Foote Notes Are Music to the Ears

First came Raffi and his global consciousness; then the cozy, feel-good trio of Sharon, Lois and Bram; then smart and funny Fred Penner--is there room for yet another Canadian at the top of the U.S. children’s music market?

Yes, plenty, if it’s this Canadian singer: Meet decidedly different, sweet and wicked Norman Foote. His first U.S. release, “Foote Prints,” on Walt Disney Records’ Music Box Artist Series, is a triumphant mix of sophisticated wackiness and genuine feeling.

The well-executed music is jazz, blues, rock and country, performed by Foote’s lead guitar, a bouncy bass, keyboards, piano and drums. There’s a splendid chorus.

The moods are silly, satirical and gentle. In “Raining Cats and Dogs,” it really is: “Peter’s little Pekinese is blowing in the breeze/See Susie’s little Siamese drip-drying in the trees.” And don’t step on the “poodles in the puddles.”

More zany selections include a kid’s nightmare dinner--”squashed peas, burnt liver, cauliflower custard”--Foote’s shrewd environmental statement, “Dinosaur and the Progress of Man,” the pseudo-scary “The Eggplant That Ate Chicago” and a whimsical oddity, “Little Armadillos.” The album switches moods again with a softly haunting “Ahh Song Sing Along.”

There’s not a saggy or soppy song to be found.

Widely available. Audio cassette, $8.98. CD, prices vary.