2004 music reviews (January-June)

albums by Rounder Kids and Anne Nachtrieb Zesiger, reviewed January 2004

Producers Regina Kellend and Richard Perlmutter challenged 29 top-notch children's music artists to "create a one-minute song in whatever style you choose." The result is not only a fabulous 29-minutes album, but a musical sampler for parents of what is available for their children: wonderful artists whom they might never hear otherwise. Each song is fully realized in the allotted time and is a synthesis of the artist's particular style and appeal. A favorite is Marcy Marxer's title song, "Hear And Gone," a stand-alone upbeat tune that sparkles with energy. And I would be remiss if I didn't point out that fabulous guitar and vocal work by yours truly on Dan Crow's "Little Blue Chevy"…or would I? Hear & Gone in 60 Seconds is easily one of my top picks for 2003.

Hear & Gone in 60 Seconds, various artists, Rounder Kids; $14.98 CD; www.rounder.com, 800-ROUNDER. Buy Hear & Gone in 60 Seconds at Amazon.com!

Anne Nachtrieb Zesiger, a San Francisco-based performing and recording artist, teacher, and mother, realized a six-year labor of love, co-written with her father, lyricist H.C. Nachtrieb, with the release of Aesop For All Ages. Ten timeless fables with evergreen lessons are brought to life in a mix of styles, clever arrangements, and anchored by Zesiger's distinctively accessible voice. "The Tortoise and the Hare," "The Country Mouse and the City Mouse," "The Goose and the Golden Eggs" and "The Wind and the Sun," among others, are given musical face-lifts, but never at the expense of the original lesson or moral. Aesop would be proud…wherever he is. Catch you on the flipside.

Aesop For All Ages, Anne Nachtrieb Zesiger, Everafter Classics; $15.95 CD; www.everafterclassics.com. Buy Aesop For All Ages at Amazon.com!

Also check out:

Happy as a Clam, Wayne Read, Wayne from Maine; $16 CD, $11 Cassette; phone 800-414-6845, www.waynefrommaine.com. "Wayne's got the musical goods: Fun songs, clever lyrics, and just the right mix of silliness. Thanks to Wayne, I think I finally understand why clams are so happy…." John Wood, Kidzmusic.com

Dream a Dream, Mary Stahl, Jibber Records; $15 CD. "21-original and traditional lullabies from around the world, beautifully performed and produced, and handled with loving care." John Wood, Kidzmusic.com

Wave Your Hands! Mr. Brian & the Boppets, $10 CD; phone 772-334-7473, www.mrbrianandtheboppets.com. "On-your-feet- hand-clapping-interactive- kidrock! John Wood, Kidzmusic.com

Snickerdoodle! Clare Grosgebauer, Small wonder enterprises; $8 CD; phone 703-352-0226, www.snickerdoodleforkids.com. "Positive, uplifting Americana stories & songs, based on an original timeless hero, Snickerdoodle- created in the early 1900's by storyteller Otis Ham." John Wood, Kidzmusic.com

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albums reviewed February 2004

The month of February, is among other things, Grammy time! No, not that special time with an elderly relative. It's a time to celebrate and reward the year's exceptional music. Here's an up-close-and-personal view of the five albums nominated for best musical albums for children:

Ilene Graff, best known to audiences as Marsha Owens, the mom on the long running ABC-TV comedy Mr. Belvedere, is also a Broadway pro with a beautiful singing voice perfectly suited to lullabies. Her album of songs from beloved musicals, Baby's Broadway Lullabies, produced by Graff and co-producer/arranger/husband Ben Lanzarone, starts with the most richly orchestrated pieces and eventually winds down to the most gentle. Included are: Toyland from "Babes in Toyland," Tomorrow from "Annie," and Music of the Night from "Phantom of the Opera."

Baby's Broadway Lullabies; Sleepytime Songs from Broadway Shows, Ilene Graff, Brooklyn Boy Music Co., Inc; $15.95 CD; www.ilenegraff.com. Buy Baby's Broadway Lullabies; Sleepytime Songs from Broadway Shows at Amazon.com!

Multi-Grammy finalists, Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer consistently raise the musical bar and celebrate healthy eating and healthy kids with their nominated release, Bon Appetit! Musical Food Fun The album features exemplary performances — with folk, swing, rock, samba, Caribbean, rap and old-time country music influences. Fink and Marxer celebrate and share the benefits of drinking water and exercise, positive attitudes about self-image, healthy lifestyles, the Food Pyramid and other musical treats.

