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2007 music reviews |
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DO YOU WANNA DANCE?
albums by various artists,reviewed January 2007
Parents, there comes a time in the course of human events when we need our children up and dancing, jumping, moving and grooving to music that will not have us frantically dialing the Betty Ford Clinic. To this end, I have sacrificed my ears and a generous portion of my soul to find you music that is not only fanciful and danceable, but is historical and hysterical - and it just might teach a thing or two along the way, to boot. So without further ado, let's hit play and start dancing with the stars!.
Kidzbop series (Kidzbop 1-10, Various Artists, Razor & Tie, 2001-present; $18.98 each CD; www.kidzbop.com) is a phenomenon in the marketing of children’s music. The latest volume features 18 current pop songs performed by kids with a kid-friendly vibe. The performances are all first rate. The arrangements are pretty much note for note from the originals, so younger parents should have no problem with the inevitable repeated listening. And, as you can imagine, Kidzbop 11 is right around the corner. Buy Kidzbop at Amazon.com
But why wait! There are other recent releases that inject new life into classic dance and rocks songs. Sugar Beats – Greatest Dance Hits (Various Artists, Sugar Beats Entertainment, 2006; $13.98 CD; www.sugarbeats.com) is a well-produced CD of great dance tunes from the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s. Terrific arrangements abound and there’s just the right mixture of professional and kid singers. 
Then there’s Keep On Rockin’ In The Pre-School (Mindy Hester, Mindy’s Music, 2006; $15.00 CD; www.mindysmusic.com) - c’mon, you know you love the title of this CD - that cleverly melds pertinent kiddie lyrics seamlessly into classic rock tunes. Buy Sugar Beats – Greatest Dance Hits at Amazon.com Buy Keep On Rockin’ In The Pre-School at CDBaby.com and Amazon.com
Once upon a time children’s music was, uh, children’ music. And adult music was for everyone. A prurient case in point is Jazz for Kids – Sing, Clap, Wiggle and Shake (Various Artists, The Verve Music Group, 2004; $8.97 CD; www.vervemusicgroup.com). This CD features classic hits by some of the greatest artists of their day, performing time-in-a-bottle musical nuggets that ring as true today as they did then and will have youngsters singing along like they can’t go wrong. I know Ella Fitzgerald can sing the phone book and make it interesting, but “Old McDonald”? Oh yeah, baby! And Louis Armstrong’s slow-dance, “What a Wonderful World,” is still the seminal interpretation of this beautiful song. Buy Jazz for Kids at Amazon.com
Putumayo Kids have a ton of World Music CDs that are all danceable, but I have chosen two for this particular feature. The first is New Orleans Playground (Various Artists, Putumayo Kids, 2006; $14.98 CD; www.putumayo.com). New Orleans has always been a city steeped in music tradition and probably has more musicians per capita than any other city. With the kid-friendly rhythms of zydeco and Cajun music in the mix, the Big Easy music has a style unto itself, and it demands that you get up and move. This CD includes a who’s who of the area’s musicians, from Fats Domino to Dr. John, but Hack Bartholomew’s “When the Saints Go Marchin’ In” is a real rouser. Buy New Orleans Playground at Amazon.com
Meanwhile, swing music started in the United States in the 1930s and quickly spread around the world. Swing Around the World (Various Artists, Putumayo Kids, 2005; $14.98 CD; www.putumayo.com) - a fine collection of songs performed by popular artists from Zimbabwe, Mauritius, Italy, France, Greece and the United States accents this point. It’s an entertaining education on indigenous music and instruments. And it’s totally danceable. Even the liner notes are great. Buy Swing Around the World at Amazon.com
Julie Clark, founder of the Baby Einstein Company, and John Walsh, host of America’s Most Wanted, created The Safe Side Company to educate children to make good, safe decisions in a fun, invigorating way with Cool Tunes – Songs to Keep Cool Kids on the Safe Side (Various Artists, The Safe Side, 2006; $13.99 CD; www.thesafeside.com). You might be tempted to think this concept is a bit contrived, but it actually works. The message is gently and sincerely driven home by a variety of top-notch songs and performances that will have you, you guessed it, up off your seats and safely dancing the night away. This is good stuff. Really! Buy Cool Tunes at Amazon.com
An invitation to this dance party has to include four of the horsemen of live rock: Justin Roberts (Meltdown!,Carpet Square Records, 2006; $15 CD; www.justinroberts.org), Brady Rymer (Every Day Is A Birthday, Bumblin' Bee Records, 2006; $15.00 CD; www.bradyrymer.com), Ralph Covert (Green Gorilla, Monster & Me, Mini Fresh Records, 2005, $15 CD; www.ralphsworld.com) and Steve Roslonek (Marvelous Day! SteveSongs, 2005; $15.00 CD; www.stevesongs.com).
