Faced with the task of giving a voice to a central character that does not speak, Universal Pictures turned to Jack Johnson to craft songs that could provide a voice for Curious George. As a new father, it gave him the opportunity to make an album for both parents and children. Presented with early animations and the story line, Jack crafted new songs that capture the emotions of Curious George as he leaves the jungle to follow the Man with the Yellow Hat. He also turned to friends Ben Harper, G. Love, and Matt Costa to contribute songs that might bridge the gap between parent and child. Joined on the record by his band (Adam Topol, Merlo Podlewski, and Zack Gill), Jack duets with three of the other songwriters (Ben Harper, G. Love, and Matt Costa), and does a cover of the White Stripes' "We're Going to Be Friends." Parents who watched Schoolhouse Rock on Saturday mornings when they were children will recognize Jack's take on the classic "Three Is a Magic Number," reinterpreted with the 3 R's as a call to protect the environment and Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. Sing-a-Longs and Lullabies feels like so much more than your standard soundtrack due to its unified creative vision. While the songs have a universal appeal, their themes speak to a child's experience (or in this case, a curious monkey's experience) of the world.
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Admit it: If you had to pick an artist to give voice to the wackadoo thinkings of a monkey beloved by most of the American populace over age 3, you could do a lot worse than Jack Johnson. Black Eyed Peas? Too hyper. Death Cab for Cutie? Too ironic. They Might Be Giants? Too eggheaded. Johnson, though the object of much rightful jealousy--here, after all, is a guy who only stumbled into music and vaulted himself up the charts after a successful career as a pro surfer--turns out to have the goods to do H.A. Rey, Curious George's creator, proud. Fans familiar with Johnson's earlier discs will recognize a certain laconic sprawl and easy fascination in his songs that suits the theme of perpetual puzzlement perfectly (here, let's not forget, is a guy who racked up fans with songs called "Bubble Toes" and "Banana Pancakes"). That the music takes a childish turn barely registers--songs like opener "Upside Down" are classic Johnson, all wonderment and groove, and the collaborations with friends Ben Harper, G. Love, and Matt Costa warm up, wink, and scamper off before packing on the weight of excess meaning. "We're Going to Be Friends," track seven, seals the deal--when you can make the White Stripes sound compatible with the Man with the Yellow Hat, you know you've got a multi-generational winner. --Tammy La Gorce
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