Ben's Final 2010 Playlist - Friday, December 31, 2010

No One Said It Would Be Easy - Cloud Cult
Ponzi's Flowers - Firewater
Starman - Golden Smog
I've Just Gotta Get A Message To You - The Bee Gees
You be You - Butterflyfish
Hi 5 Dance - Flannery Brothers
Percy on Pluto - The Nields
Buddy Holly - Weezer
Happy - Dog on Fleas
We Go Duck - Justin Roberts
At the Timeshare - The LeeVees

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, December 30, 2010

Chanukah Fever - Mama Doni
Send Me On My Way - Rusted Root
Walkin' the Cow - fIREHOSE
Sunglasses - Recess Monkey
Blueberry Pie - Dog on Fleas
Under The Sun - Dan Zanes
Is This A Joke? - Billy Kelly
Neighbors - Okee-Dokee Brothers
Thriller - Michael Jackson
Crash - Primitives

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Headphones - Michael Franti & Spearhead
5 O'Clock World - Dave Clark Five
Burn It To The Ground - Nickelback
Dynamite - Taio Cruz
Things You Want - The Hipwaders
Cities With Seagulls - Joe's Backyard Band
Jump So High - Jeremy Plays Guitar
Gelt Melts - The LeeVees
8 Is A Number - Board of Education
Shine - Holmes Brothers
Rich Girl - Gwen Stefani & Eve

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Muriel's Hoof - Soft Boys
Two Princes - Spin Doctors
Candlelight - Maccabeats
One Wasn't Enough - Flannery Brothers
Promise of a New Day - Paula Abdul
First Dance (Feat. Usher) - Justin Bieber
Use Your Words - Jeremy Plays Guitar
Boom Boom Pow - The Black Eyed Peas
On A Carousel - The Hollies
High Hopes - Primate Fiasco

Ben's Playlist - Monday, December 27, 2010

It Never Rains in Southern California - Mamas and the Papas
Pink Piggie Polka Pancake Picnic - Ernie & Neal
Nonagon - They Might Be Giants
I Meant To Do That - Jeremy Plays Guitar
Do The Turnout - Deedle Deedle Dees
Brand New Haircut - Billy Kelly
Blue Bear - Lucky Diaz
Trading Squirrels - Recess Monkey
Jingle Bells Redux - The Jimmies
My Keyboard - Quiet Ones
How Much Is That Doggy in the Window - Primate Fiasco
Small Car - Marvin Pontiac

Ben's blizzard/vacation set list.

Ben's Playlist - Friday, December 24, 2010

Spiders in My Breakfast - Harmonica Pocket
The Rockafeller Skank - Fatboy Slim
The Eeny Weeny Beeny Ghost - Bill Harley
Bicycle - Frances England
Antmusic - Adam & the Ants
Song of the Passaic - Fountains of Wayne
Sunglasses - Recess Monkey
Nothin' For Christmas - The Jimmies
Scared By My Own Costume - Deedle Deedle Dees

Happy holidays to all.

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, December 23, 2010

Paparazzi - Lady Gaga
Ain't Nothin' But a Party - Dirty Dozen Brass Band
Linus and Lucy - Asylum Street Spankers
Daddy Fox - Brendan Taaffe
Get Funky - Teenage Fanclub
I Want An Alien for Christmas - Fountains of Wayne
Pancakes! - Bramble Jam
Nicky Nicky Knock - Dream Jam Band
All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth - The Jimmies

Happy holidays!

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, December 22, 2010

The Time (The Dirty Bit) - Black Eyed Peas
Big Heart - Frances England
Fireworks - Katy Perry
Hey, Soul Sister - Glee
Somebody To Love - Justin Bieber
This Old Man - Lucky Diaz
Chanukah, Oh Hanukkah, Oh Hanuka - The Jimmies
Little Parrot - Matt Clark
Big Rock Candy Mountain - The Boogers

"What Justin Bieber song did you pick (Ben did not have a great day at school, so I picked the music."

"Somebody To Love...I stayed with the classics."

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Why Go Up There? - Tom Glazer & Dottie Evans
Ponzi's Flowers - Firewater
Sugar Hiccup - Cocteau Twins
Macaroni and Cheese - Bill Harley
Baby Lee - Teenage Fanclub
Sunglasses - Recess Monkey
Are You Gonna Eat That? - Keith Munslow
Party In The USA - Miley Cyrus

Yikes. Ben is now selecting songs based on who is on Twitter.

Ben's Playlist - Monday, December 20, 2010

White Light - Wilco
It Makes You Feel Good - Renee & Jeremy
Baby's Getting Up - Casper Babypants
Only Girl (In The World) - Rihanna
Dr. Worm - Jason Trachenburg
5 O'Clock World - Dave Clark Five
The Race Is On Again - Yo La Tengo
Sabotage - Beastie Boys
Tripping Down the Freeway - Weezer

From Wilco to Rihanna to Weezer, with the Beastie Boys thrown in.

Ben's Playlist - Friday, December 17, 2010

People Take Pictures of Each Other - The Kinks
I Like It Like That - Dave Clark Five
Keep Your Hands To Yourself - Georgia Satellites
What Do You Like More? - Robin Vaughn
Five Monsters In My Family - ScribbleMonster
Even Numbers - They Might Be Giants
Super Sonic Rocket Bike - The Bazillions
Some More S'mores - Charity and the JAMband
Cookies and Milk - Frances England
Church - Lyle Lovett
Chag_Purim - Purim Jews

Ben pays tribute to the 60s and 70s with the Kinks and DC5 this AM.

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, December 16, 2010

Snowflake, Snowflake - Tom Glazer
Wonder of Birds - Innocence Mission
Spooky Song - Lazytown
Brave New World - Weezer
Little Miss Can't Be Wrong - Spin Doctors
Little Robot - Human Tim + Robot Tim
Worms - Ratboy Jr.
The Friendly Beasts - Surfjan Stevens
The Thing That Helps Me Get Through - Michael Franti & Spearhead

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Oompa Loompa - Willy Wonka
I Missed the Bus Again - Skankin' Pickle
Sunday Morning - GMG Jam
Starman - Golden Smog
The Rockafeller Skank - Fatboy Slim
California Stars - Wilco
Root Down - Beastie Boys

Long songs this AM.

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Starman - Killian Mansfield
Kuge1 - The LeeVees
The Rockford Files - Mike Post
Colors - John & Mark
Shine - Holmes Brothers
Happy - Dog on Fleas
Jealous Guy - John Lennon
Sledgehammer - Peter Gabriel
It Never Rains in Southern California - Mamas and the Papas

Ben (and Matt's) Playlist - Monday, December 13, 2010

White Light - Wilco
Green Teeth - The Zucchini Brothers
Pink Piggie Polka Pancake Picnic - Ernie & Neal
Things You Want - the Hipwaders
Scared By My Own Costume - Deedle Deedle Dees
Outside Inside - Pop-Ups
Fire And Rain - James Taylor
Collide - Howie Day
Free Your Mind - En Vogue

James Taylor to En Vogue in two songs is quite a leap.

Ben's Playlist - Friday, December 10, 2010

Say It Isn't So - Hall and Oates
Squirrels - Mister G
Ponzi's Flowers - Firewater
When I Ripped My Pants - Spongebob Squarepants
Home - Dreyer Family Band
Spitting Seeds - Under the Tree Music
A Fire Burns For Freedom - Ziggy Marley
K-I-D-S - Luv Clowns
Bohemian Rhadpsody - The Muppets

Matthew still home.

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, December 9, 2010

I Can't Let Go - The Hollies
Hi 5 Dance - Flannery Brothers
Black Horse & The Cherry Tree - KT Tunstall
Kapalua Bay - Didi Pop
Battleship Chains - Hindu Love Gods
Teenage Dream (Glee Cast Version) - Glee
Christmastime Is Here (Instrumental) - Vince Guaraldi Trio
Time Flies - Weezer

Ben's comment after completing his playlist: "Weezer's on Twitter."

