Thursday, April 28, 2011

Ben's Playlist - Friday, April 29, 2011

Finiculi Finicula - Hollow Trees
California Gurls - Katy Perry (Feat. Snoop Dogg)
Wouldn't It Be Good - Nik Kershaw
God Only Knows - Natalie Maines
Every Day Is Yours To Win - R.E.M.
There's A Beat - Treehouse 10
Flapjacks - Recess Monkey
Orange - Laura Freeman
Jump So High - Jeremy Plays Guitar
Your Room's A Mess - Rock Daddy Rock
I Have A Little Dreidel - GrooveBarbers


Kind of a Beach Boys theme today, with a cover song and two similar titles.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, April 28, 2011

Africa Land - Ziggy Marley
I Gotta Feeling - The Black Eyed Peas
Fire And Rain - James Taylor
You've Got A Friend - Me First & the Gimmie Gimmies
Neighbors - Okee-Dokee Brothers
Rock Lobster - Billy Kelly
Say It Loudly - The Not-Its!
Flying - Recess Monkey
Macaroni and Cheese - Bill Harley

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Bubble Test - Daniel Hales & the Frost Heaves
Can't Stop Partying - Weezer
Bat Bada Bing - Cat & A Bird
Hey Hey Hey - Michael Franti & Spearhead
E=MC2 - Big Audio Dynamite
Danke Shoen - Wayne Newton
Can't Keep Johnny Down - They Might Be Giants
Shabbat Shaboom - The Mama Doni Band
In Wonder With the World - The Boogers

Monday, April 25, 2011

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Bushel And A Peck - Rani Arbo & Daisy Mayhem
Doing It Right - The Go! Team
Keep It Green - Bill Harley
Kiss On My List - Hall and Oates
Loser Like Me - Glee
My Name Is No - Starfish
Scootdootdoodlydoo - Billy Kelly
Song of the Passaic - Fountains of Wayne
Starman - Killian Mansfield
Willy Won't - Debbie and Friends

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Ben's Playlist - Monday, April 25, 2011

Promise of a New Day - Paula Abdul
Everyone Everywhere - Baze And His Silly Friends
Goyim Friends - The LeeVees
Southern California - Brian Wilson
Summertime - Ella Fitzgerald
Bicycle - Frances England
Look Through Any Window - The Hollies
Green Submarine - Flannery Brothers
All The Best - R.E.M.
The Daylight Strong - The Figgs

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Ben's Playlist - Friday, April 22, 2011

Banana Pancakes - Jack Johnson
Mexican Hat Dance - Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass
We Could Be Pen Pals (w/Molly Ledford) - Billy Kelly
Somewhere Only We Know - Glee
Only Girl (In The World) - Rihanna
One Nation Under a Groove - Funkadelic
Get Me Out Of Here - Bill Harley
just bein with you - Brady Rymer
Michael Jackson Medley - Primate Fiasco

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, April 21, 2011

Is It Chanukah or Hannukah? - Ruby and Ava Lockner
The Thing That Helps Me Get Through - Michael Franti & Spearhead
Neighbors - Okee-Dokee Brothers
Pink Piggie Polka Pancake Picnic - Ernie & Neal
Ponzi's Flowers - Firewater
Air Guitar - Monkey Monkey Music
Cardboard Box - Justin Roberts
It's Close Enough - Billy Kelly
Scared By My Own Costume - Deedle Deedle Dees
Just Can't Get Enough - Depeche Mode

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Lemonade - Butterflyfish
Change My Luck - The Not-Its!
You're Not The Bossa Nova Me - Daddy A Go-Go
I Like It That Way - Sweet Honey in the Rock
I Gotta Feeling - The Black Eyed Peas
Things Behind the Sun - Nick Drake
Percy on Pluto - The Nields
A Fire Burns For Freedom - Ziggy Marley
Gee Angel - Sugar
TV - Music For Aardvarks Presents David Weinstone

Monday, April 18, 2011

ben's Playlist - Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Love Plus One - Nick Heyward
Hail The Creatures - Dan Zanes
Wake Up Clarinet - Oran Etkin
Muriel's Hoof - Soft Boys
Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah - Daddy A Go-Go
My Heart Skips a Beat - The Secret Sisters
Cocoanut Candy - Didi Pop
Oh My Heart - R.E.M.
If You Want To Sing Out, Sing Out - Rani Arbo & Daisy Mayhem
Worms - Ratboy Jr.
B.A.T.H. - The Not-Its!

