Sharon, Lois & Bram: “Elephant Show Stoppers!” (2024) Vinyl Review

I believe we appreciate music more when we possess it in some physical form, and especially when we have it on vinyl. So I think it’s a wonderful thing when children’s albums are released on vinyl, for it gives kids an appreciation early on, along with a desire to care for their collection. And it makes special sense for Elephant Show Stoppers! to be released on vinyl, for this album features previously unreleased music from the 1980s, giving it that nostalgia factor for adult vinyl collectors. The Canadian television series The Elephant Show (also known as Sharon, Lois & Bram’s Elephant Show) premiered forty years ago, running from 1984 to 1989. The program featured a lot of music, with singers and musicians brought in as guests. In 1986, Sharon, Lois & Bram released Elephant Show Record, with tracks from the show. Even before the series, Sharon, Lois & Bram had been releasing children’s albums, starting with 1978’s One Elephant, Deux Éléphants. And they continued to do so after the series finished.

On this record, Sharon Hampson is on vocals, Lois Lilienstein is on vocals and piano, and Bram Morrison is on vocals and guitar. Joining them are Bill Beecroft on trombone; Bobby Brown on piano and accordion; Don Englert on clarinet, flute, piccolo and saxophone; Charlie Gray on trumpet; Henry Heillig on bass; Scott Irvine on tuba; Brian Leonard on xylophone, marimba, percussion, jaw harp, tambourine, vibraphone and drums; Guido Luciani on electric guitar, acoustic guitar and slide guitar; Paul Mills on guitar, 12-string guitar and ukulele; Eric Nagler on banjo, mandolin, psaltery and washboard; Lorne Nehring on drums; Ray Parker on piano, electric piano and synthesizer; Graham Townsend on fiddle; Chris Whitely on harmonica; Dave Woods on trumpet; Jack Zaza on banjo, accordion and mandolin; and Matt Zimbel on percussion. The songs on this album are mostly covers, including some traditional tunes. The record’s liner notes include the season and episode title for each song, and the notes unfold to become a poster.

Side A

The album opens with “Elephant Show Theme,” which is a total delight. “They had such enormous fun,” they sing here. And you will too, especially when the horns take over just before the end, giving the song a New Orleans vibe. That’s followed by “We Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere,” one of my personal favorites on this record. It’s about a trip that is not going to happen because no one is the least bit prepared, each assuming the others have packed and written out the directions and so on, and it’s hilarious. “Have you got the address? No! Directions? No!” And it moves at a good clip, though of course they are not moving at all. I absolutely love this song, and any family that has ever tried to go on vacation will also love it. But if they ever do manage to get going, they can take off in the little red car. In “Little Red Car,” they sing of seeing each other at the traffic light. It’s always surprising when, unplanned, you see someone you know on the street, and even more surprising if you should happen to see an elephant dancing down the street, as happens here.

“People In Your Neighbourhood” originally comes from Sesame Street (where it is spelled “Neighborhood”). The version on this record includes children singing many of the lines. I don’t meet too many people in my neighborhood each day, but I still appreciate the spirit of the song. That’s followed by “Animal Fair,” a fun traditional number that features kazoo. They also deliver an enjoyable rendition of “Bye Bye Blackbird,” featuring some strong vocal work. These guys are clearly having a good time. Then “Love Grows Under The Wild Oak Tree” begins with some pretty work on piano, and also features some beautiful vocal work. “You Must Have Been A Beautiful Baby” likewise begins on piano. It becomes a playful number, in part through the vocal performance. That’s followed by “We Are Three Sailors,” a lively, goofy, delightful song that features some nice work on accordion. The first side of the record concludes with “Talk About Peace,” an original number written by Joe Hampson, Sharon’s husband. “There’s a whole lot of people in this old world living on nothing but hate/If things don’t change around pretty soon/It’s gonna be too late.” If children get this message early in their lives, maybe it will stick with them into adulthood, and that would be a great thing.

Side B

The second side opens with Cole Porter’s “Another Op’nin’, Another Show,” here listed as “Another Opening, Another Show,” from Kiss Me, Kate. Children join them on this rendition, putting us in mind of a school production, which is adorable. Perhaps this song will get some kids interested in doing theatre. Toward the end, they sing “The overture is about to start/With Elephant in the leading part.” Somehow I don’t think Cole Porter wrote that line. That’s followed by “Bibbity Bobbity Boo (The Magic Song),” another delightful, cheerful, silly number that encourages kids (and adults) to be goofy and creative. Then they give us their take on “Searchin’,” an early rock and roll number, written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, and recorded by The Coasters. These guys are clearly having fun with it, and children join them on vocals. This track features both harmonica and jaw harp.

“Shoo Turkey!!” features a call and response, with children doing the response, the lyrics delivered a cappella. That’s followed by “Ragg Mopp,” another fun, playful number featuring some strong vocal work. This is wonderful, and toward the end, the pace increases, which I love. Things are swinging and hopping. Then their version of “When The Red, Red Robin Comes Bob, Bob, Bobbin’ Along” begins slowly, sweetly, like a lullaby. It maintains that vibe until the line “Wake up, wake up, you sleepy head,” when it takes on a bright energy, which is perfect. It ends gently, as if to say we can go back to sleep now.

“Movin’ On” is another original number by Joe Hampson. It’s a totally enjoyable song about traveling across the country, and it has a rousing vibe, feeling at moments like it’s about to burst into gospel territory. “What this country’s got to show/Place to live, place to grow/We’ve got a story we’re gonna tell/We’re moving on.” And speaking of gospel, they then give us a good rendition of “This Little Light Of Mine.” At first, their voices are supported by some cool work on bass, and the song builds from there. You’ll be singing along soon enough. That’s followed by “One More Hour,” a Randy Newman song from the 1981 Ragtime soundtrack. It begins with some beautiful vocal work, the lyrics delivered a cappella. And then as the band comes in, it becomes even more moving. This is another highlight for me. “One more sweet song, play for me/Won’t you play for me.” And indeed, there is just one more song, a sweet and fun number titled “Skinnamarink,” which apparently Sharon, Lois & Bram performed at the end of every episode of the show. It is adorable.

Record Track List

Side A

1. Elephant Show Theme
2. We Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere
3. Little Red Car
4. People In Your Neighbourhood
5. Animal Fair
6. Bye Bye Blackbird
7. Love Grows Under The Wild Oak Tree
8. You Must Have Been A Beautiful Baby
9. We Are Three Sailors
10. Talk About Peace

Side B

1. Another Opening, Another Show
2. Bibbity Bobbity Boo (The Magic Song)
3. Searchin’
4. Shoo Turkey!!
5. Ragg Mopp
6. When The Red, Red Robin Comes Bob, Bob, Bobbin’ Along
7. Movin’ On
8. This Little Light Of Mine
9. One More Hour
10. Skinnamarink

Elephant Show Stoppers! is scheduled to be released on September 27, 2024.