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Charity and the JAMband’s Rock Your Socks Off (MusiMatics, 2006; $15 CD; www.jamjamjam.com) is a result of what happens when a San Francisco mom (Charity Kahn), born and bred from hippie lineage, puts a hot kids band together. You get a party-down celebration of cool tunes, energized performances and fun-in-the-sun for the whole family. “Each song has a high-energy sound, and lyrics that invite movement and response. We have a dance for every song,” Kahn says. And I say, “Jam on, dude and dudettes!” Buy Rock Your Socks Off at CDBaby.com and Amazon.com
Multi-talented performer Jessica Harper's Rhythm In My Shoes (Rounder Records, 2000, $15.98 CD; www.rounder.com) is an irresistible elixir of driving rhythms, musical styles, clever lyrics and velvet vocals that will have up and dancing whether you’re 2 or 92! Many of the songs have a playground feel that transcends time. "I've always been interested in those rhyming playground songs and hand-game rhymes that my kids bring home," Harper says. Whether we're battening down the hatches for the visit from a "Girlquake" named Katie (if the dishes had wishes they would get outa town!), or grooving with the Duke Ellington-inspired "Boy Meets Drum," Harper's takes are inspired kids’-eyes views of this topsy-turvy world. Buy Rhythm In My Shoes at Amazon.com
And how about this rap and hip hop fans: positive, uplifting tunes without parental advisory warnings. The brainchild of Mathew Knowles, Beyonce¢’s dad, Kids Rap Radio Volume 1 & 2 (Various Artists, Music World, 2006, $12.98 CD; www.kidsrapradiomusic.com) takes popular rap songs and G-rates the lyrics. The kids will be singing and the parents will be breathing a sigh of relief. Buy Kids Rap Radio Volume 1 & 2 at Amazon.com
JammX Kids – Can’t Dance Don’t Want To (Various Artists, Warner Home Video, 2005, $14.98 DVD; www.jammxkids.com) is a great concept and packed with action. The soul mission of the nine multi-talented JammX Kids’, ages 9 to 17, is to get kids off the couch and moving along to the latest hip-hop dance moves and catchy original songs. Their Web site is well done, hands-on, and parent-friendly too.
To follow suit with the genre, give a listen to Choo Choo Soul – Kids’ Music That Won’t Drive Parents Crazy (Genevieve, Choo Choo Soul Productions, 2006, Available on iTunes; www.choochoosoul.com). These cool original songs are designed for parents and kids to move and groove together and they have been a big hit on Playhouse Disney.
These few, these happy few selections are just the tip of the musical, dancing iceberg, but they are more than enough to get your family off the slow train and onto the soul train, off the TV for a little bit of CD, and dancin’ the night away…at least until bedtime. Enjoy the music, it’s for everyone!
Also check out:
Underneath the Cushions on the Couch, Darrell House, CBTB Productions, 2005; $16.95 CD; website www.darrellhouse.com. "Nicely constructed, positive and upbeat folksy songs that feel like a day in the park with the wind in your hair and the sun on your face." John Wood, Kidzmusic.com.
Buy Underneath the Cushions on the Couch at Amazon.com
Never Mind the Rain, Tracey Eldridge, Peaceful Planet Publishing, 2006; $15.00 CD; website www.traceyeldridge.com. "Eldridge’s honey-coated vocals float atop clever original tunes, toe-tapping arrangements and highly edutaining story-songs. Never mind the rain but give your full attention to this gifted artist." John Wood, Kidzmusic.com.
