Monday, May 15, 2006

 

So-So Choo-Choo

The new Choo Choo Soul short did not do it for me this morning. Genevieve's rendition of Fly, Birdy, Fly, failed to capture my interest in the way 'Johnny and the Sprites' did when it first broke.

The musical style is not my favorite, but it was a new genre that hasn't been fully explored for use in child entertainment, so I'm willing to give that another try.

One big problem is that the animation was not very good, although the still on the official Choo Choo website looked promising. I also didn't like having some "live" children in the mix, and I say "live" because they were largely listless.

Let's go back in the studio with this. We either need 100% animated videos, or integrate Genevieve in with only animated elements (that is, get rid of the kids). If the latter, you are going to have to improve production value, so the interaction looks a little better. I got a definite Paula Abdul/Scat Cat 'Opposites Attract' impression, and I think you could build on that.

That said, Petunia seemed to really like it. Although she stared at it a little blankly and didn't get up to dance or do the motions, she became upset when it was over and the 'Little Einsteins' came on.

I need to fully explore my thoughts on the short features. 'Go Baby' ooks me out, particularly the disembodied hand and voice of the adult.

On the subject of Choo Choos, I would also highly recommend Buckwheat Zydeco's Choo Choo Boogaloo album.

Comments:
Hey!
This is Genevieve, from Choo Choo Soul...I found your blog very amusing...seriously!
I think that Disney is allowing all types of music to relate to all types of people. I definitely see your points though.
Take Care,
 
My son - 2 years 2 months - LOVES this music and the videos. We have DVR'd the videos so that we can replay them and are so happy to find the website so that we can replay others that we have not been able to capture. I wish Disney would play these more freqently. This is some of the freshest music for kids that I have seen and have really enjoyed it myself. My son wakes from his nap wanting to see the "CHOO CHOO". Thanks for such a different approach!
 
My 3 year old loves Choo Choo Soul! His absolute favorite is the 1-2-3 song. He loves to sing it everywhere. He will just yell out "9 - 10, 9-10, 9-10" and even does the "oh yeah" part. There needs to be a CD created as we have tried to locate one with no luck - now we understand that Disney has purchased those rights. We also have Tivoed the shows that we know usually has the Choo Choo Soul after - Koala Brothers and Little Einsteins so that he can watch it. We love it - thanks for making little kids so happy with your music!
 
I emailed Disney as I can't comprehend why they are dragging their feet on releasing the Choo Choo Soul on CD or DVD. My son is 3 and a huge fan! He can't go to bed without watching a clip. His latest is out of nowhere, he'll scream 9-10! Thanks Genevieve and Greg!
 
Hi Genevieve!

My kids love you! My four year old daughter tries to dance like the conductor and my two year old son who is very musically inclined loves and begs for me to put it on and we dance around like crazy! He even makes up little dances and says, "No Mama, like this..!!!) We can't wait from more from you and I am a horrible dancer, but I jump up and down and dance with my kids anyway! We love your "Chocolate" song too! Keep up the good work and show Disney all of your positive responses! The only thing I would change would be to make a CD available for the parents! Other than that, keep up the great work!

Sincerely,
The Franklin Family
in Sunny Florida
 
My 2 year-old is a big fan of Choo Choo Soul. I hope Disney allows the group to release (or re-release) a CD of all of their songs (or a DVD of videos). I must say, the group sounds awfully similar to Luscious Jackson, one of my favorite bands.
 
Hi Genevieve and Greg,
I completely disagree with the person that said that graphics and videos are not good. They are great!! They are as original as your music!! My kids love them. I must have to hit rewind on the Tivo 4 or 5 times to hear the songs over and over. I really wish Disney would get on the ball and release the songs on CD and DVD. My wife and I enjoy your songs as well.
Tom in FL.
 
Genevieve, Greg, DC and Burke,

My son, 4 1/2, loves your videos and music. I like them too, reminds me of the opening to Soul Train ... but my son goes nuts, he's pretty good on the computer and will play your videos over and over so he can learn the words. The we'll be driving in the car and he just start ... Chugga ... chugga ...woooo ... ALL ABOARD! and go into the song complete with sound effects. he even dances along ... which leads me to the problem of your CD not being available. I sent a message to Disney and I hope they rerelease it soon. I've scoured the internet for a used copy but nowhere to be found.

I hope you all become a regular feature on Disney!

