Everyone's in the Band for Chibi Kodama

What if you could take your favorite adult music and distill it for children? That's when John Cullimore decided to do after hearing his kids rock out to Weezer. He liked the band's style, he liked their sound, he just didn't want to be a rip-off. That's when Cullimore decided to incorporate his family (wife Yvonne and kids Aletheia, Aderyn, Chasah, and Story) as a family band and take it from there.

Thus was born Chibi (small) Kodama (magical beings) and their second new children's music CD, WE'RE NOT GOING CRAZY. It's a dozen chunky alt-rock tunes filtered though a child's perspective. You get the positive affirmation message "Who You Are" with sci-fi keyboards and guitar fills. But you also get the comically strident "I'm Always Right," which declares:

They are all wrong and I am always right.
And I merely do not want to have this big of a fight.
I'm leaving this conversation right now.
I don't care when and I don't care how.
You all need to agree with me.

There are bands that sing about children and musicians who sing songs that tell children's stories. As well as children's musicians who are storytellers. Chibi Kodama actively solicits song ideas through their web page to make its music as child-accessible as possible. Cullimore has achieved his goal – Chibi Kodama is potentially the most democratic of all children's music acts. Sometimes a kid just wants to be alone as in the opening track, "In My Room." Other times, they deal with conflicted emotions ("Real Friends Fight" and "Not Always Fine"). In the end, a family comes together even when the adults have real-world responsibilities and things have to be "That Way."

Chibi Kodama is a deceptively simple concept, however I get the idea that Cullimore wants all input, positive and negative. When you always hear what you want, you learn to tune out what the exceptions that you don't want to hear. There's enough originality here to ease his conscience about being a "rip-off." If anything, I would advise that children's music is best in small doses – the tracks on WE'RE NOT GOING CRAZY are regimented at around 3:30-4:30 minutes apiece. My younger son tends to space out at the three minute mark of virtually any song, regardless of artist. And that means the "graveyard of never-again-played CDs" for scores of musical acts I've reviewed over the years. Not every concept requires three verses, a chorus, and a bridge or solo. We get it – now we want to make sure the kids get it as well, which is what everyone wants. I love Weezer too. It would be cool for Chibi Kodama to sit side-by-side on the "recently played" shelf of the CD library.

WE'RE NOT GOING CRAZY is available from Chibi Kodama's website, Bandcamp, Amazon, iTunes, and CDBABY.

Here is the band's new home-animated video for their song, "20 More Dollars":

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, August 20, 2015

Alligator – Paul McCartney
Back To The Shack – Weezer
Duck Ellington – Lucky Diaz And The Family Jam Band
Everything I Didn't Say – 5 Seconds of Summer
Great Big Sky – Mil's Trills
Haircut – The Not-Its!
Hot Air – Recess Monkey
Slow – Trout Fishing In America
Start Of The End – The Dirty Sock Funtime Band

Kindie Quick Hits: Videos from Ratboy Jr., Renee & Friends, and Josh & the Jamtones

Holy smokes! This week's kindie quick hits is comprised of three new videos from such artists as Josh and the Jamtones, Ratboy Jr., and Renee and Friends.

Supporting their new release, ROCKSTEADY, Josh and crew have released their video, featuring guest artist Jesse Wagner from the Aggrolites:


Renee and Friends is Renee Stahl (from Renee and Jeremy fame) plus a number of familiar faces. They are released SIMPATICO on August 28. Here is the pre-released of the first single from the collection, "Gather Round," featuring none other than Lisa Loeb:


Last but certainly not least, are Ratboy Jr. When I reviewed their latest CD, HAMSTER PANTS, I specifically singled out the song "Sponges" for its callback to 1980s vocalist Billy Ocean. And sure enough, here's the video to bring that revelation to the masses:

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, August 19, 2015

The Bullfrog – Red Yarn
Caught in the Screen – Secret Agent 23 Skidoo
Don't Stop – 5 Seconds of Summer
Let's Be Friends – Mil's Trills
Nose In A Book – The Not-Its!
NOW That's What I Call Polka! – Weird Al Yankovic
Right Side of the Bed – Ratboy Jr.
Size Of The Problem – Tom Chapin

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, August 18, 2015

All the Pretty Horses – Cat Doorman
Animal Kingdom – Key Wilde And Mr. Clarke
Animals – Maroon 5
Groove – Lori Henriques
Mama Don't Allow – In The Nick Of Time
Say Hey! – Mil's Trills
Somebody Somewhere – Sunshine Collective
This Little Light Of Mine – Eric Herman And The Invisible Band
Uh Huh – Dean Jones

