DRAGON WITH A FLAGON

Silly lyrics, sunny vocals and jaunty accompaniment on guitar, banjo, mandolin and jaw harp make this a well-rounded recording for the whole family. Tell (aka Robert Stelmach) has a versatile voice that easily slips between folk-rock stylings and the sound of a dramatic troubadour from centuries past. References to underwear abound, as do fun-to-say nonsense phrases. Playing up his talents as a storyteller, Tell includes "Flocci-nauci-nihili-pili -ficators," a story-song about the court case brought by two not-so-bright men who demand that a hen lay eggs already scrambled or sunny-side up. Other tunes like "Up on the Shelf" and "Words Are Dumb" emphasize the joys of reading while "Rubber Baby Buggy Bumpers" sprang from Tell's admiration of Danny Kaye's children's songs. On several tracks, playful percussion, flute and a children's chorus bring additional energy to the proceedings. Ages 3-7. (Feb.)