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Chanukah Fever - Mama Doni
Get Me Out Of Here - Bill Harley
I Meant To Do That - Jeremy Plays Guitar
Hey Hey Hey - Michael Franti & Spearhead
Cowabunga - Didi Pop
So So Happy - Debbie and Friends
Home For The Holidays - Perry Como
Starman - Killian Mansfield
Check It Out - Casper Babypants

Seventh night of Hanukkah

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, December 7, 2010

What Is A Mammal? - Marais & Miranda
Deep Deep Water - Mel Glazer
Cocoanut Candy - Didi Pop
Mama Tooted - Keller Williams
Bicycle - Frances England
Happy - Dog on Fleas
All My Friends Are Different - The Salteens
K-I-D-S - Luv Clowns
My Heart Skips a Beat - The Secret Sisters
Hang On - Weezer

Matthew is home!

Ben's Playlist - Monday, December 6, 2010

No Cars Go - The Arcade Fire
Draw - Luv Clowns
Freedom Highway - Mavis Staples
I Have A Little Dreidel - GrooveBarbers
Trick or Treat - Justin Roberts
Bluegrass for Breakfast - Okee-Dokee Brothers
Jump Up and Down - Flannery Brothers
Small Car - Marvin Pontiac

Once again, two songs by brothers. Ben may be warming up to the concept.

Ben's Playlist - Friday, December 3, 2010

White Light - Wilco
It Makes You Feel Good - Renee & Jeremy
Muffin Man - Ella Fitzgerald
Forget You (Clean) - Cee Lo Green
Brand New Haircut - Billy Kelly
Be Yourself - Grenadilla
Macaroni and Cheese - Bill Harley
The Race Is On Again - Yo La Tengo


Matthew watch continues.

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, December 2, 2010

Rubber Biscuit - Supersuckers
Pink Piggie Polka Pancake Picnic - Ernie & Neal
Big Kite - Flannery Brothers
New Game - Tim and the Space Cadets
Africa Land - Ziggy Marley
Science Is Real - They Might Be Giants
Shake It - Michael Franti & Spearhead Feat. Lady Saw
Your House - Dre Towey
High Hopes - Primate Fiasco

HAPPY HANUKKAH EVERYONE!

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Everything Is Music To Me - Jonathan Samson
The Thing That Helps Me Get Through - Michael Franti & Spearhead
Wheels On the Bus - Primate Fiasco
Battleship Chains - Hindu Love Gods
Sabotage - Beastie Boys
Do The Turnout - Deedle Deedle Dees
Pancakes! - Bramble Jam
Shake! - Flannery Brothers

No Matthew at home...yet.

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Sandy from Leverett - Bill and Ella (Spare the Rock)
One Wasn't Enough - Flannery Brothers
Speed of Love - The Hipwaders
I Meant To Do That - Jeremy Plays Guitar
K-I-D-S - Luv Clowns
Sweetest Song of All - Mel Glazer
The Impression That I Get - Mighty Mighty Bosstones
Smiles & Laughter - Modern English
Worms - Ratboy Jr. Smorgasbord
Sunglasses - Recess Monkey
History Never Repeats - Split Enz

Matthew comes home tomorrow!

Ben's Playlist - Monday, November 30, 2010

Goody Two Shoes - Adam & the Ants
Tommy Got In Trouble - The Bazillions
Sugar Hiccup - Cocteau Twins
Hi 5 Dance - Flannery Brothers
I'm Alright - Kenny Loggins
Orange - Laura Freeman
I Just Want to Have Fun - Of Montreal
Neighbors - Okee-Dokee Brothers
My Keyboard - Quiet Ones
Be Thankful For What You Got - Yo La Tengo

Ben must have siblings on the brain - he chose Flannery and Okee-Dokee Brother, the Cocteau Twins, and even Bazillions.

Ben's Playlist - Friday, November 26, 2010

Baby's Getting Up - Casper Babypants
I Wanna Be An Action Figure - Daddy A Go Go
5 O'Clock World - Dave Clark Five
Blueberry Pie - Dog on Fleas
Big Heart - Frances England
Keep Your Hands To Yourself - Georgia Satellites
Trading Squirrels - Recess Monkey
Browns Ferry Blues - Robbie Fulks
What Do You Like More? - Robin Vaughn
All My Friends Are Different - The Salteens
I Like It That Way - Sweet Honey in the Rock

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, November 25, 2010

Have You Ever - Brandi Carlile
Pink Piggie Polka Pancake Picnic - Ernie & Neal
Mule Train - Frankie Laine
Little Robot - Human Tim + Robot Tim
Squirrels - Mister G
My Brain - Mose Allison
Chag_Purim - Purim Jews
Rattle My Bones - The Suburbs
Hyper Enough - Superchunk
Rubber Biscuit - Supersuckers
Even Numbers - They Might Be Giants

Welcome Matthew Leo Cohen, who will start his own playlists around 2015.

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Dr. Worm - Jason Trachenburg
Outside Inside - Pop-Ups
It Don't Come Easy - Ringo Starr
Rich Girl - Gwen Stefani & Eve
Monster Face - Roger Day
Cookies and Milk - Frances England
Everybody's Got Their Underwear On - Billy Kelly
Love and Hope - Ozomantli
Sound of Sunshine - Michael Franti & Spearhead
Waiting on the World to Change (Live) - John Mayer
Teenage Dream (Glee Cast Version) - Glee Cast

No new little brother yet. Please check back later this week.

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, November

Where Does The Sun Go At Night? - Dorothy Collins
White Light - Wilco
Big Rock Candy Mountain - The Boogers
You be You - Butterflyfish
Happy - Dog on Fleas
Shake It Loud - Monkey Monkey Music
Church - Lyle Lovett
Mind Over Matter - Secret Agent 23 Skidoo
Cookies & Milk - Royal Order of Chords and Keys
Spooky Song - Lazytown
Seven - They Might Be Giants

As he made his playlist for tomorrow morning, Ben asked, "Who's on Twitter?"

Ben's Playlist - Monday, November 23, 2010

Hello Hippopotamus - Laura Doherty
Guitar Was the Case - Mono Puff
We Go Duck - Justin Roberts
Dishes - Joe's Backyard Band
Sunglasses - Recess Monkey
Is This A Joke? - Billy Kelly
Lucy Lawcy - Keller Williams
Run Away - Weezer
Look Both Ways - Secret Agent 23 Skidoo
Mac n Cheese - The Bazillions
Si Se Puede - Deedle Deedle Dees

Congratulations to all the 2010 Fids and Kamily Award winners!

Ben's Playlist - Friday, November 19, 2010

We R Who We R - Ke$ha
Forget You (Clean) - Cee Lo Green
Teenage Dream (Glee Cast Version) - Glee Cast
Use Your Words - Jeremy Plays Guitar
Time Out To Rock - The Not-Its!
Saskia Hamilton - Ben Folds & Nick Hornby
Trick or Treat - Justin Roberts
Sometimes I'll Be There - Naked Brothers Band
Let The Good Times Roll - The Cars
Calendar Girl - Neil Sedaka

Some stunning new debuts for Friday.

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, November 18, 2010

Favorite Things - John Coltrane
Alien In My Nose - Trout Fishing in America
Pedal Power - Recess Monkey
There's A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow - They Might Be Giants
When I'm Five - The Not-Its!
I-D-E-A - The SqueeGees
Dream City - Free Energy
I Eat Kids - Radioactive Chicken Heads
Pluto - Baby Grands
Band-Aid - Matt Clark
Wonderful World - Daddy A Go Go
My Name Is No - Starfish

Today could be a big day.

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, November 17, 2010

The Rockafeller Skank - Fatboy Slim
Shoo Lie Loo - Elizabeth Mitchell
Blueberry Pie - Dog on Fleas
When I Ripped My Pants - Spongebob Squarepants
No One Said It Would Be Easy - Cloud Cult
Sunday Morning - GMG Jam
Unicorn - Dr. Dog
Nonagon - They Might Be Giants
Xavier Xerxes Xeonphanes X - Steve Weeks

Ben's coming brother looms large in the days ahead.

