Artist: Micah Levy • Title: The Probably Untrue Story of Mary (Who) Had a Little Lamb • Label: Sonus Novus • Web: sonusnovus.com by Michael Macey

If you're into binkies, blankies and sippy cups, there's a good chance you'll just love The Probably Untrue Story of Mary (Who) Had a Little Lamb. There's also a good chance you won't be reading this, since at your tender age you're much more concerned about when you'll get your next jar of Gerber's or a fresh juice box. So I'll tell mommy and daddy, and leave it up to them to turn you on to it. If you're the parent of someone who likes the aforementioned, it's a great way to introduce them to classical music, and a very nice alternative to the standard children's fare of purple dinosaurs, singing whatchamacallits, and the like. Opening with the familiar strains of the popular children's tune Mary Had a Little Lamb, that "riff" is the predominant theme on the record and will reverberate in your mind and minivan as your little tykes point to the CD player's repeat button and scream from their child safety seat, "more Mary, more Mary, more Mary"! That said, this is from the liner notes. "The Probably Untrue Story of Mary (Who) Had a Little Lamb takes as its starting point Sarah Josepha Hale's poem "Mary's Lamb". Almost immediately, the story and the music veer way off course. The story is fun and funny! Musically speaking, "Mary" is a set of variations on the familiar children's theme "Mary had a Little Lamb". Each variation is used to "illustrate" a point in the plot. Additionally, Lamb and listener are introduced to an important Vivaldi work".
For you parents who are into classical music, the music is presented without the narrative. It is very well-produced, and a beautiful-sounding disc. Played through a surround sound processor, it has a wonderful room-filling sound The Probably Untrue Story of Mary (Who) Had a Little Lamb is written and performed by Micah Levy. His resumé is extensive. Definitely go to his web site and check out his vast achievements as a conductor and composer. The disc also includes a teacher's guide on national standard performance goals in music for kindergarten through grade 12, with additional suggestions for grades 13 through 16. It's in the form of a printable PDF and is suggested for use as part of a curriculum.
What I know about classical music is that I enjoy it. Beyond that, I'm familiar with the major composers and a good deal of their work, though I don't consider myself anything other than a casual listener. I was exposed to it at an early age and was around when it was a "happening thing" in the rock world. (The Beatles, The Moody Blues and Procol Harem come to mind). It was the first music I remember hearing. My first concert experience was in elementary school when I took a field trip to see a symphony orchestra perform classical favorites. Both of these events were pivotal moments in my musical education. My point being that I'm glad my teachers and parents made it available to me, as I feel it's enriched my life.
The Probably Untrue Story of Mary (Who) Had a Little Lamb is a pleasant little journey that will entertain and educate your child. The story is engaging enough to keep your child's attention, and the music is lively and memorable (see above). It is all very well-played, narrated, and sounds great.
With so much vying for your kid's attention these days, Mary, her Little Lamb and Vivaldi are a nice respite from the real world. Mary's world is a wonderful land of make-believe and music. Where sheep interact with children and a kindly old Vivaldi teaches you about violins and classical music. But best of all, it's a place where everyone lives happily ever after. Because after all, when you're a kid, that's the way it should be.