Buy Never Mind the Rain at CDBaby.com
Taxi – Music for Aardvarks and Other Mammals, David Weinstone, Music for Aardvarks and Other Mammals, 2007; $15 CD; website www.musicforaardvarks.com. "Fun and silly, quirky tunes celebrating a kids-eye view of the world around us with lots of imagination tossed in for good measure!" John Wood, Kidzmusic.com.
Buy Taxi at CDBaby.com and Amazon.com
Alphabet Songs Vol. 111- Rabbit Run, Steve Weeks, Steve Weeks Music, 2006; $12.00 CD; website www.steveweeksmusic.com. "The third part of the alphabet trilogy is wrapped up with a loving musical tribute to those 26 letters we use every day. Weeks is a talented and highly creative songwriter and performer who cleverly weaves words into songs that will have you laughing and dancing along. Nice job!" John Wood, Kidzmusic.com.
Buy Alphabet Songs Vol. 111 at CDBaby.com
Albums Nominated for Grammys in 2007
albums by various artists, reviewed February 2007
“And the Envelope Please!”
Under the Grammy Awards Best Musical Album For Children category this year, we are honored to have:
Baby Einstein Meet the Orchestra (The Walt Disney Company, Various Artists, 2006; $6.99 CD; www.babyeinstein.com) is a 17-track, 36-minute fun and soothing classical CD that serves as an enticing invitation to the varied and distinctive sounds and sections of the orchestra, designed for newbie ears young and old.
Buy Baby Einstein Meet the Orchestra at Amazon.com
The always creatively consistent Richard Perlmutter delivers again with Beethoven’s Wig 3: Many More Sing Along Symphonies (Rounder Records; 2006; $12.98 CD; www.rounder.com). 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.
Buy Beethoven’s Wig 3: Many More Sing Along Symphonies at Amazon.com
Catch That Train! (Festival Five Records, Dan Zanes and Friends; $15.00 CD; www.danzanes.com). Dan Zanes’ albums remind me of getting to stay up for a grownup party and loving every minute of it! The mostly traditional songs are superbly arranged and performed and filled with life and vitality with nary a hint of condescension. This is truly a CD that the whole family can enjoy!
Buy Catch That Train! at CDBaby.com and Amazon.com
Trout Fishing in America’s, My Best Day (Trout Records, $14.98 CD; www.troutmusic.com) is the next best thing to being at this dynamic duos live concerts but we warned, if you don’t want milk shooting out your nose, do not drink milk while listening to this live concert recording by two of the hands-on best performers out there.
Buy My Best Day at CDBaby.com and Amazon.com
The Sunny Side of the Street (John Lithgow, Razor & Tie, 2006; $13.99 CD; website www.johnlithgow.com) is a nod and a wink to "The Great American Songbook." What a pleasure it is to hear Lithgow's take on pick-yourself-up classic songs from the Depression era. Lithgow throws himself into the fray with glorious abandon and gusto that will appeal to all ages including the family pet.
Buy The Sunny Side of the Street at Amazon.com!
And the envelope please... It's Catch That Train! featuring Dan Zane and friends. Congratulations Dan! Fans, Check out all of these great artists at www.kidzmusic.com and please remember that their music will continue to stay forevergreen.
Also check out:
Welcome to the Workshop, Eric Ode, Deep Rooted Music, 2007; $15.95 DVD; website www.ericode.com. "Ode has a gentle, endearing way with his audience – he subtly educates as he entertains with catchy, singable tunes that will stick with you. This DVD should easily stand up to repeated viewings and not drive parents batty. " John Wood, Kidzmusic.com.
Buy Welcome to the Workshop at CDBaby.com and Amazon.com
Rocket Boy, Klaus Ebert, August Child Records, 2005; $10.00 CD; website www.klausebert.com. "Ebert has cleverly woven 80’s sounding pop-rock with kid-friendly lyrics and the result is a musical tapestry that will have parents purloining the CD when the kids aren’t around!" John Wood, Kidzmusic.com.