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, November 16, 2010

No Cars Go - The Arcade Fire
Muriel's Hoof - Soft Boys
Hello There - Cheap Trick
Muffin Man - Ella Fitzgerald
Ruling Me - Weezer
Some More S'mores - Charity and the JAMband
Super Sonic Rocket Bike - The Bazillions
The Rhyming Circus - Ralph's World
Macaroni and Cheese - Bill Harley
Mind Over Matter - Secret Agent 23 Skidoo

Another sick day playlist for Ben.

Ben's Playlist - Monday, November 15, 2010

It Makes You Feel Good - Renee & Jeremy
White Light - Wilco
When Life Gives Me Lemons - The Boy Least Likely To
Are You Gonna Eat That? - Keith Munslow
The Climb - Miley Cyrus
Run Away - Weezer
Surfing USA - Beach Boys
Pee Keeps Our Insides Clean - Pete Yorn
I Like It That Way - Sweet Honey in the Rock
Percy on Pluto - The Nields
Have You Ever - Brandi Carlile

If it's Monday, it must be Wilco and "White Light."

Ben's Playlist - Friday, November 12, 2010

Free Your Mind - En Vogue
Where You From? - The Baby Grands
Teenage Dream - Katy Perry
Things You Want - The Hipwaders
Pink Piggie Polka Pancake Picnic - Ernie & Neal
Somebody To Love - Justin Bieber
Crow - Joe's Backyard Band
I Like It Like That - Dave Clark Five
I Go Swimming - Peter Gabriel
Be Yourself - Grenadilla
The Final Countdown - Europe

Bieber, Perry, and... Europe?

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, November 11, 2010

The Rockford Files - Mike Post
Because I Said So - Keller Williams
Don't Pass Me By - Georgia Satellites
Burn It To The Ground - Nickelback
Sing The Changes - Paul McCartney
Church - Lyle Lovett
Squirrels - Mister G
Change My Luck - The Not-Its!
Chocolate Ice Cream - King Pajama

Ben recovering from a cold with these selections.

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Quite Early Morning - Pete Seeger
Joshua's Treehouse - Starfish
One Wasn't Enough - Flannery Brothers
I Feel Like Going Home - Yo La Tengo
Wake Up Shake Up - Rolie Polie Guacamole
Even Numbers - They Might Be Giants
You're Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile - Dan Zanes & Friends
California Stars - Wilco
This Is Your Body - Baze And His Silly Friends
(If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To - Weezer
Trading Squirrels - Recess Monkey
Invisible Man - The Breeders

Home, sick playlist for Ben this am.

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Home - Michael Franti & Spearhead
Sing About the Sun - Dog on Fleas
The Cat Came Back - Monty Harper
So What - Pink
Cookies and Milk - Frances England
Brave New World - Weezer
Imagination - Peter Himmelman
Gelt Melts - The LeeVees
Enough is a Feast - Bill Harley
Say It Loudly - The Not-Its!
Bohemian Rhadpsody - The Muppets

Let's meet the Muppets on the Muppet Show tonight.

Ben's Playlist - Monday, November 8, 2010

Green Teeth - The Zucchini Brothers
White Light - Wilco
Diving in the Deep Blue Sea - Monty Harper
Purple - Laura Freeman
Raspberry Beret - Hindu Love Gods
Collide - Howie Day
Baby Kangaroo - Joe McDermott
Time Out To Rock - The Not-Its!
Time Flies - Weezer

If this is Monday, it must be Wilco and "White Light."

Ben's Playlist - Friday, November 5, 2010

The Hebrew-Speaking Bear - Randy Kaplan
In My Room - Beach Boys
Just Can't Get Enough - Depeche Mode
Six Months in a Leaky Boat - Split Enz
You've Got a Friend In me - Bonerama
When We Was Fab - George Harrison
Root Down - Beastie Boys
Sunglasses - Recess Monkey
The Entertainer - Scott Joplin & George Gershwin
I'm Your Moon - Jonathan Coulton

The Beastie Boys make their debut!

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, November 4, 2010

I-D-E-A - The SqueeGees
Big Heart - Frances England
Hello Hello (Good Morning) - Dustin Type
Turn Your Body Around - Monkey Monkey Music
The Great Pumpkin Roll - Jim Armenti
Oliver's Army - Elvis Costello
Somebody To Love - Justin Bieber
La La La (I Love You) - Egg
Send Me On My Way - Rusted Root
Everyone Everywhere - Baze And His Silly Friends
I Love My Mom - Dennis Caraher

Bieber returns.

Frances England's Beautiful "Mind"

Reasons to Own Your Own "Mind Of My Own"

Too often, children's music gets pigeonholed. I've written before that if I never hear another "going for a ride in the car" song, it'll be too soon. It doesn't take a mastermind to figure out that kids have more to think about. Frances England figures it out for you on her new CD, "Mind Of My Own."



The CD sounds like a time capsule from the 1970s, with tunes such as "Jacques Cousteau" and "Bicycle." Frances dissects the power of a child's imagination in "Red Balloon":

I'm a red crayon

I'm hands on

I'm a fast tricycle

I'm a sour pickle

I'm a mighty tower

I'm a cold, cold shower

I'm three years old and I grow fast.


Yet Frances England, kindie musician, was born after the birth of her first son, Liam. She contributed songs to his preschool fundraiser, which turned into her debut CD, "Fascinating Creatures" in 2007. The CD grew an Internet following and was the sole recording to win the 2007 Oppenheim Platinum Music Award. Her second CD, "Family Tree," followed thereafter and won numerous awards of its own.

"Mind Of My Own" contains 14 new songs with a gentle, creative attitude. Frances accentuates the positive, such as "Cookies and Milk" (which features guitarwork from Doug Snyder of the Jellydots):

We go together like cookies and milk.

We go together like peanut butter and jam.

Let's jam!


A good indication of Frances' appeal comes from experience in our own home. Prior to reviewing the CD, I pulled a few songs to our iTunes directory. Ben quickly identified the tunes ("It's new Frances England") and asked when I would be finished with the review, so he could add it to the pile of CDs for play in the car stereo system. He has looked at other CDs I've received and simply put them back on the desk. But "Mind of My Own" held his interest. And I even feel bad for waiting this long to compose my thoughts, when it's one of the best children's CDs of the year. Well, I'm done. I liked it. And now we'll all hear it again in the car very soon.

This Friday night, November 5, Frances will be premiering "Mind Of My Own" on Sirius XM Radio's Kids Place Live. She will play the entire CD, talk about the themes of the songs, and take listeners for a walk through San Francisco’s Haight Ashbury neighborhood. Frances speaks with a couple of musicians who played on the album to talk about their instruments, inspirations, and share some stories about making music together. The program will be broadcast nationally four times this weekend at the following times:

Friday, 9pET/6pPT

Saturday, 9aET & 5pET

Sunday, 12pET/9aPT

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, November 3, 2010

If Mama Had Four Hands - Sarah Lee Guthrie & Family
Saskia Hamilton - Ben Folds & Nick Hornby
The Race Is On Again - Yo La Tengo
California Stars - Wilco
Hyper Enough - Superchunk
Love Story - Taylor Swift
Run Away - Weezer
Don't Pass Me By - Georgia Satellites
I Wanna Be An Action Figure - Daddy A Go Go
Cows - The Suburbs

Fun fact about Ben's playlist musician of the day: Taylor Swift is twice Ben's age.

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Banana Pancakes - Jack Johnson
Hey Soul Sister - Train
Shake in the Middle - Kaiser George
Baby (Feat. Ludacris) - Justin Bieber
Battleship Chains - Hindu Love Gods
California Gurls - Katey Perry (Feat. Snoop Dogg)
Roundy Round - Monty Harper
Mac n Cheese - The Bazillions
Macaroni and Cheese - Bill Harley

Election day adult fodder.

