Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Beach House – The Good Ms Padgett
Slow – Trout Fishing In America
Snaggletooth – Dean Jones
Backyard – Riff Rockit
Word Crimes – Weird Al Yankovic
Life In Color – OneRepublic
Nobody's Business – Rihanna Feat. Chris Brown
Free Ride Everyday  – Lori Henriques

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, March 31, 2015

All the Pretty Horses – Cat Doorman
Tomorrow's People – Brady Rymer & The Little Band That Could
Marsupial – Danny Weinkauf
Toothloser – Gustafer Yellowgold
Don't Touch My Stuff! – Trout Fishing In America
I've Had It Up To Here – Weezer
Shutterbug – Recess Monkey
Hello Goodbye – The Cure Feat. James McCartney
Diamonds – Rihanna

Ben's Playlist - Monday, March 30, 2015

Everything I Didn't Say – 5 Seconds of Summer
My Dad – Joanie Leeds And The Nightlights
Caught in the Screen – Secret Agent 23 Skidoo
Mothership – Mr. Saxophone
Blank Space – Taylor Swift
Best Friend – In The Nick Of Time
I Can Still Say I Love You – Keith Munslow
A World Alone – Lorde

Ben's Playlist - Friday, March 27, 2015

Wild Night – Van Morrison
Kings & Queens – The Hipwaders
If I Could Fly – Riff Rockit
Coming Back For You – Maroon 5
Go Away – Weezer
All About That Bass – Meghan Trainor
Too Much Sugar – Keith Munslow
This Little Light Of Mine – Eric Herman And The Invisible Band

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, March 26, 2015

Stay Up Late – Dean Jones
Like I'm Gonna Lose You – Meghan Trainor Feat. John Legend
My Own Detective – Tom Chapin
Prairie Boy – Mista Cookie Jar & The Chocolate Chips
National Hiccup Day –  The Dirty Sock Funtime Band
New  – Paul McCartney
No School Today – Danny Weinkauf
Dad Is Takin' a Nap – Keith Munslow
No, No, No – The Little Rockers Band

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Domino Town – Dean Jones
In The Group – Tom Chapin
The Ballad of Ben – Danny Weinkauf
Lazy Raisins – Key Wilde and Mr. Clarke
Guitar Pickin' Chicken – Ratboy Jr.
Banana Pudding – Sugar Free Allstars
Here Comes Peter Cottontail – The Hipwaders
Seeing Monkeys – Keith Munslow
Gettin' My Ya Ya's Out – Brady Rymer & The Little Band That Could

Munslow's Monster Toddler, Cookie's Cool Beans

Will parenthood spoil Keith Munslow, or will it just make his children's music more focused? If you answered yes to both, then you are correct. Now the father of a boisterous two-year-old, Keith is releasing TINY DESTROYER, his new collection of tunes.

Keith's live shows are a combination of storytelling, songs, and drawings. His recordings provide a healthy dose of the first two and the tracks on his latest include dealing with groggy parents ("Dad Is Taking a Nap" and "Coffee Breath") and difficult kids (the title track and "Too Much Sugar").

Like his longtime friend and erstwhile occasional collaborator, Keith never met a phrase he didn't like to turn. At first listen, I thought he was singing about an intelligent plan and wondered why he was delving into political and scientific realms. However it's "Intelligent Clam" and the song is about a pet clam and its drive to go to Harvard and become the smartest seawater creature in the deep.

True confession time: We did most of our listening to the CD during the dinner hour, where stories tend to fade into the background during conversation. However "Old Joe's Bones" and "Princess Pepper's Story" held up in separate listenings.

Keith counts Randy Newman and New Orleans jazz among his influences, which is not a bad thing for somebody like me who shivers at world music but wants to expose the kids to a modicum of culture and diversity.  "Get Along Little Kitty" mixes a feline's affection and selfishness. "Seeing Monkeys" is a joyful ode to....food poisoning. Finally, "I Can Still Say I Love You" is a parent's lullaby to their children. And a perfect eye-dampener for any family.

