2004 music reviews (July-December)

albums by Sharon, Lois & Bram, and Fred Penner, reviewed July 2004

One does not bandy about the word "legend" very often in children's music. Two acts from The Great White North, however, do deserve this accolade. With a combined 50 years of dedication to quality children's music, television and education, Sharon, Lois & Bram and Fred Penner love their lives' work, love children and families and actively seek a better world through music.

In 1992, SL&B reviewed more than 300 songs from 10 albums spanning 14 years to come up with 31 favorite tunes for Great Big Hits 1. Now, 12 years later, the task hasn't gotten any easier – add in 52 Skinnamarink TV episodes, five more recordings and 400 songs to choose from and what do you get? Well, you get Great Big Hits 2. So how do they make the tough choices?

"We cajole, we trade, we laugh, groan, sing and reminisce," the artists say in their CD liner notes. Among the songs included in this collection are "Name Game", "Miss Lucy," "Waddaly Atcha" and "Who Put the Bomp." There is also a bonus sing-along track called "Hokey Pokey Karaoke!"

Great Big Hits 2, Sharon, Lois & Bram, Casablanca Kids, 2004; $14.98 CD; www.casablancakids.com. Buy Great Big Hits 2 at Amazon.com!

Back after a six-year recording hiatus, Fred Penner has collected some of his favorite family tunes for Sing With Fred. The CD was released in Canada last fall and was honored with a Juno Award for Best Children's Album.

"One of my greatest joys in life is to see families enjoying their time together and having fun with music," says Penner, a father of four teenagers. Along with Spanish and French folk tunes, "De Colores" and "Alouette" respectively, are "Over the Rainbow," "Puff the Magic Dragon," You are My Sunshine," and "Garden Song" among others to brighten your day. Catch you on the flip side.

Sing With Fred, Fred Penner, Casablanca Kids, 2004; $14.98 CD; www.casablancakids. Buy Sing With Fred at Amazon.com!

Also check out:

Trees of Life - Songs of Friendship & the Earth, Steve Schuch, Night Heron Music, 2000; $15.00 CD; www.NightHeron.com, phone 800-785-9678. "Folk music that transcends time and place - a celebration of nature and friendship by a consummate musician and poet." John Wood, Kidzmusic.com.

Like a Flower to the Sun, Jack Grunsky, Casablanca Kids, 2003; $9.99 CD; www.casablancakids.com, www.jackgrunsky.com. "Plain and simple, this guy's got the goods: Good songs, good music and downright good fun, and a 2004 NAPPA Gold winner to boot." John Wood, Kidzmusic.com. Buy Like a Flower to the Sun at Amazon.com!

Someone's Gotta Wanna Play, Erin Lee Kelly & Marci Appelbaum, Macaroni Soup; $14.99 CD, 2004; phone 212-560-5670, www.gottaplay.org. "Two early childhood educators combine their formidable musical skills and produce an album that educates and entertains. Great for the classroom." John Wood, Kidzmusic.com. Buy Someone's Gotta Wanna Play at Amazon.com!

Alphabet Songs Vol. 1 - Aaron and His Aeroplane, Steve Weeks, A Bumbles Production, 2002; $12.00 CD; phone 719-632-9468, www.steveweeksmusic.com. "Clever, smart, folk-based tunes representing the first eight letters of the alphabet - looking forward to the other…uh, 18." John Wood, Kidzmusic.com.

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albums by Putumayo Kids and James K, reviewed August 2004

All aboard for a joyous musical cruise to the islands courtesy of the latest release by Putumayo Kids, Caribbean Playground. Great care is taken by Putumayo for accuracy in the many cultural musical styles and languages that are included in this CD. The comprehensive liner notes are in English, Spanish and French and are a history lesson in and of themselves. They highlight the lifestyles and infectious rhythm of our island neighbors to the South.

America artist, Taj Mahal, a big proponent of world music, gets our boat afloat with the aptly titled "Great Big Boat." Stops along the way include Jamaica, "Jamaica Farewell"; Haiti "Panama"; Puerto Rico "Bomba Te Traigo Yo"; and Trinidad, where we learn of "Anancy," the popular mischievous spider whose story was brought to the Carribean hundreds of years ago by African slaves. This celebration of indigenous music will have you dancing the day away, but don't fall off the boat!

Caribbean Playground, Various Artists, Putumayo Kids, 2004; $14.98 CD; www.putumayokids.com. Buy Caribbean Playground at Amazon.com!

