2007 music reviews (July-December)

book/cd & dvd from Laurie Berkner & Zak Morgan, reviewed July 2007

Popular best selling children’s music star Laurie Berkner has released a brand new book accompanied by a CD of the song it is based on, The Story of My Feelings. The song from her third album Victor Vito encourages children that it is all right to express their feelings with sounds – to cry when you’re sad, to laugh when you’re happy, to yell when you’re angry, to sigh when you’re peaceful. The book includes wonderful illustrations by Caroline Jayne Church, the music and song lyrics, and a bonus track “Walk Along the River.” If you’ve had a bad day, let those feelings out. You just might feel a whole lot better!

The Story of My Feelings, Laurie Berkner, Orchard Books/Scholastic, 2007; $12.99 Book/CD; website www.laurieberkner.com. Buy The Story of My Feelings at Amazon.com

Award-winning songwriter Zak Morgan adds another creative feather to his cap with the release of his first DVD ZakLand – The Shiny Surprise. Morgan has an engaging on-screen presence and he is supported by a stellar cast of live actors and clever puppet characters. The graphics and effects are top-flight and lend a richness not regularly seen in children’s DVDs. The songs are well written, the story engages and there are some lovely sidebar vids including a dancing ballerina pony and an informative piece on Angel Flight – an organization of volunteer pilots who pick up and deliver children, that cannot get there, to hospitals. Nice job and hopefully Episode 1 is the first of many “ZakLands.”

I normally don’t review books and DVDs but, hey, it’s a new time, it’s a new day, and Kidzmusic.com is anything but normal. Catch you on the flip side!

ZakLand – The Shiny Surprise, Zak Morgan, Tiodnaci Productions, LLC,2007; $24.99 DVD; website www.zakmorgan.com.

Also check out:

On-The-Loose Dreams, Pomes in a Pail, Pomes in a Pail Productions, 2007; $13.99 CD; website www.pomesinapail.com. “Imagination abounds in this writing workshop that went oh, so right – a terrific musical tapestry of songs, singers and sounds!” John Wood, Kidzmusic.com. Buy On-The-Loose Dreams at CDBaby.com and Amazon.com

Imagine That! Rick & Audrey, Rick & Audrey Productions Productions, 2007; $15.00 CD; website www.rickandaudrey.com. “Easy going feel-good folk tunes for the little set with lovely harmonies and gentle arrangements.” John Wood, Kidzmusic.com. Buy Imagine That! At CDBaby.com and Amazon.com

Snail’s Pace, Eric Herman, Butter-Dog Records, 2007; $14.99 CD; website www.erichermanmusic.com. “These 12 richly crafted, fellow-mellow tunes are just about perfect for wind down and sleepytime or anytime you have a hankering for good music.” John Wood, Kidzmusic.com. Buy Snail’s Pace at CDBaby.com and Amazon.com

Educated Kid, The Hipwaders, Hip Kid Music, 2007; $11.97 CD; website www.hipwaders.net. “"Entertaining pop-rock with a kool-kidz perspective on education with a dash of plain old silly stuff to keep you laughing." John Wood, Kidzmusic.com. Buy Educated Kid at CDBaby.com and Amazon.com

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albums from NAPPA Presents & Buck Howdy with BB, reviewed August 2007

I have been the music judge for the NAPPA Awards for quite some years so the release of NAAPA Presents – Classic Animal Songs is like visiting old friends for me. The who’s who of past winners and their terrific songs are a compelling statement to the evergreen nature of children’s music. Some of the highlights among many are Raffi’s “Let’s Play,” Parachute Express’ “Me And My Dog,” Peter Himmelman’s “My Best Friend Is A Salamander,” Jessica Harper’s “I’m Not Going To Chase The Cat Today,” and Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer’s “Flea And A Fly In A Flue.” In addition, Dan Zanes, Anna Moo, Sugar Beats, Billy Jonas, Trout Fishing in America, Gary Rosen, Joe McDermott, Craig ‘n Co., and Phil Rosenthal are stoutly represented in this joyous 14-song celebration of our animal friends. The collection was compiled and produced nicely by Craig Taubman and comes with a Kidzmusic.com seal of approval!

