Billy, Molly, Dean Branch Out at Symphony Space

"Two Trees, Old Friends" is a song on TREES, the CD from Molly Ledford and Billy Kelly. When they sang it live last Saturday, October 17 at Symphony Space, the audience (well, the adults anyway) listened intently to the lyrics:

Two trees that grew up together 
Two trees that lean on each other like old friends 
Like old friends
Two trees so close they almost look like one
Two trees



As Billy Kelly noted towards the close of the concert, that's the heart of this CD – a concept album about a very specific part of our natural environment, produced by the one and only Dean Jones. The trio are doing a limited tour to support TREES (and in turn, actual trees). Perhaps the only one more excited than my kids about the appearance was Symphony Space's kids program director Darren Critz. He referred to the performers as a "supergroup" and gauged the reactions of the crowd, song by song. Attendance was stunted by the sheer number of children's artists performing around the city and borough on the same day, including the Laurie Berkner Band and an all-day event in Madison Square Park. But those who trekked uptown got a treat, as Molly, Billy, and Dean swapped leads and instruments on virtually every song. "Is this the guitar I play on this one?" Billy asked at one point, momentarily confused by the set order.



My sons were eager to hear individual songs from their respective catalogs, including Molly's material from Lunch Money and Dean's Dog on Fleas tunes. I patiently (and repeatedly) gently indicated how that should be considered a bonus but not to expect it. In fact, they did not stray from TREES and everything was right with the world, at least to my kids.


Symphony Space has a history of booking artists from around the country. Darren stressed that he was initially earnest about geographic parity but said that has become less important for bookings over time. However a resurgence in one area, such as Boston/New England, may result in more than one artist from one locale getting a showcase in any given season. New Orleans-flavored Jazzy Ash is coming up for Halloween, followed by Chicago's Justin Roberts on November 14.

Symphony Space has been a performance haven since 1978. I had seen movies in what is now the Nimoy Theater (which gave me a few unnerving flashbacks by first couple of kid's shows in the room). But to us, it's always been there – first as a venue to take our (then) only son to see Dan Zanes and then as members for multiple shows despite weather or other obstacles. Now it's second nature for the kids to ask at home, "Who's next?" and I know exactly where they mean.


The "Just Kidding Club" is a great value for Upper West Side families (it was more challenging for us, coming from Queens mid-winter). We've seen Billy at the Long Island Children's Museum. In fact, when my older son asked, "Don't you remember me?" Billy replied, "I remember everyone who comes to my shows. You were wearing a red shirt." And my son stoically replied, "It was orange." We've also seen Lunch Money in the Peter Jay Sharp Theater (aka the "main room") and at the lamented Kindiefest. The elusive holdout was Dean – we'd missed his solo and group shows at various venues. Although he did not sing lead on any number, he added solid (production) support and showed why so many musicians have entrusted him with their material.

Darren wrote a recent article about why live performances are important for children. Usually such lists are subject to much eyerolling. But I agreed with his four simple tips. In fact, my kids are the ones who usually push the boundaries, wanting to see more and more things when there is simply not enough time in the weekends. But I continue to make the effort, because as much as they enjoy the shows, I enjoy them as well. And I relax when I see how much they enjoy the music in the moment. As much as they are brothers, they are also two trees and it's a pleasure to see them so entwined by their mutual love of music.... two trees, so close they almost look like one.

The upcoming Just Kidding Club schedule is here.

You can find information about future performances by Billy, Molly, and Dean in support of TREES at their dedicated website.

Download the music from these videos (and the rest of the CD) from Bandcamp.

Billy, Molly, Dean Sing Up Trees

It's only natural to hope that shared interests and relationships bring forth the best from all those involved in a collaborative process. When you're talking about TREES (actual trees and the new children's music CD of the same title), it's literally and figuratively natural.

Produced in part from a grant from the Woodcock Foundation for the Appreciation of the Arts, TREES is the work of three distinctive recording talents – Billy Kelly, Molly Ledford (of Lunch Money fame), and ubiquitous producer Dean Jones. The disc is a paean to a specific aspect of our surrounding universe, namely, the importance of trees. Did you know, for instance, that 24 percent of New York real estate is taken up by trees? There are a total of more than 5.2 million trees in New York City alone. Just extrapolate that number across the entire state, let alone the United States and the world. Indeed, why has nobody else thought to address this shortfall before now?

