2006 music reviews (January-June)

albums by Dan Crow and Lisa Beth Kovetz, reviewed January 2006

The Peter Pan of children's music, Dan Crow, has released his latest CD, The Giggling Dragon. And, if the music industry – in its great wisdom – had a children's music chart, The Giggling Dragon would have entered at No. 1 with a bullet. Thousands of children and their caregivers worldwide have enjoyed the Dan Crow experience: a man and his guitar with a million tunes and a key to what folks find very funny. And, yes, if you take a closer listen, kids are getting a vocabulary lesson in a fun and engaging way.

The Giggling Dragon is a different approach for Crow. It features lush orchestrations and arrangements, and a big Nashville sound thanks to producer Dennis Scott. The songs about dragons, gnomes, pixies, trolls, giants, imagination and books are pure Dan Crow, however – clever, funny and finely constructed uplifting musical adventures that will tickle your eardrums.

The Giggling Dragon, Dan Crow, Allshouse Family Entertainment, 2005; $15 CD; www.dancrow.com.

What do you do as a producer of mainstream jazz CDs when you have children and look for music that will satisfy both the parents and the child? Go to Disneyland? Perish the thought – hell is trapped in "It's a Small World" through all eternity – Lisa Beth Kovetz chose a road less traveled and created the Jazz Baby series that weaves classic children's music and folk songs with hip jazz arrangements. It's all embroidered with performances by Janis Siegel (of Manhattan Transfer fame), Freddy Cole (brother of Nat King Cole), Cybill Shepherd, Dr. John, Taj Mahal, Megan Mullally, Jim Belushi and Rosemary Clooney among many other talented performers. The music is fresh and invigorating.

"The idea for Jazz Baby was simple," says Kovetz, "high-quality music parents can share with their children." And the proof is in the pudding. I guess it really is a small world after all. Catch you on the flip side.

Jazz Baby - Session 1

Jazz Baby - Session 2

Jazz Baby - Session 3

Jazz Baby – Sessions 1-3, Various Artists, Casablanca Kids, 2005; $9.99 each CD; www.casablancakids.com. Buy Jazz Baby at Amazon.com!

Also check out:

Fishin' With Ish, Ken Galipeau, Story N Song Records, 2005; $15.00 CD; website www.storynsong.com, phone 888-230-3755, "Galipeau's CD is a great catch – 21 original and borrowed, fun and inventive tunes that work swimmingly together – and if fishing with Uncle Ish inspires this kind of fun...then where's my pole!" John Wood, Kidzmusic.com. Buy Fishin' With Ish at CDBaby.com and Amazon.com!

Walk With Wonder, Constant Wonder, Constant Wonder Records, 2005; $15.00 CD; website www.constantwonder.com. "An environmentally safe and musically sound walking and talking, caring and sharing embrace of the joys of Nature and the excitement of discovery. Couch Potatoes shed thy couch and Walk with Wonder! " John Wood, Kidzmusic.com. Buy Constant Wonder at CDBaby.com!

My Bodyworks - Songs About Your Bones, Muscles, Heart and More!, Jane & Steven Schoenberg, Quabbin Records, 2004; $16.95 Book/CD; website www.learnwithabeat.com, "Great tunes by the Schoenbergs and super illustrations by Cynthia Fisher make this fun, informative book and CD a must have. I learned more about my body in 34 minutes than I've learned in 56 years, and the knowledge that everyone passes gas makes me look at super-models in a different way!" John Wood, Kidzmusic.com. Buy My Bodyworks at Amazon.com!

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albums by Lanny Sherwin and Steve Roslonek, reviewed February 2006

Following crisply on the heels of his two well-received CD's Dream With Me Tonight (Lullabies For All Ages & A Father's Lullaby), award-winning songwriter Lanny Sherwin has pumped up the volume once again with 12 original tunes that offer a variety of styles, tremendous performances and downright singable lyrics. "A Cappella" kicks off the show – a lesson by demonstration with spot-on harmonies – hey, we all sing a cappella in the shower, right? A lovely song, "Here For The Runnin'," shares the love of just doing something for the absolute joy of the action not the result. Winning is not the goal when a child with special needs competes in "The Winner." And the title song, "Turn Up The Music," exudes a zest for life and living in the moment. Sherwin has dealt a blow to complacency and bad songwriting with this collection, so turn up the music and sing along.

