Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Music of Adventure

Flannery Brothers Help Kids Explore

The Flannery Brothers hit the ground running in the recording world. With the release of their third album in less than two years, The New Explorers Club, Mike and Dan have chosen imagination as their theme.

Kids can move their brains as well as their feet to such tunes as "Hi 5 Dance," "Let's Go!" and "In the Middle." The latter song works well with our son Ben. He became accustomed to people who hadn't seen him in a while telling him, "My, you're so big," that he began to greet people with, "I'm Ben. I'm big." This song puts his claim in context:



If you weren't big

And if you weren't little

You'd be somewhere in the middle.

The universe is huge

And a molecule is small

And we're somewhere in the middle of it all.


By the age of four, both brothers had become accomplished musicians. Mike (violin and guitar) and Dan (piano). But life took them in different directions. Based out of Portland, Maine, Mike Flannery spent the early part of the decade touring the country as a support act for Ludacris, Outkast, LL Cool J, and other groups. Little brother Dan left the New York corporate scene for childrens' media in Maine, where Mike had opened a recording studio.

Composing material came naturally to the duo, who produced two previous albums (Love Songs for Silly Things and Move Over Lullabies...It's Time for Wake-Up Songs). With this CD, the pair and honorary brother Jonathan Merrifield continue to mine the ripe, unlimited territory of childhood fantasy, from "Green Submarine" to "Kitchen Floor.")

It's good enough for my dog

It's good enough for me

Sometimes I want to lie down on the kitchen floor.


Running a little less than 43 minutes, The New Explorers Club is a short, fun, and entertaining trip to share with your family.

Monday, August 30, 2010

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Together Tomorrow - Tom Chapin
Velveeta Girl and Squatsy - Bunny Clogs
Mister Rabbit - Casper Babypants
Freedom Highway - Mavis Staples
Collide - Howie Day
Frenzy - Dean Jones
Dixie Flier - Randy Newman
I Love My Mom - Dennis Caraher
Neighbors - Okee-Dokee Brothers
Tube Sox - Princess Katie and Racer Steve
Tarzan's Nuts - Madness
One Is The Loneliest Number - Three Dog Night

Shout-outs from Ben to Princess Katie and Justin Roberts for tweeting hello!

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Ben's Playlist - Monday, August 30, 2010

C'mon - Renee & Jeremy
White Light - Wilco
Starman - Killian Mansfield
Baby Lee - Teenage Fanclub
Wake Up Shake Up - Rolie Polie Guacamole
Colors - John & Mark
Unicorn - Dr. Dog
Burris the Bat - Matt Clark
Apples and Bananas - Primate Fiasco
Roy G. Biv - They Might Be Giants
Let's Go! - Flannery Brothers

A decent set of semi-new and new stuff.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Ben's Playlist - Friday, August 27, 2010

For Pete's Sake - The Monkees
Orange - Laura Freeman
Mind Over Matter - Secret Agent 23 Skidoo
Let's Not Fight (Feast of Lights) - They Might Be Giants
Sliver - Casper Babypants
Baby Kangaroo - Joe McDermott
Clack-ity Clack - Rebecca Frezza & Big Truck
They All Asked For You - Rani Arbo & Daisy Mayhem
Morning Person - Shrek the Musical
Pedal Power - Recess Monkey
Undone (The Sweater Song) - Weezer
Good People - Jack Johnson

Ironically, I just accepted a kindiefest friend request from Rebecca Frezza.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, August 26, 2010

Starman - Golden Smog
Crash - Primitives
California Gurls - Katy Perry (Feat. Snoop Dogg)
Some More S'mores - Charity and the JAMband
Little Parrot - Matt Clark
How Do You Build a Robot? - Recess Monkey
Rubber Biscuit - Supersuckers
I'll Stand By You - Pretenders
He's Okay - Sugar Free All-Stars
Things You Want - The Hipwaders
Funplex - B-52s
Little Robot - Human Tim + Robot Tim

Busy tonight.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Mocking Bird - James Taylor & Carly Simon
New Haircut - Justin Roberts
(If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To - Weezer
Messy Room Song - The Hipwaders
The Thank You Song - Uncle Rock
So What - Pink
Super Sonic Rocket Bike - Bazillions
Shake in the Middle - Kaiser George
What A Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong
It's Not Fair - Einstein's Monkey

A shorter than usual selection, due to an early AM start.

