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Despite its abundance of decidedly unsophisticated ditties by Blue's bug-eyed and batty but well-intentioned owner, Steve, Blue's Big Musical Movie delights the youngsters and soothes beleaguered grown-up ears with a handful of selections by the inimitable Ray Charles, who also guest stars in the movie. With backup from the Persuasions, Charles spins even nonsensical stuff into songs worth a listen: "Hey, hey / Shooba-dee-day / Beep, bop, bay" are lines from "There It Is," a Charles-Steve duet that simmers, subtly, with soul. "Tempo" has Charles deftly speeding things up and slowing them down without making the song seem choppy or overly didactic--a minor, itty-bitty testament to his legend. Blue's Clues' countless fans who are younger than 6 won't feel gypped by this CD, either. All the familiar favorites--Side Table, Mailbox, and even upstart Magenta--chime in with values-laden tunes about the individual obstacles that dogged them in the movie (which centers around the staging of a backyard "big show"). "I Can Be Anything That I Want to Be" salutes Side Table, who overcomes shyness and summons the nerve to sing in the Show. And its refrain, "Don't give up, just go on," sends a message to several cast members--and, with luck, listeners--about shrugging off goofs and setbacks in the name of going for it, whatever the goal. --Tammy La Gorce