Turn Up The Music!, Lanny Sherwin, Sandman Records, 2005; $9.98 CD; www.sandmanrecords.net, phone 805-565-5524. Buy Turn Up the Music! at CDBaby.com and Amazon.com!

I've watched the artistic growth of this artist over the years and he's the real deal. Steve Roslonek has seasoned himself in the pressure cooker of live performances and learned the songwriting craft from the inside out. He exhibits a genuine love for children and his exuberance shines through in his performance and presentation. You can visit his Web site and listen to Marvelous Day! for yourself. My job is to shine a light, for one brief moment, on an artist who is doing his best work at this very moment and doing it for the benefit of children and their caregivers. Give him a listen, pick up his CD. You'll see (and hear), I'm not wrong, I'm just drawn that way. Catch you on the flip side!

Marvelous Day! Steve Roslonek, SteveSongs, 2005; $15.00 CD; www.stevesongs.com, phone 866-KID-SONG. Buy Marvelous Day! at Amazon.com!

Also check out:

What Do You Want?!!!, The Brothers Comstock, Lazy Cow Productions, 2006; $15.00 CD; website www.comstockstudios.com, "This is the CD you've been looking for. You know, the one for those hard-to-please-I've-heard-everything kids- An edgy, silly, delightfully zany, laugh-out-loud riot. Kids if you can't find your copy it's probably in Dad's CD player! " John Wood, Kidzmusic.com. Buy What Do You Want?!!! at CDBaby.com and Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/

Goofy Silly Crazy Wacky Day, Laya, Layasongs, 2005; $9.95 CD; phone 240-350-1411. "Positive, wholesome, folksy songs that hearken back to a kinder gentler time – engaging vocals and pleasant arrangements abound. " John Wood, Kidzmusic.com. Buy Goofy Silly Crazy Wacky Day at CDBaby.com!

Creepy Clyde - Spooky Town, Clyde Brown, Creepy Clyde Records, 2002; $5 CD or DVD; website www.creepyclyde.com, "If you like well-written, well-performed and well-produced songs about monsters and vampires and man-eating plants and other such spooky stuff, well then, Creepy Clyde's your guy hands-down! Best played in the dark when you're home alone..." John Wood, Kidzmusic.com.

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albums by The Wiggles and Vanessa Trien, reviewed March 2006

I read somewhere recently that the Australian super-children's-group The Wiggles are cloning themselves. Not in the traditional sense — though I wouldn't be surprised — but by franchising the act. Already in South America and Latin America and soon in Japan, the "world's number one preschool band" is taking over. Save yourselves! Find Tom Cruise; he'll know what to do!

Be that as is it may, the original music of The Wiggles is quite good and the songwriting is excellent. Murray, Jeff, Anthony and Greg's latest CD, The Wiggles Sailing Around the World is produced with vim and vigor and the performances are upbeat and engaging. "From London to Sicily and San Francisco," the songs edutain with information and instrumentation from the various locales they choose to visit. Nicely done. Can't wait to see the Outer Mongolia Wiggles in action!

The Wiggles Sailing Around the World, Koch Records, 2005; $11.98 CD; www.kochdistribution.com. Buy The Wiggles Sailing Around the World at Amazon.com.

I get a little confused with my history sometimes, but I do know that Massachusetts has turned out some remarkable gifts. Case in point: the founding father dude who named himself after a bottle of beer — now that was pretty cool — even though you'd undeniably expect that from a cheesehead in Green Bay; the tea parties in Boston that got way out of hand due to hands-on participation, or hazing as Prince Charles would say (the fish were buzzed for weeks); the World Champion Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots (even though they've never played against those fab teams from Zaire and Bulgaria...); and now, we can add the talented performer Vanessa Trien who celebrates her debut children's CD Hot Air Balloon. This talented lady brings a lot to the picnic: a harmonically sound and confident voice; engaging, original tunes; and an absolute joy that cannot be detained or deterred. Trien takes the trite and makes it relevant. Hot Air Balloon is lighter than air and floats genuinely in a sea of pretenders.

Hot Air Balloon, Vanessa Trien, Fox Run Records, 2006; $15 CD; phone 617-277-0687, www.vanessatrien.com.

Also check out:

Every Day Is A Birthday, Brady Rymer, Bumblin' Bee Records, 2006; $15.00 CD; website www.bradyrymer.com, "Unabashed rock with some serious sock! Brady Rymer has proven that he is a positive force to be reckoned with. So, I reckon you give this CD your full attention and deserved exultation. Good stuff!" John Wood, Kidzmusic.com. Buy Every Day Is A Birthday at CDBaby.com and Amazon.com!