Monday, August 23, 2010

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, August 24, 2010

What Is A Mammal? - Marais & Miranda
Baby's Getting Up - Casper Babypants
Counting On A Friend - The Bazillions
Air Guitar - Monkey Monkey Music
Imagination - Peter Himmelman
Big Kite - Flannery Brothers
California - Luna
Love My Kitty - The Good Mrs. Padgett
We Go Duck - Justin Roberts
See and Be Scene - The Hard Lessons
Gotta Be Good - Ralph's World
Don't Pass Me By - Georgia Satellites

More new music for Ben.

Music for Little Monkeys

LeVande Is Just Grand for Youngsters

Surviving hardship gives one a different outlook on life. Not the lead you expected for a childrens CD review? Sorry...but Meredith LeVande had a rough start in life, endured, and matured to promote expressive songs for toddlers through second graders.

Meredith's father abandoned the family after she was born. Her mother subsequently became mentally incapacitated and Meredith was raised by an elderly grandmother - who died when she was 15. The teen turned to music for help her through the tough times, supporting herself and her mother. As Meredith put it, "The one thing that offered me a sense of identity and safety was singing."

Meredith's second childrens CD, "What Are The Odds?" was released this month, under the umbrella title Monkey Monkey Music, which she uses for all live performances, CDs, and DVDs. The Monkey moniker allows Meredith to differentiate from her adult singer/songwriter appearances.



Offering children a chance to monkey around through music, Meredith's songs urge kids to get up dance (Shake It Loud and Turn Your Body Around). But there is more on her agenda - such as connecting with family (Circle), the power of music (Guess What I Am), and simple math skills (the title track). And she doesn't mince words about how all creatures live, in Frogs Eat Butterflies:

Fish eat plants and seals eat fish.

Sharks eat seals but I don't want shark in my dish.


Five years is an eternity in the recording industry, especially for younger audiences, who "age out" of their favorite artists in 2-3 years. But Meredith took five years to construct her second CD, building her songs from interactions with children rather than on a set recording schedule.

And Meredith's personal and professional life took off from such soap opera beginnings, including a bachelor's degree in Women's Studies and English from the University of Rochester, a law degree from Brooklyn Law School, and a master's degree in music from SUNY Purchase Music Conservatory.

Meredith's happy ending is getting married, living in New York, and continuing to share positive values for children through her music. Her Web site has song clips and games, as well as music videos. Kids could do worse than learn a few life lessons from someone like Meredith, who knows how to set goals and persevere.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Ben's Playlist - Monday, August 23, 2010

White Light - Wilco
Heart of the Country - Wings
Funcky ABCs - Opus Ditty
What Is An Animal? - Marais & Miranda
Let's Go! - Flannery Brothers
Band-Aid - Matt Clark
I'm Alright - Kenny Loggins
Moonshot - Roy Handy & the Moonshot
Roy G. Biv - They Might Be Giants
Stop At a Mom n'n Pop - Uncle Rock
My Doorbell - The White Stripes
I'm Your Moon - Jonathan Coulton

More new selections as August rolls to a close (groan).

Ben's Playlist - Monday, August 23, 2010

White Light - Wilco
Heart of the Country - Wings
Funcky ABCs - Opus Ditty
What Is An Animal? - Marais & Miranda
Let's Go! - Flannery Brothers
Band-Aid - Matt Clark
I'm Alright - Kenny Loggins
Moonshot - Roy Handy & the Moonshot
Roy G. Biv - They Might Be Giants
Stop At a Mom n'n Pop - Uncle Rock
My Doorbell - The White Stripes
I'm Your Moon - Jonathan Coulton

More new selections as August rolls to a close (groan).

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Ben's Playlist - Friday, August 20, 2010

Zoom A Little Zoom - Tom Glazer & Dottie Evans
I Love My Library - Lunch Money
Best Friend - Lisa Loeb
Burris the Bat - Matt Clark
Some Pieces - King Pajama
Shake It Loud - Monkey Monkey Music
It Never Rains in Southern California - Mamas and the Papas
Seven - They Might Be Giants
Donkey Song - Graham Walker
RC Cola and a Moon Pie - NRBQ
Mac n Cheese - Bazillions

Some new selections by Ben for the start of the weekend.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, August 19, 2010

I Feel Like Going Home - Yo La Tengo
Strawberry Jam - Michelle Shocked
A Monster Goes Rarrrgh - ScribbleMonster
Pedal Power - Recess Monkey
(I've Got a) Pet Dinosaur - Einstein's Monkey
Clocks - Coldplay
Roy G. Biv - They Might Be Giants
Dixie Flier - Randy Newman
Keep Fishin' - Weezer
My Doorbell - The White Stripes

Moving more into the twenty-first century for Thursday.

