Back In The Neighborhood: The Best Of Mister Rogers, Volume 2
Omnivore, 2023
10/10
Listen to Back In The Neighborhood: The Best Of Mister Rogers Volume 2
The indelible impression that Fred Rogers left on the world is more apparent than ever, with multiple films devoted to him, as well as this installment of his music, which includes 15 tracks drawn from You Are Special, Coming And Going, Bedtime, and You’re Growing, including 7 as unique edits. Also featured is the first CD/digital appearance of “What Would You Like To Do Today” (previously available only on the vinyl version of “It’s Such A Good Feeling”), plus 5 previously unissued tracks.
The Mister Roger’s anthem, “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” opens the listen with his forever friendly voice alongside the warm piano, and “This Is Just The Day” follows with a bouncy and playful demeanor.
Elsewhere, the upbeat and rhythmic “Let’s Think Of Something To Do” is a tune you could even dance to, while the intimate and cozy “Please Don’t Think It’s Funny” finds a dreamy place to reside.
Close to the end, “The Truth Will Make You Free” spolights Rogers’ sage like presence that’s eloquent and insightful, and “It’s Such A Good Feeling”, another Rogers classic, finishes with his mix of talking and singing that no one has replicated with such an impact.
The undertaking was handled by the Grammy-winning team from It’s Such A Good Feeling—Cheryl Pawelski, Lee Lodyga, and engineer Michael Graves. The packing brings us photos and a new essay from television columnist and author Diane Werts, and it does a great job of documenting the inestimable legacy of Fred Rogers.
Travels well with: Stephanie Leavell- Made To Bloom; Jenn Cleary- Happy Day