Ben's Playlist - Monday, November 1, 2010

White Light - Wilco
Buddy Holly - Weezer
Crash - Primitives
I Can't Let Go - The Hollies
Everybody's Got Their Underwear On - Billy Kelly
It Makes You Feel Good - Renee & Jeremy
Tommy Got In Trouble - The Bazillions
Lemonade - Butterflyfish
Mind of My Own - Frances England
Happy Place - Milkshake
Nun Gimmel Heh Shin - The LeeVees

Old favorites day on Monday.

Put On Your Dancing Babypants

Caspar the Friendly Children's Musician, Returns

When hair bands faded out in the early 90s, they were replaced by grunge acts from Seattle (who were then replaced by etc., etc., I've made my point). Anyhow, I loved those early grunge bands - Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Stone Temple Pilots among the better known.

One of the latter day bands, The Presidents of the United States, is still going. And founding member Chris Ballew has turned his pursuits to the pleasures of childrens music. "I was drawn to make simple silly acoustic songs and realized they were kids' songs after I made them," Chris says. He began to write songs to accompany wife Kate Endle's art. "Suddenly a volcano of songs came out, and here I am!" he adds.



Back to the grunge - Seattle native Ballew has managed to work little traces of the city's past into his latest release as Caspar Babypants (This Is Fun!). Krist Novoselic plays bass on a kiddified version of Nirvana's "Sliver," featuring a chorus of "Grandma, take me home." And Pearl Jam's Stone Gossard in quoted in the press materials. Okay, I'm easy. You had me at Pearl Jam.

Ballew has produced his third CD of gentle, goofy tunes for kids. There isn't anything terribly deeper than "It's Gonna Rain" or "Look At All These Elepants" (the latter a favorite for my son, who claims elephants are his second-favorite animals after zebras).

With three albums in less than two years, Ballew is creating quite a body of work. I appreciated the simplicity of the arrangements and absence of heavy messaging. With support from Elizabeth Mitchell and Charlie Hope, I can only imagine that his best is yet to come.

It's a relief that Caspar Babypants exists. Otherwise, Weird Al Yankovic would have stabbed himself in the eyes a long time ago. It's true, I read the quote on Caspar's Web site.

Ben's Playlist - Friday, October 29, 2010

The Dance From Outer Space - Billy Kelly
Unicorn - Dr. Dog
Glad All Over - Dave Clark Five
Muppets/Mahna Mahna - Primate Fiasco
Tiny Cool - Princess Katie and Racer Steve
Your House - Dre Towey
Villa Villekula Hula - Monty Harper
Don't Dream It's Over - Sixpence None the Richer
Spooky Song - Lazytown
Walkin' the Cow - fIREHOSE

Here Come the Holidays

Rudnick & Friends Welcome Santa

The one word that strikes fear into the hearts of most "kindie" families is "traditional." As in, traditional arrangement. Most kindie musicians try to put their own spin on themes, even if it comes across as yet another derivative of "The Wheels On the Bus."



Ben Rudnick & Friends tackle that challenge with their new 2010 holiday EP, "It's Santa Claus!" Of the eight songs, only the title track is a new composition. The remaining tunes range from traditional (Jingle Bells, Frosty the Snowman) to the truly ancient (Auld Lang Syne, Greensleeves).

It's admirable for a recognized kindie figure like Ben Rudnick to roll the ball up the hill and put his spin on these songs. Then again, it's also a wise commercial marketing move - as any retailer will tell you, holiday music is a "perennial." People are still purchasing the Wilson Phillips Christmas CD!

After all that prologue, does the disc deliver holiday cheer? Well, it's not even Thanskgiving. But don't think me a Scrooge. I've spent the better part of my life avoiding the majority of holiday music. As a Jew, I've found that only a fraction of holiday music is aimed at my peeps. And most of that is done so in a tongue in cheek fashion.

With all that being said, I am a fan of Ben Rudnick. My son (also named Ben) enjoys the Ben Rudnick CDs we already have. And he learned "Frosty" a few years back for a school concert and has launched into the chorus at unexpected times year-round in the time since. He's even heard the Allan Sherman version of "Greensleeves," called "Sir Greenbaum's Madrigal."

So I wish Ben Rudnick & Friends well with their new release. And I also wish them happy holidays! Perhaps someone will give them a CD of festive music to celebrate the season... something like... well, you get the idea.

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, October 28, 2010

Driver Education - Indigo Girls
All Around the Kitchen - Pete Seeger
Scared By My Own Costume - Deedle Deedle Dees
Brand New Haircut - Billy Kelly
Pulling Mussels (From The Shell) - Squeeze
Rubber Biscuit - Supersuckers
Shake It Loud - Monkey Monkey Music
Pedal Power - Recess Monkey
Even Numbers - They Might Be Giants
Kugel - The LeeVees
Colors - John & Mark
Blue Bear - Lucky Diaz

A mix o' mellow for Thursday.

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Greensleeves - Ben Rudnick & Friends
Baby's Getting Up - Casper Babypants
Walk Don't Run - The Ventures
How Much Is That Doggy in the Window - Primate Fiasco
California - Luna
Superhero - School for the Dead
Science Is Real - They Might Be Giants
Opposite Day - Secret Agent 23 Skidoo
Pluto - Baby Grands
Spitting Seeds - Under the Tree Music
Tripping Down the Freeway - Weezer

New Ben Rudnick today!

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Frosty the Snowman - Ben Rudnick & Friends
Back To Black - Amy Winehouse
Bicycle - Frances England
Mind Over Matter - Secret Agent 23 Skidoo
Chocolate Ice Cream - King Pajama
Bits And Pieces - Dave Clark Five
Si Se Puede - Deedle Deedle Dees
My Brother The Ape - They Might Be Giants
This Old Man - Lucky Diaz
Big Kite - Flannery Brothers
Funplex - The B-52s
Band-Aid - Matt Clark

For the second day, Ben visits his inner child (except for Amy Winehouse).

Ben's Playlist - Monday, October 26, 2010

Where Does The Sun Go At Night? - Dorothy Collins
White Light - Wilco
Browns Ferry Blues - Robbie Fulks
cleaning_windows - Van Morrison
One Day Soon - The Sippy Cups
Sunglasses - Recess Monkey
Never Stop Asking - Secret Agent 23
Cowabunga - Didi Pop
My Doorbell - The White Stripes
Burris the Bat - Matt Clark
Hideaway - Ralph's World

Keller: Kids Are Music People, Too

Keller Williams Keeps Perspective From A Kid's View

Bluegrass anarchist Keller Williams returns to childrens' music this month with his 16th release, Kids. The (relatively) short CD zips through a host of kids' concerns and kids' interests and kids' amusements. And he makes the young animals on the cover immediate guests at the party with the first song, "My Neighbor Is Happy Again," with the refrain


So I had to dig a moat to keep in my goat

and I had to buy a boat because my goat didn't float

but my neighbor is happy again.




Songs stay strictly for the toddling set, such as "Car Seat," "Because I Said So," "Taking A Bath," and "Keep It On the Paper." And for people who always wanted a rational explanation of farting set to music, Keller presents "Mama Tooted."

It can sound like a duck

It can sound like a frog

It can sound like an elephant or a sigh

I am gonna blame it on Mama alright


Keller is currently touring with the Yo Gabba Gabba stage show as a "super music friend" and I can't see how he wouldn't be a hit with that age bracket. In the meantime, spend 30 minutes with Keller and your tots will relax. As he writes in the jacket notes, "So if this music makes you [kids] happy, then try and use your happiness to make someone else happy, too."

Ben's Playlist - Friday, October 22, 2010

Kapalua Bay - Didi Pop
I Shall Sing - Grenadilla
The Addams Family - Addams Family
Dance This Mess Around - The B-52s
Bohemian Rhadpsody - The Muppets
Lucy and Tighty - Okee-Dokee Brothers
Periodically Double Or Triple - Yo La Tengo
Starman - Golden Smog
The Final Countdown - Europe

Mix of kids and parents rock today.