Peter in MD
 
I love the clips they stay in my head all the time. Plus my son loves it :)
 
My 6 year old daughter says Genevieve has a great voice and she wants to buy the choo choo soul CD. It is the only kids show she likes that doesn't annoy me. Keep up the good work. Crystal-Cincinnati, OH
 
PUHLEEEEEEEASE RELEASE A cd OF THIS MUSIC SO WE CAN SING IN THE CAR!!!!!!! yOU JUST have TO!!!!!!
iT IS 2 KEWL! I love it as much as my 4 year old!!!!
 
BD66 posted:
My son watches Disney Channel quite a bit. I have been looking into some of the background of the artists on Disney ( Doodlebops, Choo Choo Soul)for information. I see this Genevieve from Choo Choo Soul has a MySpace entry that makes references to "Pimp" etc. This isnt the type of street thug flavored nonsense I want my child being exposed to at a young age on Disney Channel. I have found that Disney is the one channel I will let him watch. It is the cleanest and most wholesome. Please dont go down the same bad road other supposed child networks have. I dont see this Choo Choo Soul girl as what should be associated with Disney.
# posted by BD66 : 8:47 AM

Follow the link below and you will see that Genevieve has addressed this. Quite well I think. She shows class here.
Now, Disney release the &*@! CD.


http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=11525506&blogID=120299454&MyToken=43092840-a658-4420-8611-0ffac1a926be

Peter in MD
 
I initially came on to see if I could buy a CD with the song we see on Disney. I have 3 year old twins who love, love, love it. I DVR'd an episode of Mickey Mouse for them, and the clip was at the end. They ask to watch it over, and over. AS soon as it starts they cup their mouths and yell "All Aboard". They both dance and try to sing - they love it when you say "check it" and "come on".

It is nice to see wholesome music than is not sang in an Elmo or Barney voice. :o)
 
Genevieve,

Choo Choo Soul rocks! My son including myself enjoy it very much. I hope Disney makes it permanent.

Thanks,
Darin
 
Choo Choo Soul ROCKS! My kids love it! Please do more! Is there a DVD coming out someday with all these cool song?

Keep it Up!!!!
 
I CAN'T FIND THE CD, WHICH IS REALLY DEPRESSING. My wife & I love the beat, and want to help our little ones get used to dancing to a decent beat!!!!!

HELP... BLOG WHERE I CAN FIND A CD
 
My two year old son dances and will stop everything when choo choo soul comes on. I sing myself. Hard to NOT get caught up in the fun.
Even my husband who goes insane with some of the programming enjoys these songs.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE release a cd or dvd for our kids and us adults as well.
 
Hi this is Greg here again, the creator of Choo Choo Soul and writer of the songs. I have a great time making the music along with some very talented friends of mine, Burke (composer and musician), Genevieve and DC (both of whom everyone already knows from the music videos). I want to let everyone know that 13 of the songs are finally going to be released by Disney on Oct. 31st. They will be available on Itunes!!! Neat huh? If there is enough response to the Itunes songs Disney may release a CD, and a DVD. Well I hope you all enjoy the tunes and get silly with your kids dancing around. I certainly do. In fact that's where this al started.

Take care now.
 
Both my 3 year old son and myself LOVE choo-choo soul!! I want this CD so badly and I hope that Disney continues to play it!
~K
 
My 15month old son goes crazy for this music. I love it too. My 4 year old daughter loves the kids! We have all of Dan Zanes and Laurie Berkner and can not wait to get the itunes on October 31st for the car. Thanks for thinking of all kinds of music to broaden these kids minds(and keeping parents sane!)
 
We want more Choo Choo Soul! Please make it a regular tv series.
We LOVE Genevieve. The show and music is perfect for my train loving 3yr. old boy.
Warmly,
From a train loving home.
 
Please keep up Choo Choo Soul. My six year old and one year old love it and I have to say that their 40 year old mama loves it too. I can't wait until the one year old recites his ABC's in this unique way. I can't wait to have the music in the car. Any cance a dvd will be out before x-mas??
 
Choo Choo Soul is great!! My 2 year old is crazy about it. Great music and great messages! We want more Soul!!
 
I am a pre-k teacher and we watch the videos on our computer. The kids absolutely love them. They love to sing the abc song the new way. We really want this CD. I think what Choo Choo Soul is doing is great. We LOVE it.
 