Buy Rocket Boy at CDBaby.com
Everybody Clap Your Hands, Bill Currier, We Kids Rock!, 2006; $9.99 CD; website www.wekidsrock.com. "Mostly traditional songs with rock arrangements that should have the pint-sized rockers movin’ and groovin’ at the first downbeat." John Wood, Kidzmusic.com.
Buy Everybody Clap Your Hands at CDBaby.com
Tiny Oaks - Sing Along With Me! CD & Learn Along With Me! DVD Tiny Oaks Entertainment, 2006; $12.99 CD, $16.99 DVD; website www.tinyoaks.com. "Featuring a bevy of bouncy tunes by the great Richard M. Sherman of Mary Poppins fame, the Pixar-like characters of Tiny Oaks sing, dance and educate little ones with valuable lessons shared with lots of participation. Great for parents and educators alike!” John Wood, Kidzmusic.com.
Buy Sing Along With Me! at CDBaby.com
My Green Kite & Animal Playground
albums from Peter Himmelman & Putumayo Kids, reviewed March 2007
Raise your hand if you’re looking for some brand new refreshing music for children that parents won’t cringe and roll their eyes to and then fade it promptly to the rear car speakers? Well then, pick up a copy of Peter Himmelman’s My Green Kite as soon as humanly possible and your dilemma is over. As is the case with “grownup” artists who crossover to children’s music and keep coming back, there is never a dumbing-down of performance, production values or content. Different words may be used to convey meaning but there is never condescension in the process. Himmelman is an accomplished and lauded singer-songwriter and currently composes music for the television shows Bones and Men in Trees, as well as numerous commercials. His fourth foray into children’s music brings us a kidz-eye view of the world around us - from the exhilaration of flying “My Green Kite,” to the curiosity of “Have You Ever Really Looked at an Egg?” or, “Maybe is a Bad Word” (that one hits home Mom and Dad), and, the joy of creating your own colorful world with “Watercolor Set” is lovely. One of my favorite songs is the poignant “My Father’s an Accountant”- My father’s an accountant and I used to think that he was boring / I’ll tell my friends about his job and I can see them all start snoring / Maybe one day they’ll see what I see / A man strong enough to be true / Dad I just want to tell you / That I can see the hero in you. As Himmelman says in his liner notes, “I never realized how much my parents did for me until I became one myself.” Well said. Fine album.
My Green Kite, Peter Himmelman, Rounder Records, 2007; $14.98 CD; website www.rounder.com. Buy My Green Kite at Amazon.com
Animal Playground is a joyous multilingual-musical animal safari that begins in North America with Chicago-based Wee Hairy Beastie’s upbeat swing tune “Animal Crackers”, and ends in South Africa with Lady Smith Mambazo’s “Mbube” or, “The Lion Sleeps Tonight”. Song-stop highlights along the way include a hip version of Goldilocks and you know who, “The Three Bears” by 
Gary Rosen; Italy’s Quartetto Cetra’s rousing “Nella Vecchia Fattoria” (Old Macdonald Had a Farm, no less); Asheba from Trinidad shares “No More Monkeys” (also a value-added music video); and popular Australian artist Don Spencer delivers a fun cautionary tune, “Don’t Ever Step on a Snake.” The informative liner notes are full-color and written in English, French, Spanish and German. As Tiny Tim would say, “For animal lovers, everyone!”
Animal Playground Various Artists, Putumayo Kids, 2007; $14.98 CD; website www.putumayo.com
Buy Animal Playground at Amazon.com
Also check out:
The Power of One, Patricia Shih, Glass Records, 2007; $14.00 CD; website www.patriciashih.com. “Patricia Shih has a gift of breaking down complex social issues and ideas into bite-sized comprehensible food for thought - for all ages – with strong songwriting and storytelling skills. Uplifting and empowering music for the soul!” John Wood, Kidzmusic.com.
Debbie’s Ditties 5 – Jump, Jam, Jive, Debbie Clement, Rainbows Within Reach, 2007; $15.95 CD; website www.rainbowswithinreach.com. “Excellent arrangements support 16 original, danceable and positively participatory tunes. Warning, not for couch potatoes!” John Wood, Kidzmusic.com.
