Ben's Playlist - Thursday, July 1, 2010

Warm Fronts, Cold Fronts - Tom Glazer
Buddy Holly's Got the Hiccups - Uncle Rock
Bein' a Kid - The Zucchini Brothers
Mushaboom (Mocky Mix) - Feist
Periodically Double Or Triple - Yo La Tengo
Senses Working Overtime - XTC
Fell In Love With A Girl - The White Stripes
Cereal - The Verve Pipe
The Cat Came Back - Monty Harper
The Munsters theme
Humpty Dumpty - Linus

Back to "Camp INS" for Ben today.

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, June 30, 2010

White Light - Wilco
It Makes You Feel Good - Renee & Jeremy
Gravity - John Mayer
It's The Beatbox - Cathy & Marcy With Christylez Bacon
(I've Got a) Pet Dinosaur - Einstein's Monkey
Go Waggalo - Sarah Lee Guthrie & Family
The Air That I Breathe - The Hollies
Dixie Flier - Randy Newman
Love and Hope - Ozomantli
What Are You Like - Indigo Girls
Movin' On Up - Primal Scream

Ben gets a day off and selects '70s hits through to the present day.

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Calendar Girl - Neil Sedaka
Ben - Michael Jackson
Best Day Ever - Spongebob Squarepants
Eep Oop Ork - The Jetsons
Man On The Moon - R.E.M.
Linus and Lucy - Vince Guaraldi Trio
Southern California - Brian Wilson
Daniel In The Den - Dan Zanes
Imma Be (Clean) - Black Eyed Peas
Use Somebody - Kings Of Leon
Love My Kitty - The Good Mrs. Padgett

After TOY STORY 3, some movie music selections from Ben.

Ben's Playlist - Monday, June 28, 2010

Zoom A Little Zoom - Tom Glazer & Dottie Evans
I Feel Like Going Home - Yo La Tengo
Hideaway - Ralph's World
Sara Bellum - Roger Day
Pork and Beans - Weezer
Tiny Cool - Princess Katie and Racer Steve
Starman - Golden Smog
Speed of Love - The Hipwaders
The Green Grass Grows All Around - Rani Arbo & Daisy Mayhem
The Galax Sea - Recess Monkey
What's So Funny 'Bout Peace Love and Understanding - Elvis Costello
Tiny Cool - Princess Katie and Racer Steve
Ghost Town - The Specials

Ben continues his "off" week before camp with 44 minutes of mixed fun.

Ben's Playlist - Friday, June 25, 2010

Why Do I Have A Shadow? - Dorothy Collins
I'll Come Running - Brian Eno
Stratus And Cumulus - Tom Glazer
Let It All Hang Out - Weezer
Daniel In The Den - Dan Zanes
8 Is A Number - Board of Education
Sugarcube - Yo La Tengo
No Surprise - Daughtry
Two Princes - Spin Doctors
Roam - The B-52s
Say It Isn't So - Hall and Oates
Please Don't Stop the Music - Rihanna

First day of school vacation playlist.

Ben's SCHOOL'S OUT Playlist - Thursday, June 24, 2010

Mom got a nano for her birthday!

Jewish Girls (At the Matzoh Ball) - The LeeVees
Whistle For Willie - Randy Kaplan
I Like It Like That - Dave Clark Five
It's Summertime - Flaming Lips
Reading Makes Me Want to Dance Out Loud - Monty Harper
Clocks - Coldplay & Buena Vista Social Club
Photograph - Nickelback
It Must Be Summer - Fountains Of Wayne
Rattle My Bones - The Suburbs
I Like To Move It - Sacha Baron Cohen

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, June 23. 2010

Sound of Sunshine - Michael Franti & Spearhead
I Feel Like Going Home - Yo La Tengo
Kiss On My List - Hall and Oates
Beautiful - Paul Simon
Morning Person - Shrek soundtrack
Stayin' Over - Peter Alsop
Monster Face - Roger Day
It's Not Fair - Einstein's Monkey
Rich Girl - Gwen Stefani & Eve
Have You Seen My Chicken? - Sweetback Sisters
Watch Where You're Goin' - Renee & Jeremy
Dishes - Joe's Backyard Band

I did a double-take and thought Ben had selected two Hall and Oates songs for Wednesday. Then I saw that it's the Gwen Stefani version of "Rich Girl."