As reviewers we sometimes make vows that we have to eat. Mine usually involve clowns that name themselves after fruits or vegetables and CDs that have an opening song something to do with the sun - not your male child, but the sun.

So as we beam in on Petaluma, California, and an artist known as James K, we engage this reviewer's ultimate neurosis with a CD titled Good Morning Sun, Goodnight Moon. K's second self-produced album contains 11 original, positively uplifting songs that gently celebrate life through a child's eyes from sunup to sundown. Whether hunting the wild asparagus or contemplating the creation of a new farm animal that gives both eggs and milk (a "chick-a-moo"), the arrangements and performances are always accessible. James K has restored my faith in songs about the sun and the moon but now I have to lie down and rest.

Good Morning Sun, Goodnight Moon, James K, Rivertown Records, 2002; $15 CD, $13 cassette; phone 888-303-4600 or www.jamesk.com. Buy Good Morning Sun, Goodnight Moon at Amazon.com!

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albums by Judy & David and David Hall, reviewed September 2004

Popular Canadian children's entertainers, Judy & David have teamed up with Canada's number one provider of educational products, Nelson, to present an upbeat, fun and interactive musical tool for teaching math. Their initial outing, MathJam 1, incorporates curriculum aimed at first-graders. Clever songsmiths with years of experience - 13 albums with worldwide sales of five million — the duo craft sing-along tunes about counting, graphing, shapes, capacity, probability, symmetry, and patterns among other first- grade classroom concepts. True to their credo "music is not a spectator sport," Judy & David have brought their award-winning high-energy performances to stage (GoldiRocks) and TV screen (Judy & David's Boom Box). MathJam 1 features excellent production value, solid performances and, as a bonus, the CD has interactive menus when played on a computer.

MathJam 1, Judy & David, All Together Now Entertainment; $12.99 CD (2004); phone (877) MYSONGS, www.judyanddavid.com.

Out of the Pacific Northwest like a fresh breeze comes new children's artist David Hall with a fun and folksy pack of tunes called bee positive. Whether breaking down the dynamics of "The Diaper Change" or imagining a "Wedding at the Petting Zoo," Hall infuses his original songs with light-hearted humor and his band has that in-the-room feel, giving the listening audience a sense of personal attention. Hall has a gentle accessible singing voice and a definite love for the little ones. As the little bee, Luis, says in the title song, "be positive!" Catch you on the flip side.

bee positive, David Hall, Karenna Song; $12 CD (2004); phone (503) 309-7438, www.beepositive.bz. Buy bee positive at CDBaby.com and Amazon.com!

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album by Smithsonian Folkways, reviewed October 2004

Ella Jenkins, who has made more than 30 recordings for children, is a national treasure. This year, in addition to marking her 80th birthday and nearly 50 years as a songwriter and educator, Jenkins was awarded the Grammy's Lifetime Achievement Award. So what do you do now, Ella, go to Disneyland?

No, I think she'll be relishing the new release from Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, cELLAbration! A Tribute to Ella Jenkins, produced by Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer, 2003 Grammy Award winners in their own right for Bon Appetit!

"Ella Jenkins has had a profound influence on today's children's performers and recordings," says Fink. "Every artist was excited to participate in this tribute …and join together to pass along the important messages she sings about: traveling the world through music, respect for diversity, friendship, citizenship, wordplay, and, of course, the pure joy of music."

Many fine artists jumped at the chance to record new versions of Jenkins' tunes in a wide array of musical styles from folk to salsa, with stops at Dixieland, ragtime and country-western in between. Pete Seeger ("The World is Big, the World is Small"), Sweet Honey In the Rock ("Did You Feed My Cow?"), Tom Chapin ("Please Is a Pleasant Expression"), Tom Paxton ("I Know a Tom"), Bill Harley ("The World of Whickham Whackham"), Red Grammer ("Jambo"), John McCutcheon ("The Union Team" & "Turkey in the Straw"), Riders in the Sky ("Let's All Sing a Yodeling Song"), Mariachi los Camperos ("La Raspa Medley/Fiesta de Nonos"), Mike Stein ("Rushing Around Russia"), Michele Valeri ("Dulce, Dulce") all pay tribute, while producers Fink and Marxer lend a more than able hand to ("You'll Sing a Song" & "The Hukilau"). Two additional highlights are 6-year old Spencer Perkins' rendition of "Circle of Friends" and the University Park Children's Ensemble's original "Sing Me a Song Again, Ella" performed in Jenkins' patented call and response style.

