2006 music reviews (July-December)

albums by various artists, reviewed July 2006

You're going on vacation! Yay! You pack the usual amenities, gas up the car for around $300 and head on down the highway looking for adventure. But wait, what is that on the seat by the iPod's and portable CD players? Why, it's a veritable plethora of great children's CD's. Let's zoom in closer and check them out:

First out of the musical chute is Folk Playground (Putumayo Kids; 2006; $14.98 CD; www.putumayokids.com). I know what you're thinking. Folk music? Ancient history! But hang with me a moment. This compilation, craftily assembled from classics and originals with some genuine treats, truly hits the mark. Case in point, Michelle Shocked gives new meaning to the Disney classic "Got No Strings" from Pinocchio and Leon Redbone digs deep into the treasure trove for "Polly Wolly Doodle." Popular children's performers Dan Zanes, Laurie Berkner, Justin Roberts, Brady Rymer, Elizabeth Mitchell and Trout Fishing in America lend their admirable talents, among others, as well. But one of the most salient songs is the closing track by Eric Bibb and Michael Jerome Browne. Titled "Just Look Up," it's a gospel-tinged positive metaphor for moving-on-down-the-road. Buy Folk Playground at Amazon.com!

And that's just what we're doing because now we're popping in the aforementioned Justin Roberts' newest release Meltdown! (Carpet Square Records; 2006; $15.98 CD; www.carpetsquarerecords.com). Roberts' uncanny ability to channel the musical styles of,say, James Taylor or Paul Simon, mix in a childlike perspective and then morph it all into an upbeat toe-tapping, finger-snapping, sing-along good time is a refreshing gift for the whole family. Whether struggling with his eyesight in "Get Me Some Glasses," romping with an imaginary friend in "Our Imaginary Rhino" or rejoicing over a new baby sister in "Cartwheels and Somersaults," Roberts' perceptions are right on the money. Buy Meltdown at CDBaby.com and Amazon.com!

Lookout, here's a fork in the road! Find a knife and let's have dinner, and listen to the brilliant concept created by Richard Perlmutter, Beethoven's Wig 3: Many More Sing-Along Symphonies (Rounder Records; 2006; $12.98 CD; www.rounder.com). What differentiates the wigs you might ask? With a tip of the hat to Alan Sherman, in this outing Perlmutter focuses on specific orchestral musical instruments and opens the classical blinders to Bach, Bizet, Rossini, Tchaikovsky, and Handel among others. And, in doing so, he enlightens, illuminates and reinforces what deep inside we already know: these guys were the rock stars of their time and through the creative parting of the veil via Perlmutter, we learn that Beethoven wrote pieces for the mandolin because he had his eye on a hottie named Josephine, who - you guessed it - played the mandolin. And please don't miss "How To Succeed As Royalty," a homage to the life-after-marriage-challenged King Henry VIII. (Remember "Greensleeves" – No.1 with an axe?) Good stuff. Buy Beethoven's Wig 3: Many More Sing-Along Symphonies at Amazon.com!

As Beethoven de-composes, we continue our road trip and segue into the world of John Boydston a.k.a. Daddy A GoGo's Eat Every Bean and Pea on Your Plate (Boyd's Tone Records; $12 CD; 2006; www.daddyagogo.com). Let's inject a little quirkiness to perk up the trip. "I write and record three-chord songs about the three Cs' of my life – carpooling, coaching and cleaning," Boydston says. There have been four previous rockin' CDs and now his 14- and 11-year old sons are backing him up in the family biz on drums and bass. With titles like "Pink Floyd Saved Hugh Manatee" (think about it), "Listen to the Flower People" (inspired by This is Spinal Tap) and "For Those About To Walk, We Salute You" there's a little something for everyone in the car. Rock on and eat every bean and pea on your plate! Buy Eat Every Bean and Pea on Your Plate at CDBaby.com and Amazon.com!

