Various artists
Children's Television Workshop has superseded the Disney operation in many ways, and this collection is an example. The 1981 CTW album, Sesame Country, which included such Nashville—Sesame Street collaborations as a delightful Crystal Gayle-Big Bird duet, was a much better introduction to country music for young people. This all-star project doesn't even enlist any Disney stars to help kids make the transition from nursery rhyme ditties to crying-in-your-milk Nashville pop (wouldn't a duet between Donald Duck and Willie Nelson have been something to hear?).
There are some sweetly pleasant folky tunes, such as Emmylou Harris's wistful version of the classic "On the Wings of Horses." And Patty Loveless does a sprightly job with "So Many Questions. So Little Time," by the album's producers, Jay Levy and Herb Pedersen. Pedersen's vocal on "Clean Room Blues" is fun too, as is the traditional "Bingo" by Merle Haggard (though even he can't overcome that tune's tedious nature).
Other guest performers include Karl Scruggs, den Campbell, the Oak Ridge PONS and Buck Owens (sounding distinctive even on "If You Can't Find a Reason to Be Happy"). But where is Goofy? And Thumper? And Uncle Scrooge? (Walt Disney)
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