Don't Forget the Donut! by Wayne Potash

” Similarly welcome are the contributions of the Boston Children’s School Children’s Chorus on five songs; they have the vocal texture of the enthusiastic young children, but with no distracting stray or sour voices.

Of the six songs by Potash, at least two will be keepers for teachers and others who sing with children. “Wiggly Tooth,” here nicely accompanied with guitar and pennywhistle, has a simple repeated eponymous refrain for sing-a-longs; with his “Lobster Dance” it’s easy to imagine the pleasure of children playing the roles of lobster, crab, and shark. Teachers may also want to consider the traditional “March of the Leprechauns” as another song for upon-their-feet fun.

Ironically, the one song that common sense would have suggested dropping — a weak a cappella version of “Haul Away Joe” which quickly dissolves into laughter — has survived repeated listenings and still brings a smile.

— FL/SL Sing Out! Vol. 50 #2 Summer 2006

Wayne Potash is a man who knows how to play to his audience. More importantly, he's not afraid to play with them. Don't Forget the Donut is a children's album in more than its choice of music. Potash performs 19 of the most memorable melodies in American music with bright, understated guitar playing and a friendly vocal delivery that positively begs the audience to sing along.

And sing along they do, on tracks like "Get Your Kicks (On Route 66)." Young children won't be able to resist adding sound effects to the ballad of the "Stunt Car," or shouting out orders for an extravagant lunch with plenty of "The Frim Fram Sauce." Any adults worried that Donut might be too sweet for their taste will soon find themselves singing, too, trying to match the complicated spelling rhythm of "Constantinople" and the familiar patter of "I've Been Everywhere, Man."

Potash never grandstands or indulges in extravagant displays of guitar work. His songs are pitched to the level of his audience, so that a whole family car full of impatient children and tired adults can join in the "March of the Leprechauns" or instruct "Haul Away Joe."

The songs range from traditional favorites to Potash's original work, with a few contributions from other more modern songwriters. It's no shame to Potash that his work isn't always as strong as the traditional tracks; songs like "Hot Corn, Cold Corn" and "Juba" have after all been tested and polished by generations of performers, and even the more recent standards like "I've Been Everywhere, Man" and "Get Your Kicks (on Route 66)" have proven themselves over at least a few decades.

But Potash's songs and rewritten lyrics have their own charm, and it wouldn't be a bit surprising to hear his "Lobster Dance" on a new singer's album 30 years from now. Even if Don't Forget the Donut doesn't make it quite that far, it's still sweet enough to sustain a childhood's worth of play, and substantial enough for parents to sink their teeth in, too.

by Sarah Meador

Rambles.NET

13 May 2006

"Don't Forget The Donut " is a new family music album from Boston Area singer/songwriter Wayne Potash. Wayne is joined by the Music Fun Band which includes award winning banjo player Paul Sedgwick, John Wiesner on bass and Bryn Carlson on drums. Musical guests include the rockin' Alizon Lissance on piano and accordion, and top-notch fiddler Amy Basse.

The CD features a varied set of tunes with great arrangements and production. There's folk, bluegrass, rock, pop, country, jazz and more. The collection of 19 songs features originals penned by Potash as well as classics including "Boo Boo" and "Seven Nights to Rock" (both with new lyrics so the kids can get in on the fun). Wayne's original tunes like the opening "Stunt Car" and "Wiggly Tooth" set the tone and traditional tunes like "Hot Corn, Cold Corn" and "Cindy" add to the playful atmosphere. All songs have been audience tested and are concert and classroom favorites. As always, Potash's music for kids is very adult friendly. Forget about sugar-coated music for kids, but "Don't Forget the Donut "

This is Wayne's fifth family music CD which is receiving airplay on family radio shows across the country.

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