Home Schooled: The ABCs of Kid Soul

I’ve been meaning to post about this for awhile now, but one of my favorite CDs (and CD concepts, and CD covers) lately is the new compilation Home Schooled: The ABCs of Kid Soul, which came out last fall on Numero Group. A couple of other blogs talked about it months ago, but what can I say? I’m slow.

Inspired by the likes of the Jackson 5, the Osmonds, and Little Stevie Wonder, the CD features seventeen soul tracks sung by kids who wanted to be the next Michael. It gets to be a little much by the end if you’re not in the right mood–at least, that’s what the woman at the desk next to mine says–but some of the tracks are at least as good (and emotional) as what grown-ups were doing at the time. Listen to I’m Not Ready For Love and tell me the kid’s not as good as Al Green.

Aside from the squeaky vocal stylings that make the collection so unique, the songs are usually backed by pretty tight musicians and, luckily, there’s not too many drippy ballads. I’m not generally a fan of soul music, at least not in the authentic sense, but if you’re in the mood, this CD’s making my winter a little more bearable.