Family Fun

June/July 2000
by Moira McCormick

Gunnar Madsen was a founding member of kookily idiosyncratic a cappella group the Bobs, who rose to fame doing arch covers of unlikely rock classics (their take on the Beatles' "Helter Skelter," of all things, was nominated for a Grammy; the Bobs also took on Talking Heads, Johnny Cash, and Jimi Hendrix). Old Mr. Mackle Hackle is Madsen's first children's album, and if you'd figure this veteran prankster would deliver yuks aplenty here, you'd be right. Employing a wide array of styles from rock to blues to music-hall, Madsen takes a walk down "Chicken Road" ("There's chicken pickles, chicken gum/Chicken juice and chicken candy...") and proudly proclaims, "I'm a Twerp" ("I'll rat on you to Mom and Dad/I'll get dessert when you don't/When I've cleaned my room and mowed the lawn/I'll go to the movies - you won't.") Madsen's take on what it's like being a kid will make yours giggle plenty. And he's not above pulling a parental heartstring or two as well - just try not to get misty-eyed during 'Selling Lemonade" and "Flying, Flying."