Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, August 9, 2022

Stars – Ants Ants Ants
Only One for Me – Danny Weinkauf
Relive This Song Again – Greg Lato
Truth (ft. Kelli Welli, Mo Phillips, Saul Paul) – Aaron Nigel Smith & Red Yarn
Superpowers – Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could
When February Comes – Justin Roberts
I'm an Optimist – Dog On Fleas

Ben's Playlist - Monday, June 27, 2022

Winter Bird / When Winter Comes – Paul McCartney
Lullaby for Quinn (Piano Version) – Danny Weinkauf
It Might Be Time – Tame Impala
Buenos Dias – The Lucky Band
Village d'Ãtoile – Dog On Fleas
Lazy Boy – Franz Ferdinand
Never Be Alone (ft. Rissi Palmer) – Aaron Nigel Smith, Red Yarn

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, June 21, 2022

The Kiss Of Venus – Paul McCartney
Jake and Shoogie – Danny Weinkauf
Village d'Ãtoile – Dog On Fleas
Park Song – The Zing Zangs
Mix It Up – Aaron Nigel Smith & Red Yarn
It's A Wonderful Life – Kepi Ghoulie
Lo/Hi – The Black Keys

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, June 14, 2022

Counting Sheep – Danny Weinkauf
Shine A Little Light – The Black Keys
I Spy – Ants Ants Ants
It's a Miracle – Dog On Fleas
Taco Tuesday – The Lucky Band
Who, What, When, Where, Why – The Bazillions
Brothers & Sisters – Aaron Nigel Smith & Red Yarn

Ben's Playlist - Monday, June 13, 2022

Shine On Me – Aaron Nigel Smith & Red Yarn
Stars – Ants Ants Ants
Lost And Loving It – Kepi Ghoulie
Anything Can Be A Hat – Ratboy Jr.
Big Bad Werewolf – Alexei & the Rock O'Clock Band
Doppelganger – Dog On Fleas
Go – The Black Keys

Reggae to Roots From Smith & Yarn

The collaborative nature of children's music was on full display last month at the Grammy Awards, as a multitude of 26 Black performers gathered in the event their project, ALL ONE TRIBE, was nominated for Best Children's Music Recording. Portland-based co-producer Aaron Nigel Smith had discussed working with fellow area artist Andy Furgeson (Red Yarn) for several years, and rode the momentum from ALL ONE TRIBE to fuse his reggae and funk with Andy's Americana country and folk. The resulting new album, SMITH & YARN, radiates with genuine pleasure and impactful messaging.

SMITH & YARN took a pandemic to become a reality. The two performers had popped up on each other's CDs in the past. While sharing a livestream studio, they began writing songs back in 2020 and invited in virtual neighbors (including Father Goose, SaulPaul, Kelli Welli, and Rissi Palmer). The album starts with the danceable acoustic "Brothers and Sisters":

Could you be my brother

On this journey marching side by side

We could help each other

Shoulder the burden

Making progress with every stride

The kinship and good vibes are undeniable on songs like "Swing Your Partner" and "Mix It Up." Young listeners are coaxed to subtly recognize social issues on "Truth," which addresses intentional disinformation and "Make Some Change," a paean to community activism efforts that sprung up around the world after the murder of George Floyd. "Never Be Alone" discusses how the pandemic (not mentioned directly) made people feel disconnected, reminding youthful listeners that there's a world community for all of us.

SMITH & YARN works as a sprightly one-shot. But the CD could also be the blossoming of a progressive partnership. Smith and Furgeson deliver an inspired mix of cultures and styles for diverse audiences that ordinarily wouldn't find common ground, and shows how we're all better when we look past our differences and meet in the middle. 

SMITH & YARN is available from Red Yarn's website, Aaron Nigel Smith's website, Spotify, and Apple Music.

Here is the video for Smith and Yarn's song, "Brothers and Sisters":

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, July 14, 2021

The Moment – Tame Impala
Remind Me Why I Love You Again – Huey Lewis & The News
Floating to Mars – Jack Forman
I Hear America Singing – Red Yarn ft. 123 Andrés
One – Aaron Nigel Smith

New Music from Red Yarn & Friends and Father Goose

Red Yarn (Andy Furgeson) loves to make music with his friends. His compatriots are a pretty integrated bunch of folks and when they get together, it's a joyous sound. Inspired by Inauguration Day poetess Amanda Gorman (as well as Walt Whitman and a host of others), Andy wrote "I Hear America Singing." The song features 123 Andrés on guest vocals, with backing vocals provided by Kymberly Stewart, Little Miss Ann, Aaron Nigel Smith, Dean Jones (who also produced the track), his wife Jessie, and his son's first grade class at the Woodlawn Elementary School. 