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Ben's Playlist - Monday, April 18, 2011

Don't Worry About the Government - Talking Heads
Up the Junction - They Might Be Giants
It's Hard To Be A Kid - Daddy A Go-Go
Are You Gonna Eat That? - Keith Munslow
Dog Days Are Over - Florence And The Machine
Growl Growl - Deedle Deedle Dees
Outside Inside - The Pop-Ups
Opposite Day - Secret Agent 23 Skidoo
My Name Is No - Starfish

Friday, April 15, 2011

Daddy A Go Go Has That MoJo

He's Got the Beat, Daddy-O

I knew I liked Daddy A Go Go's new CD when I couldn't stop my leg from stomping along to the beat. And it really a generational thing, but when was the last time a kindie artist worked Steve McQueen and the Backstreet Boys into a song, and didn't care if the little ones got the references? And that's just the first song, "I Wanna Be An Action Figure."



One-man rock band John Boydston became a childrens's music proponent the old-fashioned way: he fell into it. After deciding to give up his job as a television news producer, John started a new career as a stay-at-home dad to his two sons, then both under the age of six. Since adults still need some “me” time, he ended up making rock and roll records for his kids.

What began in 1998 has turned into eight CDs, including the new disc, "Grandkid Rock," a remixed collection of 16 of John's favorite tunes from his previous releases. As stated eariler, he is definitely not afraid to rock. There have been kid's CDs that almost put me to sleep - not a good thing, especially if I'm behind the wheel. No chance of that happening with this disc!

When determining the theme of the CD, John envisioned an aged guitar to symbolize modern grandparents. Why not a classic image, like a grandfather clock? It's a cliché. "That's from another era and doesn't represent today's grandparents at all," John said. "How about a cool looking guitar that's slightly aged, worn, and actually better looking for the wear and tear?" Not to mention the improved sound.

Ben has been practicing Ponchielli's "Dance of the Hours" on the piano. Daddy A Go Go strips the Allan Sherman parody "Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh" down to its barest elements for a rave-up. "Adventures in Carpool" chronicles the misadventures of a frantic dad en route to dropping off the kids on time for school. As the lyrics go:

There's traffic as far as we can see.

Dad makes a wild turn, watch out for that tree.

I'm glad we're in the Expedition.

I hope that cop will listen.


I'm looking forward to putting Daddy A Go Go into Ben's hands. I'm looking forward even more to putting Daddy A Go Go into our car's CD system as part of the next batch of music to get us to our destinations.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Ben's Playlist - Friday, April 15, 2011

Watch the Sunshine - Big Star
A World of Happiness for Autism - Ralph Covert & Various Artists
Because I Said So - Keller Williams
Imagination - Peter Himmelman
A Little Green - Baze And His Silly Friends
Change My Luck - The Not-Its!
Big Blue Whale - Joanie Leeds & The Nightlights
5 O'Clock World - Dave Clark Five
Tater Tot - Pants Pants Pants
People Take Pictures of Each Other - The Kinks

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, April 14, 2011

The Time (The Dirty Bit) - Black Eyed Peas
The Thing That Helps Me Get Through - Michael Franti & Spearhead
Summertime - Ella Fitzgerald
Do The Turnout - Deedle Deedle Dees
Snack Time - RTTs
Hero - The Okee Dokee Brothers
Smiles & Laughter - Modern English
Let The Good Times Roll - Harry Nilsson
Everything's Controlled By the Brain - Doc Dauer

Free Earth Day Song!