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, October 21, 2010

Cocoanut Candy - Didi Pop
Dream of You - Alan Wolpert
My Name Is Jonas - Weezer
Are You Gonna Eat That? - Keith Munslow
A Fire Burns For Freedom - Ziggy Marley
Solartopia - Pete Seeger
Jealous Guy - John Lennon
Lucy Lawcy - Keller Williams
Sledgehammer - Peter Gabriel
Chocolate Ice Cream - King Pajama

New DidiPop and Keller Williams make the playlist this AM.

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Gravity - John Mayer
Counting On A Friend - The Bazillions
Psycho Theme - Bernard Hermann
Antmusic - Adam & the Ants
Sometimes I'll Be There - Naked Brothers Band
Is This A Joke? - Billy Kelly
Ponzi's Flowers - Firewater
Because I Said So - Keller Williams
Use Your Words - Jeremy Plays Guitar
Mister Rabbit - Casper Babypants
Hang On - Weezer

Six new song selections for Wednesday AM!

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Driver Education - Indigo Girls
Rise and Shine - Board of Education
Superhero - Tim and the Space Cadets
Mind of My Own - Frances England
It Don't Come Easy - Ringo Starr
Nonagon - They Might Be Giants
Bluegrass for Breakfast - Okee-Dokee Brothers
Mama Tooted - Keller Williams
Home - Dreyer Family Band
Best Day Ever - Spongebob Squarepants
Goody Two Shoes - Adam & the Ants
Fort - Recess Monkey

With an average time of less than 2:30 per song, Ben was able to choose a lot of music for Tuesday morning.

Ben's Playlist - Monday, October 18, 2010

It Makes You Feel Good - Renee & Jeremy
White Light - Wilco
Air Guitar - Monkey Monkey Music
New Haircut - Justin Roberts
Growl Growl - Deedle Deedle Dees
Things Change - Hullabaloo
I'm Your Moon - Jonathan Coulton
Science Is Real - They Might Be Giants
Moonshot - Roy Handy & the Moonshot
Arabella Angelique - Grenadilla
Ivan The Terrible - The SqueeGees
If You Want To Sing Out, Sing Out - Rani Arbo & Daisy Mayhem

Monday, Wilco, the world is right again.

Ben's Playlist - Friday, October 15, 2010

Shine - Holmes Brothers
Don't Squish That Bug - Bramble Jam
Raspberry Beret - Hindu Love Gods
Roam - The B-52s
Stay-At-Home Dad - Justin Roberts
Tube Sox - Princess Katie and Racer Steve
Look Both Ways - Secret Agent 23 Skidoo
Even Numbers - They Might Be Giants
Kansas City Octopus - Clementown
My Name Is No - Starfish

So I was sorting through my records last week and realized I did not have the Hindu Love Gods on vinyl anymore. And it drove me crazy that I could not remember what I did with it. So I bought it online, ripped some songs to our iTunes, and Ben immediately picked one for this AM.

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, October 14, 2010

Love Me For Who I Am - Brady Rymer
First Dance (Feat. Usher) - Justin Bieber
All Around the Kitchen - Pete Seeger
With My Own Two Hands - Ben Harper
Super Sonic Rocket Bike - The Bazillions
Wonderful World - Daddy A Go Go
Crow - Joe's Backyard Band
All My Friends Are Different - The Salteens
Shpilkas - Bunny Clogs
cleaning windows - Van Morrison

Bieber returns.

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Not Fast Cheetah - Recess Monkey
Your House - Dre Towey
Shake It Loud - Monkey Monkey Music
Jump So High - Jeremy Plays Guitar
Spider-Man - Chris McKhool
Some More S'mores - Charity and the JAMband
Dishes - Joe's Backyard Band
Muppets/Mahna Mahna - Primate Fiasco
Cardboard Box - Justin Roberts
I Can't Let Go - The Hollies
Mr. Blue Sky - Electric Light Orchestra

A jump from the 70s to the 00s this AM.

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Hi 5 Dance - Flannery Brothers
Headphonese - Michael Franti & Spearhead
Chocolate Ice Creame - King Pajama
Give It Awaye - Dog on Fleas
Superballe - Magic Kids
Three Little Birdse - Bob Marley
Every Day is a Summer Daye - Keith Munslow
Beautiful Daye - Ziggy Marley
I Just Want to Have Fune - Of Montreal
Starmane - Killian Mansfield

Between Marleys (father and son) and Franti (Michael), Ben brought the funk this AM.

Ben's Playlist - Monday, October 11, 2010

C'mon - Renee & Jeremy
White Light - Wilco
Whistle For Willie - Randy Kaplan
Hey Hey Hey - Michael Franti & Spearhead
De Colores - Pete Seeger
Check It Out - Casper Babypants
Neighbors - Okee-Dokee Brothers
The King Of Calibar - Bill Harley
Sunglasses - Recess Monkey
Si Se Puede - Deedle Deedle Dees
Opposite Day - Secret Agent 23 Skidoo

If it's Monday, it must be Wilco.

Ben's Playlist - Friday, October 8, 2010

Best Day Ever - Spongebob Squarepants
I Shall Sing - Grenadilla
Somebody To Love - Justin Bieber
My Darling Clementine - The Submarines
Airplanes (Feat. Hayley Williams) - B.o.B
When We Was Fab - George Harrison
The Eeny Weeny Beeny Ghost - Bill Harley
Tiny Cool - Princess Katie and Racer Steve
Invisible Man - The Breeders

Spongebob, B.o.B, and Bieber.

A Bazillion Reasons To Rock Out

Twin Cities Produces More than Prince

Use your imagination.

That's the idea behind the Bazillions' "Rock-n-Roll Recess."

"You won't believe how far we'll go," singer/songwriter Adam Marshall intones on "Super Sonic Rocket Bike." And that's a concept that kids of all ages can grasp as they race downhill...and they don't have to be 44 inches tall!



"Tommy Got In Trouble" points out that actions have consequences - balls hitting lamps and fish bowls, etc. "

Don't you know he's a good kid,


But sometimes things just seem to go astray.

Twin Cities parents Adam and Kristin Marshall started writing songs for kids when they joined the Kenny School in Minneapolis. Joined by indie pop band The Humbugs (Matt Baccoli, Tim Formanek, and Mike Senkovich), they rebranded themselves as the Bazillions and released their first CD earlier this year.

Perhaps a little too "hard" for toddlers, the Bazillions work well for the active kid set. The protagonist of "It's a Mess" brags "I'm a big success/at making a big mess."

There is a rich trove of kindie artists across the country who are currently making fresh, non-"babyish" rock music that works in the car and the home. From Recess Monkey in the Pacific Northwest to the Bazillions in the heartland and AudraRox in Red Hook, Brooklyn, you don't have to throw a ball - and get in trouble - to find music to rock out to with your children. The Bazillions are a welcome addition to Ben's expanding CD rack of contemporary kindie rockers.

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, October 7, 2010

Chocolate Ice Cream - King Pajama
Love Plus One - Nick Heyward
It's Sunny When You Share - Mighty Weaklings
Calendar Girl - Neil Sedaka
Purple - Laura Freeman
Li'l Things - Strange Kidz
Baby (Feat. Ludacris) - Justin Bieber
Time Flies - Weezer
Watch the Sunshine - Big Star
Wait Your Turn - Mr. Ray

Weezer, Bieber, and Strange Kidz indeed.

Bens Playlist - Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Good People - Jack Johnson
Band-Aid - Matt Clark
(There's a) Party In The Playroom - Einstein's Monkey
Raise the Brain - Miz B
Stop At a Mom n'n Pop - Uncle Rock
One Day Soon - The Sippy Cups
Freedom Highway - Mavis Staples
Rough and Tumble - The Fuzzy Lemons
The Channukah Medley - Gwendolyn and the Goodtime Gang
My Lucky Day - Eric Herman
Caboose - Lunch Money

Long day.

