Children Jump for Fred Penner, Parachute Express

The joint was jumping when children’s music star Fred Penner, reportedly the first children’s artist to headline at the Universal Amphitheatre two years ago, returned for a Saturday concert, along with Parachute Express, a hot recording trio.

On the downside, the two-hour double bill was too long for many of the youngest among the 3,000 fans, who were toted home before the concert ended, and the decibel level was frequently too high.

On the upside, each of these buoyant, polished performers proved that no matter how many rock and country stars are now dabbling in the burgeoning field of children’s music, the specialists still do it the best.

Jovial, bearded Penner, with his mellow, rock/pop/folk sound, is a longtime member of Canada’s children’s music triumvirate that included Raffi (who’s left the field to take on ecological causes) and Sharon, Lois and Bram. He is also known for his TV series “Fred Penner’s Place,” on Nickelodeon, which hosted the concert. As one grandparent was overheard explaining to another, Penner is “a big-time star” to preschoolers.

Penner, on guitar, and his outstanding four-member Cat’s Meow Band did not only target children, however, with upbeat, participatory songs. Adults needed little cajoling to join in the eclectic mix of tunes from the ‘20s, ‘30s and up. They “Lah-lee-lahed” to Louis Prima’s “Sing, Sing, Sing, Sing,” gamely tried to keep up with an ever-faster rendition of 1950’s “Rag Mop” and sang along with the title song to Penner’s new album, “Happy Feet,” from 1930.

Whatever your age, it’s difficult not to respond to such feel-good music from the past. But Penner, a 46-year-old father of four with a degree in psychology, makes his warmest connection with his youngest fans. That was clear when he briefly went into the audience and was immediately surrounded by a flock of small children who came running from all over the theater for an up-close encounter.

Parachute Express, who opened for Penner and had the advantage of a fresh audience during their 40-minute set, almost stole the show, however. The locally based trio--Stephen Michael Schwartz, Janice Hubbard and Donny Becker--have been notable in the past for their musical integrity, sophisticated harmonies and easy rapport with audiences and each other.

Now, a year after being signed by Disney Records, with national tours, music videos and a new album under their belts, the musicians are riding high. Their newly burnished performance--a mix of catchy original songs, high-energy, often comic choreography and nonstop audience participation--pulses with added confidence.

Hubbard’s sweet vocals are the strongest they’ve been, Becker never performed his comic bits with more assurance and Schwartz’s guitar flourishes have a new snap. All three moved and sang Saturday with a youthful exuberance that seemed unfeigned, bringing new energy to such songs as “Smooth Movin’ Boogie Express” and “Happy to Be Here.”

At the concert’s end, the trio deferentially joined Penner for an encore, at his invitation, and together they sang the Canadian’s gleeful ode to the munchies, “Sandwiches,” and a celebratory “You Are My Sunshine.”

Lower the decibel level and trim some time, and this is a double bill that can’t be beat.