Great Big Sun

– Moira McCormick, Billboard Magazine/Family Fun
· "Bursting with warmth, exuberance, and humor, Chicago folk-rocker Justin Roberts’ Great Big

Sun is a sheer delight

Product Description
A children's album, influenced by James Taylor, Bob Dorough (Schoolhouse Rock) and Randy Newman, Great Big Sun is full of songs that are by turn humorous, educational and poignant yet never lose the wide-eyed naiveté of childhood.·

"Great Big Sun is directly responsible for some of the fondest memories I will have of our twin daughters infancy. In fact, I’m so fond of [Great Big Sun] that I’ve played it for my own enjoyment when the girls were nowhere near." – Lou Diamond Phillips, Film Actor

Great Big Sun

Great Big Sun,Justin Roberts,Carpet Square Records

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Great Big Sun

Average customer rating: Great CD!! Parents & kids can enjoy!!! Not just for kids We LOVE Justin Roberts Great CD you and your family will enjoy first songs my kids clapped for

Great Big Sun Manufacturer: Big Kids Productions ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Folk | Styles | Music General | Children's Music | Styles | Music General | Folk | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Way Out Yellow Bus Meltdown! Not Naptime Green Gorilla, Monster & Me ASIN: B0000541BO Release Date: 2000-11-07

Tracks:

1. Great Big Sun
2. If You Got 1
3. Everything Else Starts With e
4. Little Raindrop
5. Apple Tree
6. Smart Parts
7. Do You Wanna Go
8. 3 Lil' Pigs
9. A,B,C,D,E
10. Bouncin' Baby
11. Old Pajamas
12. Kitty Kat, Kitty Kat
13. Goodnight

Album Description

A children's album, influenced by James Taylor, Bob Dorough (Schoolhouse Rock) and Randy Newman, Great Big Sun is full of songs that are by turn humorous, educational and poignant yet never lose the wide-eyed naiveté of childhood.·

“Great Big Sun is directly responsible for some of the fondest memories I will have of our twin daughters infancy. In fact, I'm so fond of [Great Big Sun] that I've played it for my own enjoyment when the girls were nowhere near.” - Lou Diamond Phillips, Film Actor

Customer Reviews:

Great CD!! Parents & kids can enjoy!!!.......2007-01-10

My son heard one of Justin's songs on a kids network. I searched for the CD and I'm so glad I tracked it down. ALL of the songs on this CD are catchy and singable - without driving parents crazy if they have to listen to it over and over.

Not just for kids.......2006-06-06

This quirky and smart CD is one that my kids love and is never tiresome to me. I often listen to this CD even when my kids are not around. It is just that good. His puts on a great live show.

We LOVE Justin Roberts.......2005-08-06

My daughter, age 2.5 sings every song on this CD. Little Raindrop being our favorite...along with Everything else starts with E. .... no wait we love the WHOLE thing!! You will too!

Great CD you and your family will enjoy.......2005-07-13

I have been working backwards through the JR catalog and this second title I own by this artist. Great Big Sun is catchy, humorous, intelligent, soulful (yes I said soulful describing a children's album) and positive. The title track (Great Big Sun) sets a high bar and the tone followed by refreshingly creative new spins on counting ('If you got 1'), the alphabet ('Everything else starts with e' and 'a,b,c,d,e'), and childhood ('Apple tree'). The themes are relevant to life, no matter what age. The only negatives compared to 'Way Out' are the run time is a little short at 31:56 and 'Do You Wanna Go' does not fit in with the other songs in speed or tempo. However, this is music you and your family will enjoy..."Aint gonna let no wolf run my life"...

first songs my kids clapped for.......2005-01-11

My boys get so excited when we play this CD. Fortunately, it is very easy for adults to listen to as well. There are a couple tracks on this CD - everytime we here them my 18 month old applauds.

Average customer rating: Avant-Space-Blues Outstanding collection from poorly documented 70's period Meanders a bit

Great Lost Sun Ra Albums: Cymbals & Crystal Spears Sun Ra Manufacturer: Evidence ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Avant Garde & Free Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Contemporary Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Box Sets | Stores | Music Similar Items: Sunrise in Different Dimensions Cosmos Sound Grammar The Cellar Door Sessions 1970 ASIN: B00004XSLG Release Date: 2000-09-26

Tracks:

1. The World Of The Invisible
2. Thoughts Under A Dark Blue Light
3. The Order Of The Pharaonic Jesters
4. The Mystery Of Two
5. Land Of The Day Star

Tracks:

1. Crystal Spears
2. The Eternal Sphynx
3. The Embassy Of The Living God
4. Sunrise In The Western Sky

Amazon.com

This two-CD set consists of two "lost" Sun Ra LPs, both recorded in 1973 and originally intended for release by Impulse Records. Cymbals, the first of them, emphasizes Sun Ra's organ and rhythm section playing at medium tempos with only one or two horn players at a time joining them. The great bassist Ronnie Boykins, whose flexible walking bass lines and creative bowed work were often obscured on recordings of the large band, is unusually prominent, with particularly good musical dialogue between him and Sun Ra (playing a rocksichord) on "The Order of the Pharaonic Jesters." "Thoughts under a Dark Blue Light," 16 minutes long, is a lumpy polyrhythmic blues that includes a masterpiece of sustained avant-blues playing by John Gilmore, a giant of the tenor saxophone who influenced Coltrane but rarely ventured out of the Arkestra.