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Why Go Up There? - Tom Glazer & Dottie Evans
Baby Lee - Teenage Fanclub
How Do You Spell Chunnukkahh? - The LeeVees
Africa Land - Ziggy Marley
Jumpin' Jive - Joe Jackson
My Name Is Jonas - Weezer
Obsessed By Trucks - Justin Roberts
Hologram World - Tiny Masters of Today
New Game - Tim and the Space Cadets
Cities With Seagulls - Joe's Backyard Band

New Ziggy Marley today.

Ben's Playlist - Monday, October 4, 2010

It Makes You Feel Good - Renee & Jeremy
White Light - Wilco
Shake It - Michael Franti & Spearhead Feat. Lady Saw
Jump Up and Down - Flannery Brothers
Superhero - School for the Dead
You've Got a Friend In me - Bonerama
Secret Handshake - Secret Agent 23 Skidoo
Do The Turnout - Deedle Deedle Dees
What's On Your Shirt? - The Jimmies
Baby Kangaroo - Joe McDermott
Every Day is a Summer Day - Keith Munslow

New Secret Agent 23 Skidoo and Michael Franti! Represent!

Ben's Playlist - Friday, October 1, 2010

For Pete's Sake - The Monkees
Ruling Me - Weezer
The Thing That Helps Me Get Through - Michael Franti & Spearhead
So So Happy - Debbie and Friends
RC Cola and a Moon Pie - NRBQ
Some More S'mores - Charity and the JAMband
Green Submarine - Flannery Brothers
Smiles & Laughter - Modern English
Alphabet Soup - Tom Chapin
Flaming Pie - Paul McCartney

More new Weezer!

New Michael Franti!

Old Monkees!

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, September 30, 2010

Dream City - Free Energy
When I'm Five - The Not-Its!
Guitar Was the Case - Mono Puff
Run Away - Weezer
cleaning_windows - Van Morrison
Kansas City Octopus - Clementown
Gelt Melts - The LeeVees
Sugar Hiccup - Cocteau Twins
Sound of Sunshine - Michael Franti & Spearhead
Trick or Treat - Justin Roberts
Little Parrot - Matt Clark

A slew of new stuff leads off this morning's list.

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, September 29, 2010

There Is No Away - Uncle Rock
Brave New World - Weezer
The Rhyming Circus - Ralph's World
How Much Is That Doggy in the Window - Primate Fiasco
Pee Keeps Our Insides Clean - Pete Yorn
This Old Man - Lucky Diaz
My Doorbell - The White Stripes
They All Asked For You - Rani Arbo & Daisy Mayhem
Watch Where You're Goin' - Renee & Jeremy
Crow - Joe's Backyard Band

Be prepared for several brand new Weezer songs, since we just got the HURLEY CD!

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Green Teeth - The Zucchini Brothers
White Light - Wilco
Cookies and Milk - Frances England
Wonderful World - Daddy A Go Go
Surfing USA - Beach Boys
Strange Magic - Electric Light Orchestra
Heigh-Ho - Los Lobos
Teach Your Children Well - CSNY
Beautiful Day - Ziggy Marley
We Go Duck - Justin Roberts

Ben moved "White Light" to Tuesday this week because he was "switching things up."

The '60s return with CSNY and Beach Boys.

Ben's Playlist - Monday, September 27, 2010

Hello Hippopotamus - Laura Doherty
Browns Ferry Blues - Robbie Fulks
If Not For You - George Harrison
If You Want To Sing Out, Sing Out - Rani Arbo & Daisy Mayhem
The Climb - Miley Cyrus
Lucy and Tighty - Okee-Dokee Brothers
Joshua's Treehouse - Starfish
Favorite Things - John Coltrane
Sleepoverland - Justin Roberts
My Brain - Mose Allison
Superhero - Tim and the Space Cadets

Ben also prepped his next playlist CD for his friends tonight. I'll post that when I start burning copies.

Ben's Playlist - Friday, September 24, 2010

When Life Gives Me Lemons - The Boy Least Likely To
Mind of My Own - Frances England
The Mighty Worm - Ralph's World
First Dance (Feat. Usher) - Justin Bieber
California - Luna
Coconut Woman - Karl Zero & THE Wailers
Walkin' the Cow - fIREHOSE
Crow - Joe's Backyard Band
The Galax Sea - Recess Monkey
Nun Gimmel Heh Shin - http://www.theleevees.com/

Welcome to Ben's playlists, Justin Bieber.

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, September 23, 2010

The Hebrew-Speaking Bear - Randy Kaplan
Home - Michael Franti & Spearhead
Bicycle - Frances England
Chag_Purim - Purim Jews
Love and Hope - Ozomantli
Sugar Hiccup - Cocteau Twins
Stronger Than Me - Amy Winehouse
Spider-Man - Chris McKhool
Have You Ever - Brandi Carlile
Superball - Magic Kids
Shake! - Flannery Brothers
La La La (I Love You) - Egg

A funky Thursday.

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Diving in the Deep Blue Sea - Monty Harper
Sliver - Casper Babypants
Dishes - Joe's Backyard Band
Spanimals - The Jimmies
Bein' a Kid - The Zucchini Brothers
Cardboard Box - Justin Roberts
Are You Gonna Eat That? - Keith Munslow
Home - Dreyer Family Band
Beautiful Day - Ziggy Marley
My Name Is No - Starfish

Just noticed we have six songs from Jungle Gym in iTunes.

Wiping Out Bland Kid's Music

SqueeGees Target Healthy Lifestyles

We first heard The SqueeGee's "Nala the Chihuahua" on Bill Childs' Spare the Rock radio show a few years back. Ben loved the singalong chorus but we never spent the time to listen to the lyrics. As with most kid's music, as long as the kid is happy, the adults are happy. But it took the arrival of their re-issued CD, "Meet the SqueeGees," for us to sit down and realize the message behind the song - namely


"A puppy from the pound...

No longer wears a frown...

Aren't we glad we found her?"



But that's the insidious (can we use that term in a positive manner?) thing about the light pop sound of the SqueeGees - the songs work their way into your head and then you realize there was more to them.



The Los Angeles-based trio has regrouped with original members Samantha Tobey and Rich "Shaka" Sherwood being joined by former Rilo Kiley bassist Pierre de Reeder. Their CD is experiencing a second coming of a sort on September 21 with a national exclusive release through Target and Target at iTunes.

The music, geared for preschoolers, gently hits on some of the themes mined by Sesame Street and Dora the Explorer. There's the environment ("The Elements of the Earth"), healthy eating ("Apples, Oranges, and Peaches"), and even the Internet ("The Ol' WWW"). The song "Jonathon the Tree" took on extra meaning for us this week, as hundreds of trees were toppled by the tornado in our region.

I could really do without another song about driving in the car ("Rules of the Road"), but hey, it's still a novel experience to people without their own driver's licenses. Same with bubble baths ("Bubbles"), but call me cranky.

It all comes back to, um, singalongability (my spellcheck just blew up). That translates to, the ability of listeners to sing along and later grasp the concept of the material. The SqueeGees pass the singalongability test. In that manner, they certainly hit the target.

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Alien In My Nose - Trout Fishing in America
Big Heart - Frances England
Lonely Days Lonely Nights - The Bee Gees
Kansas City Octopus - Clementown
Sack Lunch - Recess Monkey
Counting On A Friend - The Bazillions
Imagination - Peter Himmelman
Things You Want - The Hipwaders
Funplex - The B-52s
Unicorn - Dr. Dog

Debut of new Frances England music.

Ben's Playlist - Monday, September 20, 2010

White Light - Wilco
It Makes You Feel Good - Renee & Jeremy
I-D-E-A - The SqueeGees
Art Car - The Hipwaders
How Do You Build a Robot? - Recess Monkey
Band-Aid - Matt Clark
Dinosaur in My Backyard - Hullabaloo
Speak the Truth - Secret Agent 23 Skidoo
Starman - Golden Smog
My Brother The Ape - They Might Be Giants

Two quotes from Ben: "It's Monday - White Light by Wilco" and "Wilco is on Twitter."