Born in Texas but currently based in New York, visual artist Arielle Wilkins of Brothas N Sistas created the artwork for the lyric video (below). Dave Gulick of Ants Ants Ants provided motion graphics and animation. There's a strong message in these lyrics, about reaching across the aisle for common ground:

Today I heard some joyful music

I sure know some folks could use it

To heal the holes in their broken hearts

To be the soundtrack for a fresh start

Andy's got more music coming later this year, and a full CD expected possibly by year's end. All those credits are a mouthful, but the result is the following song about citizenship and community:

The ever-prolific Father Goose has returned with a summer song about friendship and positive emotions. "Spread Love" (instead of coronavirus, perhaps) features singer Danni Ai, a regular on the recent spate of Goose songs. FG spent his pandemic crafting a series of songs with his rotating touring crew, making music that could be viewed remotely, as the "King of the Family House Party" was sidelined from doing live show in performance spaces. "Spread Love" is a slow reggae tune, perfectly in tune with the recent heat wave. You can grab the song on Spotify. You can also view the video for "Spread Love" here:

Something Similar About Rockness Monsters

The last time Michael & the Rockness Monsters put out a CD, they were looking back at a century of music, which was ironically called SEEING LIFE IN 2020. Obviously, Michael Napolitano could not foresee what would actually occur during our pandemic year. But he used his quarantine to livestream a  variety show for children called "House Party," with songs written with contributions from all over the world. Those compositions make up the heart of SIMILARITIES, the new release from the Family Napolitano – Michael, wife Heather, and their daughters, Emilia (13) and Sienna (11).

Not to put too fine a political point on it, but a divisive, dysfunctional administration polarized the country over the past four years. The Rockness program seeks to unify and nurture listeners with positive influences. Hence, the title track on SIMILARITIES focuses on cultural parallels and what brings us together. Although Zoom meetings posed some challenges, engaging with children allowed Heather to perpetuate their Rockness Music education program, a female-owned family business.

Rockness channels a Story Pirates vibe with their comical tune, "This Is Not a Song About Unicorns" Band drummer Edd Duran croons in his native Chilean (Spanish) on the acoustic "Perezoso." Rockness draws material from four generations. The son of a professional drummer, Michael pays tribute to his grandfather on “Italian Farmer.” Similar to last fall's SONGS WITH MY DAUGHTERS from Elliott Park and his three teenagers, Michael sought inspiration from his kids. Sienna co-wrote "The Fox and the Feline" about a pair of unlikely friends. Both girls co-wrote the final two tracks, "Campfire" and "Together," which became a familiar singalong on their YouTube variety shows.

The pandemic brought together many artists to interface on their respective releases. This CD features a cover of Credence Clearwater Revivial's "Down on the Corner" that will get your kids jumping (unless you're driving). Two-time Grammy winner Lucy Kalantari and Americana roots musician Red Yarn provide vocals, with blasts from the band's horn section. Über-producer Dean Jones guides SIMILARITIES with a steady hand, resulting in one of the Rockness Monsters' strongest CDs in their 10 year-plus history.

SIMILARITIES is available on Michael & the Rockness Monsters' website, Rockness Music, Amazon, and Apple Music.

Here is a Rockness Music class about animals and alphabet letters:

Raffi Sings Black Lives Matter; Red Yarn in the Backyard

Whereas many children's recording artists feel political songs are anathema, legendary performer Raffi has taken the opposite position. In the aftermath of the death of George Floyd, Raffi has decided to explore the concept of unwarranted police violence with his new song, "Black Lives Matter To Me." Simply uttering that very phrase will make him unwelcome in certain homes. Raffi has been around long enough (more than 40 years) to have cycled through several generations of audiences. With this song, he seeks to embrace an enlightened class of listeners.

