Anything Can Be A Hat – Ratboy Jr.
Handle With Care – Like Father Like Son
Harmony With You – Jack Forman
I'm an Optimist – Dog On Fleas
Who In The Circus Is Me? – Caspar Babypants
Who, What, When, Where, Why – The Bazillions
You Do You – Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could
Thursday, January 23, 2020
Wednesday, January 22, 2020
Ben's Playlist - Thursday, January 23, 2020
Buenos Dias – The Lucky Band
Doppelganger – Dog On Fleas
Even When.... – Ratboy Jr.
Everything Has A Song – Caspar Babypants
#Goals – Jack Forman
Inkpot – Kepi Ghoulie
Summer's Here – The Bazillions
Doppelganger – Dog On Fleas
Even When.... – Ratboy Jr.
Everything Has A Song – Caspar Babypants
#Goals – Jack Forman
Inkpot – Kepi Ghoulie
Summer's Here – The Bazillions
Quick Hits: New Justin Roberts, Koo Koo Kanga Roo Singles
It looks like the year 2020 will see a bunch of returns and re-inventions, as well as an upswing of singles releases. Secret Agent 23 Skidoo has promised to have monthly EPs (!) coming, for a total of more than 60 tracks by the end of the year. But for now, here are the first two selections.
The answer to the hypothetical question, "Do you need to have children to make extraordinary music for children?" used to be "Justin Roberts." The Chicago-based performer and his band, The Not Ready for Naptime Players, garnered three Grammy nominations during their long-tenured career. Very soon Justin's new CD, WILD LIFE, will arrive, celebrating his marriage and subsequent introduction to parenthood. In the meantime, we have the first single, "Heart Like A Door," and it sounds like fatherhood agrees with him. Take a listen here and you'll agree with me.
Those two fellows from Koo Koo Kanga Roo are at it again. By that, I mean they've released another single from an upcoming release, date to be determined. The song, "My Jam," is gathering airplay at Harlem Globetrotters games, so kids are getting jiggy (and jelly) with it. "We are excited to get to partner with Koo Koo Kanga Roo as we're big fans of the work they do to help kids be active," commented Globetrotters rep Hammer Harrison. "We hope that when kids and families watch the video they are inspired to get up and get moving." You can grab "My Jam" here and watch for the video next week.
Bryan and Neil from Koo Koo Kanga Roo will bring "My Jam" and their other newest songs “Glitter” and “Hot Sauce” to California audiences starting today. As always, they will get fans of all ages up and dancing along at several venues around the Golden State:
The answer to the hypothetical question, "Do you need to have children to make extraordinary music for children?" used to be "Justin Roberts." The Chicago-based performer and his band, The Not Ready for Naptime Players, garnered three Grammy nominations during their long-tenured career. Very soon Justin's new CD, WILD LIFE, will arrive, celebrating his marriage and subsequent introduction to parenthood. In the meantime, we have the first single, "Heart Like A Door," and it sounds like fatherhood agrees with him. Take a listen here and you'll agree with me.Those two fellows from Koo Koo Kanga Roo are at it again. By that, I mean they've released another single from an upcoming release, date to be determined. The song, "My Jam," is gathering airplay at Harlem Globetrotters games, so kids are getting jiggy (and jelly) with it. "We are excited to get to partner with Koo Koo Kanga Roo as we're big fans of the work they do to help kids be active," commented Globetrotters rep Hammer Harrison. "We hope that when kids and families watch the video they are inspired to get up and get moving." You can grab "My Jam" here and watch for the video next week.
Bryan and Neil from Koo Koo Kanga Roo will bring "My Jam" and their other newest songs “Glitter” and “Hot Sauce” to California audiences starting today. As always, they will get fans of all ages up and dancing along at several venues around the Golden State:
- January 23 at 6 pm: Voodoo Room, San Diego, CA
- January 24 at 6 pm: Temblor, Bakersfield, CA
- January 25 at 6 pm: Cornerstone, Berkeley, CA
- January 26 at 6 pm: Holy Diver, Sacramento, CA
- January 29 at 6 pm: Strummer’s, Fresno, CA
- January 30 at 6 pm: Chain Reaction, Anaheim, CA
- January 31 at 6 pm: Rock City Studios, Camarillo, CA
Tuesday, January 21, 2020
Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, January 22, 2020
Bring My Chimpy Home – Caspar Babypants
Cloud Skateboard – Mo Phillips
El Corazon – The Lucky Band
Flexible Brain – Ratboy Jr.
Helicopter Leaves – Ants Ants Ants
Loving & Kind – Aaron Nigel Smith
New Pair Of Shoes – The Bazillions
Cloud Skateboard – Mo Phillips
El Corazon – The Lucky Band
Flexible Brain – Ratboy Jr.
Helicopter Leaves – Ants Ants Ants
Loving & Kind – Aaron Nigel Smith
New Pair Of Shoes – The Bazillions
Monday, January 20, 2020
Mista Cookie Jar Celebrates MLK Day With Kindness
Mista Cookie Jar's new song "Kindness Is the Way" falls somewhere between rap and piano jazz. CJ refers to this style as "soul jambalaya," on a track that symbolically drops on Dr. Martin Luther King Day, as the Senate gears up for a game of political Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots over the Trump presidency.The world can be a cold place but a friendly smile or warm embrace can make all the difference. The Cookie maestro takes his upbeat hip-hop lyrics and delivers them over a tinkling piano and midtempo drumbeat:
For our love love love to elevate,
we gotta do whatever it takes.
