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Best Children's Music: “Chicago
Parent Magazine” July, 2001
Stand Up! Speak Out! (Soozaroo Music, 2000) is
the latest from the award-winning, saxophone-slinging children's artist,
Sooz. This project was created to complement school character education,
anti-bullying, prejudice reduction and cultural sensitivity curricula.
But Stand Up! Speak Out! stands alone as quality family music, too. Sooz
presents 12 upbeat and positive original songs aimed at empowering children
to "do the right thing." For instance, "I'll Speak Out," set to a percussion-rich
calypso-style music track, encourages compassion with a chorus that exclaims,
"I'll speak out, if someone tries to hurt you/ Count on me, I'll speak
out for you." The reggae-flavored "Don't Take The Bait" aims to deflect
conflict, and "Stand Up" encourages kids not to stay silent in the face
of injustice. In "Please Get To Know Me," the refrain is "I cannot be
judged," focusing on the unfairness of prejudice. Value-clarifying songs
have appeared on Sooz recordings in the past, and I was glad to see that
she chose to re-record a few of them for Stand Up! Speak Out! These include
"Every One Of Us," an anthem for special-needs children, the encouraging
"I Can Be," and the African-inspired "Words & Hands." A Teacher's Guide
accompanies the CD. In fact, the Educator's Edition features two CDs:
one with Sooz singing, the second with Sooz's voice mixed out so it can
be used as a sing-along. For more information about these features, visit
www.soozaroo.com.
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