OK, I think we're ready for some show tunes. Connie Kaldor, "one of Canada's most significant contemporary folk performers" book and CD A Duck in New York City (The Secret Mountain; $16.95 Book/CD, $12.98 CD; 2005; www.thesecretmountain.com) fits the bill (bill, get it? A duck's...oh, never mind). A consummate performer and songwriter, Kaldor includes songs about a friendly hippopotamus, waltzing alligators, operatic slugs, while also taking on belly buttons, clouds and tomatoes. So, you see, it's just not all about the duck. But if you can make it anywhere it's New York, New York, New York! The songs are inspired, the production immaculate and the 3-D illustrations in the book by Fil & Julie are terrific. The CD also includes printable lyrics, charts and illustrations when you land at a computer terminal travelers. Buy A Duck in New York City at CDBaby.com and Amazon.com!

Those of you with a DVD player in tow should definitely be packing East Coast phenom Laurie Berkner's We Are The Laurie Berkner Band (Two Tomatoes/Razor & Tie; $17 DVD; 2006; www.laurieberkner.com). The caffeine-fueled juggernaut known as Starbucks has the DVD in all of it's stores – a first for family-based music - and Berkner's appearances on Noggin's Jack's Big Music Show have given her a high-profile for the little ones. The music is upbeat and infectious and the videos invite participation from the get-go. There may be some awkward moments of high-decibel sing-alongs due to headsets but kids, gently remind the folks to keep it down. The DVD features all new recordings of Berkner's songs and includes a companion CD of songs from previous albums and one, "Walk Along the River," that was formerly unavailable. You'll be chillin' like Magellan with all the entertainment value! Buy We Are The Laurie Berkner Band at Amazon.com!

Award-winning master storyteller Bill Harley has a new nearly one-hour recording of four fabulous stories that will have the family laughing and guffawing all the way to Bakersfield, or wherever Aunt Pearl lives! It's called Bill Harley – Blah, Blah, Blah: Stories About Clams, Swamp Monster, Pirates and Dog (Round River Records; $15 CD; 2005; www.billharley.com). "The Ballad of Dirty Joe," the tale of a pirate who steals socks and his sister who steals underwear, will get you going, and the not-so-scary "The King of the Clams" will give you pause about collecting living sea creatures. "Bow Wow Wow," a calypso-tinged story-song paean to a pack of dogs partying down by the beach and all getting along like...dogs will have you dancin' in your seat. "Joey, Chloe and the Swamp Monsters," a Harley original classic and tribute to many old folk stories, rounds out the album. The stories are all first-rate - perfect for long trips and fun for sharing. Buy Bill Harley – Blah, Blah, Blah at Amazon.com!

I hope you enjoy these road trip picks hand selected from the archives. Of course, you've probably got your own favorites tucked away too, so add them to the musical jambalaya. Music and stories are fun anytime, anywhere, especially on vacation! Have a great one, be safe, and send me a postcard.

Also check out:

The Pet Project, Campfire Kev & Mary Lafleur, Safari Productions Productions, 2005; $14.97 CD; website www.campfirekev.com and www.marylafleur.com, "A loving entertaining musical valentine to all creatures great and small smartly performed and produced - makes you want to adopt a pet and why not?" John Wood, Kidzmusic.com. Buy The Pet Project at CDBaby.com!

Aunty K 'n Em in Pigsburgh, Ada C. Washington, Aunty K 'n Em Productions, 2006; $14.99 CD; website www.auntyknem.com. "A positive, uplifting message- musical strongly produced in a variety of musical styles that will have you toes tappin' and your hands clappin'!" John Wood, Kidzmusic.com. Buy Aunty K 'n Em in Pigsburgh at CDBaby.com and Amazon.com!

Circle Songs, Sukey Molloy, Developmental Playskills, 2005; $19.95 CD & Songbook; website www.playmovesing.com, "Twenty gentle songs and sing-alongs with beautiful arrangements that perfectly support Molloy's silky, accessible voices." John Wood, Kidzmusic.com. Buy Circle Songs at CDBaby.com!