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Better Together - Jack Johnson
I Love My Mom - Dennis Caraher
You're Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile - Dan Zanes & Friends
Wake Up Shake Up - Rolie Polie Guacamole
How Do You Build a Robot? - Recess Monkey
Sleepoverland - Justin Roberts
Tarzan's Nuts - Madness
Tube Sox - Princess Katie and Racer Steve
Cereal - The Verve Pipe
Burnin' Up - Jonas Brothers
Whatever it Takes - Leona Lewis
Raise the Brain - Miz B
Wait Your Turn - Mr. RAY

An eclectic selection (not a lot of Ben's choices, but he lost his playlist selection from school behavior today).

Ben's Playlist - Monday, June 21, 2010

White Light - Wilco
Green Teeth - The Zucchini Brothers
What Is A Mammal? - Marais & Miranda
My Immortal - Evanescence
All My Colors - Ralph's World
Motion, Motion Everywhere - Tom Glazer & Dottie Evans
Savoy Truffle - They Might Be Giants
Roam - The B-52s
They All Asked For You - Rani Arbo & Daisy Mayhem
5 O'Clock World - Dave Clark Five
I Gotta Feeling - The Black Eyed Peas
More Cowbell - Joanie Leeds & The Nightlights

Ben starts his last week of school with some nice selections and dance songs.

Ben's Playlist - Friday, June 18, 2010

The Hebrew-Speaking Bear - Randy Kaplan
I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing - New Seekers
Starman - Killian Mansfield
The Summer - Yo La Tengo
Growl Growl - Deedle Deedle Dees
This Is Your Body - Baze And His Silly Friends
With Or Without You - U2
One Of Us - Joan Osborne
Springtime, It's My Favorite - Billy Kelly and the Blah Blah Blahs
Chocolate Ice Cream - King Pajama
Marshmallow Farm - Recess Monkey

And off to the new school tour we go.

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, June 17, 2010

Hello Hello (Good Morning) - Dustin Type
Home - David Tobocman
My Name Is No - Starfish
All Around the Kitchen - Pete Seeger
Everyone Everywhere - Baze And His Silly Friends
Here To Fall - Yo La Tengo
Mr. Tambourine Man - The Hollies
Sunglasses - Recess Monkey
Dance This Mess Around - The B-52s
Be Yourself - Grenadilla
Honest Kid - Princess Katie and Racer Steve

Sorry that the links to musicians have disappeared after a week, but we got all caught up in stuff this week. Sigh.

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, June 16, 2010

How Clouds Are Formed - Tom Glazer
No Good Reason Party - The Dirty Sock Funtime Band
Three Little Birds - Renee & Jeremy
Kansas City Octopus - Clementown
The Bluegrasshopper - Secret Agent 23 Skidoo
Are You Gonna Eat That? - Keith Munslow
Spongebob Squarepants Theme Song
Even Numbers - They Might Be Giants
Sleep Through The Static - Jack Johnson
Be Part of the Band - The Verve Pipe
Things Change - Hullabaloo

A mini-Kindiefest reunion set with Clementown, 23 Skidoo, and Keith Munslow.

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, June 15, 2010

If You Want To Sing Out, Sing Out - Rani Arbo & Daisy Mayhem
Please and Thank You - Princess Katie and Racer Steve
I Feel Like Going Home - Yo La Tengo
(There's a) Party In The Playroom - Einstein's Monkey
Motion, Motion Everywhere - Tom Glazer & Dottie Evans
Roy G. Biv - They Might Be Giants
Sound of Sunshine - Michael Franti & Spearhead
Sunday Morning - GMG Jam
Mexican Radio - Wall of Voodoo
The Birds Have A Language - Marais & Miranda

A new Michael Franti song highlights Ben's Tuesday list.