Queen Bee & Read Me a Story, Peter Weatherall, Kidsinglish Productions, 2007; $12.00 CD, $15.00 DVD; website www.kidsinglish.com. “What would happen if Paul McCartney decided to write a children’s album? Too late, Peter Weatherall beat him to the punch. Pure, engaging vocals and masterfully designed wordplay highlight a clever collection of highly entertaining tunes.” John Wood, Kidzmusic.com.
Preschool Moments Matter – Creatures & Critters Vol. 1, , Captain Al, ETM Productions, 2005; $20.00 CD & Booklet; website www.enrichmentmusic.com. "Gentle, nicely performed informative and interactive animal tunes for the preschool set by seasoned skipper, Captain Al – includes a supportive and comprehensive guide book for parents and teachers." John Wood, Kidzmusic.com.
Songs For The Sandman
Lullaby CDs Can Be a Godsend for New Parents
Just how important is music to the mental health of new parents? Priceless! As they say, music can soothe the savage beast, and I say, a good lullaby album or two or three can quiet even the hardiest of little tots and send them happily off to dreamland. Webster’s description of a lullaby is a song used to lull a child to sleep or a cradlesong. The ideal lullaby is a parent singing to his or her child regardless of the quality of the voice or song, but sometimes you need a little help from the pros, so we’ve selected a few different lullaby angles and artists to see you through.
Let’s start with Amazon.com and type in lullaby. Yikes, only 1,431 choices! The one at the top of the list is a pretty good place to start our trek: A Lullaby: A Collection (various artists, Music for Little People; $14.98; www.mflp.com). 
This multiethnic compilation of reflective songs brings together such renowned singers and musicians as Bobby McFerrin, Judy Collins, Loreena McKennitt, Take 6 and Ladysmith Black Mambazo. The lullabies, culled from the four corners of the globe, weave a musical thread that lingers long with listeners of all ages.Another good one from the same label is A Child’s Celebration of Lullaby ($14.98). It features an eclectic mix of artists, from Raffi and Harry Nilssen to Kathie Lee Gifford and Brian Wilson, and includes a sterling version of “Summertime” by Lena Horn.
Now we have a couple of different threads to follow: multiethnic music and various artist compilations. Asian Dreamland (various artists, Putumayo Kids; $14.98; multicultural music primarily performed by female artists from various Asian countries. We don’t know who they are – but the traditional instruments and soothing production is a unique way to introduce babies to world
music.www.putumayo.com) is interesting because it presents Likewise, Dreamland: World Lullabies and Soothing Songs (also from Putumayo; $14.98) shares tranquil melodies from Africa, Europe, North and South America, and Asia that create a calm ambiance for people of all ages.
Another CD in this vein is Dream Songs Night Songs – From Mali to Louisiana (various artists, The Secret Mountain; $16.95 book and CD; www.thesecretmountain.com), which incorporates lovely international and American lullabies and is supported by a beautifully illustrated picture book.
Another skein in our lullaby tapestry is of name performers who either just had a baby or are inspired by their child and write or perform their own lullabies, such as Jessica Harper’s 40 Winks (Alacazam Records; $15.98; www.jessicaharper.com). Harper’s silky voice glides effortlessly through a masterful set of mostly original tunes bearing insightful lyrics and catchy rhythms.
Dave Koz is a Grammy-nominated saxophonist, producer and radio personality. For Golden Slumbers: A Father's Lullaby (Rendezvous Entertainment; $18.98; www.goldenslumbers.net), Koz has assembled a stellar cast of top jazz instrumentalists, including David Benoit, Rick Braun, Norman Brown, Brian Culbertson, John Stoddard, Peter White and his brother Jeff, whose daughter's birth prompted the recording. All the musicians are dads or uncles, and the love and music abounds.
Seattle-based folk artist Kim Scanlon recorded Night Songs & Lullabies (Compass Records; $15; www.compassrecords.com) while pregnant with her son. Her soothing and inviting voice gently wraps around smooth jazz arrangements of some of America’s greatest songs, including Duke Ellington’s “Warm Valley,” Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer’s “Hit the Road to Dreamland” and Kurt Weill and Alan Jay Lerner’s “Here I’ll Stay.”
