Vivian Fang Liu Belongs With the Kids

Classical trained pianist Vivian Fang Lui emigrated to New York at age 15. After graduating from NYU, she continued her studies but also began performing and teaching. Vivian spent her pandemic year giving Zoom lessons and livestreaming musical experiences with her students but became concerned at the escalating number of anti-Asian hate crimes.

Vivian turned her attention to producing SHAPE OF CROWNS, her first children’s album, focusing on breaking Asian American stereotypes and promoting Asian contributions to science, technology, and the arts. Similar to how kid-hop artists such as SaulPaul and Pierce Freelon espouse that kids should be proud of their Black upbringing, Vivian delivers that message to Asian American children with songs such as "Bruce Lee Doesn't Like Math" and "Belong." 

On "Silence," co-written with Grammy winner Jon Samson, Vivian uses the dichotomy of sheet music, which has its silences, against the tranquility that kids sometimes need to center themselves during tough times. "Belong" features the voices of some of Vivian's students and practically demands that every Asian child stand up and be proud of themselves, pointing out the accomplishments of Asians (a concept akin to Freelon's "Black Women in History"):

Plus, science - some of our inventions are the finest
Eric Yuan created Zoom, kept us connected through the Virus
Patrick Soon Shiung is a transplant surgeon
Who made a drug to help cancer patients through their hurtin'
So every Asian kid just stand up now
Don’t hide who you are, be yourself and be proud

Vivian deftly celebrates her Chinese upbringing on songs like "Happy Birthday Mama," explaining that open expressions of affection are not as commonplace in Asian culture. "Eight Immortals Soaring Over the Sea" is filled with imagery evocative of the anime of such filmmakers as Hayao Miyazaki. Throughout the eight tracks, Vivian delivers euphoric classical piano tracks that give SHAPE OF CROWNS a distinctive feel. Much like Elena Moon Park, Vivian demonstrates that Asian voices are an important portion of the children's music scene. 

You can hear SHAPE OF CROWNS on Soundcloud, Spotify, Amazon, and Apple Music.

Here is the video for Vivian's song, "Belong":

 

Rabner Helps Kids, Families Cope With COVID

Vaccines are on the way! But ramping up to 350 million people (which means more than half a BILLION vaccinations) means there's still a long time until we all celebrate our family reunions. This is especially frustrating since testing was not done on children under age 16. Seizing on the jumbled emotions of these turbulent, virulent times, Erica Rabner is releasing THE COVID ALBUM: SONGS TO HELP KIDS AND FAMILIES COPE.

Erica is acutely aware of the impact of enforced pandemic separation, as her own grandmother passed away last summer. Over the final six months, there was no in-person contact between them, which inspired her to write "Grandma, I Miss Ya," with backing vocals by Grammy winner Jon Samson. The new video for the song (complete with archival footage of Erica and her grandmother) is viewable below this review.

The year 2020 became a traveling adventure for Rabner, who traded her New York City for a car and moved cross-country. Using her background in early children education, she recorded tracks in a closet in Austin, Texas that became THE COVID ALBUM, including "Imagination Station," "Manage Your Feeings," and "Wash Your Hands," which became the source of more than 500 TikTok videos featuring kids and their creative masks.

Many parents have just about given up trying to get their children to understand the importance of wearing masks. After consulting with a pediatrician, Erica crafted the harmonic "Mask On" to remind families that "personal protective equipment" (PPE) directly affects everyone:

Mask on, put your mask on
Cover your nose and mouth
Don't leave your house without your mask on

THE COVID ALBUM shows Erica's affinity with younger audiences (her "day job" is a research analyst for Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood). While everybody is dealing the pandemic fatigue, parents can step aside for a little while and let Erica Rabner fill the emotional, entertainment, and educational void. 

THE COVID ALBUM: SONGS TO HELP KIDS AND FAMILIES COPE is available on February 17 from Erica Rabner's website, Amazon, and iTunes.

Here is the video for "Grandma, I Miss Ya":

Quick Hits: Earth Songs and Juicebox Jukebox For All

Holden Caulfield despised "phonies." The teen hero of "Catcher in the Rye" thought that adults talking down to him, or saying they understood his world than he did, were "phonies." Holden didn't understand that the road to adulthood is filled with good intentions that sometimes seem phony to kids. And that's where I sympathize with Holden, in regard to the upcoming MY EARTH SONGS from Lonnie Park and the Earth Band (a ponderous self-designation if there ever was one). 

