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.
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.
I vividly recall my last sleepless night. The country had learned – only days earlier – of the devastating results of the Trump administration's efforts to separate immigrant children from their families. ProPublica acquired a tape of children who had been separated from their parents. Crying, screaming, gasping children. And Spanish-speaking border and ICE agents laughing and joking "We have an orchestra here." Villains still, "Just following orders." There was no sleep that night. Just donations, several donations, attempting to right a wrong that will never be completely corrected.
I could get into how there was no backup plan to reunite families, but they had quietly done away with access to the ports for legal sanctuary, ended legal services for children provided by the U.S., and curbed the policy to keep families together on their own recognizance – a policy ended because it wasn't 100% effective... only 99%.
But moving forward, there are still the children. While there are other organizations, the most recognized has become the Refugees and Immigration Center for Education Legal Services (RAICES). And in support of RAICES is the The Hold Tight Shine Bright Project and their charity CD, HOLD TIGHT SHINE BRIGHT.
There are 27 tracks on the CD, most of them unreleased by a host of artists, including Andrew & Polly, Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band, Mista Cookie Jar, the Sugar-Free Allstars, Joanie Leeds, Brady Rymer, the Alphabet Rockers, the Okee Dokee Brothers, Vered, and Frances England. I don't promote stuff in this space, I review stuff. But my opinion is inconsequential to the human rights violations being committed on these children. You can make a difference and reward your own family with original, uplifting music that reminds us all that children are individuals, but they look to adults for love, support, and protection from evil. Help make that possible for the most vulnerable by backing HOLD TIGHT SHINE BRIGHT.
The CD is currently available for pre-order and will be released on August 31. You can hear the first track, "Shine Your Light," here.
I don't remember when my first little brother arrived. I was just under two years old. Same story with the next one. My mother wrote an anecdote in my "baby book" that she passed along a few years ago – After my THIRD baby brother joined the gang, at some point I asked, "When is the next baby coming home?" to which she replied, "That's the last one."
Vered examines the dynamics of family with her new CD, SONGS FOR SISTERS AND BROTHERS. "One Family" delivers the inclusive all-world message, but the other tracks delve into the interpersonal aspects, from excitement upon hearing your family is growing ("You're Gonna Be") to the soulful, bluesy longing for one-on-one contact ("Like It Once Was"). Walter Martin humorously duets on "It'll Be" with insults and wistful enthusiasm, such as "I'll help you blow out all your candles 'cause by then there'll be millions of them" before declaring "It'll be so good to be grown up with you." A kids chorus sings (and whistles) about how everyone's a narcissist sometimes in "Brothers and Sisters."
There's also a view from the parental side. In "Pr Agent," Vered gives a first-person account of succeeding because of – and sometimes despite – her kids. And how those same kids bring moments of pure joy and frustration, just like in every parent-child relationship.
The recent movie "Tully" examines the mental and physical toll of being a full-time, stay-at-home mother. Vered recognizes that after the first child, it's almost impossible to lavish the same amount of attention on all the kids. At which point, it becomes almost astounding when the youngest one suddenly discovers and develops skillsets. As she relates in the song, "Little Bird":
You learn to touch the sky all my yourself When no one's watching It's really something. My little bird, it's like you just need a nest For when you want to rest.
There are a bunch of special participants on SONGS FOR SISTERS AND BROTHERS, and Vered even credits them as the "Dream Team" on the CD inner sleeve. It's an impressive list of vocalists and instrumentalists who collaborated on a smart, friendly collection of tunes. My brothers may be a little too old to appreciate the sentiments, but my younger son isn't. And maybe even his older brother.
SONGS FOR SISTERS AND BROTHERS is available on May 18 from Vered's website (BabyInTune), iTunes, Amazon, and CDBABY.
Suzi Shelton wants to be your mom's cool friend. You know, the one who plans the sleepovers and makes up games and brings her guitar to the cookout so everyone can sing together. On her new CD, HAND IN HAND, Suzi delivers her final thesis and presents the remaining evidence so listeners can agree – all hail cool mom.
In addition to recording and live performances, Suzi maintains a busy interactive schedule with "Sing With Suzi," her YouTube channel (15,000 subscribers). And for an even more personal experience, her website lists "Skype With Suzi," which is a good reason the kids shouldn't have access to credit cards (or your Venmo account).
HAND IN HAND continues the Shelton mix of easy-to-understand lyrics and toe-taping arrangements. It's also the rare exception where there is no direct title track. HAND IN HAND serves more as an overall theme to the nine songs, from "Put Your Hands in the Air" to CD-closer "We Shall Walk," written by her daughter, Emma. Instead of simple parental declarations of adoration, HAND IN HAND urges kids to learn, grow, develop individual personalities, and embrace what makes them truly special. "Can You Feel the Power" is a preteen-Parkland motivational song:
Live your life with passion and fire If you don't feel it now then go get inspired Don't wait and don't hesitate Hate we can devour, that's your superpower
Special guests on HAND IN HAND include Grammy winner Tim Kubart, Vered Ronson (whose own CD is coming next week), and Amelia Robinson (Mil's Trills). But HAND IN HAND is more about kid power than star power. A few of the songs, such as "The Grass Is Always Greener" (Tim's song) skew notably towards toddlers. But current Kids Place Live single "Raindrop" is a definite age-defying earwig. The power of positivity grows in every child and Suzi encourages you to embrace and meet that challenge, hand in hand.
HAND IN HAND is available on May 11 from Suzi's website, Soundcloud, Spotify, Amazon, and iTunes. In the meantime, you can attend the free Facebook Live debut of the CD on Thursday, May 10. Here's the link.