The second CD, Crystal Spears, uses the horns more extensively, along with a battery of percussionists. Drummer Clifford Jarvis and two conga players often build up extraordinary polyrhythms at slow and medium tempos, and there's a processional or ceremonial feel to much of the music. Sun Ra's use of the mini-Moog synthesizer is particularly creative on the album's original title track. "The Embassy of the Living God" matches his dirgelike organ with the horns' brilliantly chaotic collective improvisation. There are fine solos throughout by trumpeter Akh Tal Ebah and the trio of Gilmore, Danny Davis, and Marshall Allan on reeds. The original LPs were mixed in Quadraphonic Sound, and Cymbals, like many Sun Ra recordings, has muddy sound and considerable mike distortion on Sun Ra's keyboards and the horns. Evidence Music has done heroic work in cleaning up the sound to the extent that they have. --Stuart Broomer

Customer Reviews:

Avant-Space-Blues.......2002-06-14

Thank you Evidence for unearthing these tracks. I think that, far from being only for the Ra completist, these two albums are essential Ra and perhaps the best place for the Ra novice to start. Cymbals shows Ra and Company in the mode of the great organ groups of the 50s and 60s, albeit twisted through the distinct Ra prism. Ra's organ playing has never been more inciniary, and John Gilmore burns the house down with his solo on Thoughts Under a Dark Blue Light. This is first rate avant-blues.

Crystal Spears is a pared down Arkestra album that resembles more of the groups 60's recording. It has the extended chamber jazz feel of albums like The Heliocentric Worlds of Sun Ra, but is more accessible. These pieces resemble shaman ceremonies...you get the sense that something deep and mysterious is going on.

All in all, these are great releases. They are a must for the Ra completist (though I doubt you'll ever own the complete Ra...new albums keep coming out all the time! Perhaps he's still recording in his new dimension of existence!) But I think these albums are also a great place to start an adventure into the music of Sun Ra. They are equal parts familiar and adventurous.

Outstanding collection from poorly documented 70's period.......2001-02-10

Despite one of the worst covers yet concieved by Evidence for their Sun Ra releases (don't be fooled by the shot shown on this page--that's the INSIDE cover) and having to shell out the cost of a double (~......) for a set that isn't much longer than their 2 on 1 CD releases, 'The Great Lost Sun Ra Albums' is a fantastic set, documenting what was previously a poorly covered period. These two albums, along with the sister album ('friendly love') give you four effectively lost albums all of outstanding quality. The pieces here are less 'blowing' as the pieces appearing on 'Friendly Love' and are instead a bit gentler with some of Sun Ra's better keyboard playing up front in the mix. This doesn't mean these albums aren't 'out', but like the other albums we've heard from Ra in this period, the music becomes somewhat more approachable--though not in any way less wierd than his 60's period.

All in all, while the price may make this a poor choice for first listeners, I must disagree with other reviews that would make these albums out to be superflous or sub-standard. Excellent stuff by the arkestra that belongs in the collection of any Ra fan.

Meanders a bit.......2000-10-23

These 2 records sound like much of the output Ra printed on his Saturn label during the 1970's and 80's - charming in places, but a bit meandering on the whole. A critic would call them "thin". Now, there is a real beauty to collecting as much of Ra's output as one can, and enjoying each recording as a fan of the band might enjoy a series of dozens or hundreds of live performances. And to Ra fanatics, an unearthing of these 2 records, previously unheard to any fans (even those who swap tapes of out-of-print Saturns) is a major archeological discovery. Evidence have done their usual studied, state-of-the-art job in mastering and packaging.

To most of us though this is far from Ra and the Arkestra's best work, and I'd recommend that all but devoted fans start somewhere else.