TINY DESTROYER is available April 7 from Keith's website, Amazon, CDBABY, and iTunes.

Mista Cookie Jar is back with his latest song of the month. For March (and the upcoming Easter holiday), it's a quick bitty called "Jelly Beans."

The song jams a rap riff onto a surf beat and some quavering keyboards to talk up a candy lover's delight, complete with a guest vocal from 14-year-old Ava Flava.

You can find the tune here. And remember to brush your teeth after every snack!

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Secret Fox – Gustafer Yellowgold
Bionic (feat. Shiz & Lady Asha) – Father Goose
Bird in an Airplane Suit – Caspar Babypants
Robots From The 4th Dimension – The Dirty Sock Funtime Band
Uh Huh – Dean Jones
Let The Records Play – Pearl Jam
Smile in My Heart – Suzi Shelton
No More Lonely Nights – The Airborne Toxic Event
Back To The Shack  – Weezer

Ben's Playlist - Monday, March 23, 2015

Lucky Penny – The Whirlygigs
Archaeology – Danny Weinkauf
Duck Ellington – Lucky Diaz And The Family Jam Band
Look, Think, Guess, Know – Tom Chapin
Tacky – Weird Al Yankovic
Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran
Do Ya Thang – Rihanna
Counting Stars – OneRepublic

Ben's Playlist - Friday, March 20, 2015

Listen To What The Man Said – Owl City
Brick By Brick – Recess Monkey
Apple Tree – Bari Koral Family Rock Band
Germs – Joanie Leeds And The Nightlights
Foolish Father  – Weezer
Sing  – Ed Sheeran
Crazy Mountain Road – Eric Herman And The Invisible Band
NOW That's What I Call Polka! – Weird Al Yankovic

Ben's Playlist – Thursday, March 19, 2015

Another Good Year – Lori Henriques
Da Vinci – Weezer
Sirens – Pearl Jam
I Got This! – Princess Katie & Racer Steve
Ice Cream Girl  – Brady Rymer & The Little Band That Could
Danceology – The Dirty Sock Funtime Band
Something I Need – OneRepublic
DJ All Day – Secret Agent 23 Skidoo

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Runaway – Ed Sheeran
My Heart Is Open – Maroon 5 Feat. Gwen Stefani
Blink Of An Eye – Frances England
Tomorrow's People – Brady Rymer & The Little Band That Could
The Way We Gets Down – Mista Cookie Jar & the Chocolate Chips
Raised by Trolls – Key Wilde and Mr. Clarke
What's My Name? – Rihanna Feat. Drake

Ben's Playlist – Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Beach House – The Good Ms Padgett
Deep In The Dirt – Caspar Babypants
Roller coaster – Bari Koral Family Rock Band
The Ballad of Ben – Danny Weinkauf
Toothloser – Gustafer Yellowgold
In The Group – Tom Chapin
Fill It Up  – Josh And The Jamtones
Change Your Ticket – One Direction
Bigga Bagga – Key Wilde and Mr. Clarke

Ben's Playlist - Monday, March 16, 2015

Changes – David Bowie
Motorcycle Mom – The Not-Its!
Kings & Queens – The Hipwaders
Trondaxx Berserker – Key Wilde and Mr. Clarke
You Can Do This – Hullabaloo
I Lived – OneRepublic
Coral Reef – The Whizpops!
From Scratch – Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer
H.B.D., Dude!  – Mista Cookie Jar & the Chocolate Chips

Ben's Playlist - Friday, March 13, 2015

If Red Tastes Like Strawberry – The Whirlygigs
Wake Up – The Neville Brothers
Little Things – One Direction
3 Pointed Back – Secret Agent 23 Skidoo
Gratitude  – Mista Cookie Jar & the Chocolate Chips
Jackie Wilson Said (I'm In Heaven When You Smile) – Van Morrison
I'm My Own Grandpa (Featuring Riders in the Sky) – Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer
My Favorite Sneakers – In The Nick Of Time

Dancin' Around the Mountains With Cathy & Marcy

When you think about banjo music, is your first point of reference the movie DELIVERANCE? Or is it Steve Martin? If you think about bluegrass music, do you think about the theme for the Beverly Hillbillies? Or do you draw a blank.

Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer want to change your (and your family's) mind. Their brand of homespun countrified music seems diametrically opposed to the stereotypical perception of the Ozarks and Appalachian regions – theirs is a totally inclusive environment. Now stack that up against the residents of the mountain community from DELIVERANCE.

If bluegrass and banjo music are your thing, Cathy and Marcy are excellent gateways to introduce your kids to the genres. For their latest release, DANCIN' IN THE KITCHEN, Cathy and Marcy tout family as "a feeling of belonging," whether you have two same-sex parents, a transgender relative, or split your time between divorced parents. The symbolism of the kitchen is as a communal space where it's natural for people to communicate through word, music, and movement.

If you would rather concentrate on the musical aspects of the CD, stick to tracks like "From Scratch," a cover tune from Justin Roberts or "I'm My Own Grandpa" featuring the Riders in the Sky. Otherwise, the theme lands with a heavy-handed thump, typified in "Happy Adoption Day" and "Soccer Shoes," which traces the path of said shoes from residence to residence.

The production on DANCIN' IN THE KITCHEN is lean and clean. The guest lineup is packed with names such as the Savoy Family Cajun Band, Cherish the Ladies, the Canote Twins, and Kim & Reggie Harris.

The final song that is sung on the disc, "Everything Possible," harkens back more than 20 years. Originally Cathy and Marcy wanted to record the ode to unconditional parental love but were thwarted in efforts to gather a children's choir. Decades later, the world has changed enough that 35 children were gathered for the recording. That's a good thing and a progressive thing but not necessarily something I need to lecture my kids about. Especially to a four-year-old.

DANCING' IN THE KITCHEN is available from Cathy & Marcy's website, Amazon, and iTunes.

Here is the video for the title track, DANCIN' IN THE KITCHEN.

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, March 12, 2015

Buzzcut Season – Lorde
Road Trip – In The Nick Of Time
Tomorrow's People  – Brady Rymer & The Little Band That Could
Me Time  – Chibi Kodama
H-U-L-L-A-B-A-L-O-O  – Hullabaloo
Don't Touch My Stuff!  – Trout Fishing In America
How Great Can This Day Be  – Lori Henriques
Apple Tree – Bari Koral Family Rock Band
Junior's Farm – Steve Miller

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Early Days – Paul McCartney
Slow – Trout Fishing In America
Brick By Brick – Recess Monkey
Stay in the Pool – Jason Didner And The Jungle Gym Jam
Ain't Got Nobody – Weezer
If I Lose Myself – Alesso Vs. OneRepublic
Jelly Beans! – Mista Cookie Jar & the Chocolate Chips
Clouds – One Direction

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, March 10, 2015

The Tale Of The Sun And The Moon – Eric Herman And The Invisible Band
Together We Can Fly – Danny Weinkauf
National Hiccup Day – The Dirty Sock Funtime Band
If I Could Fly – Riff Rockit
Haircut – The Not-Its!
Upside Down – Ratboy Jr.
Mothership – Mr. Saxophone
Got To Get You Into My Life  – Perry Farrell

Ben's Playlist - Monday, March 9, 2015

Don't –  Sheeran
Farewell –  Rihanna
Raised by Trolls –  Key Wilde and Mr. Clarke
Real Real Gone –  Van Morrison
Banana Pudding –  Sugar Free Allstars
My Sister Kissed Her Boyfriend –  Trout Fishing In America
Word Crimes –  Weird Al Yankovic
DJ All Day –  Secret Agent 23 Skidoo

Eleven Kids Videos, Bazillions of Fun

I could be clever and ask, "How many reasons do I have to recommend the Bazillions?" to lead to the equally obvious answer.