On Earth Day (Friday, April 22nd 2011), Baze And His Silly Friends are proud to premiere and share their newest song, A Little Green!

The song teaches children that if we all do a little bit everyday, we all can make a big difference and change the world.



A Little Green, inspired by world music, features guest vocalist Stacia Newcomb, who plays “Star” on PBS Kids Sprout The Good Night Show.

Click here for a free download of "A Little Green."

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Gotta Get Up - Harry Nilsson
TV - Music For Aardvarks Presents David Weinstone
Shake! - Flannery Brothers
Reading Makes Me Want to Dance Out Loud - Monty Harper
Scootdootdoodlydoo - Billy Kelly
Bohemian Rhapsody - Glee
You be You - Butterflyfish
Give A Little Bit - Supertramp
Sesame Street Theme - ScribbleMonster
Si Se Puede - Deedle Deedle Dees

Monday, April 11, 2011

ben's Playlist - Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Headphones - Michael Franti & Spearhead
My Lucky Day - Bruce Springsteen
It's Raining Again - Supertramp
Dance This Mess Around - The B-52s
Poker Face (Glee Cast) (Feat. Idina Menzel) - Glee
Pink Piggie Polka Pancake Picnic - Ernie & Neal
No One Said It Would Be Easy - Cloud Cult
Cissy Strut - The Meters
Mexican Hat Dance - Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Ben's Playlist - Monday, April 11, 2011

Why Do I Have A Shadow? - Dorothy Collins
I Just Want to Have Fun - Of Montreal
Get Funky - Teenage Fanclub
Dreamer - Supertramp
Joy - NoMeansNo
Big Kite - Flannery Brothers
Keep It Green - Bill Harley
Shpilkas - Bunny Clogs
Starman - Golden Smog
Just Happy To Be Me - ScribbleMonster
Mr. Fancy Pants - Jonathan Coulton
California Dreaming - Mamas and the Papas

Friday, April 08, 2011

Joanie Leeds Unleashes Her Inner Animal

Surprisingly, It's Eight Years Old

Joanie Leeds has been singing since she was two years old. While her career has taken her into the adult music realm, Joanie kept in touch with her inner kindie spirit. Her fourth children's CD, What A Zoo!, invigorates that concept.



While growing up on the mean streets of Miami, Florida, Joanie developed a love and appreciation for the outdoors. "Whether I was relaxing by the ocean with my mom, camping or hiking with my dad, or taking class trips to the Florida Everglades, nature and beauty surrounded me," Joanie says in the liner notes. Her brother Jonathan became an environmentalist. Inspired by his actions, she spent several years writing a collection of animal tunes. "I hope the content also encompasses and encourages a larger message, for both children and adults," she adds.

The menagerie starts with "All the Animals," an accountant's dream that tracks the appendages of various creatures. Listeners then travel to the waterfront for "Mosquitoes" and a hiphop take on "Froggy Went A'Courtin'" featuring kidhop funkmaster Secret Agent 23 Skidoo.

Joanie stays in the water for "Big Blue Whale" ("The biggest animal to ever live on the Earth"), "Happy as a Clam," and "See Cow." She ventures onto higher ground and covers Phish on "Possum," as well as "Pony Boy" and "Wimoweh" (otherwise known as "The Lion Sleeps Tonight"). Two ballads, "Hummingbird" and "My Butterfly" are pleasant but cover the same melodic ground. It's a tribute to the animal kingdom and Joanie Leeds (and her band, the Nightlights) trek from the mountains to the seas to make sure no reptile or amphibian is shorted in the journey.

I'm interested in what's coming next from Joanie - a kindie "supergroup" project in the vein of "We Are the World." Joanie and superproducer Tor Hyams are recording a new version of his song, "A World of Happiness" with a bevy of artists including herself, Frances England, Caspar Babypants, Billy Kelly, Billy Jonas, Ralph Covert, Recess Monkey, and many more. Fingers are crossed and hoping for a great success on their part.

