Muldaur Shows Her ‘Sunny Side’

Maria Muldaur, the sultry siren who crooned “Midnight at the Oasis,” that sexy smash hit of the ‘70s, has done a children’s album?

Indeed she has, and a toe-tapping honey of an album it is, for children and adults.

In “On the Sunny Side,” Muldaur’s trademark voice--a combination of smoky sensuality and high country warble--offers unique folk, jazz, R&B; and country stylings in songs from the past.

“I didn’t want to do corny songs that would drive parents screaming out of the room,” Muldaur said.

Novelty tunes such as “Never Swat a Fly” (“don’t you slug a bug in the middle of the rug”) and “Storybook Ball” on Side 1 are out of her old jug-band repertoire. Side 2 is mellower.

A sweet rendition of “Melancholy Baby” touchingly becomes “Melancholy Mommy” as 11-year-old singer Amber McInnis takes the second verse, and such buoyant, feel-good classics as “Side by Side” and “On the Sunny Side of the Street” are given the Muldaur skew.

Muldaur is joined by star Canadian children’s singer Fred Penner (host of Nickelodeon’s “Fred Penner’s Place”), by her daughter Jennie May Muldaur, who is a vocalist with the Todd Rundgren Band, and by the Swinging on a Star Band, a classy bunch of musicians headed by mandolinist David Grisman.

Available at record stores, or call Music for Little People, (800) 346-4445. Audio cassette: $9.98; CD: $13.98.

“Sebastian,” from Walt Disney Records, is another exuberant children’s album with plenty of adult appeal. A slick solo release by Broadway veteran Sam Wright, reprising his movie role as the star crustacean in Disney’s “The Little Mermaid,” the album serves up a Caribbean-flavored feast of reggae and calypso rhythms.

Wright’s funky vocals cook in “Hot, Hot, Hot” and other songs by reggae artists such as Bob Marley and Jimmy Cliff. The Oscar-winner from “Under the Sea” is featured, and yes, you’ll find “Day-O,” the Harry Belafonte classic here. Third Wall, a leading reggae group, does the sizzling instrumentals and back-up vocals.

The segue banter between Sebastian, mermaid Ariel and the Flounder is brief and Little Mermaid star Jodi Benson’s two solos are pleasant enough, but they cut into Wright’s jammin’ time, mon.

Available at record and toy stores. Audio cassette: $8.98; CD: no list price.