I've come down especially hard on some kid's music acts that slam the gas pedal to push "educational values." But the Bazillions don't skimp on the fun. Yes, their DVD, "The Bazillions' Rockin' Video Collection" offers up such titles as "Preposition" and "Prefix or Suffix." But they also emphasis some fun along the way, with "No Homework" and "Tommy Got in Trouble."

The creation of Minneapolis-based songwriters Adam and Kristin Marshall, the Bazillions had been writing and performing songs for their students at the Kenny School. The kids clamored for a CD, which led to “Rock-n-Roll Recess" and "Heads or Tales."

There's something to be said for well-produced educationally-themed children's music mixed with a little silliness. They Might Be Giants plowed through the genre with great success and left in a dust cloud (soon to return, I hear). Filling that void with clever videos, the Bazillions use superheroes to introduce "Similes and Metaphors" and a bevy of snapshots from an in-store appearance to create "Career Day."

The Marshalls (and their band) tout more than 1.7 million YouTube channel hits for the videos in this collection, compiled as the booming announcer would say, "For the very first time!"

The videos span the duration of the band's existence and hint at more special things to come. There's still time to get in on the ground floor in case the Bazillions decide to grow up. But then at least you'll always have this collection.

THE BAZILLIONS' ROCKIN' VIDEO COLLECTION is available from the band's website and Amazon.

Here is the video for the song, "Career Day":

Ben's Playlist - Friday, March 6, 2015

Be a Little Angel – Mista Cookie Jar & The Chocolate Chips
Beneath The Water – Caspar Babypants
Dancing Bear – Bari Koral Family Rock Band
Marsupial – Danny Weinkauf
Lighter Feathers – Dean Jones
Germs – Joanie Leeds And The Nightlights
Guitar Pickin' Chicken – Ratboy Jr.
Coming Back For You – Maroon 5
I Dreamed I Could Fly – Eric Herman And The Invisible Band

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, March 5, 2015

Paper Moon – Laura Doherty
Danceology – The Dirty Sock Funtime Band
In The Group – Tom Chapin
Stay Up Late – Dean Jones
Great Day – The Not-Its!
Closer To You – Michael Franti & Spearhead
I've Had It Up To Here – Weezer
Big Green Party Machine – David Heatley
Groove – Lori Henriques

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Early Days – Paul McCartney
Boo! – Trout Fishing In America
Bionic (feat. Shiz & Lady Asha) – Father Goose
Trondaxx Berserker – Key Wilde and Mr. Clarke
Right Now – Rihanna Feat. David Guetta
Life In Color – OneRepublic
Time Machine  – Eric Herman
Everything I Didn't Say – 5 Seconds of Summer

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Uh Huh – Dean Jones
Raise Your Hand – The Not-Its!
National Hiccup Day – The Dirty Sock Funtime Band
Mama Don't Allow – In The Nick Of Time
Tacky – Weird Al Yankovic
Brick By Brick – Recess Monkey
Go Away  – Weezer
Kangaroo! – Alex & The Kaleidoscope Band
Unwind – Secret Agent 23 Skidoo

Ben's Playlist - Monday, March 2, 2015

First Day of School  – Ethan Rossiter And The Jamberries
Sirens – Pearl Jam
Me Time – Chibi Kodama
Amnesia – 5 Seconds of Summer
Rest Easy Now – Eric Herman And The Invisible Band
Rock Melon – Gustafer Yellowgold
Now Let's Dance – Elizabeth Mitchell & Dan Zanes
This Island Life (Music)  – Big World Audio Theatre
Here Comes Peter Cottontail – The Hipwaders