A nice little lullaby jewel is Crystal Gayle’s In My Arms (Madacy Kids; $12.98 CD, $9.98 cassette; www.amazon.com). Gayle’s voice is a pure delight – church bells come to mind. Nicely produced songs are a soothing mixture of uplifting vocals and instrumentals. You’ll need to seek this one out with the major online retailers, but it’s worth the hunt.
Another crossover country artist to children’s music is Colin Raye, whose release Counting Sheep (Sony Wonder; $16.98 CD, $9.98 cassette; www.amazon.com) is a real winner with great songs by Nashville writers, top-notch musicianship and premier production. The jazzy swingin’ “Cool Cat,” written by Raye and producer John Hobbs, makes it sooo cool to be in bed on time. All you cool cats will be counting sheep, listening to blackbirds, wishing on stars and feeling generally loved.
Carnie Wilson’s new-baby inspired A Mother’s Gift – Lullabies From the Heart (Big3 Records; $13.98; www.big3records.com) is a work of love and benefits from her dad Brian Wilson’s guest appearance and a lovely song and arrangement from Uncle Carl.
An absolute favorite in this genre, for parent and child alike, is Kenny Loggins’ beautifully realized Return to Pooh Corner and More Songs From Pooh Corner (Sony Wonder; $11.98; www.amazon.com). Loggins’ additional verse to the House At Pooh Corner is poignant and the song choice and performance are first rate.
In addition, check out a wealth of titles at Twin Sisters Productions ($6.99 and up; www.twinsisters.com); and absolutely do not miss Lanny Sherwin’s award-winning duo of Dream with Me Tonight: Lullabies For All Ages and Dream With Me Tonight, Volume 2 – A Father’s Lullabies (Sandman Records; $12.98; www.sandmanrecords.net).
Last, But Not Least …
Children’s music is evergreen and I’ve been swooping through the years seeking out classic lullaby albums. Here are a few more sure things for pillow time:- Joanie Bartels’ Dreamland (Purple Frog Records; $15.98; www.joaniebartels.com)
- Raffi’s Quiet Time (Rounder Records; $11.99; www.rounder.com)
- Chic Street Man’s Lullablues (Street Music; $17; www.chicstreetman.com)
- Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer’s Pillow Full of Wishes (Rounder Records; $15.98; www.rounder.com)
- Lullabies – 15 Gentle Songs to Ease Your Baby to Sleep (various artists, Casablanca Kids; $5.99; www.casablancakids.com)
- Banana Slug String Band’s Wings of Slumber (Slug Music; $14.98; www.bananaslugstringband.com)
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A roundup of lullaby music would not be complete without the much-written and much-discussed classical music effect on babies, pre- and post-womb. Since the human ear is the first organ to develop inside the human embryo, I suppose Baby can listen in … The National Institute of Health estimates that some 40 million Americans suffer from one or more chronic, long-term sleep disorders, and another 20 million have frequent difficulty sleeping soundly at night. Another study has concluded that soothing music with a tempo of 60 to 80 beats per minute significantly improves sleep quality. Cindy Bressler and Linda Mercurio take this criteria to heart in their two-CD set of specifically selected and recorded classical music called Bedtime Beats: The Secret to Sleep (Smash Arts; $18.98; www.rhino.com). Maybe this explains why I nod off during Mozart’s Adagio For Violin In E Major, I don’t know. If it helps the family get some rest, who cares? Some other companies that promote classical music for babies are:
- Walt Disney’s Baby Einstein franchise ($6.99; www.babyeinstein.com)
- Lullaby Classics (Chandos; $17.98; www.chandos.net)
- Classical Kids (The Children’s Group; $13.98 and up; www.childrensgroup.com)
- Mommy and Me: Sleepytime Strings (Madacy Kids; $12.98 CD, $9.98 cassette; www.madacykids.com)
- Classical Baby (Rock Me Baby Records; $13.99; www.rockmebabyrecords.com)
- The Baby Genius series ($9.95 and up; www.babygenius.com)
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Each year, parents count on the National Parenting Publications Awards (NAPPA) to highlight the best music for kids. Now you can get a new compilation CD, Classic Lullabies, featuring some soporific selections from the likes of Jessica Harper, Tom Chapin, Bill Harley, Kenny Loggins, and Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer. Find out more at Parenthood.com
So you see, the Sandman has a sack full of soothing sleepytime music. Select a few of these and you and your baby will be on the restful road to sweet dreams!
