Haven't been posting too much since I finished recording the CDs. But I got a great message today that two of my CDs have been reviewed in a major publication the School Library Journal. They will be published in the May 2013 issue. Check it out...
Sensational Songs About Science Fiction? Performed by Mr. Billy. CD. approx. 40 min. Prod. by Flying Bounce House Records/Mr. Billy. Dist. by AV Café. 2012. ISBN unavail. $15.
PreS-Gr 3–Blast off into outer space with Mr. Billy’s high-energy rock album of 12 songs about the solar system, extraterrestrials, space travel, and time travel. His vocal and the instrumental performances on guitars and drums are solid. Mr. Billy wrote some of the songs, but he also had assistance from Dave Kinnoin, Dino O’Dell, Monty Harper, Sue Straw, Wayne Potash, and his son, Wil Grisack (aka Pod Persin). He also covers a couple of songs, including “Year 3000,” first recorded by the band Busted, and later by the Jonas Brothers. “I Think I’m a Clone Now” is Weird Al Yankovic’s hilarious send-up of “I Think I’m Alone Now,” made famous by Tommy James and the Shondells. The Loch Ness Monster, Big Foot, the ChupaCabra, and Moth Man are “Mystical Monsters” in a song that encourages listeners to swim, stomp, jump, and fly. Each generation, amazed by such inventions as radios, electric lights, cell phones, and personal computers wonder “What Will They Think of Next?” The other songs are “Peanut Butter Jellyfish,” “Flying Car,” “My Robot Army,” “Dogs in Space,” “Vacation in Roswell,” “Weightless” (in a space station), “30 Minutes or Less,” and “Science or Fiction.” A fun and light-hearted album for young science fiction fans.–Beverly Wrigglesworth, San Antonio Public Library, TX
Super Superhero Songs. Performed by Mr. Billy. CD. approx. 41 min. Prod. by Flying Bounce House Records. Dist. by AV Café. 2012. ISBN unavail. $15.
PreS-Gr 3–Mr. Billy (William Charles Grisack III) presents a high-energy album of 12 songs in celebration of various superheroes, sidekicks, and villains. Most of the numbers are in an energetic rock musical style, along with a couple of slower tunes. “A Guy Named Stan” praises Stan Lee. Mr. Billy sings “Batman” to the theme music from the old Batman television show, and incorporates that well-known schoolyard song: “Jingle Bells, Batman smells/ Robin laid an egg….” He also covers Weird Al Yankovic’s hilarious “Spider-man (Ode to a Superhero)” which borrows Billy Joel’s “Piano Man” tune. “Super Monkey” helps with grades, bullies, and finding lost things. Other songs include “Superman Mania,” “Bowling for Heroes,” “Green” (Green Hornet, Green Lantern and others), “Villains on Vacation,” “Magneto and Titanium Man,” “The Comic Book Store” (which is compared to the Fortress of Solitude and Bruce Wayne’s cave), “Super Sidekicks” (Robin, Speedy, and others), and “Action Hero, Hero Action.” A sure-fire hit with all young superhero aficionados.–Beverly Wrigglesworth, San Antonio Public Library, TX
