Publishers Weekly (Oct 14, 1996)

Thereís nothing boring about this roundup of mostly original folk, jazz and rock inspired tunes. Whether heís singing abut sharing a meal with friends on the title track, or about cleaning up the environment in "Any Kid Can be a hero" and "It Really Isnít Garbage," Einebnder melds his clear, pleasant voice with inventive arrangements and instrumentation that includes banjo, washtub bass, flutes, congas, harmonica and washboard. The background vocalists are top notch too, featuring folk singer Pete Seeger and a sweet voiced kids choir, among others. The combination of silliness, sophistication and high quality will be a welcome addition to family music collections.

Dan Einbenderís new recording "Dinner Alone is a Bore" contains some great music for children, both the young ones and the grown up kind. This collection of 14 song, 11 of them originals, makes for fun and interesting listening no matter what age you are. Itís the kind of recording parents wonít cringe at when their children ask them to put it on.

What Dan does is put together a rather sophisticated and complex album that works well on many levels. As Dan explains "I hate songs that pander and talk down to kids." Rather, he prefers to treat them as the intelligent and perceptive beings that they are. The words are simple and straightforward, the melodies are expressive and catchy, and the instrumentation is unique and inventive. In addition to songs like "Marvelous monkeys" and "Meany Baloney," there are songs with positive and important lyrics like Any Kid Can Be A Hero" and Strut Your Stuff." Many of the tunes reflect Danís concern about the environment like the classic "It Really Isnít Garbage" and "Listen to the River," a topic dear to his heart as reflected by his dedication and involvement with the Clearwater organization, and in his school residencies for the past 15 years.

The musical styles incorporated here include reggae, Calypso, and some soulful jazz, and most tunes have a bouncy beat that the kids will love to dance around to. The instrumentation ranges from banjo and 12 string guitar, to flute congas, clarinet, harmonica and the synthesizer. Among the seemingly cast of thousands playing and singing on the record are David Amram, Pete Seeger, Kim and Reggie Harris, Greg Artzner & Terry Leonino of Magpie, Pat Humphries, Jay Manikita, children from the Ostrander Elementary School, just about everybody whoís ever been involved with the Hudson River Sloop Singers!

This recording gets m highest recommendation as being one of the best albums to come across my desk in a long time, not just for some children, but for children of all ages!

Danny Einbender comes from the Hudson Valley folk scene, hangs out with the likes of Pete Seeger and has a nationally known recycling anthem ("It Really Isnít Garbage") to his credit. This pedigree shows in his music, a high quality blend of folk world, and rock rhythms thatís guaranteed to appeal to both kids and adults. The songs - and eclectic mix - range from the funky "I Am An Animal" and silly "Look Out You Turkeys" to a wistful cover of Leadbellyís "Bring Me Little Water Sylvie." Best of all, the record withstands the multiple playings that little ears demand, without annoying adult ones. To use an admittedly cliched, yet highly apt phrase, this really is an excellent record for the whole family. (5 of 5 Stars)

If it ainít Barney, what is it? Maybe a less kidsy Sesame street with Prairie home Companion. The music, solidly rooted in American popular and regional traditions (folk, Texas Swing, Cajun, calypso, Dixieland, blues rock and pop), is brilliantly and effortlessly executed by an actual cast of thousands, mostly associated with Pete Seeger and his Hudson River Sloop Clearwater Crew. Seeger, a musical and political national treasure, adds his signature banjo accents to many of the songs. Einbenderís clear and congenial vocals gain social support from a gang of singing kids who sound relaxed, casual and (amazingly) in tune, and from an array of fine grown up background singers..

The songs, mostly Einbenderís, invite, entertain, and teach but never pedantically. Hereís a line to illustrate what I mean: "No race on earth is perfectly pure, nor is anyoneís mind, thatís for sure" (from All Mixed Up). Can you picture Barney singing that? The title song "Dinner Alone is a Bore" may seem a trifle (truffle?) on the surface, but as the number of dinner guests increases verse by verse, we see that itís a lesson in sharing as worthy as the one about the loaves and fishes.

Of trash burning, Einbender says "If youíre gonna burn it, youíre gonna breathe it" (from the recycling anthem "It Really isnít Garbage". Familiar school experiences are taken seriously, but with a light attitude - the school bully in "Meany Baloney" or being proud but not obnoxious in "Strut Your Stuff."

I especially like the animal songs ("Look Out You Turkeys" and "I am an Animal") which bring up animal rights issues in an irresistibly entertaining way. And the nature songs "Listen to the River", "Come Out and Play In the Rain", and "Look Whatís Happening in the Sun" - are sweet reminders of the best things in life, still free last time I checked.

I canít praise the musicians and their performances enough on this recording. Itís all smarts and chops and heart, inspired and inspiring. Nothing is overstated or in any way "geared to kids." Listen, and hear that everybody gave their absolute best on this project and had a great time doing it. There are just too many participants to single them all out (although I canít resist applauding Norm Wennetís droll turkey gobbles.) The core band - Einbender on acoustic guitars, David Weitz on drums, Jeff Enlin on lead guitar and Joey Valentinetti on bass - grooves easy and knows when to lay back and let the other stars shine. The sound is perfectly transparent, just like having the players and singers in the room with you.. (All tracks were recorded by Tom Destry at Destry Studios in Wallkill and mixed by Baird Winham at the trees studio in Rhinecliff.)

Ages 4-8. Danny Einbender is both the composer and the vocalist in this marvelous mix of 14 songs. A childrenís chorus harmonizes and blends beautifully with his sweet, clear voice. Even Pete Seeger gets into the act in "It Really Isnít Garbage," among others. Special flair is added by the instruments, both familiar, (guitar, drums, clarinet, etc.) and unusual (washboard, bamboo flute, congas and cowbells). "The Marvelous Monkeys" and "Look Out You Turkeys" have funny animal noises, "Meany Baloneyís "gruesomely mocks the big bad, bully. Along with the silliness are a few messages (getting along, recycling, etc.). The playful tunes are soft and loud, sweet and syncopated. The instruments and vocals make each song shine.. Nice for listening, dancing or singing along.