Album Notes

Andy Belling has released a new CD "Just Kidding" containing a dozen songs he has written for children's television and videos. Andy created the arrangements and performed this whimsical dozen - and the album was mixed by Barry Taylor, in Caravell Studios, Branson, MO.

"I wanted to re-visit some of the 'musical children' I had written over a 40 year span - shake off the dust, and give them a new breath of air, hopefully". Some of the newer songs had been written for an internationally syndicated television series for children - "Sing Me A Story, with Belle". Andy served as musical director for that show - and wrote the Main Title and a few other songs contained inside. Others were written to teach Spanish, to lull to sleep, to tickle -- and... just because...!

Andy recently arranged and produced the music for the New Tiki Room show at Tokyo Disneyland - as well as the Tarzan Treehouse in Disney's Anaheim park. He scored and performed the music for the new IMAX Feature Neighbors filmed entirely on location in Branson, the Missouri home of Country Music. His many other feature movie soundtrack credits include Wizards (an animated cult classic for 20th Century Fox, directed by Ralph Bakshi), and Starchaser: Legend of Orin (a landmark first feature-length animated film in 70mm 3-D! ).

He has also conducted the London Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic, The Jerusalem Symphony, the Seattle Symphony and members of the New York Philharmonic on several occasions for his other feature and television scores.

CHICAGO PARENT
"Just Kidding" by Andy Belling is a collection of songs that
Belling wrote for other projects, including Disney's syndicated series "Sing Me A Story With Belle" and the innovative Disney series "Fun With Spanish". It's an easygoing, mostly gentle musical romp through some delightful songs. Styles vary from Broadway to pop to lullaby. The musical arrangements are tasteful and Belling's voice is pleasing.
- Fred Koch

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL
"Ear candy" is an apt description for this spirited collection, in which musician/composer Andy Belling revisits 12 personal favorites from the long list of songs he has written for children's TV show and videos. The variety is astounding,from the soft-shoe "Creativity" to the percussively gentle "Kauai Lullaby", to the celebratory "Music Makes The World Go Round" to the catchy introduction to Spanish words in "My Body". The real standout, however, is the catchy, salsa-fied "Sombrero", a musically and lyrically clever ode to a favorite hat. Several of the songs were written for Disney videos and TV shows ("Our Miss Minnie". "Sing Me A Story", "Playing In The Wood"). Belling's lyrics are child-friendly and endearing. His smooth voice and upbeat style capture the feel of each song perfectly, making this a treat for adults and kids alike.
-Kathleen Kelly MacMillan,
Carroll County Public Library.

BOOKLIST MAGAZINE
Ages 4-10. This CD presents 12 songs distilled from singer,
songwriter and composer Andy Belling's 30-year musical
profession. The well-chosen songs (with styles ranging from
hip-hop and salsa to lullaby) are bright, whimsical, and
imaginative, whether dealing with hats, mice, or creative
playtime. Belling is an ingratiating performer with an inviting sense of humor and solid musical talent.
- Paul Shackman