Billy and Molly alternate lead vocals on TREES, with plenty of opportunities for each of them to put their considerable charms on display. This project bumped back future releases of their own material, however TREES is a delightful, admirable walk of wonder through the woods of imagination. That's an old chestnut, but heck, chestnuts grow on trees. Song topics range from obvious ("Trees") to the scientific ("I, Wood") to go deep inside their premise:

How does the water move
From the roots
To the leaves up in the canopy?
I take it on up through millions of microscopic tubes
In a tissue called ‘xylem’
And you’ll find it in
Every tree from here to Timbuktu
Who ‘s making sure that xylem’s working like it should?
Who could?
I, Wood

The overriding (but never anxious or strident) theme of TREES is preservation. Sadly, this has become timely in an era of drought, climate change, and record forest fires on the West Coast. There's only so much that an individual can accomplish to help any single tree. But voices in joined harmony can achieve mighty things. And TREES aims at low-hanging fruit (it's perfect for young listeners) with 14 tracks addressing "Coniferous Trees," "Meet You By The Roots," and "Two Trees, Old Friends."

What's that sound? Could it be a child falling for the music of TREES in the woods? If nobody is around to hear them listening, then who knows (and don't get me started about bears). TREES delivers for hardcore fans of Billy's snarky lyricism, Molly's sunny optimism, and Dean's instinctive choice of instrumentation (he is credited with more than a dozen on this collection). Your kids may not come away with a new lifestyle choice, but TREES should help them become more aware of the physical world around them.

TREES is available from Billy and Molly's dedicated website, Amazon, CDBABY, Bandcamp, and iTunes.

Here is Billy and Molly's video for "(It's Just a) Dumb Ol' Stick":

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":

Ben's Playlist - Monday, May 12, 2014

Delicious – Orange Sherbert
What Will You Ever See? – Lunch Money
Early Days – Paul McCartney
Electric Lady – Justin Timberlake
Iko Iko (feat. Josh and the Jamtones & Little Goose) – Father Goose
Bigga Bagga – Key Wilde and Mr. Clarke
We Are All One Kind – Jambo
My Own Detective – Tom Chapin
Monsters – Edukator, Jr.
Guitar Pickin' Chicken – Ratboy Jr.

Ben's Playlist - Monday, April 7, 2014

What Will You Ever See? – Lunch Money
a wild one –  Justin Roberts
First Day of School  – Ethan Rossiter And The Jamberries
You Remind Me Of You – Jack Johnson
Big Green Party Machine – David Heatley
New  – Paul McCartney
Speeding Motorcycle – The Pastels
Stop Your Sobbing – Stacey Peasley
Copycat – Bill Harley And Keith Munslow
Working On A Bridge –  Lloyd H. Miller

Ben's Snowed-In Playlist - Friday, February 14, 2014

What Will You Ever See? – Lunch Money
Salivary Gland – Human-Tim + Robot-Tim
This Moment – Katy Perry
Is She a Girl or Is She a Monkey –  Randy Kaplan
Duck Ellington – Lucky Diaz And The Family Jam Band
Face the Bird – Pete Donnelley
Blue Sky Time – Alex & The Kaleidoscope Band
Hundredaires – Dog On Fleas
Better Than Words – One Direction
Beach Ball – Recess Monkey

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, January 16, 2013

Great Big Stars – Elizabeth Mitchell
What Will You Ever See? – Lunch Money
Sandwiches – Davy Andrews
Delicious – Orange Sherbert
Pockets – Lucky Diaz And The Family Jam Band
Let 'em Know – Milkshake
I'm So Glad – Alex & The Kaleidoscope Band
Everybody Out There – Paul McCartney
Take Back the Night – Justin Timberlake
Si Fuese – Mariana Iranzi