I'm Not A Baby Anymore! Karen Mortimer, Karen & Kids, 2006; $14.00 CD; website www.karenandkids.com, " This joyous celebration of Toddlerhood complete with a lively mix of nursery rhymes and original interactive tunes truly wins the day!" John Wood, Kidzmusic.com.

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album by John Lithgow, reviewed August 2006

John Lithgow is a classy, multi-talented performer in his own right even as he channels the great Danny Kaye, at times, in his new CD The Sunny Side of the Street - a nod and a wink to "The Great American Songbook." What a pleasure to hear Lithgow's take on pick-yourself-up classic songs from the Depression era. "The secret is that these songs were actually written to entertain adults," Lithgow explains. "They came from the good old days of Tin Pan Alley...they have a wonderful lightheartedness because people in those days didn't mind being silly…so I thought, well, this is exactly the kind of music I'd love to introduce to kids today." Lithgow throws himself into the fray with glorious abandon and gusto that will appeal to all ages including the family pet! Witness the frenetic energy of Lithgow's take on Betty Boop's "You've Gotta Have Pep" (When was the last time someone covered a cartoon characters song?) or, I challenge you not to laugh during the hilarious "The Laughing Policeman." The songs are timeless, the arrangements are spot-on, but the real star is Lithgow and it's a pleasure listening to him glide and slides above and thru the songs barely tethered to the ground. An extra-added bonus treat for your computer viewing is an episode of Lithgow's new children's TV series Paloozaville.

The Sunny Side of the Street, John Lithgow, Razor & Tie, 2006; $13.99 CD; website www.johnlithgow.com. Buy The Sunny Side of the Street at Amazon.com!

Also check out:

Tall And Small, Rebecca Frezza, Big Truck Music, 2006; $15.00 CD; website www.bigtruckmusic.com, "NAPPA Gold winner Frezza's strong, pure vocals, great harmonies, and assured songs and arrangements make her a bright and welcome presence to children's music and someone to always keep an ear on. " John Wood, Kidzmusic.com. Buy Tall And Small at CDBaby.com and Amazon.com!

Snow Day! Eric Herman and the Invisible Band, Butter-Dog Records, 2006; $12.99 CD; website www.erichermanmusic.com. "Herman has his finger on the pulse of what works in writing, producing and performing songs that appeal to children and adults alike." John Wood, Kidzmusic.com. Buy Snow Day! at CDBaby.com and Amazon.com!

Snowdance, Erin Lee & Marci, Gotta Play Publishing, 2006; $15.00 CD; website www.gottaplay.org, "Twelve bright and artistically right, upbeat tunes that represent the months of the year from a sharp kids-eye perspective." John Wood, Kidzmusic.com. Buy Snowdance at CDBaby.com and Amazon.com!

Safety Town, Scott Wheatley, World Wide Wheatley, 2006; $11.99 CD; website www.scottwheatley.com, "Fun, educational original songs presented in an easy-rock style with a nod to the cool music mom and dad used to listen to." John Wood, Kidzmusic.com. Buy Safety Town at CDBaby.com!

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album by various artists, reviewed September 2006

An ambitious, innovative songwriting project called Kid Pan Alley was introduced into Nashville's schools in 2003 by songwriter/performer Paul Reisler. "The most important thing I've learned," says Reisler, "is that kids need to know that they can be creators and not just consumers." This remarkable concept has raced across the country and has resulted in more than 500 original songs co-composed with 10,000 school children.

Kid Pan Alley – Nashville is a musically satisfying collaboration between elementary school children, the songwriting community (uh, yeah, they've got some good songwriters in Nashville), top-flight production and world-class singers performing the songs and backed by the Nashville Chamber Orchestra. The arrangements encompass a variety of musical styles from country to pop and fit like a glove with the lyric and intent of each song. The lilting lullaby "Whispering in Spanish" performed by Raul Malo will have you singing along to Hablo bajito te quiero / I don't know why / Hablo bajito te quiero / I'll be your lullaby. Delbert McClinton's funky take on "Freaky Friday" is a zombie, ghost and goblin hoot and "Download it All for Free" takes the download dilemma and pushes the envelope to include, well, everything: We wouldn't need the writers and we wouldn't need the singers / We could download it all just by clickin' with our finger / Who would that really hurt / When everybody's out of work. The poignant and spritual "Christmas in Tennessee" performed by Amy Grant is wise beyond its years and a songwriting clinic – each word carries its own weight and merit and gracefully moves the message along. Quite remarkable for second-graders but not for this exceptional CD.

