Although things have changed in that people don't buy into gender specific roles, as much any more, the other topics raised on this CD are still universal to children growing up. In fact some of them are probably even more important than ever. More and more it seems that conformity is important; whether it wearing the right clothes, listening to the right music, or having the right opinion, individuality is fighting a losing battle.

The only problem is that this CD is it's a little too much of preaching to the converted for it to have a wide-ranging effect. It can probably be enjoyed and made use of by families whose beliefs already are imparting that information to their children, but the unsophisticated nature of the music might not appeal the child who listens to rap and plays video games.

To my forty-something ears these tracks sound great, if a little dated musically. But to kids who have been listening to even the mildest of rap, this is going to seem tame beyond belief. This is a disc that not only needs to be re-issued but also should be updated — re-do the tracks with contemporary performers who have appeal to today's children.

In an era when cynicism is rampant, it is a breath of fresh air to remember there were times when people were far more optimistic. Maybe they had more reasons to be optimistic then we do now, I don't know. But that doesn't change the fact that the messages imparted on Free To Be...You And Me are as valuable today as they were back in 1972. It just a shame that the music is being wasted on people my age.