Ben's Playlist - Monday, August 17, 2015

Crazy Mountain Road – Eric Herman And The Invisible Band
Hamsterdam – Ratboy Jr.
I Can Still Say I Love You – Keith Munslow
Run For The Sunshine – Sunshine Collective
Secret Fox – Gustafer Yellowgold
Word Crimes – Weird Al Yankovic
A World Alone – Lorde

Ben's Playlist - Friday, August 14, 2015

Bionic (feat. Shiz & Lady Asha) – Father Goose
Cheese World – The Dirty Sock Funtime Band
Closer To You – Michael Franti & Spearhead
Half Of Me – Rihanna
I Love the Beach – Keith Munslow
Let The Records Play – Pearl Jam
Sourwood Mountain – Red Yarn
Take Me Away – Sunshine Collective

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, August 13, 2015

DJ All Day – Secret Agent 23 Skidoo
Drive My Car – Caspar Babypants
If I Could Fly – Riff Rockit
Mama – Mista Cookie Jar & The Chocolate Chips
Paper Airplane – Recess Monkey
Sugar – Maroon 5
Up To Something Good – Sunshine Collective

Collective, Mil's Trills Bring the September Sunshine

Sunshine Collective and Mil's Trills are releasing new CDs that hope to resolve the musical conundrum, can children's music be relentlessly upbeat without being redundant? Sunshine Collective delivers a California power-pop message with verve and smiles. Mil's Trills represents the East Coast with a public tip of the hat from first lady Michelle Obama's "Songs for a Healthier America" program.

Stephanie Richards and Brian Arbuckle take their real-life collaboration to the next level with their music. Lightly evangelistic (the couple have released a pair of Christmas singles), Sunshine Collective are emphatic about warmth and togetherness. The new CD, UP TO SOMETHING GOOD, radiates goodness through tracks like "I Love You," "Misplaced Love," and "Love Is the Way." And if you're still feeling down, remember that life is about journeys, as instructed by "The Ride."

Sunshine Collective refuses to label themselves as children's music, insisting that their CDs are for families and listeners of all ages. UP TO SOMETHING GOOD delivers a catchy, punchy, earnest feel-good playlist of tunes. Kids won't feel they're being sung down to and adults shouldn't wonder if Richards and Arbuckle are preaching the wrong message. Sunshine Collective sees nothing wrong with leaving yourself exposed in "The Open" and experiencing what life has to offer. And they're presenting 11 songs on their second CD as evidence of their theory.

UP TO SOMETHING GOOD is available on September 16 on the band's website, iTunes, and CDBABY.

Here is the video for Sunshine Collective's song "Together - Busking in NYC":



Amelia Robinson (Mil of Mil's Trills) is emphatic that childhood is tough. Once in a while, everybody needs somebody to offer some assistance. NOW THAT WE'RE FRIENDS is about as self-explanatory a title as you will ever hear. The CD stresses life lessons and acceptance, although I caution parents that not every child needs to be told they are "Special." Every child is unique, from my experience. "Yay! You Are You!" works a little better for me.

A global traveler, Robinson percolated her voyages and brought them back to New York, where they are regularly distilled as an interactive performance series under the nom de plume Mil's Trills. Kindie auteur Dean Jones finds himself surrounded by a host of talented musicians such as bassist Rob Jost, guitarist Thad DeBrock, and woodwind player Steve Elson.

Mil's positivity paints a broad spectrum of musical genres. The reggae beat of "Everybody's Got a Body" devolves into girl-group harmonies by the end, however the Caribbean influence pervades the entirety of the next track, "Just a Little Bit." And there's a twinge of sadness in "When You're Gone":

We could be holding hands
We could exchange a smile
I just don't understand
Why you can't come back for a while

The underlying message of Mil's CD theme is summarized in the closing anthem, "Be Kind" – the world may be a big place but every life revolves around the constant constellation of your family and friendships. It's a solemn counterpart to the rousing opener, "Say Hey!" And in the end, neither Sunshine Collective nor Mil's Trills are repetitively inspirational. Both CDs seek to instill (not indoctrinate) and engage their audiences with youthful exuberance. And you can never have enough of that rare and exalted commodity.