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Everlovin' Water – Lori Henriques
What Will You Ever See? – Lunch Money
Tambourine Submarine – Recess Monkey
Rock Melon – Gustafer Yellowgold
National Hiccup Day – The Dirty Sock Funtime Band
Space Kid And Banana – Ratboy Jr.
Ride In My Little Red Wagon  – Willie & The Wheel
Si Fuese – Mariana Iranzi
Playground –  Astrograss
Tell Me A Lie –  One Direction

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, September 25, 2013

What Will You Ever See? – Lunch Money
Thank You and Goodnight – Uncle Rock
This Little Piggy – Elizabeth McQueen
More Than Me – Milkshake
Shake it Out – Florence + The Machine
Freak Out – Astrograss
Yeah! – Cat Doorman
C-C-C-Cold Outside – Trout Fishing In America
Si Fuese – Mariana Iranzi
Thingamajig – Lucky Diaz And The Family Jam Band
My Treasure – Recess Monkey

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Angels We Have Heard On High – Dan Zanes
Gingerbread Man – Lunch Money
I Am the Wind  – Underbirds
Music Makes Me Feel – Astrograss
Flat Stanley – Play Date
Escalator – David Tobocman
Recess – Justin Roberts
No Homework – The Bazillions
Si Fuese – Mariana Iranzi
Mother Nature's Sun – Caspar Babypants
I Got This! – Princess Katie & Racer Steve

Ben's Playlist - Friday, August 16, 2013

What Will You Ever See? – Lunch Money
Family Tree (Featuring Jonatha Brooke) – Joanie Leeds And The Nightlights
Robots On the Dance Floor – Rhymezwell
What's the Big Idea? – ScribbleMonster
Ferris Wheel – Laura Doherty
Come To California  – The Hipwaders
Yeah! – Cat Doorman
Rad – Play Date
Imagine That – Human-Tim + Robot-Tim
All Together Now – Caspar Babypants
Public Skool – The Travoltas

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, August 1, 2013

Little Little Baby – The Harmonica Pocket
Set Fire To The Rain – Adele
Gingerbread Man – Lunch Money
I Wanna Party – Hot Wings
Yes And No – Caspar Babypants
Ride In My Little Red Wagon  – Willie & The Wheel
Bicycle Built For Two – Frances England
Metaphor  – The Alphabeticians
Mothership – Mr. Saxophone

American Kids Music? Must Be Frances England

Children's recording artists oftentimes have a fascinating decision to make.

Make of them are brought into children's music through their own families. Roger Day, for instance, played in local bands but started creating kids songs for his own brood.

The decision comes as their own children grow up – but their audience remains mostly in the same age set. When you're used to recording music for three-year-olds, who then become six-year-olds, then 12-year-olds, do you abandon the demographic that "made" you what you are? Or do you advance with them and, at the same time, cease to be a "children's recording artist"?

I bring up Roger Day who directly told me that he made the decision to move away from "little kid" songs and into the mysterious world of "tween" music. Which meant some rap, more guitars, and harder themes. In the other direction, Laurie Berkner seems content to stay with the younger audiences and more power to her.

Another artist who has gone across that divide, to a lesser degree, is the ethereal Frances England. Her new CD, BLINK OF AN EYE, would appear at first listening, to be on the same level as her previous three releases. But England admits that as her own children have grown up, she heard them playing artists such as Bruno Mars and Taylor Swift. England said that "BLINK OF AN EYE is geared for a slightly older audience...and has a quiet pop sensibility about it that I hope both kids and parents will like."

Dean Jones again dons his producer hat and guest performers include Elizabeth Mitchell ("Look How the Light Dances With Trees"), Caspar Babypants and Morgan Taylor (Gustafer Yellowgold, Underbirds), and Molly Ledford of Lunch Money ("Bicycle Built for Two").

Frances England has always been the "accidental tourist" of childrens music. Her first CD, FASCINATING CREATURES, was recorded as a fundraiser for his son's preschool and became an Internet favorite, catapulting her to kindie fame. BLINK OF AN EYE renews her gentle, lilting sound. While not breaking any new ground, I appreciate another 28-minute increment of England's musicality. The hardest "edge" you're going to get is "Move Like Saturday Night," which has a hint of electric guitar. More often than not, the CD reminds kids that they are special, as in "Day You Were Born."