Where Are Your Piggies? Michael Leyden, Michael Leyden Music, 2005; $14.99 CD; website www.whereareyourpiggies.com. "And now for something just a little bit different — Michael Leyden's edgy and fun rock-based take on a variety of silly subjects and observations certainly does not talk down to its audience — College papers might just be written on the hidden meaning of 'Space Monkey...'" John Wood, Kidzmusic.com. Buy Where Are Your Piggies? at CDBaby.com!

Wee Rock! Silly Sammy Sings, Greg & Erin Paxton, 2006; $14 CD; website www.weerockids.com, "Easy, breezy songs for little ones presented and performed tastefully in a variety of gentle musical styles win the day. " John Wood, Kidzmusic.com. Buy Wee Rock! Silly Sammy Sings at CDBaby.com and Amazon.com!

What A Way To Play! Debi Derryberry, 4River Records, 2006; $12.97 CD; website www.debiderryberry.com. "The voice of Jimmy Neutron has so much more to say, and 'What A way To Play!' emphasizes this prurient point: great arrangements, solid performance and careful song selection will always carry the day! I encourage Ms. Derryberry to continue on this path — thanks for a nice album." John Wood, Kidzmusic.com. Buy What A Way To Play! at CDBaby.com and Amazon.com!

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albums by various artists, reviewed April 2006

A pat on the back for this reviewer for choosing four out of five of the Grammy Awards nominees for best children's music in my December 2005 "Holiday Pix." And a definite admission of oversight in overlooking the fifth nominee! Let's take a look at the Grammy nominees and re-visit some great children's music by some talented artists.

Category 75 - Best Musical Album For Children - For albums consisting of predominantly music or song vs. spoken word.

Red Grammer's BeBop Your Best! (Red Note Records, 2005; $15 CD; www.redgrammer.com) hits the ground running and never looks back. The songwriting by Grammer and Pamela Phillips Oland is first rate and the positive character traits of making good choices, truthfulness, and caring among others are presented in a non-preachy uplifting way. Yep, I missed the boat on this one.
Buy BeBop Your Best at CDBaby.com and Amazon.com!

The always consistent and entertaining Ralph's World's latest release Green Gorilla, Monster & Me (Mini Fresh Records, $15 CD; www.ralphsworld.com) has great pop hooks, infectious rock rhythms and strong vocals – all supporting clever songs that even Mom and Dad can handle on long car trips.
Buy Green Gorilla, Monster & Me at Amazon.com!

The perennially Grammy nominated Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer's new release, Scat Like That: A Musical Word Odyssey (Rounder Records, $14.98 CD; www.rounder.com) once again fits the proverbial bill. Fun-filled, upbeat tunes from two award-winning veterans that educate as they deftly entertain with songs about pirates, tongue twisters, limericks and riddles. And if you can keep up with the "Pig Latin Polka Dance" you're a better...uh, pig Latin polka dancer than I!
Buy Scat Like That: A Musical Word Odyssey at Amazon.com!

And speaking of excellent artistic consistency, Tom Chapin's Some Assembly Required (Razor & Tie, $15 CD; www.tomchapin.com) is filled to the brim with clever new songs, excellent musicians, terrific production values and guest stars like Vanessa Williams, Dan Zanes and Laurie Berkner. Fine work!
Buy Some Assembly Required at Amazon.com!

The beloved sweater-wearer's Songs From The Neighborhood – The Music Of Mister Rogers (Various Artists, Memory Lane Syndications, $14.95 CD+DVD, $17.95 Keepsake Package; www.songsfromtheneighborhood.com) is a heart-warming trip down memory lane. Mister Roger's gentle, loving, heartfelt songs still offer a safe oasis to return to again and again. This special tribute utilizes the talents and vocal stylings of Amy Grant, BJ Thomas, Bobby Caldwell, Crystal Gayle, Donna Summer, Roberta Flack and a host of others. The arrangements are terrific and Dennis Scott's production is top drawer!
Buy Songs From The Neighborhood – The Music Of Mister Rogers at CDBaby.com and Amazon.com!

And the envelope please... It's Songs From The Neighborhood – The Music of Mister Rogers! Check out all of these great artists and the music that will continue to stay evergreen.