Ben's Playlist - Monday, June 14, 2010

Not the best family shot, but us at the Autism Walk in Manhattan on Sunday.

White Light - Wilco
It Makes You Feel Good - Renee & Jeremy
Silly Bob - LISA
Rockstar - Charity and the JAMband
Mr. Sandman - Glenn Miller & the Andrews Sisters
Nothing Rhymes With Orange - Jon Samson
Oh My My - Ringo Starr
Funplex - The B-52s
Over in the Meadow - Little Miss Ann
Yeah Yeah Yeah Song - Flaming Lips
I'll Never Fear Ghosts Again - Soccer Team

A set of "comfort" songs for Ben, after an exhausting Sunday of traveling into Manhattan and then to Suffolk County for a surprise birthday party.

Ben's Playlist - Friday, June 11, 2010

Rock Out! - Uncle Rock
Kee-Mo-Ky-Mo - Nat King Cole
My Brain - Mose Allison
My Doorbell - The White Stripes
Chag_Purim - Purim Jews
If Not For You - George Harrison
Shake! - Flannery Brothers
One Day Soon - The Sippy Cups
Older - They Might Be Giants
Mexican Hat Dance - Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass
Little Miss Can't Be Wrong - Spin Doctors
My Best Friend - Weezer

Good grief! Herb Alpert returns after an extended hiatus!

Plus the Spin Doctors (currently on career hiatus) as well.

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, June 10, 2010

Ice Is A Solid - Dorothy Collins
Eep Oop Ork - The Jetsons
Little Robot - Human Tim + Robot Tim
Bobby Bobby Bobby - Jo Ann Campbell
I Go Swimming - Peter Gabriel
(I've Got a) Pet Dinosaur - Einstein's Monkey
It Don't Come Easy - Ringo Starr
Dixie Flier - Randy Newman
Shake It Up - Milkshake
Keep On Walking - Jem
New Game - Tim and the Space Cadets
Bushel And A Peck - Rani Arbo & Daisy Mayhem

Back to the future with robot tim, Jetsons, and Space Cadets!

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Warm Fronts, Cold Fronts - Tom Glazer
It's a No No to Kiss a Rhino - Roger Day
If You Want To Sing Out, Sing Out - Rani Arbo & Daisy Mayhem
Sara Bellum - Roger Day
Tiny Cool - Princess Katie and Racer Steve
Happy Place - Milkshake
Sunday Morning - GMG Jam
Sun Is Shining - Paul McCartney
It's Sunny When You Share - Mighty Weaklings
Come Play! - Eric Herman & the Invisible Band
Dishes - Joe's Backyard Band

Sunny spring songs take the lead this morning, with Paul and the Jam Band, as well as Milkshake and Eric. Oh, and TWO Roger Day songs!

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Strawberry Jam - Michelle Shocked
If Mama Had Four Hands - Sarah Lee Guthrie & Family
It's Summertime - Flaming Lips
Spider-Man - Chris McKhool
Dinosaur in My Backyard - Hullabaloo
One Wasn't Enough - Flannery Brothers
How Do I Live Without You - Lee Ann Rimes
Frenzy - Dean Jones
Kansas City Octopus - Clementown
Donkey Song - Graham Walker
When We Was Fab - George Harrison
Humpty Dumpty - Linus

A mixed folksy bag as we enter Tuesday.

Ben's Playlist - Monday, June 9, 2010

White Light - Wilco
Where Does The Sun Go At Night? - Dorothy Collins
Autumn Sweater - Yo La Tengo
Hologram World - Tiny Masters of Today
Bein' a Kid - The Zucchini Brothers
Cookies & Milk - Royal Order of Chords and Keys
I Can't Let Go - The Hollies
Let's Get It Started (Radio Edit) - The Black Eyed Peas
Look, Look! - Steve Weeks
Tie A Yellow Ribbon - Tony Orlando & Dawn
The Secret Life of Six - They Might Be Giants

Back to basics as Ben starts the school week.