Raffi founded the Child Honouring program many years ago, and diversity is one of the group's key principles. His admiration for Dr. Martin Luther King also played a part in his decision to branch into politically-charged material. Harmonies are provided by Raffi protégé Lindsay Munroe. Raffi is promising even more new music to further promote his views on diversity and inclusion.

The pride of Portland, Red Yarn, has launched “Red Yarn’s Backyard,” a new video series promoting at-home learning and fun. Episodes will post on his YouTube channel every other week, featuring songs, stories, and activity ideas from Red Yarn (Andy Furgeson), Miss Jessie, and the puppet critters from his live show.

Much like Raffi has embraced inclusion as a hot topic for toddlers, “Red Yarn’s Backyard” welcomes audiences to a warm, friendly space where all can sing, dance, and learn together. The first few episodes will touch on cooperation, body autonomy, and the multicultural roots of popular folk songs. 

Red Yarn recently dropped his seventh album, BACKYARD BOP, and has been active in live-streaming performances to engage young fans and build his following on Facebook Live. His mix of authentic early American folk music and puppetry is a combination that gives Red Yarn a unique place in the current field of children's music performers.

Here is a recent episode:

Ben's Playlist - Monday, September 21, 2020

all around town – Red Yarn
Grandmaderation – The Okee Dokee Brothers
pickle holiday – caspar babypants
Boy with a Hole in his Heart – Danny Weinkauf
All Star – Andrew & Polly
Buenos Dias – The Lucky Band
I'm an Optimist – Dog On Fleas

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, September 15, 2020

Helicopter Leaves – Ants Ants Ants 

lazy tonight – Red Yarn 

Wastin' Time – The Okee Dokee Brothers 

You Can Get It If You Really Want – Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could 

Fanga Alafia – Aaron Nigel Smith 

It's A Wonderful Life – Kepi Ghoulie 

Word Association – Dog On Fleas

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, September 1, 2020

All I Have To Do Is Dream – The Everly Brothers
outside my window – Red Yarn
Music Train – The Okee Dokee Brothers
All Star – Andrew & Polly
With a Little Help From My Friends – Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could
Boy with a Hole in his Heart – Danny Weinkauf
fuzzy buzzy buzzing bug – caspar babypants

Ben's Playlist - Friday, August 28, 2020

 outside my window – Red Yarn

The Sun Comes Up Again – Jack Forman

If You Want a Song – The Okee Dokee Brothers

Summer's Here – The Bazillions

Lazy Boy – Franz Ferdinand

Village d'Ãtoile – Dog On Fleas

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, August 18, 2020

 reasons for the seasons – caspar babypants

Sally-O – The Okee Dokee Brothers

Taco Tuesday – The Lucky Band

Flexible Brain – Ratboy Jr.

my own backyard – Red Yarn

Three Little Birds – Aaron Nigel Smith

Backstroke Raptor – Story Pirates

Ben's Playlist - Monday, August 3, 2020

all around town – Red Yarn

Even When....  – Ratboy Jr.

Fanga Alafia – Aaron Nigel Smith

Fly Like A Bird – Dean Jones

Hope Machine – The Okee Dokee Brothers

twist and pout – caspar babypants

You Can Get It If You Really Want – Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could

Red Yarn Debuts A Folkie American Bop

Red Yarn (Andrew Furgeson) finishes his first decade as Red Yarn in style – his wife and singing partner Miss Jessie join their critter pals to celebrate the release of his seventh CD, BACKYARD BOP, with a virtual live-streamed family concert on August 7.

There's a plaintive joy in the songs on BACKYARD BOP as well as the inherent contradiction of wanting to play outside versus the perils of the pandemic restricting children to the very limits of "My Own Backyard." The peppy "Neighborhood Park" seems a relic from another time. You can't help have mixed emotions from a child watching life "Outside My Window" from his room and also as the countryside whizzes by on a family car ride, among the only times some people gather in that particular indoor/outdoor setting:

If you keep your curtains closed
You'll miss that perfect picture show 
There's a big show outside your window
Real people living in sunshine and shadow
Turn off your TV, put down your dumb phone
Enjoy the big show outside your window

Andy started his journey as a simple purveyor of American standard folk tunes, recording lost classics from the great catalog of little-known and forgotten chestnuts of the flatlands. Along the way, he loosened the reins and incorporated original songs into the mix, creating a more well-rounded, contemporary folk experience for his audience. Über-producer Dean Jones began working with Andy nearly one year ago on BACKYARD BOP and their efforts have blossomed into a fully-actualized stage production that alas, coronavirus is depriving children from appreciating in person – including puppet regulars Mama Robin, a revamped Bob Rabbit, Molly Cottontail, and Rocky Raccoon (yes, named after a character from a song by some British boy band in the 1960s, but give Andy a break here). Red Yarn spins some tall tales and (yes) yarns to remind us that the homesteaders who invented this genre of music were the original "shelter at home" people.