Also check out:
A Chance to Dream, Tajci (TY-chee), Cameron Productions, 2007; $15.00 CD; website www.idobelieve.com. “A beautifully realized, performed and produced lullaby album by transplanted Croatian superstar, Tajci adds another shining star to the soothing lullaby nights. Loved this album!” John Wood, Kidzmusic.com.
Siente –Night Songs from Around the World, Hilary Field & Patrice O’Neill, Yellow Tail Records, 2007; $15.00 CD; website www.yellowtailrecords.com. "Wow, what a lovely collection of international lullabies! The arrangements are impeccable, the guitar work and vocals are spot on and, did I mention that I highly recommend this album? Well I just did!" John Wood, Kidzmusic.com. Buy Siente at Amazon.
Crazy Hair Day & I Like Being Me!
albums from Barney Saltzberg & Lanny Sherwin, reviewed May 2007
Crazy Hair Day is based on Barney Saltzberg’s book of the same name - inspired by a boy who didn’t want to go to school because of losing his hair to chemotherapy - these thirteen finely crafted original songs are a celebration of the book’s spirit about a hamster who shows up a day early for ‘Crazy Hair Day’. An extra-added bonus on this CD is a terrific reading of the book by Dustin Hoffman. Saltzberg’s guest star performers are stellar and seem to be having a blast moonlighting. One of the best pound-for-pound guitarists ever, Richard Thompson, joins in on “Song for Pete” and homage to the venerable father of folk, Pete Seeger. One of my favorite singers, Jessica Harper, sings harmonies on the sanctity of “Home” and Peter Himmelman (see kidzmusic.com review March 07) lends a helping hand on “Muriel” about a peculiar young girl who waits and waits for her cereal to get soggy before eating. Bookending the CD is Vonda Shepard’s smoking vocals on the title tune and then paired with Jackson Brown on a sweet, lovely ballad “Best Friends.” A fine album comes with a fine caveat: One hundred percent of all artist royalties will be donated to the Concern Foundation now that’s the real deal!
Crazy Hair Day, Barney Saltzberg, inkless music, 2007; $13.99 CD; website www.barneysaltzberg.com. Buy Crazy Hair Day at CDBaby.com and Amazon.com
I will go to see certain movies because of the actors or the directors, read books because of the authors, and listen to any CD by Lanny Sherwin because he always delivers the goods. I Like Being Me! takes what could be interpreted as an over wrought and run into the ground children’s music theme and absolutely turn it on its head. First of all, Sherwin is a consummate writer and performer and he surrounds himself with first-rate musicians, and, secondly his tagline, “guaranteed not to drive parents crazy” holds up in a court of musical law – the songs are that good. Just as his two lullaby CDs reflected the love for his newborn son, this venture shimmies up the food chain with some hilarious observations, no more humorous than “Dad Said a Bad Word” where a child subtlety comprehends the do-what-I-say-not-what-I-do theory of life. And “Never Met A Weekend I Didn’t Like” is a country tune and title if I’ve ever heard one. I think you get the drift that this album is worth more than a listen so check it out! Catch you on the flip side!
I Like Being Me!, Lanny Sherwin, Sandman Records, 2007; $12.98 CD; website www.sandmanrecords.net. Buy I Like Being Me! at Kidzmusic.com
Also check out:
Hey, everybody! Hullabaloo, Hullabaloo Productions, 2007; $12.00 CD; website
CDBaby.com
"These guys can rock the house – solid tunes, clever lyrics and not a condescending bone in the body of the work - loved ‘Polite Pete’ the pirate!" John Wood, Kidzmusic.com. Buy Hey, Everybody!at CDBaby.com
Do You Wonder Too? Geoff Randolph, Geoff Randolph Productions, 2007; $12.97 CD; website www.geoffrandolph.com.