Bon Appetit! Musical Food Fun Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer, Rounder Kids; $12.99 CD; www.rounder.com, phone 1-800-ROUNDER. Buy Bon Appetit! Musical Food Fun at Amazon.com!

Making Good Noise is Tom Chapin's tenth album for families. One of the pioneers of children's music, Chapin's clever, insightful songs (a boon for educators) continue to entertain and teach through great performances, high quality production and downright fun songwriting for the whole family! "I love this record," Chapin says, "and hope it will be played a lot, especially on long car trips when parents and kids have to agree on music, and listen to it together."

Making Good Noise, Tom Chapin, Gadfly Records; $15 CD; www.tomchapin.com. Buy Making Good Noise at Amazon.com!

You've probably seen Sandra Boynton's terrific animal illustrations, and encountered her humor in greeting cards, children's books, mugs and calendars. Add another feather to her illustrious cap because she also writes catchy children's songs along with her collaborator composer and arranger Michael Ford. This album, Philadelphia Chickens, is full of fun songs performed by Meryl Streep, Laura Linney, Eric Stoltz and the Bacon Brothers, among others! Fun for the whole family.

Philadelphia Chickens, Sandra Boynton/producer, Boynton Recordings; $11.87 CD; www.boyntonfordmusic.com. Buy Philadelphia Chickens at Amazon.com!

Zak Morgan's When Bullfrogs Croak is a clever and sincere combo of poetry, music and premier production. The lyrics are catchy, the rhymes are great and Morgan's vocals invite an audience to sit and listen for a spell. Whether singing about bullfrogs, insects, dragons or unicorns, Morgan paints word pictures that stir the imagination like the troubadours of old.

When Bullfrogs Croak, Zak Morgan, Zak Records; $15 CD; www.zakmorgan.com. Buy When Bullfrogs Croak at Amazon.com!

And the winner is? Envelope please . . . Bon Appetit, Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer! Congratulations to all the nominees!

— John Wood

Also check out:

The Second Line - Scarf Activity Songs, Johnette Downing, Johnette Downing Music For Children; $15.00 CD; $10 cassette; www.johnettedowning.com, phone 504-861-2682. "February is Mardi Gras month and if you can't attend, listen to born and bred Louisiana native, Johnette Downing's wonderful tribute to the New Orleans street parade — a generous potpourri of indigenous musical styles and activity songs that will have you dancin' in the streets." John Wood, Kidzmusic.com. Buy The Second Line - Scarf Activity Songs at Amazon.com!

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albums by Mommy and Me and Hap Palmer, reviewed March 2004

For making parent-child interaction fun, Mommy and Me has set the pace for 30 years through 350,000 weekly classes and playgroups. A pair of new CD releases, Playgroup Favorites and More Playgroup Favorites, include 17 traditional and original participatory songs each. Also included are instrumental versions of all the songs. Broken into categories — from warm-up to wind-down — the songs are a fun, tried-and-true inspirations for parent-child playtime. The arrangements and performances are classy and engaging. The mommyandme.com website is a valuable resource for parents and teachers with many games, follow-up suggestions and access to over 30,000 neighborhood parent-child groups. There is also information about the 20-city national mall tour that is in full swing. Mommy & Me, "laughing, learning and loving together"— now that's a good thing!

Mommy & Me Playgroup Favorites and More Playgroup Favorites, Concord Records; $9.98 CD; www.mommyandme.com. Buy Playgroup Favorites and More Playgroup Favorites at Amazon.com!

And 30 years ago in another time and place, Hap Palmer began an illustrious career that now spans 20 recordings. The latest from this talented edu-tainer, Two Little Sounds: Fun with Phonics and Numbers, neatly presents important pre-reading and math concepts through rhymes and stories and Palmer's unique interactive approach. As always, Palmer's production values are spot-on and children learn the value and identity of real instruments and sounds. The 41-page insert booklet full of supportive and extra-curricular activities is an absolute goldmine for parents and educators alike. Later in the year, Palmer will release an expanded version of his award-winning CD Can a Jumbo Jet Sing the Alphabet? Hap Palmer has and continues to be a stalwart in children's music. Catch you on the flip side!

Two Little Sounds: Fun with Phonics and Numbers, Hap-Pal Music; $14 CD, $10 cassette; phone 818-885-0200, www.happalmer.com. Buy Two Little Sounds at Amazon.com!