To the top top top
you bet we'll escalate
each day, everyday.
You can grab "Kindness Is the Way" from Mista Cookie Jar's BandCamp page as well as his website.
Thursday, January 09, 2020
Ben's Birthday Playlist - Friday, January 10, 2019
Buenos Dias – The Lucky Band
Ducky Is The Name Of My Bike – Caspar Babypants
Fly Like A Bird – Dean Jones
Handle With Care – Like Father Like Son
In My Nintendo – Jack Forman
Lazy Boy – Franz Ferdinand
Ducky Is The Name Of My Bike – Caspar Babypants
Fly Like A Bird – Dean Jones
Handle With Care – Like Father Like Son
In My Nintendo – Jack Forman
Lazy Boy – Franz Ferdinand
Quick Hits: Parker & Alexander Non-Secular Kids Music, Awesome from Jesse Jukebox
Non-secular children's music walks a fine line between entertainment and enlightenment. Every Christmas song ever recorded (with the exception of "Last Christmas") qualifies as non-secular. However kids of all religions happily sing along when December rolls around. If you're in the market for story-oriented modern interpretations of classic religious tales, (Brendan) Parker and (Erick) Alexander have released "All Of Us: Bible Songs for Everyone."
The duo are also responsible for a multitude of amusing non-secular children's CDs recorded as Spaghetti Eddie, over the past several years. "All Of Us" covers creation to the Nativity to the stories of Noah and Jonah (and the whale). They have branded their new project under their own names to disengage from the more generic Spaghetti Eddie brand. The songs are bright and filled with uplifting sentiment, perfect for certain developing religious sensibilities. You can order "All Of Us" from Parker & Alexander's website.
What if Seth Rogen decided to record children's music? I have a feeling it would sound (and look) something like Jesse Jukebox (otherwise known as Jesse Freidberg). A children's music educator and performer, Jesse teaches kids how to play instruments on his website, as well as tells stories, and acts as a font of unassuming entertainment.
Jesse's third CD, AWESOME! drops next week. The title track is now available as a video, featuring sign language from his deaf friend Jaison Anderson. They recount a large number of things that are, well, awesome. Here, watch for yourself:
The duo are also responsible for a multitude of amusing non-secular children's CDs recorded as Spaghetti Eddie, over the past several years. "All Of Us" covers creation to the Nativity to the stories of Noah and Jonah (and the whale). They have branded their new project under their own names to disengage from the more generic Spaghetti Eddie brand. The songs are bright and filled with uplifting sentiment, perfect for certain developing religious sensibilities. You can order "All Of Us" from Parker & Alexander's website.What if Seth Rogen decided to record children's music? I have a feeling it would sound (and look) something like Jesse Jukebox (otherwise known as Jesse Freidberg). A children's music educator and performer, Jesse teaches kids how to play instruments on his website, as well as tells stories, and acts as a font of unassuming entertainment.
Jesse's third CD, AWESOME! drops next week. The title track is now available as a video, featuring sign language from his deaf friend Jaison Anderson. They recount a large number of things that are, well, awesome. Here, watch for yourself:
Wednesday, January 08, 2020
Ben's Playlist - Thursday, January 9, 2020
Clown Shoes – Ratboy Jr.
Garden of Your Mind – Andrew & Polly
New Pair Of Shoes – The Bazillions
One – Aaron Nigel Smith
Shine It Up – Caspar Babypants
Taco Tuesday – The Lucky Band
Word Association – Dog On Fleas
Garden of Your Mind – Andrew & Polly
New Pair Of Shoes – The Bazillions
One – Aaron Nigel Smith
Shine It Up – Caspar Babypants
Taco Tuesday – The Lucky Band
Word Association – Dog On Fleas
Monday, January 06, 2020
Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, January 7, 2020
All Star – Andrew & Polly
Backstroke Raptor – Story Pirates
Inside I Shine – Danny Weinkauf
That's My Style – The Bazillions
Under the Big Umbrella – Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could
Village d'Ãtoile – Dog On Fleas
Who In The Circus Is Me? – Caspar Babypants
Backstroke Raptor – Story Pirates
Inside I Shine – Danny Weinkauf
That's My Style – The Bazillions
Under the Big Umbrella – Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could
Village d'Ãtoile – Dog On Fleas
Who In The Circus Is Me? – Caspar Babypants
Sunday, January 05, 2020
Ben's Playlist - Monday, January 6, 2020
Dozen Good Reasons – Danny Weinkauf
I've Got An Apple Pie In My Bookbag – Lisa Loeb and Kid Pan Alley
In My Nintendo – Jack Forman
It's a Miracle – Dog On Fleas
Noodles And Butter – Caspar Babypants
White Whale – Kepi Ghoulie
With a Little Help From My Friends – Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could
I've Got An Apple Pie In My Bookbag – Lisa Loeb and Kid Pan Alley
In My Nintendo – Jack Forman
It's a Miracle – Dog On Fleas
Noodles And Butter – Caspar Babypants
White Whale – Kepi Ghoulie
With a Little Help From My Friends – Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could