Don't Monkey With the Funk

Recess Monkey Grooves With "Final Funktier"

When I think of Seattle, I think of Recess Monkey. Pre-1990, the first thing that came to mind was rain. For the next decade, I thought about grunge (Nirvana, Pearl Jam, STP). Now that I have a child, I equate Seattle with their foremost childrens music group, Recess Monkey.



The Monkeymen (Jack Forman, Daron Henry, and Andrew Holloway) release their sixth album, The Final Funktier on June 15. It took a lot of rare tracks and live recordings for Nirvana to hit the six album mark. And they've shown growth and maturity over the past several albums.

"Final Funktier" takes the form of a space mission, from launch to exploration of new dimensions (such as "The Galax Sea"). But it still addresses the themes that mean the most to children: sibling rivalry, messy rooms, and getting older. "Booster Seat" uses the space concept as a metaphor for auto travel:


I'm out in space. Blast from the Earth without a trace.
Right off our driveway up to a star
I know someday I'm going far.

The Recess trio know their audience well - as teachers, they met while working at a Seattle school and turned a grad school project into the band's first album "Welcome to Recess Monkey Town" (2005). Over the past half-decade, they have continued to produce melodic and well-reviewed CDs that have built a solid nationwide following through the Internet, word of mouth, SiriusXM Kids Place, and radio shows.

"Final Funktier" features a host of guest performers from the Seattle kids music scene - the Not-Its, Harmonica Pocket, Chris Ballew (Caspar Babypants), Eric Ode, and Johnny Bregar, as well as Chris Wiser from the Sugar Free Allstars, Gustafer Yellowgold, and more. You get a CD that's also a festival.

The band delves into some interesting concepts with their funk. "Ukulalien" introduces the ukulele to hip beats. And "Beat-Box-a-Robot" is kind of self-explanatory. And the CD ends with the uplifting "One Tiny Light:"

You spring to life so easily,
You are the seed of the galaxy,
and you shine light inside of me, shine right into me.

How about that? An interplanetary lullaby. Works for me.

Ben's Playlist - Friday, June 4, 2010

Green Teeth - The Zucchini Brothers
I Have a Little Dreidel - Yosi & the Superdads
The Greatest Love of All - Whitney Houston
My Brain - Mose Allison
Buddy Holly's Got the Hiccups - Uncle Rock
Fishing Blues - Taj Mahal
Boom Boom Pow - The Black Eyed Peas
Hummingbird - Wilco
Roy G. Biv - They Might Be Giants
Mexican Radio - Wall of Voodoo
Be Part of the Band - The Verve Pipe

Links back tomorrow. Doing the temporarily single parent thing tonight.

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, June 3, 2010

Love Me For Who I Am - Brady Rymer
Sandy from Leverett - Bill and Ella
My Darling Clementine - The Submarines
Rough and Tumble - The Fuzzy Lemons
Beanbag Chair - Yo La Tengo
Muppets/Mahna Mahna - Primate Fiasco
No Good Reason Party - The Dirty Sock Funtime Band
Bang A Drum - Earthworm Ensemble
Joy - NoMeansNo
Roam - The B-52s
Pedal Power - Recess Monkey
I Shall Sing - Grenadilla
More Cowbell - Joanie Leeds & The Nightlights

Hey, Ben is the one who loves the Spare the Rock promo, for some reason. So there it is.

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Baby Kangaroo - Joe McDermott
The King Of Calibar - Bill Harley
Be Careful What You Say - LISA
Sack Lunch - Recess Monkey
The Climb - Miley Cyrus
Rubber Biscuit - Supersuckers
The Boogieman - Keith Munslow
Some Pieces - King Pajama
Summer Today - Egg
Jumpin' Jive - Joe Jackson
Shake! - Flannery Brothers

Selections from Kindiefest reappear in this morning's playlist.

Plus some swinging Joe Jackson and Supersuckers.