Music Views 
This week's review: Marla Lewis–"We All Laugh in the Same Language"
reviewed by Paul Austin Kelly    

Let me start out by stating very bluntly that I love this CD! It has all the necessary elements to make a great children’s music album: lyrics that speak eloquently and entertainingly combined with melodies that are memorable and singable. All the songs are originals, by the way, written either solely by Marla or with a collaborator. The performances are professional and classy throughout, not always a given with even the finest folk albums. To top it all off Marla’s voice . . .

is a truly beautiful and expressive instrument, and she sings knowingly and comfortably through everything from Dixieland to Rap. The songs all have a reason to be here and they’ve been ordered in such a way that listening from beginning to end is a satisfying and meaningful experience. Hooray! The album format is still alive and well!

And let’s talk about the songs:
Marla starts out the CD with a heavy hitter, “We All Laugh in the Same Language,” a beautifully inspired song about unity and the great melting pot of the human race. Living and teaching in o­ne of the greatest of melting pots, New York City, Marla speaks from experience here as she says,

We all laugh in the same language
We all love to learn and play
Our hearts beat in the same rhythm
Round the world, we’re all the same.

Pete Seeger says he loved this song so much he sent it off to Sing Out! magazine for their consideration. And this song sets the tone for the o­nes that follow.

After a jumping Cajun-style number called “Wondering Why” we’re treated to perhaps the most finely penned song o­n the album, “Best Friends.” It simultaneously belongs to and transcends the children’s genre so beautifully that this parent had a hard time getting its words and melody out of his head for several days:

If I’m a rainbow, then you’re the sun
Shining all my lovely colors o­n everyone
If I’m the paper, you’re the pen
You bring out the best in me, you’re my best friend.

Its simple and charming sentiment is likely to bring tears to the eyes of both you and your child. A true classic.

Marla roughens up her vocal delivery for “Muskrat Rap,” and the boys in the ‘hood better watch out. This lady can rap! Okay, not the most urban street rap in the world but not fluff either. This is bound to be a hit with the school kids.

“Homeless Man” is particularly poignant and brave at a time when we’re told not to waste our money o­n people living o­n the street! Isn’t it pleasing when decisions concerning our own generosity, compassion and charity have been taken out of our hands? It really does simplify things, doesn’t it? (NOT!)

Next time you meet him share your bread
And be glad for the roof above your head.

The album closes with the delightful “Round and Round,” describing metaphorically the circular nature of things––

Round like a zero, round like an O
A Frisbee, a CD, a Cheerio!
Round and round and round we go
Where we stop, we’ll never know
Spinning swiftly round the sun
We’re suddenly back where we started from!

–– and it makes you want to put this CD back in the player and listen to it all over again!

The songs in between are all fun and full of charm and the whole package is quite a joy to listen to. It’s sure to be a pleasure for most kids between the ages of 5 and 10 and it’s o­ne of those rare CDs that will bear repeated plays and grow with your kids!

Thanks, Marla. I’m looking forward to the next o­ne already.

Purchase your copy of We All Laugh in the Same Language here!