“Geoff Randolph is definitely in touch with his inner child – his gentle folk-flavored original tunes wonder about the world around us thru kidz-eye spectacles – and his laid-back approach harkens back to a kinder, simpler time." John Wood, Kidzmusic.com. Buy Do You Wonder Too? at CDBaby.com
Birdie, Teresa Gasca-Burk & Gary Burk, Birdietunes, 2003; $12.99 CD;
email. “Nicely produced, upbeat tunes deliver messages of positive reinforcement, love and acceptance.” John Wood, Kidzmusic.com. Buy Birdie at CDBaby.com.
The First Day of School, Miss Joyce, MJMC Productions, 2007; $12.95 CD; website www.musicalclassroom.com. “Miss Joyce and her entertaining characters share and teach musical lessons for grade school age children in a fun and painless way.” John Wood, Kidzmusic.com. Buy The First Day of School at CDBaby.com and Amazon
Chicago-based Wee Hairy Beasties’ Animal Crackers is a hoot, as the owl once said. The music is hip and cheeky. Cab Calloway would have loved these guys! Believe me, you will never look at critters quite the same again. Anytime you have a newt named Tiny…because he’s mi-nute…you’ve got my ear. This album bristles with imagination and downright good fun. I’d pay to see a double-bill of Milkshake and Wee Hairy Beasties so pick up their CDs and enjoy. Remember to check your CDs for enhanced features that can be utilized on your computer. Catch you on the flip side.
Play! & Animal Crackers
albums from Milkshake & Wee Hairy Beasties, reviewed June 2007
Children’s music is greatly enriched with the addition of Milkshake, former Indie rock group Love Riot - Lisa Mathews and Mikel Gehl by name. Their third CD Play! is infused with crackling energy, terrific songs, super arrangements and a refreshing perspective from a keen kids-eye view of, uh, stuff and junk. From the Beatlesque horn section in “Imagination Nation” to the infectious energy of “Go Wild” and “Play!” this album literally jumps of the disc and begs to be in rotation continually. Kids music is alive and well and performing live at a venue near you. Seek it out.
Play! Milkshake, Milkshake Music, 2006; $14.99 CD; website www.milkshakemusic.com. Buy Play! at CDBaby.com
and Amazon.com
Chicago-based Wee Hairy Beasties’ Animal Crackers is a hoot, as the owl once said. The music is hip and cheeky. Cab Calloway would have loved these guys! Believe me, you will never look at critters quite the same again. Anytime you have a newt named Tiny…because he’s mi-nute…you’ve got my ear. This album bristles 
with imagination and downright good fun.
I’d pay to see a double-bill of Milkshake and Wee Hairy Beasties so pick up their CDs and enjoy. Remember to check your CDs for enhanced features that can be utilized on your computer. Catch you on the flip side.
Also check out:
Dream Big! Roger Day, Roger Day Productions, 2007; $15.00 CD; website www.rogerday.com.
“It’s a brand new Day…CD and it’s a party waiting to be heard! The lyrics are a hoot, the music is infectious and this guy can sing the phone book. So as the man says, ‘Sing loud, jump high and dream big!’” John Wood, Kidzmusic.com. Buy Dream Big! at CDBaby.com
Everybody Plays Air Guitar, Joe McDermott, True Blue Music, 2007; $14.99 CD;
website www.joemcdermottmusic.com. “The prolific songsmith is back packing 10 new rockin’ tunes of fun and daring do that everyone will enjoy. However, I think I pulled a muscle learning to play air guitar…” John Wood, Kidzmusic.com. Buy Everybody Plays Air Guitar at CDBaby.com and Amazon.com
Grace’s Bell, Ben Rudnick & Friends, Bartlett Ave Records, 2007; $14.99 CD; website www.benrudnickandfriends.com. "A rousing, seamless mixture of catchy original and smart traditional tunes – great for road trips." John Wood, Kidzmusic.com. Buy Grace’s Bell at
CDBaby.com and
Amazon.com
Legal notice: Quoting from or otherwise using the material in the reviews on this website is not permitted without written permission from Kidzmusic. To obtain permission, contact John Wood at john@kidzmusic.com.
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