Maxwell The Dancing Dog

"Jeff Moyer's "Maxwell, The Dancing Dog" gives us all a reason to kick up
our heels. He continues his open-armed songwriting with pieces like the
stirring "We All Have a Part in the Chorus"...a song that should be standard
curriculum in our schools, in our homes and in our world."
John McCutcheon,
Children's Songwriter, 5 time Grammy nominee

Jeff Moyer, singer/songwriter, releases his eighth original song collection, Maxwell The Dancing Dog. The collection is a compilation of Moyer's songs for children that celebrate such favorite themes as clowns, the merry-go-round, dancing,(of course Maxwell, The dancing dog), and a world that regards difference of all kinds as normal and a healthy part of community.
     Moyer's music and books for schools, families and communities continue to address character education, the healing of inclusion, ridicule and violence, and address disability and diversity as one theme. His CDs and books provide upbeat, effective and positive resources that are embraced by families and educators concerned about character education and building safe and welcoming schools.
     John McCutcheon, 1999 Grammy Award-Winning Children's songwriter, wrote, "Jeff Moyer is an important and unique musician, not just for the Disability Rights Movement, but for all of us. His music, his message and his mission make us all whole"
     The album contains 16 songs, four of which are sung with an inclusive kindergarten/preschool class."I planned this song collection to be the sort of album that all families can listen to and really identify with," said Moyer. "Music addresses thought, feeling and attitude and in addition to a lot of songs that are just plain fun, this collection is full of positive ideas about our common membership in the human family. Maxwell is all about the joy of living- and living together in peace."
     In addition to the perennial favorites "Teddy Bears' Picnic," and a medley of three classic children's songs entitled "Twinkle Trilogy," the collection showcases Moyer's creativity. It offers listeners a delightful sampling of original songs for children that dance on the musical spectrum, providing an array of styles, arrangements and instrumentation for young and old alike. This is the CD that children and grandparents will love and never tire of hearing.
     Parents and older children will also appreciate the easy-to-access computer files on this enhanced CD that provide some informative and humorous content for computer-literate members of the family. Maxwell is the creative result of another collaboration between Moyer and Frank Vale, producer, arranger, partnering musician and engineer with whom Moyer has produced four earlier albums. Maxwell was produced at Vale's Metrosync Studio in Cleveland, Ohio. Moyer's refreshing originality, musicality and song-smithing coupled with Vale's impeccable talent as a keyboardist, producer and arranger with a well-developed ear for song styles has resulted in a partnership that never misses. This album promises to become an enduring favorite for all families with young children or listeners of any age who are young at heart.

My nephew who just turned 3 years old was visiting me recently. He fell in love with the Maxwell music. He loved it so much that I gave him the CD. My nephew, Tyler, loves the Maxwell music. I must tell you he danced and laughed and sang along with Jeff. When he heard children's voices on the CD, he gasped and squealed with delight. The trilogy of Twinkle, Twinkle, The ABC's, and Baa Baa Black Sheep brought an added delight. At the end of the first singing of Baa Baa when Jeff tells the children to sing it again this time for the little girl who lives down the lane, Tyler looked around, said Shhhhhh! and then whispered "Who is talking to me?" I paused the CD to tell him that my friend Jeff was talking. I showed him Jeff's picture on the back of the CD and explained that he were the one singing and talking. We started the song over and this time when the part played where Jeff tells the children to sing it again, Tyler said, "Thank you, Jeff, that's a good idea!" My sister tells me that every night since I gave him the CD, Tyler has included Jeff and Maxwell in his bedtime prayers (...."and thank you God for my friend Jeff and my new doggie Maxwell). I could share quite a few more stories about Tyler and his response to Jeff's music, but I'll stop here.

Paula Ledoux