Kid Pan Alley, Various Artists, Compass Records, 2006; $12.97 CD; website www.kidpanalley.org. Buy Kid Pan Alley at CDBaby.com and Amazon.com.

Also check out:

Beautiful Rainbow World, Daria, Daria Music, 2006; $14.97 CD; website www.dariamusic.com. "Daria brings world folk music home with a strong clear voice, tight arrangements and a bevy of ethnic instruments – didgeriDOO listen to this CD!" Buy Beautiful Rainbow World at CDBaby.com.

Rocket Radio, Alan Seeley, Songs For Kids, 2005; $15.00 2/CDs; website www.songsforkids.com, "A refreshing and ambitious, musical space odyssey that satisfyingly corrals and delivers a gamut of styles, emotions and genres." John Wood, Kidzmusic.com. Buy Rocket Radio at CDBaby.com.

Best Friends, Ellen and Matt, 3 Sun Records, 2006; $12.97 CD; website www.ellenandmatt.net. "Ellen & Matt's bright and energetic debut CD of original tunes captures clearly the joys, hopes and dreams of childhood and reinforces just how important it is to have a best friend...or two." John Wood, Kidzmusic.com. Buy Best Friends at CDBaby.com.

We Wanna Rock, Thaddeus Rex, Thaddeus Rex, Inc., 2006; $16.98 CD; website www.thaddeusrex.com, "T-Rex brings his own special brand of rock'em, sock'em original songs offering a kidz-eye view of change, family and just plain old word-play fun." John Wood, Kidzmusic.com.

Bright-Eyed And Bushy-Tailed, Anne Meeker Miller, Love Language LLC, 2006; $14.95 CD; website www.lovelanguageforbabies.com, "Cute, endearing, nicely written animal-themed songs with loads of participation and special hand-signs thrown in for extra-added-toddler-fun." John Wood, Kidzmusic.com. Buy Bright-Eyed And Bushy-Tailed at CDBaby.com and Amazon.com.

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albums by various artists, reviewed October 2006

What in the world is world music? According to the good old dictionary it is described as "music from cultures other than those of Western Europe and English-speaking North America, especially popular music from Latin America, Africa, and Asia." So let's open up our ears and start our musical odyssey with some exciting multicultural music aimed at family audiences for your listening pleasure.

One of my personal favorite places to mine for great indigenous music is Putumayo Kids, the children's and educational division of Putumayo World Music. There are currently eight CD's and two activity kits in the series. The music is a fabulous introduction to not only world music artists but also a vast array of rhythms and instruments.

The two most recent releases are French Playground and Reggae Playground (Putumayo Kids, 2005/2006; $14.98 CD; www.putumayokids.com). French Playground includes 12 French and French Creole songs by artists from France, the Caribbean, Africa and Quebec. Putumayo provides excellent informative liner notes and the lyrics are printed in French and English. The artists include popular children's performers from the respective countries and pop artists such as Pascal Parisot, Thomas Fersen, Tryo and Ariane Moffat. The songs cover a bevy of musical styles and offer a tasty insight into the French life – family, good food, interesting locales, and self-esteem are the topics of choice.

Reggae Playground features artists from Jamaica – the birthplace of reggae – America, Brazil, Morocco, Mauritius and Indonesia. Reggae music has influenced American pop culture since Bob Marley and Jimmy Cliff rose to fame in the 60's, and the infectious bouncy style is a good fit for children's music. Among the highlights is Toots and the Maytals' rousing version of the John Denver classic "Take Me Home Country Roads" (it works, really!). In this version West Virginia becomes West Jamaica.