Hats off to all the fine artists and producers, Smithsonian Folkways, and to Ella Jenkins' incredible body of work! Catch you on the flip side.

cELLAbration! A Tribute to Ella Jenkins, Various Artists, Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, 2004; $11.98 CD; phone 800-410-9815, www.folkways.si.edu. Buy cELLAbration! A Tribute to Ella Jenkins at Amazon.com!

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albums by Various Artists, reviewed November 2004

November, a time for this writer to play catch-up and prepare for the holidays. I have a few musical picks that have been waiting patiently for their turn on the page and without further adieu, here they are:

Sweet Dreams - Solo Piano, Guy Faux, The Pop Piano Workshops, 2004; $13.99 CD; pianoworkshops@yahoo.com, phone 856-662-6855. "Beautiful, gentle and soothing solo piano arrangements of traditional children's songs, rhymes and classical tunes. Nicely done and, yes, those 13 years of piano lessons did pay off. A portion of the proceeds benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital — a worthy cause to be sure." John Wood, Kidzmusic.com. Buy Sweet Dreams - Solo Piano at Amazon.com!

'Round the Campfire - Songs for the Scout in All of Us, Kathy Byers, KT Music Productions, Inc., 2004; $15.95 CD; www.kathybyers.com, phone 800-289-6923. "If ever a voice was a custom-fit for songs that have been around, well, since the first campfire, Kathy Byers has the goods. You can almost smell the marshmallows, and she even pulls off 'Kumbaya', a feat in any language — a great second effort from a fine folksinger." John Wood, Kidzmusic.com. Buy 'Round the Campfire - Songs for the Scout in All of Us at Amazon.com!

Sho, Mo and the Monkey Bunch, Shoshana Sperling & Maury LaFoy, Maple Music, 2004; $13.99 CD; www.themonkeybunch.com, phone 416-516-8511. "Clever mixture of traditional and original sing-alongs - fun voices and upbeat arrangements that'll have you swingin' from the trees and jumpin' on a bed with all the other little monkeys. Two bananas up!" John Wood, Kidzmusic.com.

Just Look At You, Jamie Barnett, 2004; $14.00 CD; www.jamiebarnett.com, phone 951-677-1182. "Inspirational, original folk songs from a caring kindergarten teacher. Everyday songs about snow, pancakes, and self-esteem are performed with genuine heart and soul." John Wood, Kidzmusic.com. Buy Just Look At You at Amazon.com!

It Takes All Kinds - music for families of the world, The Coles, Small World Songs, 2004; $12.97 CD; www.smallworldsongs.com, phone 615-776-3793. "Tip-top songs, performances and arrangements from the Nashville based husband-and-wife team, The Coles, is a clinic on how to put together a quality, fun and upbeat family CD that will hold up nicely to repeated listening." John Wood, Kidzmusic.com.

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albums by various artists, reviewed December 2004

Following up on last year's roundup of holiday music for families, we once again recruit everyone's favorite reindeer to lend their antlers…er, ears to this year's sack full of CDs.

Santa's reindeer traditionally have one big night of magically flying around the world pulling a big old sleigh with jolly big old Santa, but what do they do the remaining 364 days of the year? Some work out with personal trainers, others go to Disneyland, or go paint-balling (Dasher usually wins); a couple are working on a script for Ben Affleck (hmmm?), but did you know, that in their quiet time, the reindeer help this reviewer find fun holiday music that will make great stuffing stockers, uh, stocking stuffers? True. Grab your gift list and pen 'cause here we go:

Heigh-ho, Dasher here. I love to fish, so my pick is Trout Fishing in America's Merry Fishes to All (Trout Records, $14.98 CD; www.troutmusic.com, phone 888-439-8342). These guys crack me up, and after listening to the elves wine all day, I love musicians who know their stuff, and have songs that will have your mom and dad snorting milk out their noses. Dude, you gotta listen to "The Eleven Cats of Christmas." Now, I'm really fast and even I had a hard time keeping up with the song. Whoa! I think I gotta bite on the line! Merry fishes everyone, gotta dash. Buy Merry Fishes to All at Amazon.com!