And Recess to Einstein's Monkeys this AM.

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, August 17, 2010

B.A.T.H. - The Not-Its
Alphabet Soup - Tom Chapin
Saved By Zero - The Fixx
Shpilkas - Bunny Clogs
Heigh-Ho - Los Lobos
Art Car - The Hipwaders
Periodically Double Or Triple - Yo La Tengo
Buddy Holly - Weezer
Wishin' Around - ScribbleMonster
The Galax Sea - Recess Monkey
Head Over Heals - Tears For Fears

More 80s music today. Perhaps I should start ripping more songs from the 90s.

Monday, August 16, 2010

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Motion, Motion Everywhere - Tom Glazer & Dottie Evans
Shout - Tears For Fears
I Love My Library - Lunch Money
Thinking About You - Norah Jones
Promise of a New Day - Paula Abdul
Say It Isn't So - Hall and Oates
Flaming Pie - Paul McCartney
Hole Hearted - Extreme
Even Numbers - They Might Be Giants
Si Se Puede - Deedle Deedle Dees
How Do You Build a Robot? - Recess Monkey
Messy Room Song - The Hipwaders

Some greatest hits of the '80s with Hall and Oates and Paul McCartney. Plus Paula Abdul for added value.

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Ben's Playlist - Monday, August 16, 2010

Where Does The Sun Go At Night? - Dorothy Collins
White Light - Wilco
Autumn Sweater - Yo La Tengo
Speak the Truth - Secret Agent 23 Skidoo
What A Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong
Coconut Woman - Karl Zero & THE Wailers
Sing Like a Sparrow - Dean Jones
So So Happy - Debbie and Friends
The World Has Turned and Left Me Here - Weezer
The Rhyming Circus - Ralph's World
My Brother The Ape - They Might Be Giants

Is the weekend over yet?

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Ben's Playlist - Friday, August 13, 2010

How Many Times - Mel Glazer
Opposite Day - Secret Agent 23 Skidoo
Are You Gonna Eat That? - Keith Munslow
Let's Not Fight (Feast of Lights) - They Might Be Giants
Kugel - The LeeVees
Uptown Girl - Weezer
What Do You Like More? - Robin Vaughn
Periodically Double Or Triple - Yo La Tengo
Anakin's Betrayal - John Williams
Funplex - The B-52s
Hummingbird - Wilco

Wilco and Weezer are back. It's an "old favorites" Friday.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, August 12, 2010

Zoom A Little Zoom - Tom Glazer & Dottie Evans
Hawaii Five-O - The Ventures
Xavier Xerxes Xeonphanes X - Steve Weeks
I Can Do Anything - Dustin Type
Go Waggalo - Sarah Lee Guthrie & Family
E Eats Everything - They Might Be Giants
It's a No No to Kiss a Rhino - Roger Day
The Boogieman - Keith Munslow
Spiders in My Breakfast - Harmonica Pocket
Crow - Joe's Backyard Band
No Surprise - Daughtry
Spider-Man - Chris McKhool
Art Car - The Hipwaders

Hmmm... more Daughtry and no Weezer again. Somebody might be switching his hard rock preference.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, August 10, 2010

White Light - Wilco
It Makes You Feel Good - Renee & Jeremy
Snowflake, Snowflake - Tom Glazer
Lima Bean - Dog on Fleas
(There's a) Party In The Playroom - Einstein's Monkey
Hey Soul Sister - Train
Honey Honey - Feist
Sugarcube - Yo La Tengo
Fort - Recess Monkey
Some Pieces - King Pajama
Tube Sox - Princess Katie and Racer Steve
Purple People Eater - Ray Stevens

Usually Weezer and Wilco go hand in hand for Ben, but not this AM.