Also check out:

Spin Your Web, Mary Kaye, Mary Kaye Music, 2006; $15.00 CD; website www.marykayemusic.com. "Kaye's music just keeps getting better and better. Her third outing "Spin" has 13 original upbeat tunes, fine production value and Kaye's voice is strong and engaging. This is one web you want to get caught up in. " John Wood, Kidzmusic.com.
Buy Spin Your Web at CDBaby.com and Amazon.com!

Won'tcha Get Off The Couch? Greg Cooney, G. L. Cooney Productions, 2005; $13.95 CD; website www.geocities.com/greg_cooney/index.html. "Cooney's songs are a throwback to the pure tunes and positive outlook of Tin Pan Alley – his voice is easy on the ears; he has good songwriting chops and his use of instrumentation and a nod to early rock will keep adult ears piqued and ready for more!" John Wood, Kidzmusic.com.
Buy Won'tcha Get Off The Couch? at CDBaby.com!

Wide Wide World, Miss Amy, Ionian Productions, 2005; $15 CD; website www.missamykids.com. "Miss Amy can rock the room with the best of them. She should have youngsters up and dancin' from the first downbeat and fast asleep by the end of the gentle ‘Irish Blessing.'" John Wood, Kidzmusic.com.
Buy Wide Wide World at CDBaby.com and Amazon.com!

Kind of Blue & Pink – Mellow Jazz For Cool Babies and You, Jon Crosse, Jazz Cat Productions, 2006; $13.98 CD; website www.jazzcatbaby.com. "A nice collection of classic nursery rhymes and lullabies laid on a serious bed of soothing jazz with fine guest performances and weaved together with panache and vigor by arranger/producer Crosse who plays a mean sax along the way!" John Wood, Kidzmusic.com.
Buy Kind of Blue & Pink – Mellow Jazz For Cool Babies and You at CDBaby.com!

Emotions, Marla Rosen, Big Dip Productions, 2005; $12.80 CD; website www.emotionsbook.com, "A refreshing down to earth collection of 20 songs that illuminates our emotions in a kid-friendly way. The addition of children to introduce the songs and transitions works very well." John Wood, Kidzmusic.com.
Buy Emotions at CDBaby.com and Amazon.com!

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albums by Hap Palmer and Susan Salidor, reviewed May 2006

Hap Palmer has over 20 recordings and dozens of national awards under his experienced belt but refuses to rest on his laurels — like the Energizer Bunny he just keeps going and going. His latest ambitious release Divirtámonos Aprendiendo — Let's Have Fun Learning takes 12 of his most popular songs and translates them into Spanish. The arrangements and musicianship are impeccable and the production is first-rate. Palmer is a deceptively clever songwriter and vocalist — children's music wannabees should study his songs for chord structure, vocal clarity and direct message delivery. Nuff said 'bout that personal peeve. Palmer always includes copious support materials that will aid educators immensely. Good job from a fine artist!

Divirtámonos Aprendiendo — Let's Have Fun Learning, Hap Palmer, Hap-Pal Music, 2006; $14.95 CD; www.happalmer.com. Buy Divirtámonos Aprendiendo at CDBaby.com and Amazon.com!

Susan Salidor's effervescent vocals are an absolute pleasure to experience. Her teaching technique comes from a tried and true place that only hundreds of performances can assure. It's no surprise that she paid her dues in musical theatre and cabarets and idolized the great Barbra Streisand. Her arrangements and pacing are inspired — anyone you can put a new spin on "The Wheels on the Bus" has my vote! A personal song favorite is "Before You Were" dedicated to her three children: "Then we looked across the table and what did we see?/A young man pulling up a chair.../ Now there's mommy and daddy, three children and happiness/ This is our family tree." Salidor has the goods and her CD's should be part of everyone's collection.

Come and Make a Circle 2 — More Terrific Tunes for Kids, Teachers and Families, Susan Salidor, 2005; $16 CD; website www.susansalidor.com. Buy Come and Make a Circle 2 at CDBaby.com and Amazon.com!