Red Yarn will continue hosting weekly concerts on Facebook Live on Mondays and Wednesdays; that's where the August 7 virtual concert will also happen.

BACKYARD BOP is available August 7 from Red Yarn's website, Amazon, and Apple Music.

Here is the video for the song, "Jump For Joy":

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, July 31, 2018

My Barn Door Is Open – Red Yarn
Countin' On Me (Bison vers) – The Okee Dokee Brothers
The Only One – Brady Rymer & The Little Band That Could
Ode To Bed – Mo Phillips
Meadow – Stone Temple Pilots
Sunshine Sunny Sun Sunshine Day – Danny Weinkauf
Watch Petunia Dance – Caspar Babypants

Ben's Playlist - Friday, July 6, 2018

I Feel Better – Caspar Babypants
Lost And Loving It – Kepi Ghoulie
Here For you – Spaghetti Eddie
My Barn Door Is Open – Red Yarn
Fly Like A Bird – Dean Jones
Soar  – Mo Phillips
Finally – Franz Ferdinand

Hot Peas 'N Butter Back to Land With 8th Kids' CD

In the Old West, there were homesteaders – people who staked a claim to previously-uninhabited land to raise their families. In children's music, there are also homesteaders – performers who stake a claim to previously-uninhabited genres for people raising their families.

American roots music holds a fascination for many artists. Alan Lomax turned his passion into an obsession, making many recordings of the folk music of the early 20th century. Seventy years of Lomax tapes were acquired by the Library of Congress to augment their collection. One of the leading children's musicians mining the deep folk vein is Red Yarn (Andy Ferguson), following the example of pioneering Dan Zanes (with last year's LEAD BELLY, BABY!).

Hot Peas 'N Butter (HPNB) are now entering the frayed overalls fray with their eighth CD, BACK TO THE LAND. The title track pretty much delivers the mission statement:

There's so much more we have to grow
Back to the land
'Cause it gives back the love that we sow
Back to the land
And between us
It will flow
Back to the land.

The point is hammered home with guest appearances on "Back to the Land" by Dan Zanes, Peter Yarrow, and Laurie Berkner, who also duets of "Big World Kid," about children being comfortable and at home wherever they live – the city, mountains, or in a small town. And since my family is familiar with Alex and the Kaleidoscope's "I'm So Glad," we already know the song it originally sprang from, "Funga Alafia," here given a sprightly Liberian HPNB spin.

Five albums of roots tunes from Red Yarn have predisposed me to hear "Little Fox" and naturally assume it's a cover song. Nope. It's an original genre number by bandmates Danny Lapidus and Steve Jabas. After dedicating the first half of BACK TO THE LAND to folk music, HPNB get back to their bread and tomato with Caribbean beats and handclaps on "Come To My Kitchen" and "Ven Conmigo Para Esta Tierra." The latter translates to "Come with Me For This Earth," affirming the CD's affinity with affection for the world we live in.

HPNB wrap up their multi-cultural environmental theme with "Somos El Barco," or "We are the boat" that carries civilization, built by many hands and touching many lands. It's a laudable "we are the world" message aimed at children in a post-9/11 and zero tolerance culture. On BACK TO THE LAND, Hot Peas 'N Butter literally go in many directions, from the Old West to South of the border, as well as back to another time when indoor plumbing was a novelty. In trying to connect so many dots, the CD is a bit of a structural mess. But ultimately it's children who will be the arbiters of whether or not BACK TO THE LAND sticks the landing and effectively and mellifluously delivers its verdict.

BACK TO THE LAND is available on July 6 from Hot Peas 'N Butter's website, Spotify, Soundcloud, Amazon, and Apple Music.

Here is the video trailer for the CD: