Pros: Great fun and a CD about Easter
Cons: Wish it dealt with the Easter story more strongly
The Bottom Line:
Kids' Easter music
Could be stronger on message
But still lots of fun
Join Bob and Larry for Easter Morning Sunday School
I have often bemoaned the lack of Easter albums. It seems to
me that Christians especially should truly celebrate this holiday because it
means so much to us. Obviously, the guys at Big Idea agreed with me because
they gave us A Very Veggie Easter.
Since this release is aimed at kids, there is a story to go
along with the songs. Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber are all set to
teach Easter Sunday Sunday School, but Bob is overwhelmed by the number of new
kids they have. In fact, they haven't had this many kids since Christmas Eve.
How can he teach the Easter story to so many kids?
Fortunately, there are lots of friends around to help.
Archibald Asparagus has prepared a song or five about Easter traditions all
around the world. Madame Blueberry leads the kids in an upbeat version of the
classic hymn "Christ the Lord is Risen Today." The Boyz in the Sink
premier this new song "Easter Bunny Hop." And Larry finally gets to
tell the kids the sad story of the Easter Cow.
When Bob finally does come up with an idea, it's an Easter
egg hunt. But how can that teach the kids about the first Easter?
As always, the Veggies have produced a fun CD. While the
lead vocals are the cartoon voices from the better known videos, a kid's choir
backs them on this CD. The song styles range from boy band on "Easter
Bunny Hop" to a western feel for the silly "How Now Easter Cow,"
but most stick with a contemporary sound.
Of special note, Second Chapter of Acts member Matthew Ward
makes an appearance to teach the kids "The Easter Song," a song that
was a huge hit for his group over 30 years ago.
Maybe I was expecting too much from the CD, but I felt it
dropped the ball when it came to explaining the Easter story. I'm sure part of
it is because their video from a couple years back, An Easter Carol, did such a
great job of it and I thought they'd do it again. "An Empty Egg" and
a new recording of "Hope's Song" from that video do discuss the empty
tomb, but I expected more from the dialog. And Junior Asparagus' sub-plot of
missing his dad didn't work to highlight the story for me either.
On the other hand, the first half of the CD is fun. The
songs are upbeat, and the dialog appropriately silly. The serious Easter songs
are treated as such, but they really let loose and have fun with the fun songs.
This won't join the list of top VeggieTales projects, but it
is still a release kids will love and their parents will enjoy. I fully intend to
pull A Very Veggie Easter out every Easter as part of my celebration of the holiday.
CD Length: 44:44
Tracks:
1. Hosanna Loud Hosanna
2. All Around the World
3. Christ the Lord is Risen Today
4. Easter Bunny Hop
5. The Easter Song
6. How Now Easter Cow
7. Count Your Eggs
8. An Empty Egg
9. Hope's Song
10. First Things First
11. Christ the Lord (Reprise)
12. I Know That My Redeemer Liveth
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