NOW THAT WE'RE FRIENDS will be available on September 23 from Mil's Trills website, Amazon, CDBABY, Bandcamp, and iTunes.

Here is a video of Mil's Trills live at the BAMkids Film Festival:

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Another Good Year  – Lori Henriques
Future Days – Pearl Jam Lightning
Hello Goodbye – Caspar Babypants
Iko Iko (feat. Josh and the Jamtones & Little Goose) – Father Goose
My Heart Is Open – Maroon 5 Feat. Gwen Stefani
Mystery – Dean Jones
Trondaxx Berserker – Key Wilde and Mr. Clarke
The Way We Gets Down – Mista Cookie Jar & the Chocolate Chips

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Alligator Get-Together – Key Wilde And Mr. Clarke
Extraordinary – Eric Herman And The Invisible Band
Free Ride Everyday  – Lori Henriques
Germs – Joanie Leeds And The Nightlights
My Favorite Sneakers – In The Nick Of Time
Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran
Up In Cat's Room – David Heatley
The Word – Caspar Babypants

Ben's Playlist - Friday, August 7, 2015

Follow The Drinking Gourd – Lloyd H. Miller
Go Jump in the Water – Keith Munslow
I'm Not the Sharpest Tool – Dean Jones
Motorcycle Mom – The Not-Its!
One After 909 – Caspar Babypants
Rest Easy Now – Eric Herman And The Invisible Band
Runaway  – Ed Sheeran
Show Me A Sign – Michael Franti & Spearhead
Yawn – Gustafer Yellowgold

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, August 6, 2015

Animals – Maroon 5
Baldy –  Lloyd H. Miller
Bionic (feat. Shiz & Lady Asha) –  Father Goose
Hey Jude – Caspar Babypants
Mama Don't Allow – In The Nick Of Time
No School Today – Danny Weinkauf
Sawdust And Spangles – Ralph's World

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Calling All the Kids to the Yard – Cat Doorman
Dad Is Takin' a Nap – Keith Munslow
Follow The Leader And Dance – Ralph's World
I Dreamed I Could Fly – Eric Herman And The Invisible Band
Maps – Maroon 5
Monkeyman – Josh And The Jamtones
Road Trip – In The Nick Of Time
Uh Huh – Dean Jones

BeatleMania Redux for Caspar Babypants

Music can change your mood and it can also change your future. Chris Ballew (aka Caspar Babypants) had his world rocked at the age of two by the Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band." More than four decades later, he is returning the favor with his second collection of covers for kids and parents, BEATLES BABY!

Avoiding many overly familiar (and more mature-themed) numbers, Caspar still finds 21 tracks to reinvent and reintroduce. If you're tired of hearing the melancholy of "Hey Jude," try this CD's skiffle version. The timeless psychedelia of "Strawberry Fields Forever" is effervescently amped-up to new speeds. And "Baby You're A Rich Man" gains an '80s new-age feel.

If you don't know Caspar Babypants, the capsule is simple – he's the sideline venture for Ballew, front man for The Presidents of the United States (warning: web site not frequently updated). Ten albums later, Babypants is in regular rotation on SiriusXM's Kids Place Live as well as in homes across the nation and around the world. Producing CDs at a Brian Wilson-esque output level, Ballew took a step back from original compositions in 2013 for BEATLES BABY! A noble venture, the CD was hampered by the (copyright- and legal-rights) quagmire of not being able to produce videos to promote it. Love for the source material won out and inevitably, much like a container of Pringle's potato chips, he could not stay away from a second helping.

Musically, BABY BEATLES! is as satisfying and solid as anything in the Babypants oeuvre. A home studio fanatic, Ballew is ridiculously competent. "With a Little Help From His Friends" is provided by vocalists Rachel Flotard and Jen Wood and spouse Kate Endle, whose cherubic illustrations and cover artwork have helped define the Caspar Babypants persona.

Part of the Babypants recording process is to document the "story behind the music." As such, you never have to wonder "Why did he choose..." any particular song. From the seemingly-obscure "For You Blue" to the omnipresent "The Fool on the Hill," Ballew is refreshingly transparent. When you have an inquisitive four (near five) year-old, this helps answer a lot of "why" questions. Our older son (14) has heard all the Beatles' originals, but not his younger brother. Which negates any comments about altered arrangements – as far as the little guy is concerned, this is it. Never mind the Beatles, these are Babypants songs now. And as far as I'm concerned, that's fine. As long as this music has changed his future as well as his mood.