Speaking of "growing up" concerns, "Bicycle Built For Two" stays true to the child in everyone:

Rolling down the sidewalk into the park
People everywhere, breathing in the fresh air
You remark on how much you can see
Daisies in the grass, Squirrels in the trees
On our bicycle built for two.
I wanna ride on it, I wanna ride with you.

If BLINK OF AN EYE is Frances England growing up, then I'm all for it.

BLINK OF AN EYE is available at Frances England's website, Amazon, CDBABY, and iTunes.

Here is the video for "Tell Me It All," a song from the new CD:

Ben's Playlist - Friday, July 26, 2013

Puzzle Pieces Within – Lunch Money
Millions of Things – Like Totally!
Pleadia – Andy Z
Changes – David Bowie
Pizza pie – Nick Cope
Try it – Milkshake
Show Me  – Bruno Mars
In Tents – Recess Monkey
Potted Plant Guy – David Heatley
Why Is Dad So Mad? – The Board of Education

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, July 25, 2013

Little Things – One Direction
Silent Night – Dan Zanes
Grumpy Boy – Steve Songs
Gingerbread Man – Lunch Money
Just a Normal Day – Lesley and the Flying Foxes
Me and My Brand New Haircut – Billy Kelly and the Blah Blah Blahs
Sunglasses – The Que Pastas
Kiss With A Fist – Florence + The Machine
Face the Bird – Pete Donnelley
Otis Dooda Theme – David Heatley

Ben's Playlist - Friday, July 19, 2013

Gingerbread Man – Lunch Money
Mother Nature's Son – Aaron Nigel Smith
Bike  – Charity And The JAMband
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star – Caspar Babypants
Birthday – Milkshake
State Of Grace – Taylor Swift
Everybody's Going Out To Play – Billy Kelly & The Blah Blah Blahs
My Secret Robot –  Justin Roberts
Human Bean – Dean Jones

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, July 18, 2013

Puzzle Pieces Within – Lunch Money
Snow Day – Zak Morgan
My Eraser – Bill Harley And Keith Munslow
Brilliance  – The Underbirds
Everybody's Got their Underwear On – Billy Kelly and the Blah Blah Blahs
Join a Rock and Roll Band – Dean Jones
Alien Girlfriend – Andy Z
Kangaroo! – Alex & The Kaleidoscope Band
I'll Be An Alien – Justin Roberts
I Found You – Caspar Babypants

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, July 10, 2013

This Little Piggy – Elizabeth McQueen
Gingerbread Man – Lunch Money
When You Wish Upon a Star – Gene Simmons
Don't Play With Your Food – Jambo
Similes And Metaphors – The Bazillions
National Fossil Day  – Jeff Wolin
Bandwagon (Featuring Rachel Loshak, Dean Jones & Justin Lansing) – Joanie Leeds And The Nightlights
The Crocodile (Wouldn't Brush His Teeth) – Boxtop Jenkins
Guitar Pickin' Chicken – Ratboy Jr.
Copycat – Bill Harley And Keith Munslow
Playground – Astrograss

Ben's Playlist - Monday, July 8, 2013

What Will You Ever See? – Lunch Money
What'd I Say – Ray Charles
Kiss You – One Direction
Clap Your Hands – The Time Outs
Dear One  – Jim James
Good Morning Everything – Lesley & the Flying Foxes
Family Tree (Featuring Jonatha Brooke)  – Joanie Leeds And The Nightlights
No, No, No – The Little Rockers Band

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, June 4, 2013

What Will You Ever See? – Lunch Money
Lose My Mind – The Wanted 
Mister E – Zak Morgan
Backyard Camping (W/Dog On Fleas)  – Ratboy Jr.
We Are All One Kind – Jambo 
Talkin' Bout Love – The Little Rockers Band  
A Dog Named Bruce – Ralph's World 
Froggie Went A'Courtin'  – Bossy Frog Band          
Gene the Brave – The Que Pastas      
Make Me – Big Bang Boom