Also check out:

Time to Sing II, Center for Creative Play; $16.99 CD; www.time2sing.org, 800-977-5708. "Wonderful collection of familiar sing-alongs produced and arranged by noted family entertainer James Coffey. The songs are specifically designed for children with speech or language delays. Great for parents and teachers alike." John Wood, Kidzmusic.com. Buy Time to Sing II at Amazon.com!

I Sang It Just For You, Mary Kaye, Mary Kate Records; $15.00 CD; www.marykayemusic.com. "Gentle folk-flavored tunes with a pinch of love and appreciation for the child within us all." John Wood, Kidzmusic.com.

Cranberry Sauce Flotilla, dog on fleas; $14.97 CD; www.dogonfleas.com. "Hey, these guys are really good! Intelligent collection of traditionals and originals recorded in a living room in upstate New York that will have all-ages singin' and dancin' in the streets . . . and living rooms!" John Wood, Kidzmusic.com.

Music Time!, Teacher Ryan, Teacher Ryan Records; $15.99 2/CDs; email ryanmchugh@mac.com., 781-223-0354. "A double-CD-64-sing-a-long upbeat collection that should provide ample musical ammo for educators everywhere." John Wood, Kidzmusic.com.

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album by Thaddeus Rex, reviewed April 2004

The 10th annual TV-Turnoff Week, April 19-25, 2004, encourages kids to say no to TV and yes to reading and other positive alternative activities. The message is spread throughout the country with the help of thousands of schools, clubs, community groups and religious organizations. New children's recording artist Thaddeus Rex – T-Rex for short – has timed the release of his first CD, Martian Television Invasion, to coincide with TV-Turnoff Week.

"Kids need healthy alternatives to television, video games and MTV," T-Rex says. "I see parents upset that their elementary-age kids are drawn to acts like Eminem, Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears. I'm proud to make music that supports TV-Turnoff Week and the ideal it represents."

T-Rex's music is upbeat and participatory. Dance around the house to "Happy Party" or watch out for a "Martian Television Invasion" in your TV. A touch of silliness with "Sweet Sewage" or "Bananas in My Brain" are a nice balance to gentle, intimate songs like "My Little Puppy" and the tune of Mother's Day love, "My Awesome Mom." "T-Rex's Story" is an uplifting monologue encouraging kids to hang on to their dreams and "Reading Books" has a clever lyric incorporating a bucket of book titles that will ring a bell with all ages.

So while you're not watching TV, and instead listening to T-Rex, you can visit www.tvturnoff.org and learn more about this grassroots movement and how you can get involved. One second-grader sums it up: "I really didn't like TV-Turnoff Week except I did notice that my grades went up and I was in a good mood all week." There you have it.

Martian Television Invasion, Thaddeus Rex, Think4Fun Productions, 2004; $14.99 CD. Call 800-204-1598. Website at www.Think4Fun.com. Also available at CDBaby.com.

Also check out:

Mojo A Go Go - Real Rock For Kids, Daddy A Go Go, 2004; $12.00 CD; www.daddyagogo.com. "John Boydston's fourth CD rocks with the best of them - but in a nice and friendly way. And with a song title like "Of Mice and Mensch" you know parents are going to perk up. So get up and go go with Daddy A Go Go!." John Wood, Kidzmusic.com. Buy Mojo A Go Go at Amazon.com!

Even Kids Get the Blues, Re-Bop Records, 2004; $14.98 CD; 800-OK-REBOP, www.reboprecords.com. "Once again Rebop Records offers music that is fresh and stimulating for the children's music scene - 12 talented kids sing the blues with messages that hit home, and with Bonnie Raitt on board, ya just can't go wrong!." John Wood, Kidzmusic.com. Buy Even Kids Get the Blues at Amazon.com!

Highly Usable Music Kids Can Sing, Dance & Do!, Carole Peterson, Macaroni Soup; $15.00 CD, 2003; 847-384-1404, www.macaronisoup.com. "26 upbeat, singable and participatory tunes that celebrate the 12 months of the year. Great for the little-uns and ya can H.U.M. all year long" John Wood, Kidzmusic.com.

Teach Me Music, Bren Norris, Teach Me Music Records, 2003; $15.00 CD; 415-564-7440, www.teachmemuzic.com. "Teachers and parents just can't have enough musical ammo and these 12 new tunes fit the bill nicely." John Wood, Kidzmusic.com.