Also check out:

Animusica: Mostly Highbrow Music for Kids of All Ages, David Alan Webb, David Alan Webb Productions, 2005; $15.00 CD, $10 CD-ROM; website www.davidalanwebb.com, "These eighteen original animal-themed instrumentals are a stimulating introduction to music appreciation and a nice tool for exercising the imagination. The supplemental educational CD-ROM is necessary for parents and teachers to support the songs." John Wood, Kidzmusic.com

If I Never Sleep Again, Brian Joseph, FrogSongs Records, 2005; $14.97 CD; website www.brianjosephmusic.com. "A truly beautiful album by a gifted artist with spot-on production by Kenny Edwards. Not necessarily a kid's album but kid-friendly just the same and parents, Joseph's explanation of ‘Making Love' as mom and dad jumping on the bed is a hoot. Wish I'd thought of that!" John Wood, Kidzmusic.com. Buy If I Never Sleep Again at CDBaby.com and Amazon.com!

My Turn, Your Turn - Songs for Building Social Skills; and Alphabet Jam - Songs & Rhymes to Build Early Reading Skills, Cathy Bollinger, Rivanna Music, 2005/2006; $15.98 CD; website www.rivannamusic.com. "Whether reinforcing positive social skills or traversing the good old alphabet, Bollinger's easy-going teaching style and participatory arrangements makes learning fun and edutaining." John Wood, Kidzmusic.com. At CDBaby.com, buy My Turn, Your Turn; and Alphabet Jam!

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albums by Various Artists, reviewed June 2006

Makes Me Feel Like Singing, Darrell House, Maggie Music, 2005; $16.95 CD; www.darrellhouse.com. "Take a bit of Burl Ives, mix in a touch of Jimmy Buffett, add a generous helping of funny upbeat tunes and whadya get? Darrell House in the House! You won't only feel like singing, you'll be singing along on every song!" John Wood, Kidzmusic.com.

Kaleidoscope Songs – Number One & Two, Alex Mitnick & Alan Bell, 2004/2005; $16 CD; website www.kaleidoscopesongs.com. "Nicely produced CD's that explore emotions and feelings and positive expressions of love, belonging and acceptance." John Wood, Kidzmusic.com. Buy Kaleidoscope Songs – Number One & Two at CDBaby.com and Amazon.com!

Tell Me A Story – Timeless Folktales From Around The World, Amy Friedman & Guest Artists, Amy Friedman/Lori Ada Jaraslow/and Dennis Danziger Productions, 2006; $18.95 CD; website www.mythsandtales.com, "Twice-told-tales never told better- the talent is first-rate from top to bottom. The stories literally jump off the CD and into the listener's imagination – I love the choices on all levels! This is the real deal." John Wood, Kidzmusic.com. Buy Tell Me A Story at CDBaby.com!

Sing in English – 20 Fun Animated Music Videos For Kids 1-8, Peter Weatherall, Kidsinglish Productions; 2006; $12.00 DVD; website www.kidsinglish.com. "Weatherall's clear vocals and gentle teaching technique shine in this educational DVD for young audiences that includes 20 of his original tunes." John Wood, Kidzmusic.com.

Mr. Quizmee Asks About...Our Watery World, Frank & Wendy Shadpour, Quizzenkids Productions; 2006; $14.95 CD; website www.mrquizmee.com. "Over an hour of highly educational and entertaining music, songs and games aimed at learning more about the people, places and things that inhabit our watery world. Great production value!" John Wood, Kidzmusic.com.

Gabdern Chicken, Michael Leyden; 2006; $14.99 CD; website www.whereareyourpiggies.com. "Michael Leyden's follow-up to his clever and zany 'Where Are Your Piggies?' is...even cleverer and zanier. A love of family, good memories and the magic of the East Coast are passionately expressed in a straight ahead rock approach." Buy Gabdern Chicken at CDBaby.com and Amazon.com!

Scat's My Bag, Erika Paul, Jazz Q Records; 2005; $15.00 CD, $15.00 Songbook, $5.00 Coloring & Drawing Book; website www.erikapaul.com. "A nicely conceived introduction to jazz and beyond for young and old, written and produced by noted edutainer Erika Paul – music teachers should be able to pull pearls from this collection. An optional songbook and lyric/drawing book are also available." John Wood, Kidzmusic.com.

Bluegrass Lullabies, Wendell Tilley, Kingfish Recordings; 2004; $10.00 CD; website www.bluegrasslullabies.com. "Classic lullabies, beautifully produced and performed by some of Nashville's finest Bluegrass musicians. Mark this one 'must have' new parents!" John Wood, Kidzmusic.com. Buy Bluegrass Lullabies at CDBaby.com and Amazon.com!

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