Dancer loves to dance, of course, and loves music from around the world. He happens to be on a cruise at the moment but highly recommends Christmas Around the World (Putumayo World Music, $15.98 CD; www.putumayo.com). It's an eclectic cultural mix of bouncy traditional melodies that we might recognize and infectious holiday melodies from other countries. Songs from Haiti, Cuba, Martinique and Puerto Rico, among others, round out this tasty collection. And there's plenty to read and learn in the enclosed detailed booklet. Buy Christmas Around the World at Amazon.com!

As I mentioned last year, Prancer's not my real name. I was briefly in the witness protection program, but that's another story. I consider myself warm and fuzzy, so my pick is Arthur's Perfect Christmas (Rounder Kids, $11.99 CD, $8.99 cassette; www.rounder.com, phone 1-800- ROUNDER). Christmas and aardvark's go together like…peanut butter and jelly. Songs from Arthur's Christmas special are blended with Chanukah favorites, a Swedish holiday song, and sing-alongs for mom and dad. Excellent production value and pacing abound. Prance on over and give it a listen. Buy Arthur's Perfect Christmas at Amazon.com!

Enough testosterone already! I'm Vixen, a reindeer of the feminine persuasion, and I just love new artist Geof Johnson's Songs For All Seasons (The Orchard, $14.95 CD; www.songsforkids.net). Beautifully crafted songs separated into fours seasons — Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas/Hanukkah and Spring/Summer. Personally, I prefer laying out on a nice warm beach thinking about nothing and listening to songs about the seasons, and maybe you do too. These tunes are expertly crafted, sincerely performed and instantly memorable. Buy Songs For All Seasons at Amazon.com!

I'm Comet, and hooves-down I'm going for "the most popular children's singer in the English-speaking world." I think I read that in the Washington Post. I'm talking about Raffi's Christmas Album (Rounder Records, $12.99 CD, $7.99 cassette; www.rounder.com, phone 1-800-ROUNDER). You know this album's been around for a while 'cause his beard's still dark. But the songs are evergreen and his voice sounds great, so give the brother a break and check it out.

Happy Kwanzaa from Cupid! There are Kwanzaa tunes on some of the other albums but I'm still going for Grammy Award-winning songwriter Bunny Hull's Happy Happy Kwanzaa (Kids Creative Classics; $16.95 CD and activity pack, $10.95 cassette and activity pack; www.brassheartmusic.com; phone 323-932-0534). It features uplifting songs of self-esteem and self-determination and, boy, I could use some of that.

Hi, I'm Donder (I dropped the Donner after that Pass incident). Anyhoo, call me Donny — it's all good. I'm in touch with my warm and fuzzy inner-child and I like Care Bears Holiday Hugs (Madacy Kids; $7.98 CD; www.madacy.com, phone 1-888-2MADACY). If you like your cute-as-buttons, little multicolored bears singing holiday favorites, this is the album for you. It's sweet so brush your teeth afterward. Buy Care Bears Holiday Hugs at Amazon.com!

Hello, I'm Blitzen, and I can't wait to introduce you to Rachel Buchman's Shine Little Candles — Chanukah Songs For Children (Rounder Kids, $11.99 CD, $8.99 cassette; www.rounder.com, phone 1-800- ROUNDER). Rachel's having a Chanukah party and we're all invited to the fun and participation and good music and dancing and food and . . . did I mention fun? You get the picture. Party on! Buy Shine Little Candles at Amazon.com!

So what about Rudolph? He's already in the holiday spirit and listening to Chanukah At Home (Rounder Records, $12.99 CD; www.rounder.com, phone 800-ROUNDER), a combination of traditional Jewish and Yiddish material with many new songs. Wait, isn't that the same pick as last year? Oh, I forgot, Rudolph can be bought. Did I mention that this writer performs on the album . . . so buy lots! Buy Chanukah At Home at Amazon.com!

Happy Holidays from John Wood & the Reindeers!
www.kidzmusic.com

Also Check Out: (A late entry via the elves . . . they're very busy right now)

'Tis The Season To Be Rockin', Gwendolyn and the Good Time Gang, Whispersquish, Inc., 2005; $12.00 CD; www.gwendolyn.net, phone 866-GTG-SONG. "Gwendolyn and the Good Time Gang's second children's album whisks into the holiday season with bright and upbeat takes on old favorites and new creative classics for the youngster within. 'The Channukah Medley', in particular, will have you dancin' and clappin' round the house!"

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