As others our grandson loves Genevieve. He says her name a little funny but we know what he wants to watch. We only catch it on Disney.com. Our grandson loves to say all aboard. We play the video over and over.Blue Zoo Train
use to put him to sleep now he tries to sing along with all of them. Would love the Cd.
Nana and Papa
 
Genevieve, Greg, DC and Burke,
My son is 21 months and he loves your music and video. He can't get enough of your music. He will dance, jump and wave his arm from side to side. Your music plays a big part in my sons learning skills. Thank you for everything.
 
I have 3 year old twins and a 7 year old, and although my seven year old already knows her "ABC's" she loves the music!! We all do, we all get up and dance when it comes on. Obviously Disney purchased the rights to the Choo Choo Soul CD and we've left comments for them to consider releasing it again.... But again we love the music and the whole idea behind it!!
 
love the music dont like the cartoon characters like the real ppl better
 
Hey Greg, Genevieve, and the rest of the Choo-Choo Soul crew! My 1 year old daughter absolutely loves your music. She gets very excited when you all come on, and bounces like crazy. I have been searching for a place to buy a video DVD, but have yet to find it. I am begging you all to please sell them!!! We love the music and the videos!
Thanks!
Erika Tampa, FL
 
As a big fan of rap and hip-hop myself, I have no problem at all with my children listening to all types of music. I do, however, have a problem with improper English being used when my children are learning from all that they watch. "Everybody's got THEY OWN kind of rhythm...." being a prime example. Their own! Their own! I can't stomach the thought of my child talking ghetto ebonics. Genevieve is cute as a button and can dance like nobody's business....I just think we should leave the Ebonics for older people who already know how to speak proper English.
 
Everybody in this family loves the Choo Choo Soul Train, my daughter has sensory intergration dysfunction, and she's a lil slower in doing some things that others aren't. BUT Genevieve brings the boogie out of my daughter, and DC does it for mom lol
 
Has anyone found a DVD for the Choo-Choo skits shown on Playhouse Disney? I see you can download some of the songs to an i-pod but I really would like a DVD to play. Thanks.
 
My 20 month old son loves choo choo soul. He never watched TV before, until he saw choo choo soul he loves it so much. his first sentence was "all aboard". i've been waiting to know if there is going to be a dvd. geneveive keep up the good work don't stop doing what your doing
 
Choo Choo Soul gave a refreshing new sound for kids to groove to. Something that Noggin's been doing all along with Jack's Big Music Show. Exposing kids to safe lyrics with catchy lyrics and pumpin beats delivered by a easy on the eyes package with a great set of lungs. With Genevieve and DC at the helm even gives us parents some eye candy. My wife loves DC and i'm a big G fan! We Love your music and videos. Real eye and ear candy! Love ya's
John, Penny and Hunter age 3
 
I just love choo choo soul. I have twin daughters who jump up and down at the intro!! As for the few "haters" that posted, if you don't like it, why don't you try changing the channel!
 
From Gold Coast, Australia thank you so much for Choo Choo Soul. Funky yet educational! Well done! I can't help but find myself dancing away like a kid again when it comes on during the breaks along with my 4yo and 2yo! We want more!!!!!! Finally something to get the kids dancing.
 
We have an almost 3 months old son. what happened is that my son been cranky and cried until the choo choo train song about a little bird who can't fly. He loves that song and it is the only way to calm him down and make him getting sleepy. Please please please make a CD out of it so we can play this over and over and over to our son. Thank you!
 
My 2-1/2 year old screams "all aboard!" when Choo Choo Soul comes on. Even my 10 month old tries to dance. If I have any daycare kids that day, they love it too. We turn it up and all dance along (yes, even Mommy!). Would love to find out more about Genevieve and DC (whatta cutie!!!). Keep it as is, would love to see it as a full-length show!
 
Hey G.G. It's not fair that I have to stop and watch your show because you are so mesmerizing! I don't even have kids. Much love.
Mark
 
Choo Choo Soul is my 12 month olds FAVORITE...I can't find it anywhere in stores... wish it was on more. my daycare kids love it to.....COME ON MORE PLEASE WE REALLY ENJOY YOU!!!
 
I have a 3 year old who absolutely loves this and I am still looking for a CD I can't find one anywhere..Please release the CD again! WE both love the music! Keep it up and hopefully a DVD will follow..I will Definately buy it
 
I've been on the computer all day trying to find a DVD of Choo-Choo Soul but am having a hard time. Does it exist, because my son waits for the part on playhouse disney when the monkeys spin the wheel and gets very exited when it finally lands on Choo-Choo Soul which doesn't happen all the time. You should see him dance. Can anyone help me find this video.
 
