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Ready for Success 2:320:00/2:32
Parent Map Magazine Seattle, WA
“It takes courage and integrity to stand up for what you believe … ” Themes of bravery, justice and inclusion weave throughout this fun collection of water-themed songs, rife with catchy hooks and danceable beats. With back-up singing by a chorus of kids who have Down Syndrome, including the artist’s brother, Mario, this CD is packed with songs to empower kids of all abilities — without being preachy.
. -Kristen Dobsen October '08
Cookie Magazine
The latest album from Leonardo is loaded with songs that represent both sides of the title's double meaning. Beach Boys–esque surf tunes are intermixed with songs about making metaphorical waves—as in making a difference and doing good for the world. Several of these eminently danceable tracks feature backup singing by a chorus of children with Down syndrome. —Ages 3 to 6 Top Track: "Swimmin" Christopher Healy
School Library Journal
PreS-Gr 3—Chicago born singer/songwriter Leonardo, with a vocal back-up chorus from the Michiana Down Syndrome group, presents 15 original songs with a beach theme. Featuring simple arrangements and providing positive messages, the songs will have youngsters singing along. As in his previous CD, Makin' Lemonade (May 2005, p. 71), Leonardo covers topics of safety, tolerance, imagination, creativity, and nature in addition to leadership, team work, and recognizing vowels. Each fun, upbeat song features memorable lyrics that kids of all abilities will enjoy while they learn important lessons. Among the songs are "Beach Day," "Surfin' on My Guitar," "Hula Hoopin'," "and "Ready for Success." In "Hawaii," listeners are encouraged to join in by creating their own lyrics as Leonardo plays the music. Guitars, conga drums, a ukulele, a base, a harmonica, and a flute provide the melodies and harmonies. This excellent, family-friendly CD is well arranged, nicely paced, and a must-have for children's collections.
-Linda M. Teel, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
TDmonthly’s Music Expert
She’ll Tell You Which Albums Hit the Right Notes
By Anna Bendorf
November 2008
Makin Waves by Leonardo Music
Gender: Boys and Girls
My Impressions: This is a cool CD with a retro-style, pop-rock sound. From a musician's perspective the instrumental music is well done and is a pleasure to listen to. The lyrics have a "water" theme; I think it would make for fun listening while at the beach or pool. The songs have a good overall message. The third track, "Making Waves," is about standing up for what is right in the midst of opposition. "One Person" is about making a difference for the environment. As a side note, Leonardo sets a good example by using all green materials in the making of the CD case — very cool!
Kid's Perspective: My 2-year-old daughter especially liked the song "Buried Treasure" and listened very thoughtfully to the entire CD. She even tried to sing along and made sure to tell me that she liked it.
Recommendation: This is a special CD with a distinctive message, and it’s fun for the whole family! Also, I wouldn't be telling the whole story of this album if I did not mention that Leonardo is an advocate for those with Down's syndrome and autism. He performs for special-needs kids at camps and fundraisers and has dedicated quite a few of his songs to kids with special needs. This CD even features a group of kids who have Down's syndrome.
ParentGuide News (NY)
Music and Awareness
Children’s musician Leonardo knows firsthand that children with special needs can accomplish great things. Leonardo’s younger brother has autism and Down syndrome, and to coincide with Down Syndrome Awareness Month, Leonardo releases his latest open-minded CD, Makin’ Waves (Dune Disc). The album features 15 rocking songs with Leonardo and his band, as well as a chorus of teens who have Down syndrome. The songs promote acceptance of people while listeners bop along to the surf-rock sounds. Pick up your copy of Makin’ Waves on October 21, wherever CDs are sold.
Midwest Book Review
"Makin Wave"s is a unique music CD for young listeners. Featuring fifteen original songs, Leonardo's rock 'n roll style compositions and performances are backed up by a chorus of teens who have Downs Syndrome. Each number is flawlessly recorded and showcases a life-affirming and positive message through a combination of lyrics and rhythms that skillfully engage children of every age and background. The individual numbers comprising this outstanding music CD includes Swimming; Beach Day; Surfin' on My Guitar; Showtime; One Person; Beautiful Place; Aeiou; Hula Hoppin'; Ready for Success; Buried Treasure; Under the Sea; Hawaii; Rainbow; The Song; and the title piece, Makin' Waves. Natural, entertaining, and offering forty minutes of fun and inspiration, "Makin' Waves is enthusiastically recommended for family, preschool, elementary school, and community library children's music collections.
Augusta Parent September 08
This Chicago musician’s second CD for kids is simple in arrangements, style and subject matter, but that doesn’t make it any less enjoyable. With just an acoustic guitar, some percussion and his voice, Leonardo captures the innocence of youth in song. For those of us yearning for a few more days of summer now that school has started again, the beach theme of these songs will be like having an extra weekend of summer vacation, only without having to wash the sand out afterwards.
Not that you can tell from listening to the songs (and that’s kind of the point), but some of the background vocals were recorded by Leonardo with a group of children with Down syndrome, a subset of our youth that is close to his heart due having a 19-year-old brother with the disease. Combine the easy sing-along nature of the songs with Leonardo’s obvious heart for kids of all kinds, and I have no doubt that he’ll be making plenty of musical waves with this new CD.
Tot Trends Weekly
"Makin' Waves" is the new CD from Leonardo. Great beats, guitars, and ukuleles bring the fun lyrics of these songs to life. If you like the beach, swimming, surfing...Leonardo has 15 new songs to keep you satisfied.
