Beethoven’s Wigfeaturing Richard Perlmutter

Children, Various Artists
Beethoven's Wig

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(Rounder Kids) Bravo! This is the album that every 11-year-old wannabe opera singer coulda/shoulda recorded. Beethoven's Wig is just what the doctor ordered for those parents and children who find themselves nodding off whenever they hear the opening strains of "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik." Here, Mozart's classic is unfaithfully reproduced as the mock opera-antic "Please Don't Play Your Violin At Night." Then there is the title track, the album's raison d'etre. Set to the tune of Ludwig van's seminal 5th symphony, it opens with these ludicrous lyrics: "Beethoven's wig is very big! Beethoven's wig is long and curly and it's white/Beethoven's takes his wig off when he sleeps at night." Brilliant, absolutely brilliant. The album reaches a crescendo on "Can You Can Can?" This Offenbachian travesty sports outrageous lyrics sung by the album's creator Richard Perlmutter: "All the girls in Paris, France/Love to do the can-can dance/Kick their legs up in the air/ Shake, shake, shake their derriere." You've got to hear it to believe it. As an added bonus, the CD features orchestral performances (courtesy of the Czech Philharmonic and British Union Rias Orchestras) sans vocals so you and yours can karaoke to the classics. Encore! Encore!