Monday, August 09, 2010

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Check It Out - Casper Babypants
Science Is Real - They Might Be Giants
Burris the Bat - Matt Clark
My Lucky Day - Eric Herman
Sand In My Sandwich - Princess Katie and Racer Steve
Love and Hope - Ozomantli
Here To Fall - Yo La Tengo
Tripping Down the Freeway - Weezer
Photograph - Ringo Starr
Kitty McGoo - Royal Order of Chords and Keys
The Final Countdown - Europe

Stadium rock returns with Europe!!!

Ben's Playlist - Monday, August 9, 2010

Warm Fronts, Cold Fronts - Tom Glazer
Luck - Secret Agent 23 Skidoo
Growl Growl - Deedle Deedle Dees
You're Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile - Dan Zanes & Friends
Apples and Bananas - Primate Fiasco
Jungle Boogie - The Sippy Cups
Boogie Monster - Recess Monkey
Imma Be (Clean) - Black Eyed Peas
The World Has Turned and Left Me Here - Weezer
Roam - The B-52s
Villa Villekula Hula - Monty Harper

Busy Sunday. Just getting around to posting this AM.

Thursday, August 05, 2010

Ben's Playlist - Friday, August 6, 2010

Zoom A Little Zoom - Tom Glazer & Dottie Evans
Superhero - School for the Dead
Velveeta Girl and Squatsy - Bunny Clogs
Sack Lunch - Recess Monkey
Superhero - Tim and the Space Cadets
The Boogieman - Keith Munslow
Big Wide Wonderful World - Chris Isaak
Nun Gimmel Heh Shin - The LeeVees
Dr. Worm - They Might Be Giants
Wonderwall (Acoustic) - Weezer
Shake! - Flannery Brothers
Every Day Is A Birthday - Brady Rymer

New acoustic Weezer! Ben was ecstatic.

Wednesday, August 04, 2010

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, August 5, 2010

Zoom A Little Zoom - Tom Glazer & Dottie Evans
Strawberry Jam - Michelle Shocked
In Your Eyes - Peter Gabriel
Jewish Girls (At the Matzoh Ball) - The LeeVees
Dance This Mess Around - The B-52s
Papa Loves Mambo - Dean Martin
Jump Up and Down - Flannery Brothers
Boom Boom Pow - The Black Eyed Peas
My Best Friend - Weezer
Don't Let's Start - They Might Be Giants
Little Sack of Sugar - Harmonica Pocket
Eek! Ack! Help! Police! - Lucas Miller

From Fergie to Dino this morning.

Tuesday, August 03, 2010

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, August 3, 2010

Goyim Friends - The LeeVees
Rough and Tumble - The Fuzzy Lemons
Heigh-Ho - Los Lobos
Black Horse & The Cherry Tree - KT Tunstall
California Gurls - Katy Perry (Feat. Snoop Dogg)
Periodically Double Or Triple - Yo La Tengo
No Surprise - Daughtry
Be Yourself - Grenadilla
Villa Villekula Hula - Monty Harper
My Name Is Jonas - Weezer
Human Fly - Hank Hooper
Nicky Nicky Knock - Dream Jam Band

Weezer, Katy Perry, and all your modern favorites.

Monday, August 02, 2010

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, August 3, 2010

The Hebrew-Speaking Bear - Randy Kaplan
I Love My Library - Lunch Money
All Around the Kitchen - Pete Seeger
It Don't Come Easy - Ringo Starr
Opposite Day - Secret Agent 23 Skidoo
Walkin' the Cow - fIREHOSE
This Is Your Body - Baze And His Silly Friends
It's Summertime - Flaming Lips
Super Sonic Rocket Bike - Bazillions
Beverly Hills - Weezer
Speed of Love - The Hipwaders
Marshmallow Farm - Recess Monkey

Mostly newer stuff for tomorrow AM.

Sunday, August 01, 2010

Ben's Playlist - Monday, August 2, 2010

Green Teeth - The Zucchini Brothers
White Light - Wilco
Hyper Enough - Superchunk
Pedal Power - Recess Monkey
Have You Ever - Brandi Carlile
Surfing USA - Beach Boys
Chag_Purim - Purim Jews
The Climb - Miley Cyrus
My Name Is No - Starfish
Jumpin' Jive - Joe Jackson
Funplex - The B-52s
Troublemaker - Weezer

As eclectic as ever.