“It takes courage and integrity to stand up for what you believe … ” Themes of bravery, justice and inclusion weave throughout this fun collection of water-themed songs, rife with catchy hooks and danceable beats. With back-up singing by a chorus of kids who have Down Syndrome, including the artist’s brother, Mario, this CD is packed with songs to empower kids of all abilities — without being preachy.
. -Kristen Dobsen October '08
Cookie Magazine
The latest album from Leonardo is loaded with songs that represent both sides of the title's double meaning. Beach Boys–esque surf tunes are intermixed with songs about making metaphorical waves—as in making a difference and doing good for the world. Several of these eminently danceable tracks feature backup singing by a chorus of children with Down syndrome. —Ages 3 to 6 Top Track: "Swimmin" Christopher Healy
School Library Journal
PreS-Gr 3—Chicago born singer/songwriter Leonardo, with a vocal back-up chorus from the Michiana Down Syndrome group, presents 15 original songs with a beach theme. Featuring simple arrangements and providing positive messages, the songs will have youngsters singing along. As in his previous CD, Makin' Lemonade (May 2005, p. 71), Leonardo covers topics of safety, tolerance, imagination, creativity, and nature in addition to leadership, team work, and recognizing vowels. Each fun, upbeat song features memorable lyrics that kids of all abilities will enjoy while they learn important lessons. Among the songs are "Beach Day," "Surfin' on My Guitar," "Hula Hoopin'," "and "Ready for Success." In "Hawaii," listeners are encouraged to join in by creating their own lyrics as Leonardo plays the music. Guitars, conga drums, a ukulele, a base, a harmonica, and a flute provide the melodies and harmonies. This excellent, family-friendly CD is well arranged, nicely paced, and a must-have for children's collections.
-Linda M. Teel, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
TDmonthly’s Music Expert
She’ll Tell You Which Albums Hit the Right Notes
By Anna Bendorf
November 2008
Makin Waves by Leonardo Music
Gender: Boys and Girls
My Impressions: This is a cool CD with a retro-style, pop-rock sound. From a musician's perspective the instrumental music is well done and is a pleasure to listen to. The lyrics have a "water" theme; I think it would make for fun listening while at the beach or pool. The songs have a good overall message. The third track, "Making Waves," is about standing up for what is right in the midst of opposition. "One Person" is about making a difference for the environment. As a side note, Leonardo sets a good example by using all green materials in the making of the CD case — very cool!
Kid's Perspective: My 2-year-old daughter especially liked the song "Buried Treasure" and listened very thoughtfully to the entire CD. She even tried to sing along and made sure to tell me that she liked it.
Recommendation: This is a special CD with a distinctive message, and it’s fun for the whole family! Also, I wouldn't be telling the whole story of this album if I did not mention that Leonardo is an advocate for those with Down's syndrome and autism. He performs for special-needs kids at camps and fundraisers and has dedicated quite a few of his songs to kids with special needs. This CD even features a group of kids who have Down's syndrome.
ParentGuide News (NY)
Music and Awareness
Children’s musician Leonardo knows firsthand that children with special needs can accomplish great things. Leonardo’s younger brother has autism and Down syndrome, and to coincide with Down Syndrome Awareness Month, Leonardo releases his latest open-minded CD, Makin’ Waves (Dune Disc). The album features 15 rocking songs with Leonardo and his band, as well as a chorus of teens who have Down syndrome. The songs promote acceptance of people while listeners bop along to the surf-rock sounds. Pick up your copy of Makin’ Waves on October 21, wherever CDs are sold.
Midwest Book Review
"Makin Wave"s is a unique music CD for young listeners. Featuring fifteen original songs, Leonardo's rock 'n roll style compositions and performances are backed up by a chorus of teens who have Downs Syndrome. Each number is flawlessly recorded and showcases a life-affirming and positive message through a combination of lyrics and rhythms that skillfully engage children of every age and background. The individual numbers comprising this outstanding music CD includes Swimming; Beach Day; Surfin' on My Guitar; Showtime; One Person; Beautiful Place; Aeiou; Hula Hoppin'; Ready for Success; Buried Treasure; Under the Sea; Hawaii; Rainbow; The Song; and the title piece, Makin' Waves. Natural, entertaining, and offering forty minutes of fun and inspiration, "Makin' Waves is enthusiastically recommended for family, preschool, elementary school, and community library children's music collections.
Augusta Parent September 08
This Chicago musician’s second CD for kids is simple in arrangements, style and subject matter, but that doesn’t make it any less enjoyable. With just an acoustic guitar, some percussion and his voice, Leonardo captures the innocence of youth in song. For those of us yearning for a few more days of summer now that school has started again, the beach theme of these songs will be like having an extra weekend of summer vacation, only without having to wash the sand out afterwards.
Not that you can tell from listening to the songs (and that’s kind of the point), but some of the background vocals were recorded by Leonardo with a group of children with Down syndrome, a subset of our youth that is close to his heart due having a 19-year-old brother with the disease. Combine the easy sing-along nature of the songs with Leonardo’s obvious heart for kids of all kinds, and I have no doubt that he’ll be making plenty of musical waves with this new CD.
Tot Trends Weekly
"Makin' Waves" is the new CD from Leonardo. Great beats, guitars, and ukuleles bring the fun lyrics of these songs to life. If you like the beach, swimming, surfing...Leonardo has 15 new songs to keep you satisfied.