings with the ‘30s jazz-tinged “Ooodle the Orangatan,” about one of Baby Banana’s friends; “Tropical Fruit,” referring to a collection of delicious treats; and “I’m A Chameleon,” a song about an ever-changing creature. Other special treats include a track about a growing serving of dessert called “Scoops of Ice Cream” and a reading of Derryberry’s book version of the title song. Listen carefully to the story and you’ll hear the inflections of the characters she’s voiced for TV, including Jimmy Neutron himself, which illustrates more of the far-reaching talent Derryberry has for entertaining children.