Ben's Playlist - Friday, September 17, 2010

Dream of You - Alan Wolpert
Super Sonic Rocket Bike - Bazillions
Ivan The Terrible - The SqueeGees
Go Waggalo - Sarah Lee Guthrie & Family
I Eat Kids - Radioactive Chicken Heads
Dance This Mess Around - The B-52s
Baby Kangaroo - Joe McDermott
It's Not Fair - Einstein's Monkey
They All Asked For You - Rani Arbo & Daisy Mayhem
Little Robot - Human Tim + Robot Tim

So we lost our triple play for 48 hours.

We'll Be Back!

The New York area tornado knocked out our cable, phones, and Internet access. Thankfully we still have power, so we don't have to evacuate like some of our neighbors.

Should be back to posting as usual by next week.


Here's a view of our house. Nice, hmm?

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, September 16, 2010

Hyper Enough - Superchunk
Hideaway - Ralph's World
Blue Bear - Lucky Diaz
Cities With Seagulls - Joe's Backyard Band
Rock and Roll - The New Standards
Don't Stay - Laura Izibor
What Is A Mammal? - Marais & Miranda
Lemonade - Butterflyfish
Sing About the Sun - Dog on Fleas
Cardboard Box - Justin Roberts
I Just Want to Have Fun - Of Montreal

Rocking in the AM!

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, September 15, 2010

The Dance From Outer Space - Billy Kelly
If Mama Had Four Hands - Sarah Lee Guthrie & Family
Do The Turnout - Deedle Deedle Dees
Walk Don't Run - The Ventures
Obsessed By Trucks - Justin Roberts
Send Me On My Way - Rusted Root
Be Yourself - Grenadilla
Welcome to the Jungle Gym - Mr. Saxophone
Young Folks - Peter Bjorn and John
Crash - Primitives
High Hopes - Primate Fiasco

From the Primitives to Primate Fiasco this AM.

Ben seems to be into Primate Fiasco these days.

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, September 14, 2010

The Cat Came Back - Monty Harper
Band-Aid - Matt Clark
Meet Me Halfway - The Black Eyed Peas
Everything Is Music To Me - Jonathan Samson
Solartopia - Pete Seeger
Back To Black - Amy Winehouse
How Much Is That Doggy in the Window - Primate Fiasco
I Can't Let Go - The Hollies
The Rhyming Circus - Ralph's World

Amy Winehouse, Ralph's World, and Pete Seegar return to the playlist for the first time in quite a while.

Ben's Playlist - Monday, September 13, 2010

White Light - Wilco
Where Does The Sun Go At Night? - Dorothy Collins
Antmusic - Adam & the Ants
Things Change - Hullabaloo
Coconut Woman - Karl Zero & THE Wailers
Spork - Keith Munslow
Shpilkas - Bunny Clogs
Me & My Invisible Friend - Ralph's World
Under The Sun - Dan Zanes
Sound of Sunshine - Michael Franti & Spearhead
Everybody's Got Their Underwear On - Billy Kelly

If it's Monday, it's got to be Wilco's "White Light."

And just in time for a back to school playlist.

Ben's Playlist - Friday, September 10, 2010

Heigh-Ho - Los Lobos
Periodically Double Or Triple - Yo La Tengo
At the Timeshare - The LeeVees
Rubber Biscuit - Supersuckers
I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing - New Seekers
Are You Gonna Eat That? - Keith Munslow
The Little Old Lady - Jan and Dean
Some Pieces - King Pajama
Crow - Joe's Backyard Band
Joy - NoMeansNo
Caboose - Lunch Money
Green Submarine - Flannery Brothers

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, September 9, 2010

I Feel Like Going Home - Yo La Tengo
Spitting Seeds - Under the Tree Music
Muppets/Mahna Mahna - Primate Fiasco
Don't Dream It's Over - Sixpence None the Richer
Kansas City Octopus - Clementown
Creep - Scala
Roam - The B-52s
Use Somebody - Kings Of Leon
(You're Not) The Boss of My Brain - Tom Chapin
Clocks - Coldplay

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Dance This Mess Around - The B-52s
Everyone Everywhere - Baze And His Silly Friends
Velveeta Girl and Squatsy - Bunny Clogs
Boom Boom Pow - The Black Eyed Peas
Roundy Round - Monty Harper
Trick or Treat - Justin Roberts
Percy on Pluto - The Nields
Sugarcube - Yo La Tengo
Smiles & Laughter - Modern English
Look Both Ways - Secret Agent 23 Skidoo
So What 3:34 - Pink

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Autumn Sweater - Yo La Tengo
History Never Repeats - Split Enz
I Eat Kids - Radioactive Chicken Heads
Happy Place - Milkshake
Every Day is a Summer Day - Keith Munslow
Dinosaur in My Backyard - Hullabaloo
Cookies & Milk - Royal Order of Chords and Keys
Springtime, It's My Favorite - Billy Kelly and the Blah Blah Blahs
Rough and Tumble - The Fuzzy Lemons
High Hopes - Primate Fiasco

As summer rolls to a close, Ben chose some seasonal selections.

Ben's Playlist - Monday, September 6, 2010

White Light - Wilco
It Makes You Feel Good - Renee & Jeremy
Hello Hello (Good Morning) - Dustin Type
I Gotta Feeling - The Black Eyed Peas
Love Plus One - Nick Heyward
Even Numbers - They Might Be Giants
Things You Want - The Hipwaders
Man On The Moon - R.E.M.
One Day Soon - The Sippy Cups
Tripping Down the Freeway - Weezer
Big Kite - Flannery Brothers
Look, Look! - Steve Weeks

Home!

Ben's Playlist - Friday, September 3, 2010

Turn Your Body Around - Monkey Monkey Music
Sing Like a Sparrow - Dean Jones
The Boogieman - Keith Munslow
Comfortable - John Mayer
Tommy Got In Trouble - Bazillions
Trading Squirrels - Recess Monkey
Rise and Shine - Board of Education
Brand New Haircut - Billy Kelly
Pee Keeps Our Insides Clean - Pete Yorn
Blue Bear - Lucky Diaz
Joy - NoMeansNo
Love Me For Who I Am - Brady Rymer

We will be on vacation this weekend, so Ben did his Friday playlist to act as a "musical wake up" that can stream through our hotel's alarm clock speakers.

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, September 2, 2010

We missed Wednesday because I was at the U.S. Open...

Sorry, here's tomorrow's

A Taste of Honey - Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass
Sound of Sunshine - Michael Franti & Spearhead
Secret Handshake - Secret Agent 23 Skidoo
Hey Soul Sister - Train
Boogie Monster - Recess Monkey
Seven - They Might Be Giants
Undone (The Sweater Song) - Weezer
My Lucky Day - Bruce Springsteen
Wheels On the Bus - Primate Fiasco
Diving in the Deep Blue Sea - Monty Harper

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Ben's Playlist - Friday, July 30, 2010

Wonderful World - Daddy A Go Go
Let's Not Fight (Feast of Lights) - They Might Be Giants
Hey Soul Sister - Train
(If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To - Weezer
Dishes - Joe's Backyard Band
Sleepoverland - Justin Roberts
Springtime, It's My Favorite - Billy Kelly and the Blah Blah Blahs
Black Slacks - Robert Gordon
Everyone Everywhere - Baze And His Silly Friends
Be Yourself - Grenadilla
The Galax Sea - Recess Monkey
I Love My Mom - Dennis Caraher

Looking forward to the weekend!

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, July 29, 2010

Cookies & Milk - Royal Order of Chords and Keys
It's a No No to Kiss a Rhino - Roger Day
If You Want To Sing Out, Sing Out - Rani Arbo & Daisy Mayhem
California - Luna
Green Eleven - Todd McHatton
New Game - Tim and the Space Cadets
My Brain - Mose Allison
My Doorbell - The White Stripes
Some Pieces - King Pajama
Sing About the Sun - Dog on Fleas
Stop At a Mom n'n Pop - Uncle Rock
Marshmallow Farm - Recess Monkey

Some new selections, plus the first song that Ben ever requested to hear again (It's A No No) from Spare the Rock podcast.

