Old Dogs, New Tricks Review Page

"The best of Polisar is back! Barry Louis Polisar was an early pioneer of children's music when his wacky and wonderfully innovative songs began eliciting giggles two decades ago. This rejuvenation of Polisar's endearing and daring musical mementos provides the credibility that they deserve. Thirteen prime picks enhance simply sung spoofs and silly antics with richer accompaniments and subtle and tasteful embellishments (bells, penny whistles, fiddles, reverb and overdubbing, etc). The overall technical quality is far superior to what the studios of the 70s were capable of . Included are "Our Dog Bernard"; "I Wanna Be A Dog"; "All I Want is You"; "I'm A Three-Toed, Triple-Eyed, Double-Jointed Dinosaur"; "What If A Zebra Had Spots"; etc. This is a must have for all libraries serving young children. Hold on to his earlier recordings--they will be useful for a "music appreciation" lesson in comparing styles influenced by time and culture."

School Library Journal

"Forced to single out what, exactly, makes Barry Louis Polisar a brilliant and hilarious kids' artist, one would be hard-pressed to pick between his absurdist songwriting and his deadpan delivery. On "Old Dogs, New Tricks," the choice is as challenging as ever. Consider "My Brother Thinks He's a Banana," for instance. Here, a hapless fellow "sleeps curled up in the fruit bowl" despite his grandma's protests, and turns yellow "but seems to be O.K." In fact, his fruity predicament notwithstanding, the banana brother "really is a scholar/He's read all the books by Bellow/Although he likes to clown around/And cut up in the Jell-O." There's also the sweet, just shy of sincere "I Need You Like a Donut Needs a Hole," in which a sheepish Polisar admits that "I need you like a peanut in a shell/Gonna hold you in my arms like water in a well." This album bubbles over with silliness--from the nonsensical "Giggle Tickle Fiddle Little Wiggle Around" to the goofy "One Day My Best Friend Barbara Turned into a Frog." "Old Dogs" even incorporates a thought-provoking number or two, most notably "What If a Zebra Had Spots"--"What if a tiger had spots?/What if a leopard did not?" But, as usual, Polisar's believability--he may clown around, but he never seems to be putting on a condescending kiddie act--also makes this album leagues more likable than similar-minded releases. Others may try to portray "3-Toed, Triple-Eyed, Double-Jointed Dinosaurs" in song, but none will pull it off with the polished comic punch of Polisar."

Tammy LaGorce
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