Mister Bill
When I Grow Up (1997)

What happens when you take a children's Sunday School teacher and cross him with a rock 'n' roll musician? It seems to me that you get Mister Bill, an artist who has introduced me to a very interesting new musical format, which he calls "children's / alternative."

Each of his songs is based on a specific Bible verse, and is lyrically written to be easy for children to understand, while at the same time trying to appeal musically to the whole family. From the clever (if somewhat corny) "Wa-Wa-Wa-Water," which is about - you guessed it - water, to "Come Little Children," each song has a simple message to tell.

"Less of Me" very simply says to put Christ first. "Big Bad Wolf" is a fun number spiced with a horrendous "wolf howl," and the very pertinent message that there's nothing to fear as long as we trust in Jesus. "Oh what big teeth you've got, and you can huff and puff all you want!" Because with Jesus, what is there to fear? "Come Little Children" closes on a high note with a very well done praise chorus.

The music is good, if not stellar, and the lyrics are very fitting. There are even a couple of gems on the CD, songs I could see my future children listening to often.

Reviewed July 08, 1998
by David Longenecker

Songs on this album:

1. Wa-Wa-Wa-Water
2. Less Of Me
3. Big Bad Wolf
4. Jesus Is The Rock
5. When I Grow Up
6. Forgive Them
7. Praise His Name
8. Unto Him / Knockin' Medley
9. Come Little Children