Before we leave the land of Putumayo, a new release called One World, One Kid (Putumayo Kids, 2006; $5.98 CD; www.putumayokids.com) deserves a mention for a job well done. Six-year old Skyler Pia put a world music radio show of Putumayo tunes and artist info together to cheer up a friend who was ill with cancer. A benefit CD was created and all the proceeds go to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Bonnie Raitt says, "Skyler's passion and grasp of world music is nothing short of astonishing, at any age. How wonderful that this gift for his friend will keep giving joy and inspiration to kids in need everywhere." Kids will love Skyler and we may be soon hearing the youngest DJ ever?

The first family recording by popular Latin group Sol y Canto, El Doble De Amigos – Twice As Many Friends (Rounder Kids, 2003; $12.99 CD; www.rounder.com) is a real winner. This 16-song collection of originals and bilingual takes on American and Latin favorites is finely produced and does not talk down to the children. The "lessons" are positive, and the musicianship and vocals are excellent. There is just the right mix of English and Spanish and the supportive activities are top-notch.

Obviously there are a ton of good world music CD's out there and I'm sprinting along to get you excited enough to check them out, expose your kids to them and see if they stick to the wall...okay, that analogy doesn't seem to work but I'm keeping it because you know what I mean.

There are groups that incorporate ethnic instruments with traditional stories to enhance the flavor and texture of their performances (been there, done that too) – the duo Toucan Jam does it well and their CD A World of Music (Toucan Jam, 2006; $15.00; www.toucanjam.net) is filled with sounds that will tickle your ears. The Australian didgeridoo has to be one of the weirdest instruments on the planet and the "Didgeridoo Song" shows it off in full measure and, as a sidebar, they also play goat toenails (don't know how the goat felt about that). "The Oud is Not Food" showcases the lute-like Oud from the Middle East as well as Syrian drums. The blending of traditional American instruments (is there such a thing?) and exotic instruments is well done and the result is a magical musical melting pot.

Another dynamic duo, ZunZun, plays more than 30 instruments and their fifth release, Water Song (ZunZun Tunes, 2005; $14.98 CD; www.zunzuntunes.com), glorifies the wonders of water – from the water in the human body to rain, sea, rivers and water conservation among other topics. "Rain Song" has only eight different words wrapped in a bed of wondrous sounds: Rain falls / music calls / rain falls / life for us all. The songs are richly textured, the message is on point and the use of ethnic instrumentation makes the environmental issues and the different world cultures more up close and personal.

Coming full circle, Trinidad-born Caribbean singer Asheba has been included in Putumayo's Caribbean Playground and Reggae Playground collections. His new CD, Children Are The Sunshine – Asheba's Caribbean Music for Children (COV Productions, 2006; $15.00 CD; www.asheba.net) is loads of fun. The songs dance off the disc and children will be getting down and singing along in short order. Asheba says, "I want to connect with children and show them that the world is an interesting place. I also want to speak to the adults, who need to give children more – more hope, more trust, and more exposure to the wider world." And more exposure to the wider world through music, the universal language, is what the essence of this article is all about.

If you like African music wherein Paul Simon found his inspiration for Graceland, give a listen to The Rough Guide To African Music For Children (World Music Network, 2005; $14.98 CD; www.worldmusic.net). The title is a little cumbersome but the 66-minute CD is a great primer on African music – chosen by kids for kids. Guinean superstar, Mory Kante plays the kora and balafon, the African harp and Xylophone. And when was the last time you heard Maasai rap? Well try Tanzania's X Plastaz on for size. Ladysmith Black Mambazo sound terrific as usual, and the rest of the all-star lineup will have even Grandma getting down with her good self!

Putumayo is a valuable source for world music and is a perfect springboard to new musical horizons. The rest of my picks will serve only as a gateway to more and more adventures. World music belongs to everyone. Enjoy!

KidzMusic.com ©2008 E-mail address for kidzmusic.com is john@kidzmusic.com.