Average customer rating: Great CD!! Parents & kids can enjoy!!! Not just for kids We LOVE Justin Roberts Great CD you and your family will enjoy first songs my kids clapped for

Great Big Sun Justin Roberts Manufacturer: Carpet Square Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Children's Music | Styles | Music General | Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Way Out Yellow Bus Meltdown! Not Naptime Green Gorilla, Monster & Me ASIN: B0002Y0004 Release Date: 2004-08-24

Tracks:

1. Great Big Sun
2. If You Got 1
3. Everything Else Starts With e
4. Little Raindrop
5. Apple Tree
6. Smart Parts
7. Do You Wanna Go
8. 3 Lil' Pigs
9. A,B,C,D,E
10. Bouncin' Baby
11. Old Pajamas
12. Kitty Kat, Kitty Kat
13. Goodnight

Album Description

A children's album, influenced by James Taylor, Bob Dorough (Schoolhouse Rock) and Randy Newman, Great Big Sun is full of songs that are by turn humorous, educational and poignant yet never lose the wide-eyed naiveté of childhood.·

"Great Big Sun is directly responsible for some of the fondest memories I will have of our twin daughters infancy. In fact, I'm so fond of [Great Big Sun] that I've played it for my own enjoyment when the girls were nowhere near." - Lou Diamond Phillips, Film Actor

Customer Reviews:

Great CD!! Parents & kids can enjoy!!!.......2007-01-10

My son heard one of Justin's songs on a kids network. I searched for the CD and I'm so glad I tracked it down. ALL of the songs on this CD are catchy and singable - without driving parents crazy if they have to listen to it over and over.

Not just for kids.......2006-06-06

This quirky and smart CD is one that my kids love and is never tiresome to me. I often listen to this CD even when my kids are not around. It is just that good. His puts on a great live show.

We LOVE Justin Roberts.......2005-08-06

My daughter, age 2.5 sings every song on this CD. Little Raindrop being our favorite...along with Everything else starts with E. .... no wait we love the WHOLE thing!! You will too!

Great CD you and your family will enjoy.......2005-07-13

I have been working backwards through the JR catalog and this second title I own by this artist. Great Big Sun is catchy, humorous, intelligent, soulful (yes I said soulful describing a children's album) and positive. The title track (Great Big Sun) sets a high bar and the tone followed by refreshingly creative new spins on counting ('If you got 1'), the alphabet ('Everything else starts with e' and 'a,b,c,d,e'), and childhood ('Apple tree'). The themes are relevant to life, no matter what age. The only negatives compared to 'Way Out' are the run time is a little short at 31:56 and 'Do You Wanna Go' does not fit in with the other songs in speed or tempo. However, this is music you and your family will enjoy..."Aint gonna let no wolf run my life"...

first songs my kids clapped for.......2005-01-11

My boys get so excited when we play this CD. Fortunately, it is very easy for adults to listen to as well. There are a couple tracks on this CD - everytime we here them my 18 month old applauds.

Average customer rating: This is great! Fun at school, too! Great for kids and parents! Happy Child If you are among the very young at heart

Great Big Sun Justin Roberts Manufacturer: The Orchard ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Children's Music | Styles | Music General | Children's Music | Indie Music | Stores | Music ASIN: B00000JH24 Release Date: 2000-03-18

Tracks:

1. Great Big Sun
2. If You Got 1
3. Everything Else Starts with E
4. Little Raindrop
5. Apple Tree
6. Smart Parts
7. Do You Wanna Go?
8. 3 Lil Pigs
9. A, B, C, D, E
10. Bouncin' Baby
11. Old Pajamas
12. Kitty Kat, Kitty Kat
13. Goodnight

Customer Reviews:

This is great!.......2004-02-26

I received this cd as a baby gift. I've been singing along to her since my 3-m old was born and she loves it! It's one of the best baby gifts we have received.

Fun at school, too!.......2000-10-04

I am a kindergarten teacher and use this in the classroom! My students really love it. It helps to get them settled down and focus on their work. After only a few times, they are singing along and are asking to listen to it!

Great for kids and parents!.......2000-07-20

Of all of the music we have for our baby/child, my husband and I love this the most! The fun, hip, catchy songs are great to listen to and not babyish at all. We find ourselves singing Great Big Sun songs all the time- even when the baby's not around!

Happy Child.......2000-06-23

This CD is the ultimate gift for the young at heart. It's bouncing baby songs make you want to dance and sing along. I've given away ten copies as "newborn" gifts for grandparents. The grandparents love the music as do the young ones. Fun music for a family tradition.

If you are among the very young at heart.......2000-03-11

Rejoice all you jaded parents out there who think that the music which will appeal to your young kids is either the condescending tedium of Raffi & Barney or the pop banality of the Backstreet Boys. Here is something else entirely -- much better than you could have hoped for, infinitely hummable, but more importantly, WORTHY of being hummed and sung and shouted. You and your kids will find yourselves turning to Great Big Sun time and again to bridge the gap between what the kids want to hear and what the adults can stand. In fact, you'll find yourself sneaking it in the CD player even when the kids are away. All my friends agree, and I've given it to at least 7 of them. You won't be sorry.

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