NAPPA Presents – Classic Animal Songs, Various Artists, Shout! Factory, 2007; $13.98 CD; website www.shoutfactory.com. Buy Classic Animal Songs at CDBaby.com and Amazon.com

Some of Buck Howdy’s best friends are chickens – feathered, not cowards. And he has a new album called Chickens that finally finds the answer to the age-old question of why that crazy pullet crossed the road? To listen to Buck Howdy and his partner BB sing some downright kick-your-heels up Western swing, that’s why! There’s a lot of bang for your cluck, uh, buck in this satisfying set that is full-family friendly. The original songs are well written and ripe with clever wordplay. The title song tells us why Mrs. Howdy doesn’t mind Buck spending so much time with his girlfriends: they’re chickens all right and I still haven’t put my finger on the Freudian issue here – maybe I’ll just have an omelet and leave it at that. “Granny” is a raucous tune, not about his couch-eating granny, but rather about a stinky troublesome goat. The classic tunes like “You Are My Sunshine,” “I’m My Own Grandpa,” and “Yakety Yak” are given a new lease on life with the benefit of Howdy’s smokin’ band. So don’t be chicken, two-step on down and peck up your very own copy of Chickens. OK, I’m done with chicken analogies! Catch you on the flip side.

Chickens, Buck Howdy with BB, Prairie Dog Entertainment, 2007; $13.99 CD; website www.buckhowdy.com. Buy Chickens at CDBaby.com and Amazon.com

Also check out:

Ah-Choo, Ah-Choo, Sing 2 School, Inc., 2007; $13.00 CD; website www.sing2school.com. “Positive, uplifting messages presented in Hip-Hop style that will have the little ones movin’ and groovin’ while they learn.” John Wood, Kidzmusic.com. Buy Ah-Choo at CDBaby.com. and Amazon.com

Gonna’ Plant A Garden, Madeline L Pots, Madeline L Pots Recordings, 2007; $13.95 CD; website www.madelinelpots.com. “Easy going original folk songs about family, fun and food. Pots has a gentle style and the ukulele adds a nice touch throughout.” John Wood, Kidzmusic.com. Buy Gonna’ Plant A Garden at CDBaby.com and Amazon.com

The ABC Orchestra – Musical Sounds of the Alphabet, David Rimelis, Dave Rimelis Presents, 2007; $12.97 CD; website www.davidrimelis.com. “An ambitious and entertaining introduction to 26 different instruments cleverly performed with their own song and letter of the alphabet. Whew!” John Wood, Kidzmusic.com. Buy The ABC Orchestra at CDBaby.com

This is Daniel Cook – Here we are! Daniel Cook & Various Artists, The Children’s Group, 2007; $15.99 CD; website www.childrensgroup.com. "Fans and newbies of the popular TV show will enjoy this album of well-produced original and traditional tunes that captures the wonder and discovery that are the hallmarks of the show." John Wood, Kidzmusic.com. Buy This is Daniel Cook at Amazon.com

albums from Sweet Honey in the Rock & Putumayo Kids, reviewed September 2007

Acclaimed a cappella group Sweet Honey in the Rock’s fourth children’s album Experience…101 is a master’s class in life lessons wrapped in a warm blanket of sweet harmonies and percussion as only Sweet Honey in the Rock can do. Never condescending and always uplifting – a lovely gift.

Experience…101, Sweet Honey in the Rock, Appleseed Recordings, 2007; $15.00 CD; website www.appleseedrec.com.

Nobody makes World Music (can we capitalize this genre yet??) palatable for children like Putumayo Kids and Brazilian Playground follows suit as their successful around the world music series continues - one country and culture at a time - with engaging indigenous songs dancing on infectious rhythms that will have you Samba-ing like a Dancing With the Stars finalist! A 10!

Brazilian Playground, Various Artists, Putumayo Kids, 2007; $14.98 CD; website www.putumayokids.com.

Also check out:

Color Magic, The Battersby Duo, The Battersby Duo Productions, 2007; $12.00 CD; website www.battersbyduo.com. “Hip folk-rock from the dynamic duo that knows a thing or two – from tried and true touring – about educating and enlightening via a firm foundation of fun and frolic.” John Wood, Kidzmusic.com.

Family Album, Two of a Kind, Magillacutty Music, 2007; $15.00 CD; website www.twoofakind.com. “A loving paean to family past and future that blends vibrant songs and sterling production value into a satisfying musical mix that begs repeated listening.” John Wood, Kidzmusic.com.

Achoo! Achoo!, Maureen Conlin, Happy Notes Music, 2007; $14.95 CD $23.95 CD & Activity Book; website www.achooachoo.com. “Easy-going positive songs that encourage and uplift little ones as they sing, move and learn.” John Wood, Kidzmusic.com.

I Wanna Know How It Works!, Miss Amy, Ionian Productions, Inc., 2007; $15.00 CD; website www.missamykids.com. "Who knew learning could be so much fun! Miss Amy and friends rock the house and deliver great messages with a beat to boot." John Wood, Kidzmusic.com.

albums from Bunny Hull & Debi Derryberry, reviewed October 2007

Grammy Award winner, Bunny Hull has released a terrific series of books with CDs called Young Masters – The Little Wisdom Series. Each book follows the musings of best friends Butaan and Phylos as they share and learn life lessons through story and song. The books are well-written by Hull, illustrated whimsically by Kye Fleming and superbly read by actress Elayn J. Taylor. The Hidden Treasure’s message is the importance of giving and being thankful; The Magic Eye reveals the joy and wonder of the imagination; and The Friendship Seed discusses friends and how friendships grow and blossom. Each book is accompanied by a CD with exceptional songs that support the story’s message and the performed story with music and page turns. Hull’s world music songwriting prowess is in full-swing on the 17-song Secrets of the Heart CD – a positive and uplifting celebration of love, connection and the world around us. The performances are tip-top, the production is stellar and the messages are timeless. Nicely done!

Young Masters – The Little Wisdom Series, Bunny Hull & Friends, Dream A World, 2007; CD & Books $13.95 each ; website www.dreamaworld.com.

She’s not only the voice of Jimmy Neutron, Debi Derryberry can really sing! Her new CD “Very Derryberry” is an enjoyable mix of mostly original and some familiar tunes that are well written, produced and performed. Derryberry’s voice is a wonderful instrument, irresistible and filled with fun and frolic – a heartfelt tribute to childlike joy and wonder that will easily pass the “play it again” test!

Very Derryberry, Debi Derryberry, Very Derryberry Productions, 2007; CD & Books $12.98 each ; website www.debiderryberry.com. Buy Very Derryberry at Kidzmusic.com

Also check out:

Happy All Over & Songs You Can’t Get Out of Your Head, Eric Sencer, Erock for Kids, 2007; $12.97 CD; website www.erockforkids.com. “Fun character voices and songs that flat-out rock with a wide variety of styles and solid production value.” John Wood, Kidzmusic.com.

Moey’s Music Party, Melissa Levis, Lemonade Productions, 2007; $15.00 CD; website www.moeysmusicparty.com. “Seventeen bouncy story-songs that will have the toddler set dancing and grooving and singing along.” John Wood, Kidzmusic.com.

Gustafer Yellowgold’s Have You Ever Been Yellow?, Morgan Taylor, Apple-Eye Productions, 2007; $16.99 DVD & CD; website www.gustaferyellowgold.com. “Beautifully written and performed songs accent a fanciful animated world reminiscent of the Beatles’ Yellow Submarine.” John Wood, Kidzmusic.com.

Rain and Shine, Greg & Erin Paxton, Wee Rock!, 2007; $15.00 CD; website www.weerockids.com. “Come rain or shine you’ll be just fine and good to go with this bright and upbeat collection of original tunes by Wee Rock!” John Wood, Kidzmusic.com.

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