Thursday, April 07, 2011

Ben's Playlist - Friday, April 8, 2011

Free Your Mind - En Vogue
Shake It - Michael Franti & Spearhead Feat. Lady Saw
Get Me Out Of Here - Bill Harley
La La La (I Love You) - Egg
don't like change - Brady Rymer
Colors - John & Mark
Are You Gonna Eat That? - Keith Munslow
I Want to Hold Your Ear - ScribbleMonster
Lots of Latkes - Shira Kline

Wednesday, April 06, 2011

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, April 7, 2011

The Cat Came Back - Monty Harper
TV - Music For Aardvarks Presents David Weinstone
Birds Fly Away - Theresa Andersson
Dream City - Free Energy
Say It Loudly - The Not-Its!
My Body - Young the Giant
Wimoweh - Joanie Leeds & The Nightlights
Be Thankful For What You Got - Yo La Tengo
Look Through Any Window - The Hollies

Tuesday, April 05, 2011

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Can't Keep Johnny Down - They Might Be Giants
I'm Alright - Kenny Loggins
Snack Time - RTTs
Rolling In the Deep - Adele
Love's Enough - Songeez
The Race Is On Again - Yo La Tengo
Obsessed By Trucks - Justin Roberts
Freedom Highway - Mavis Staples
Brimful of Asha - Cornershop

Monday, April 04, 2011

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Kugel - The LeeVees
Sesame Street Theme - ScribbleMonster
Trick or Treat - Justin Roberts
Check It Out - Casper Babypants
The Galax Sea - Recess Monkey
Tube Sox - Princess Katie and Racer Steve
Bonobo Joe & the Voodoo Queen - The Hipwaders
Southern California - Brian Wilson
Hi 5 Dance - Flannery Brothers
Sound of Sunshine - Michael Franti & Spearhead

Sunday, April 03, 2011

Ben's Playlist - Monday, April 4, 2011

Beautiful - Paul Simon
Forget You (Clean) - Cee Lo Green
One Time - Justin Bieber
Pancakes! - Bramble Jam
Muffin Man - Ella Fitzgerald
Dance This Mess Around - The B-52s
Lucy and Tighty - Okee-Dokee Brothers
Fireworks - Katy Perry
Twistification - Dog on Fleas

Friday, April 01, 2011

House Party in the Family Garden

Billy Kelly's Non-Blah Sound

Pennsylvania's Billy Kelly makes kids music sound informal. In fact, his new album, "The Family Garden," sounds like a one-take recording, down to the informal "I'm a little out of tune" banter between the songs. Kelly also asks smaller-than-life questions, such as "Why Is the Moon Following Me?" and answers with "does it want an english muffin?"



Kelly started recording childrens music in 2009. Yes, a mere two years ago and suddenly he's up to his third full CD. But then again, there's a deceptive simplicity in a song like "Scootdootdoodlydoo," which sounds like something from a 1920s radio program and "The Happy Happy Whistling Song." And he's brought along some accomplished friends, including Lunch Money's Molly Ledford on, "We Could Be Pen Pals."

Kelly chose to record "The Family Garden" with minimal overdubbing, giving the album a "just-recorded" feel, similar to Dan Zanes. And Kelly does not seem as concerned as other childrens recording artists are, in creating an album as a complete thought - with an intro, rollicking middle section, and a quieting down period. As if children need to be told to "calm down" after hearing a CD. Instead, Kelly delivers white rap ("Coney Island Rap Jam Thing") into a cover of "Rock Lobster," the original "The Invention Of The Straw" and its fictitious history lesson, then ends with the equally-uptempo "It's A Wonderful Life."

We can only hope that Billy Kelly has many silly thoughts left in his head that he's looking forward to sharing in the coming years.