Choo choo soul is amazing. This is a style of children music that hasn't been touched on yet. My twins love it. They are 17 months and dance to it. They could be busy doing something and stop immediately when they hear the music. Genevieve has an amazing voice and is very talented. I hope they continue what they are doing because they are doing great.
 
My daughter loves choo choo soul. It is one of the few things that actually entertains her. So like many other I was searching for a cd or a dvd and couldn't find one. Then I went to the walmart website, where they have music downloads. I found all of the choo choo soul songs there. I bought everyone and then made my own cds.
 
"Everybody's got they own kind of rhythm" is awful grammar, but "Everybody's got their" is wrong too.

Everybody is singular, so it should be "Everybody has *his* own kind of rhythm."

But then, it wouldn't be hip hop, would it?
 
My daughter and I love Choo Choo Soul! My 2 year old is not interested in the TV unless that is on. She doesn't understand when I tell her it isn't on sometimes and she gets upset. I have been searching all over the Web trying to find a DVD or CD or something. I went to the Disney Web site and requested it. Keep up the great work and thanks for entertaining my daughter.
 
I am desperate to find the dvd/cd! My 2 year old absolutely loves Choo Choo Soul, and has for a very long time! His face just lights up when he sees the whistle blow. We recently discovered the 4 clips on the disney website and he can watch them continuously. It would be nice to have the entire dvd/cd.

Michelle
 
Please let us know when a CD of the Choo Choo Soul train is available...We will definitely buy it.
 
Has the show been canceled...I can't find it. Is there a DVD, CD...My child gets giddy just with the theme music. For the person who wrote about Geneieve and her myspace....get over it. The show is wholesome, that's what your child is exposed to. Your baby isn't surfing myspace so the two worlds will not meet. These are artists with personal lives that should not be judged.
 
My 2 and 1/2 year old screams choo choo train. We love the show so much. We would love to buy a DVD. Any word on a release date? Hope so soon. We love you Geneieve and Greg. :)
 
FINALLY...A Choo Choo Soul CD and DVD!!!!

amazon.com is releasing an exclusive deal, a CD with a free DVD, to be released on May 20, 2008!! It is already available for pre-order:
http://www.amazon.com/Choo-Soul-DVD-Amazon-com-Exclusive/dp/B0015FJYRY/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1207515480&sr=8-1

I hope we haven't lost any fans by waiting so long to relase a real product!! All Aboard!!

gg
 
I have two girls, one is 3 years and the other is 21 months and they LOVE Choo Choo Soul!!! My husband & I dance around the living room with the girls every time it comes on. Just wanted to let Genevieve know what a great thing she's doing for the kids, it's really awesome and we try to get every song on DVR so the kids can watch it back to back to back to.... I hope we don't break the DVR! Thanks again.
 
Hi Friends,

Mark your calenders!! My husband Robert and I interviewed Genevieve on our Radio Show "The Candy Store" on Autism One Radio. The links to the show are below. We invite everyone to tune in. Genevieve's interview will air on June 29th 2009 @ 10 a.m. EST. If you miss it it goes into the archives so anyone can listen anytime.

Faith, Love & Hope,

Robert & Sandy Waters

Hosts of "The Candy Store" on Autism One Radio

http://www.autismone.org/radio/

http://www.autismone.org/radio/?radio=schedule&archive

http://www.autismone.org/radio/default.cfm?radio=family#robertw
 
I wouldn't have a problem with this being hip hop (though I'm definitely not a fan of my son looking up to rappers, I know there is so hip hop/rap that isn't inappropriate) I don't understand why you can't use proper English? "Everybody's got they own style and rythm"??? Other than that I don't have a problem with it - the songs are fun, my son loves the train.. I think the animations are cute, too. My husband made the comments that someone intentionally cut Geneveive's shirt to show off certain body parts.. And I've had a few of his friends notice it too... Not sure if that was intentional but they think it was..

All in all, cute show but I wish you guys would use proper English!!
 
My son loves choo choo soul. That last person doesnt even know what their talking about its for kids not you.to make it short all the people who don't like choo choo soul your television has a up and down switch stop watching it if you have a problem with what you see or hear:-)
 
You sound racist.
 
Anonymous YOU are the racist for linking "pimp" and "thug flavored" with "non white". Millions of minority people speak articulately, are successful and manage to go through life with no association with poverty culture (which is what the pimp and thug crape is).
 
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