Weird Al Yankovic has decided to eschew the process of waiting 2-3 years to compile enough material for a CD and is releasing digital singles. That blueprint has worked successfully for a number of children's recording artists, including Mista Cookie Jar, LARD Dog, and now Ben Rudnick and Friends. Their new single, "Little Bitty Critter" debuts this week with a video on YouTube. Rudnick promises more new music will follow...later this year!
Vered Benhorin is Kickstarting her upcoming release, SONGS FOR SISTERS AND BROTHERS. The launch was on National Siblings Day, so I missed the date, ironically due to being involved with my family. You can listen to the debut single, "Little Bit Tough" on CDBABY and Soundcloud. It's a bit Joni Mitchell and very amiable, with production by Jon Samson and a host of performers including drummer Marty Bellar.
Red Yarn (Andy Furgeson) returns to mine the sounds of rustic traditional American song with his fifth CD, RED YARN'S OLD BARN, later this month. In the meantime, the fuzzy bearded Portland resident teases its release with the first story video, the title track "Old Barn" (filmed in a REAL old barn):
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."
Whole lotta fun – Nick Cope
Sleepover – Ellen & Mark
Snow Day – Zak Morgan
My Eraser – Bill Harley And Keith Munslow
Birthday – Milkshake
Sunshine – Vered
Too Dirty To Love – Caspar Babypants
Pretend Your Hand's A Puppet – Ratboy Jr.
Want U Back – Cher Lloyd ft. Astro
Participation Trophy – The Not-Its
Born To Rock – David Tobocman
Are You a Mirror (...Or a Window?) – Quiet Company Change of Heart – Steve Weeks Sunshine – Vered Butterfly – The Nields Here Comes Peter Cottontail – The Hipwaders They're Red Hot – Randy Kaplan State Of Grace – Taylor Swift Mammal – They Might Be Giants Pretend Your Hand's A Puppet – Ratboy Jr. Worms – Dog On Fleas
Winter Wonderland – Renee & Jeremy My Old Pajamas – DidiPop Sunshine – Vered count them as they go – Justin Roberts Water – Ozomatli
Anything Could Happen – Ellie Goulding Superman – Glee Mammal – They Might Be Giants Worms – Dog On Fleas Love Song – Sara Bareilles
Sunny Christmas – Renee & Jeremy Immigrant Song – Led Zeppelin Did You Feed My Cow? – Ella Jenkins Ice Cream Soup – Jambo Bag of Dreams – Steven Courtney Up All Night – One Direction Born To Roll – Bruce Robison & Kelly Willis Sunshine – Vered Mammal – They Might Be Giants Worms – Dog On Fleas
Sunshine – Vered Don't Dream It's Over – Glee Crazy crazy dinner lady – Nick Cope Thank You – Dan Zanes & Friends I Like How It Feels – Enrique Iglesias feat. Pitbull Spicy Kid – Lunch Money Born To Rock – David Tobocman Sacagawea – The Deedle Deedle Dees With Linked Arms – Cat Doorman Someone's Gonna Break Your Heart – Fountains Of Wayne
Silent Night – Dan Zanes
I Walk The Line – Chris Isaak Twirl! Twirl! Twirl! – Mr. Leebot
Summer Love – One Direction Sleepover – Ellen & Mark Sunshine – Vered
Butterfly – The Nields Chasing Pavements – Glee Diamonds – Rihanna White And Nerdy – Weird Al Yankovic Wimoweh – Joanie Leeds & The Nightlights
What Katie Did - The Libertines Sunshine - Vered Wimoweh - Joanie Leeds & The Nightlights Turning Tables - Adele Miss Elephant's Gerald - The Pop Ups I Walk The Line - Chris Isaak Zou bisou bisou - Gillian Hills Ayo - Play Date Born To Rock - David Tobocman Worms - Dog On Fleas
When I was a kid, I got turned off when I saw anything that said, "Music for the whole family!" Now I've pulled a 180 as an adult – with an 11-year-old (Ben) and a 22-month-old (Matt), what I need is exactly that… music for the whole family.
Occasionally, there are exceptions. Ben does not mind hearing his younger brother's Sesame Street CDs. In fact, he was more than happy to share the four CDs I made for him many years ago. But there are limits.
Vered's GOOD MORNING MY LOVE falls into that category of "explicitly for the baby" music. Already a 2012 Parents' Choice Gold Award-winning CD, the independent children's musician spent her summer fine-tuning the tracks for an autumn relaunch.
Having not heard the original release does not put me at a disadvantage – it sounds jaunty and whimsical and easy-going, and I'm sure it was slightly "less so" in its earlier incarnation.
Born in Israel, Vered studied clinical psychology and music therapy and became a jazz performer. There's a joke in there somewhere but I need time to figure out the correct wording. The songs on GOOD MORNING MY LOVE are pretty self-explanatory, with titles like "Hands in My Mouth," "Faces," "Bathtime," and "When You Smile:"
When you smile at me you know I feel just like an ice cream cone. And I melt onto my fingers, on my toes, and my elbows. When you look at me with those eyes the color of the evening sky You know I feel just like the moon outside Because I know I'll be with you tonight.
Vered bills GOOD MORNING MY LOVE as "a baby CD for parents who want
to enjoy their babies more." Well, okay, nothing wrong with that. Matt
loves music and would like nothing better than to learn how to control
the stereo system by himself. Having started Mommy Music and Me classes, Matt is stunned when he comes home, starts singing fragments of a lyric, and Ben finishes the thought for him.
GOOD MORNING MY LOVE is a blissful, gentle, and loving way for parents to spend a short block of time with (very) young children. Just have something caffeinated on standby if you play the CD in the late afternoon.
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.