A multi-faceted award winning multi-hyphenate, Lonnie Park spearheaded a virtual live UNICEF COVID19 relief concert for kids, featuring Grammy winners from around the country, including Ricky Key, Lucy Kalantari, and Jon Samson. Now the songs are being released digitally, with the proceeds going to UNICEF. Self-explanatory song titles include "Gimme Your CO2," "Born From the Land," and "No Hunger." Listening to MY EARTH SONGS, my impression is that many of the people involved in its creation have no idea there's a burgeoning children's music industry. But gosh darn it, they're doing something important, so they're going to reinvent the wheel with this project. Spoiler alert: They didn't. There's nothing spectacular about MY EARTH SONGS except it's monumental self-importance. 

MY EARTH SONGS is available on August 28 from the group's website and Apple Music.

Here is "My Thinking Cap" from the CD:

Dallas musician Bradley James Skistimas spent 15 years touring and recording under the pseudonym "Five Times August" and has been featured on the FOX Business Channel as an expert "Do-It-Yourself" indie artist. The father of three turned his eye on children's music and started to record songs and upload videos using the concept the Juicebox Jukebox.

Last year, the Juicebox Jukebox launched a live concert series dubbed “The Kindness Tour,” for schools, libraries, and festivals, featuring a blend of live music performance and video production. Bradley's Jukebox YouTube channel has collected more than 300,000 views. Several of the videos were collaborations with Texas Independent School Districts and were filmed inside elementary schools with principal, teacher, parent, and student participation. More were planned this year until the pandemic hit.

Despite the setbacks, the Juicebox Jukebox has compiled NOW HEAR THIS!, a collection of their most popular tunes.  The songs are written with preschoolers to second graders in mind, with "What's Your Favorite Color," "Thankful," and the Redbone-tinged "The Art Supplies" being standouts. NOW HEAR THIS! is polished, professional, and decidedly un-phony. Holden Caulfield would be unimpressed. But what does he know? He's not a first grader.

NOW HEAR THIS! is available from the Juicebox Jukebox's website, Amazon, Spotify, and Apple Music.

Here is the video for the Juicebox Jukebox song, "The ABC's Of You": 

Suzi Shelton Celebrating Motherhood & Responders

In the time of lockdown, you simply can't avoid moms. Whether it's mom on Zoom, or forwarding you funny stories you already saw online, moms rule Days of COVID. Just in time for Mother's Day, Suzi Shelton and Park Slope Parents are gathering a cast of acclaimed family music artists for a "Celebrate Moms" concert to honor not just moms, but all the people who take care of us, including first responders.

The event streams live on Saturday, May 9 from 11 AM to 2 PM ET at Suzi's Facebook page. Admission is free and donations are appreciated. All funds raised will go to the First Responders Children's Foundation, which provides support to first responders and their families who are enduring financial hardship due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The virtual family concert will feature (in order of appearance): Suzi Shelton, Liz Joyce and A Couple of Puppets, Kira Willey, Vered, Katie HaHaHa, Jon Samson, Red Yarn, Mils Trills, Joanie Leeds, Sonia De Los Santos, Brady Rymer, 123 Andrés, Josh Lovelace, Tim Kubart, Randy Kaplan, and Little Miss Ann.

A community of more than 7,000 families in Brooklyn, Park Slope Parents shares advice on everything from choosing childcare to camps, hairdressers to healthcare, and coping with teething, terrible twos, and tweens.

My 2019 Fids and Kamily Awards

The 2019 (and final) Fids and Kamily Awards have been released. I was privileged to be a judge for most of the run. It ends a 13 (or 14) year run for the awards, which were not as prestigious as Parents Choice or other "major" plaudits, but still appreciated by musicians.

To be considered for MY voting, the artist had to either contact and send me the material directly (via CD or digital download) or through a PR person. Interestingly, Josh Lovelace (who came in second) contacted me directly about his first children's music release. For GROWING UP, he went through a PR person (which I'm sure was more expedient for him). Also, my sons each selected three of their favorites on my semi-final list of 20 releases. I did weigh their considerations into my voting.

Here is my top 10 ballot:

1. Growing Up – Josh Lovelace
2. Buenos Diaz – the Lucky Band
3. Building Blocks – Tim Kubart
4. Alegria! – Sonia de los Santos
5. Office Hours – Jack Forman
6. Under the Big Umbrella – Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could
7. Go For the Moon – Andrew and Polly
8. What Do You Wish – Lori Henriques
9. Winterland – Okee Dokee Brothers
10. Ageless – Jon Samson

Bubbling under (in no particular order):

The Love – Alphabet Rockers
Flying High – Caspar Babypants
Backstroke Raptor – Story Pirates
Lucky Foot and Sunny Moon – Ratboy Jr.
Inside I Shine – Danny Weinkauf/Red Pants Band

Quick Hits: Jon Samson Examines Differences, Drowsy Tunes from Monika Ryan

The day is drawing near, when children's music will become a thing of the past. It's mostly falling on the shoulders of my OLDER child who still enjoys the genre. His younger brother is beginning to request pop music more often. But his brother – with his teenage years dwindling – is happiest engaging with musicians, and nobody has been more appreciative than children's performers.

One of the first live musicians we saw was Brookyn's Jon Samson, a music therapist who knows how to connect with special needs kids. His latest collection, AGELESS, addresses the question: “How do we maintain our childlike spirit through the challenges, problems and predicaments we face in the world and within ourselves?”

AGELESS tackles ADD, frustration with everyday life, and how speaking to other people can be overwhelming. "Videogame," featuring youthful guest singers, talks about how life is like a game, with endless levels after levels. "Predicament" shows that it's okay to safely trigger emotions for healing purposes. You may think "Bye, Polar Bear" is about extinction, but it's really about differences between people:

So the penguin in me greets the polar bear in you
As we melt our polarities and make something new

AGELESS focuses on gentle messages for young minds, with "Love Is Not a Race" being at the forefront. It's part of the curriculum for his CoCreative music program. But it's also a lesson where everyone could use a refresher.

AGELESS is available August 30 from Jon Samson's website and Spotify.

Here is the world premiere video for Jon's song, "Predicament":



Think lullaby and you conjure "Twinkle Twinkle" and babies snuggled warmly into their beds. Jazz vocalist Monika Ryan decided to give them a twist – her new LULLABIES collection features vocals and ukulele. It's a stripped-down home studio batch of lovingly crafted sincere sentiments, for children as well as their (non-drowsy) parents.

Not technically a children's CD, Monika definitely sings for them, as on "Life Is A Mess":

Life is a mess, a great big hot mess, a dirty wet mess, if you're doing it right
Life is unkempt untangled and unfurled
Life is unmade unbridled, mixed up, and swirled

Designed as a tonic to reassure, recharge, and replenish, LULLABIES gives Monika a showcase for her lilting vocals, with only occasional strumming on the uke to change the key and move the tunes along. The CD is designed to refuel people burned out at the end of the day, when they are home and surrounded by their loved ones. Music gives us mental nutrients to reactivate and re-engage us with our families. And for everyone, music provides the potential for a good night.

LULLABIES is available from Monika Ryan's website, Amazon, and Apple Music.

Vered Targets Newborns (Never Fear, It's All Good)

I don't want to say that Vered Benhorin has never been on our radar. Her first CD for newborns, GOOD MORNING MY LOVE, happened to reach our ears just after our younger son, Matthew, had "aged out" of her listening audience. Her latest CD, HELLO MY BABY, renews her enthusiasm for engaging the parent/new child connection via music therapy.

As Vered explains, "Research in developmental psychology shows that the first two years of life are critical for a baby’s emotional and social development. How ‘in tune’ we are with our babies can predict the child’s ability to regulate emotions, cope with stressors, and create fulfill."

Reading her Baby In Tune website, followers come off as disciples or converts. Vered has developed a methodology and her CDs allow parents-in-training to bring her program into their homes. The concepts are simple – "Grandparents," "Cooking," and "Peekaboo," just to name a few. The title track is NOT to be confused with the famed Michigan J. Frog number. The title track is "Hello," not the Adele song. And you can even enlist Vered (for a fee) to personalize the song for a specific child.

I don't want to suggest that Vered can be bought, literally. But it's important to buy into the concepts that she's expressing. And she's got a whole lot of top-shelf support staff on her side, led by uber-producer Dean Jones. HELLO MY BABY brings together an Okee-Dokee Brother (Justin Lansing) and a Nightlight (Joanie Leeds). Not to give anyone short shrift, Jon Samson and Rachel Loshak's names also jumped out at me.

Vered knows that parents want. In the closer, she sings "All I want is to sleep seven hours." Hey, my younger son just turned FIVE. That's about how many hours a night that I average with my eyes closed (luckily he chose to nap yesterday, so we all collapsed for a wee bit). Singing along with Vered takes on a larger meaning for some parents – these songs are meant to be sung TO children, to inspire them to song along and to sing back. For music-loving adults, there can be no greater joy than those small moments. On those occasions, a dad really does want to say "Hello my baby, you've arrived."

HELLO MY BABY is available from Vered's website, Amazon, iTunes, and CDBABY.

Here is the video for "Something Other Than a Mother":

Ben's Playlist - Friday, October 17, 2014

I Must Be a Genius – Dog On Fleas
When the World Was New – Dean Jones
Anytime At All – Caspar Babypants
Imaginationology – Jon Samson
Earn It – Hullabaloo
Kids in America – The Muffs
What's That Sound? – Recess Monkey
Brave – Sara Bareilles
Big Green Party Machine – David Heatley

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, September 18, 2014

Till There Was You – Lucky Diaz And The Family Jam Band
Long Gone – Recess Monkey
Imaginationology – Jon Samson
The World Is a Wonderful Place – Nora and One Left
Voodoo Doll – 5 Seconds of Summer
Liza Jane  – Jr. Madness
Tomorrow's People  – Brady Rymer
Otis Dooda Theme – David Heatley
Sittin On A Cloud – The Whirlygigs

Ben's Playlist - Friday, September 5, 2014

Life Is Better With You – Michael Franti & Spearhead
Clean It Up – Jon Samson
Cheese World – The Dirty Sock Funtime Band
NOW That's What I Call Polka! – Weird Al Yankovic
Give Me Back My Hat – Bill Harley And Keith Munslow
Bionic (feat. Shiz & Lady Asha) – Father Goose
Thinking Good Thoughts – Dog On Fleas
Nonsense  – Davy Andrews
Gravy Stain – Mr. Saxophone

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Why I Love The Seasons – Jon Samson
Summer Day – Stacey Peasley
I Am the Wind – Underbirds
Together We Can Fly – Danny Weinkauf
Early Days – Paul McCartney
Everybody Talks – Neon Trees
Mystery – Dean Jones
The Pick Song – Jason Didner And The Jungle Gym Jam
Wander 'Round the World – Key Wilde and Mr. Clarke

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, August 14, 2014

Les Petits Poissons – The Good Ms Padgett
When the World Was New – Dean Jones
Just a Normal Day – Lesley and the Flying Foxes
Alive – Eric Herman AM
The Owie Song – David Tobocman
H-U-L-L-A-B-A-L-O-O – Hullabaloo
Imaginationology – Jon Samson
Monsters – Edukator, Jr.
Unconditionally  – Katy Perry

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Why I Love The Seasons – Jon Samson
In The Group – Tom Chapin
Bigga Bagga – Key Wilde and Mr. Clarke
My Secret Robot – Justin Roberts
No School Today – Danny Weinkauf
Banana Pudding – Sugar Free Allstars
Upside Down – Ratboy Jr.
Backyard – Riff Rockit
Foil – Weird Al Yankovic

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, July 3, 2013

S.S. Brooklyn – Lloyd H. Miller
I Am the Wind – Underbirds
Duck Ellington – Lucky Diaz And The Family Jam Band
Ice Cream Soup  – Jambo
Dance 'Til I Drop – Brady Rymer & The Little Band That Could
Imaginationology – Jon Samson

Ben's Playlist - Friday, June 27, 2014

Sing-A-Long Song – Lloyd H. Miller
Talkin' Bout Love – The Little Rockers Band
International Smile – Katy Perry
Take Back the Night – Justin Timberlake
Bigga Bagga – Key Wilde and Mr. Clarke
Not Too Young for a Song – Randy Kaplan
Robots From The 4th Dimension – The Dirty Sock Funtime Band
Glass Bottom Boat – Jason Didner And The Jungle Gym Jam
Clean It Up – Jon Samson
Let 'em Know – Milkshake

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, June 26, 2014

Don't Believe A Thing I Say – Jack Johnson
Baby, Don't Cry  – The Twigs
Marsupial – Danny Weinkauf
Earn It – Hullabaloo
Don't Fill Up On Chips – Randy Kaplan
Jamaica Ska (feat. Coolie Ranx & Little Goose) – Father Goose
You Are An Astronaut – Human-Tim + Robot-Tim
Throw Me Something Mister – Jazzy Ash
Stay in the Pool  – Jason Didner And The Jungle Gym Jam
Why I Love The Seasons – Jon Samson

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Shine – Elizabeth Mitchell & Dan Zanes
The Best Parts – Eric Herman
Garbage Bugs – The Dirty Sock Funtime Band
Callooh Callay – Pointed Man Band
Like a Bird Must – Hullabaloo
What's My Name? – Rihanna Feat. Drake
The Pick Song – Jason Didner And The Jungle Gym Jam
Show More Love – Jon Samson

Samson Strong, Didner Jams on Pair of New Releases

Every coin has two sides (unless it's made of chocolate but even then it still does). Children's music has always had two sides as well. There's the "music as music" side, which is evident in every single song. But there's also the "message" side. Sometimes it's obvious by the title (i.e., "Fruits or Vegetables") and sometimes it's implied ("My Glasses").

Two recent children's music CDs show that you can mix-and-match both sides of this coin. Jason Didner and the Jungle Gym Jam have released EVERYONE'S INVITED. Jon Samson dropped his latest CD, A NEW KIDS ALBUM.

Background and intentions make up each side of the equation. In Samson's case, he's s board-certified music therapist (and self-proclaimed professional goofball) who uses his music as his mission. In Didner's case, he's been around "adult" music for many years and it was the birth of his daughter that inspired him to enter the kindie scene.

Both take some liberties with classics to get across their points. Samson changes the tempo on "Mockingbird (Something to Say)" and makes it a pure little kids tune. In stark contract, Didner's troop rocks out "Down By the Bay" as if was always a natural jam band number.

But the differences are clear – Samson is using his music to educate, promote positive values, and deliver an inclusive environment for kids on the autistic spectrum. Didner's more general feel-good vibe delivers some more commonplace by-the-numbers lessons.

it also pays to have friends in the industry. Samson's disk is packed with familiar names to the kindie community, from They Might Be Giants' drummer Marty Beller to Lunch Money's Molly Ledford, Joanie Leeds, Vered, and a veritable platoon of kids' chorus members. Didner's emphatically more "DIY" approach is lucky to encompass his family and friends.

Samson's smooth vocals and great production values shine on anthems like "Show More Love," the clear centerpiece of the CD. Of course, it's immediately followed with the similarly soaring "Music Is Like Oxygen," which almost defeats the purpose. But you can't fault a guy who knows the limitations of his audience. As a parent of a spectrum child, I can attest to the benefits of "Silence Is All the Music I Need."

Getting kids to do what they don't normally want to is a big, huge, tremendous theme throughout much of children's music. Reading is a challenge to (mostly) boys and Samson (and guest vocalist Stacie Yeldell) put their two cents in with "Imaginationology":

I'm not trying to sell you stories,
Pretend that I'm not here.
And you can throw them out or keep them
(I sure hope you keep them).
Only if you believe.

A NEW KIDS ALBUM will mellow out a long car ride or provide some food for thought for your youngsters. EVERYONE'S INVITED demands a living room with space to jump up and down while singing along.

Didner honed his kindie credentials playing at New Jersey public libraries, the Turtle Back Zoo (oh I haven't been there in more than 40 years), school functions, and numerous outdoor festivals. He's got a three year old, I've got a three year old. So I know where he's coming from – get those kids involved, get them dancing, get them singing. Show them how to enjoy music and then work in a little education in the process. Like I said, the other side of the coin.

"Jungle Gym Jamming" is a kindie Ramones tune (more understandable lyrics, natch). "Five Sea Lions" is an alternative Jimmy Buffet-esque take on "Five Little Ducks." The band's "The People Exhibit at the Zoo" goes through the looking glass as the animals become people-watchers:

They certainly are a noisy bunch
You can hear them at the snack bar all through lunch
They chatter and chew and crunch at the same time.

Ultimately, Samson and Didner are aiming for similar audiences. They may be on opposite sides of the coin, but it's the same coin. And you can bet dollars to donuts that younger kids (3-7) will be entertained by both disks.

A NEW KIDS ALBUM is available from Jon Samson's website, Bandcamp, and iTunes (soon).

EVERYONE'S INVITED is available from Jason's Jungle Gym Jam website, iTunes, and CDBABY. 

Here's the video from Jungle Gym Jam for "You're A Grand Old Flag":