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, July 28, 2010

I Feel Like Going Home - Yo La Tengo
If Mama Had Four Hands - Sarah Lee Guthrie & Family
Superball - Magic Kids
Whistle For Willie - Randy Kaplan
California Gurls - Katy Perry (Feat. Snoop Dogg)
If Not For You - George Harrison
Best Day Ever - Spongebob Squarepants
Hologram World - Tiny Masters of Today
Baby Kangaroo - Joe McDermott
Joy - NoMeansNo
Sunglasses - Recess Monkey
Cities With Seagulls - Joe's Backyard Band

More new songs chosen by Ben!

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Hello Hippopotamus - Laura Doherty
Percy on Pluto - The Nields
My Darling Clementine - The Submarines
Spider-Man - Chris McKhool
Neighbors - Okee-Dokee Brothers
Muppets/Mahna Mahna - Primate Fiasco
One Day Soon - The Sippy Cups
Send Me On My Way - Rusted Root
Little Robot - Human Tim + Robot Tim
Don't Pass Me By - Georgia Satellites

Flipped by the Georgia Satellites second album on our shelf and just had to rip that song for Ben.

Ben's Playlist - Monday, July 26, 2010

It Makes You Feel Good - Renee & Jeremy
White Light - Wilco
Joshua's Treehouse - Starfish
One Of Us - Joan Osborne
Roundy Round - Monty Harper
Heigh-Ho - Los Lobos
Frenzy - Dean Jones
The King Of Calibar - Bill Harley
Sack Lunch - Recess Monkey
Crow - Joe's Backyard Band
Rough and Tumble - The Fuzzy Lemons

Yes, some new songs this week. Watch for more as they show up.

Ben's Playlist - Friday, July 23, 2010

Zoom A Little Zoom - Tom Glazer & Dottie Evans
Shout - Tears For Fears
The Secret Life of Six - They Might Be Giants
Sugarcube - Yo La Tengo
Don't Dream It's Over - Sixpence None the Richer
Happy Place - Milkshake
Li'l Things - Strange Kidz
How Do You Build a Robot? - Recess Monkey
My Name Is Jonas - Weezer
Honest Kid - Princess Katie and Racer Steve

Hmm... a lot of songs by artists who were also featured yesterday.

Either Ben is in a groove or I need to import some new songs.

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, July 22, 2010

Cousin Max Is Prepared to Rock - Spare the Rock
Why Go Up There? - Tom Glazer & Dottie Evans
The Race Is On Again - Yo La Tengo
Rockstar - Charity and the JAMband
We Are Going To Be Friends - The White Stripes
Chicken Noodle Soup - Yosi
Walk Tall - Ziggy Marley
What's On Your Shirt? - The Jimmies
In The Mall - Weezer
Stay-At-Home Dad - Justin Roberts
Tiny Cool - Princess Katie and Racer Steve
Roy G. Biv - They Might Be Giants
The Boogieman - Keith Munslow
More Cowbell - Joanie Leeds & The Nightlights

Sick day set from Ben.

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Smoothie - Kimya Dawson
Ice Is A Solid - Dorothy Collins
Oh My My - Ringo Starr
Everyone Loves to Dance - Aaron Nigel Smith
New Day - Secret Agent 23 Skidoo
The Summer - Yo La Tengo
One Of Us - Joan Osborne
Tarzan's Nuts - Madness
Mr. Tambourine Man - The Hollies
Mmmmm - Crash Test Dummies
What You Thought You Need - Jack Johnson
Funky Monkey - Yosi & the Superdads

Good midweek funky set.

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, July 20, 2010

It Makes You Feel Good - Renee & Jeremy
No Good Reason Party - The Dirty Sock Funtime Band
Spitting Seeds - Under the Tree Music
Trick or Treat - Justin Roberts
Periodically Double Or Triple - Yo La Tengo
I Get Around - Beach Boys
Roam - The B-52s
Tripping Down the Freeway - Weezer
Science Fair - Trout Fishing in America
History Never Repeats - Split Enz
Even Numbers - They Might Be Giants
I Love My Mom - Dennis Caraher

A nice summer set list.

Ben's Playlist - Monday, July 19, 2010

Where Does The Sun Go At Night? - Dorothy Collins
White Light - Wilco
Driver Education - Indigo Girls
Head Over Heals - Tears For Fears
Si Se Puede - Deedle Deedle Dees
I Gotta Feeling - The Black Eyed Peas
Sometimes I'll Be There - Naked Brothers Band
Dinosaur in My Backyard - Hullabaloo
I Go Swimming - Peter Gabriel
Get A Clue - ScribbleMonster
When We Was Fab - George Harrison
Troublemaker - Weezer

After a sleepless night, a long morning set from Ben.

Not-Its Not Coasting on West Coast

Seattle Funsters Challenge Eastern (Kids) Rock Girls

Girl power. No, I'm not reminiscing about the Spice Girls. I'm talking about the modern-day kindie rock battle that's brewing between the East Coast (Audrarox and the Jimmies) and the West Coast (The Not-Its).

With this month's release of their second CD, "Time Out To Rock," the Not-Its make a case for the Northwest. Boasting confident vocals from former indie pop singer Sarah Shannon (from Velocity Girl), the 11 tracks cover child-centric topics such as relocation (Welcome to Our School), fears (Only Kids Can See), and frustration (Accidentally).



The band remains "on message" throughout their power-pop set. Mainly, that kids are people, too. And that even the smallest among us sometimes need help dealing with the simplest of issues. As in "Accidentally," where the protagonist copes with everyday mistakes:

I sat down in a chair next to my friend Claire,
When she jumped in the air.
Something happened accidentally.
She started to cry. When I asked her why, she looked me right in the eye.
It happened accidentally.
She looked down at her shoe, it was covered with glue.
Oh no what did I do?
Could this have happened accidentally?
It's my fault after all.

The Not-Its' goal is to provide young children with their first "real live rock show" experience. We had taken Ben to see Dan Zanes and the Wiggles. I passed on the Doodlebops due to exorbitant ticket prices. When my wife returned home, she was glazed over. "He went nuts," she explained. "There was no real story - it was just a concert and he wouldn't sit down for the entire show!"

We had seen abbreviated sets from Audrarox and the Jimmies at Kindiefest, but Ben's first real "rock" concert may have been the Jimmies at Symphony Space. But the gauntlet has definitely been thrown thousands of miles from West to East. The Not-Its make a strong case for being one of the best family-friendly rock acts on either coast.

If anything, "Time Out To Rock" skews a little young for Ben (now 9). A song like "Green Light, Go!" channels the band Garbage (for kids), but he's past the need for another song about lights changing color. But three- to seven-year-olds will groove on the guitars and drum beats.

From our perspective, though, there can never be enough songs like "Welcome to Our School," about helping a child get comfortable in a new setting. Until last year, this was Ben's situation for three years in a row. He should now be able to take the lead and welcome new children into his school. And there's nothing wrong with a song to reinforce that attitude.

The Jimmies are working on new material. Audrarox just released their second CD (which we haven't heard yet). We're dedicated East Coasters. But the Not-Its rock a siren song that's hard to ignore, all the way from Seattle.

Ben's Playlist - Friday, July 16, 2010

Love My Kitty - The Good Mrs. Padgett
B.A.T.H. - The Not-Its
Tiny Cool - Princess Katie and Racer Steve
Mary, Mary - The Monkees
Mmmmm - Crash Test Dummies
Roam - The B-52s
Dixie Flier - Randy Newman
Dr. Wiggle - Recess Monkey
One Two Three Four - Feist
Just Can't Get Enough - Depeche Mode
Keep Fishin' - Weezer
Kansas City Octopus - Clementown

Ben spans the decades with Friday's playlist.