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albums by Putumayo Kids and Mifflin Lowe, reviewed May 2004

Once again, award-winning Putamayo World Music's series for kids hits one out of the musical ballpark with Sing Along With Putumayo. A fine complement of talented artists present folk and blues classics in a variety of musical styles. The collection kicks off with a blast from the past with Arlo Guthrie's "Bling-Blang." Bob Dylan's "Man Gave Names to All the Animals" takes a funky turn with Tim O'Brien, and Keb' Mo and Taj Mahal stylishly overhaul "Love Train" and "Don't You Push Me Down" respectively. Among other nice performances, the CD closer "I Will Be Your Friend" sums up the meaning and strength of this fine collection.

Putumayo deserves extra praise for its excellent support material. Not only are the informative liner notes in English, Spanish and French, but its Web site, www.putumayo.com, includes sing-along lyrics, song chords, screen savers and fun facts about different cultures.

Sing Along With Putumayo, Putumayo Kids; $15.98 CD. Website at www.putumayokids.com.

Mifflin Lowe, noted humorist and author, has ventured into the children's music market with a plethora of songs and poems about the strange and true names for groups of animals. Beasts By the Bunches employs a bevy of musical styles that fit the animals attitudes. The country-western feel of "A Rag of Colts" is appropriately wild and wooly, and it's easy to imagine some rough-and-tumble miners belting "A Labor of Moles," shovels and picks at the ready. "A Troop of Kangaroos" takes on a British music-hall feel, and Lowe's delivery is perfect on the clever poetry of "A Clowder of Cats." This clever collection tickles the funny bone and informs and educates as it goes.

Beasts By the Bunches, Loco Records; $10.50 CD. Call 401-270-7379. Website at www.newport-cd.com.

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albums by Rounder Records, reviewed June 2004

Rounder Records recently celebrated its 33rd anniversary and the company's children's music division, Rounder Kids, has joined in the party with two new fun releases.

Hey, Richard Perlmutter! How do you follow your multi-award-winning, brilliantly conceived, whimsical tribute to classical music called Beethoven's Wig? By releasing an equally clever, entertaining and educational endeavor called Beethoven's Wig 2: More Sing-Along Symphonies, of course.

Sometimes channeling the wordplay of Alan Sherman with a Mel Brooks' perspective, Perlmutter invigorates the music of Verdi, Brahms, Schubert, Chopin, Strauss and Dvorak among others, with lyrics that will stick with you until the cows come home (which I think is quite some time hence).

For instance, Schubert's "Trout Quintet" transforms into a tall tale of Schubert catching a singing fish, who becomes his lifelong singing buddy. Sound fishy? Read on. "La Donna e Mobile" from Verdi's Rigoletto becomes "Sing Verdi Very Loud": When you're an opera star/ With a large repertoire/ How do you please the crowd?/ Sing Verdi very loud.

And so it goes. Included in this handsome collection are instrumental performances of the 11 tunes, lyrics, trivia questions, and related follow-up activities. As I'm sure Shubert once said, "A fine catch indeed!"

Beethoven's Wig 2 - More Sing Along Symphonies, Rounder Records, 2004; $12.98 CD; phone 800-ROUNDER, www.rounder.com. Buy Beethoven's Wig 2: More Sing-Along Symphonies at Amazon.com!

Sandra Boynton is an internationally celebrated artist and author who has sold more than 250 million greeting cards and 16 million books. She recently received a Grammy Award nomination for the inspired and extremely enjoyable Philadelphia Chickens. Her new silly soirée, Rhinoceros Tap, includes 14 delicious tunes with lyrics by Boynton and nifty music written by partner Michael Ford and performed by Broadway vet Adam Bryant.

Did you know that green peas have feelings too? You will after listening to "O, Lonely Peas," left on the plate by some youngster bemoaning: I can't leave my place/ ‘til the peas are all gone/ At the rate I am going/ I'll be ninety-on. When two mice lovers sing "I Love You More Than Cheese," you know you're in for a treat. The liner notes include all the lyrics and Boynton's wonderful illustrations. Catch you on the flip side!

Rhinoceros Tap and 14 Other Seriously Silly Songs, RounderRecords, 2004; $11.98 CD; phone 800-ROUNDER, www.rounder.com. Buy Rhinoceros Tap at Amazon.com!

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