BABY BEATLES! is available September 18 from Caspar Babypants' website, Amazon, CDBABY, and iTunes.

Here is the video from his last CD, "Up All Night":

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, August 4, 2015

Alligator – Paul McCartney
Gratitude – Mista Cookie Jar & the Chocolate Chips
Grizzly Bear – Red Yarn
Groove – Lori Henriques
I Love U (Jz Remix) – Josh And The Jamtones
No Control – One Direction
Poofy – Ratboy Jr.

Ben's Playlist - Monday, August 3, 2015

Be a Little Angel – Mista Cookie Jar & The Chocolate Chips
Change Your Ticket – One Direction
Everybody Out There – Paul McCartney
Keep The Hate Mail Comin' – Lloyd H. Miller
Raised by Trolls – Key Wilde and Mr. Clarke
Rocksteady – Josh And The Jamtones
Sugar – Maroon 5

Ben's Playlist - Friday, July 31, 2015

Jelly Beans! – Mista Cookie Jar & the Chocolate Chips
Lazy Raisins – Key Wilde and Mr. Clarke
Nose In A Book – The Not-Its!
Race U –  Josh And The Jamtones
Right Side of the Bed – Ratboy Jr.
Thingamajig – Lucky Diaz And The Family Jam Band
Turned Out – Paul McCartney

Jamtones Rocksteady, Ralph Rocks and Reads

You wouldn't think that the kindie genre leaves much room for evolution. After all, the average lifespan of your audience is 2-5 years before they "grow up" into more age-appropriate music or seek out other interests.

Two recent CD releases belie that argument. Josh and the Jamtones' ROCKSTEADY shows that you can serve two masters – the rambunctious tyrants of youth and your own unshakeable rhythmic island desires. Bandleader Josh Shriber and producer/bandmate Pat Hanlin have followed their instincts and taken the band's third family album down south for a Caribbean-flavored party mix.

The band's previous two CDs, JUMP UP! and BEAR HUNT! saw the Jamtones moving in many directions; musical Silly Putty. But ROCKSTEADY shows a maturity and certainty in creativity. Josh and company want to see kids move their "Tailfeather." Even the closing ballad "1 Of a Kind" still whistles with a reggae bop.

Guest artists include Secret Agent 23 Skidoo ("I Heart Your Face") and returning champion Father Goose, on a dubbed-up remix of BEAR HUNT's "I Love U." A highlight is a cover of Toots and the Mayall's "Monkeyman," already a concert staple for the band. If you're a Beach Boys fan (and really why shouldn't you be?), prepare to have your mind blown with the Jamtones' version of "Sloop Jon B." Adding to the chaos are request breaks and drop-ins from WJAM, the group's fictional radio station.

Parental warning: ROCKSTEADY is not bedtime music. Parental alert: ROCKSTEADY will get your kids jumping on the couch. Parental advisory: If it's a family dance party you crave, get ROCKSTEADY and build a freestyle, preschool rave.

ROCKSTEADY is available on August 21 from the Jamtones' website, CDBABY, Amazon, and iTunes.

Here is a video of the band performing "Monkeyman," shot by yours truly, at a 2014 concert at New York's Symphony Space:


Meanwhile somewhere in the Chicago area, Ralph Covert is enjoying his second decade in the kindie biz with a retrospective CD comprised of his favorite songs based on his children's books, RALPH'S WORLD ROCKS AND READS.  A lifelong musician (for kids of all ages), Ralph enjoys a slot in our kids' lifetime Top Ten for many of the tunes included in this collection such as "Surfin' In My Imagination," "Sunny Day, Rainy Day, Anytime Band," (see the 2009 video below from the lamented Kindiefest) and "Happy Lemons," co-written by Ralph's daughter, Fiona.

Looking at the enclosed postcard of content from Ralph is almost humbling. In addition to 11 fun-filled CDs, there are performance DVDs, and books. And the DVD for Time Machine Guitar, Ralph's upcoming children's television venture. At this unique juncture in his life, Ralph finds himself with two older children (daughter Fiona has become a performer in her own right) and a six-year-old, which draws him closer to his source material at a time when many recording artists begin to stray from their core audience. To whit, how do you keep the mojo for the tots when your own brood "grow up" into more age-appropriate music or seek out other interests.

ROCKS AND READS demonstrates how Ralph bridged that divide…repurposing his material in a new medium (books). You get 17 tracks (three previously unreleased) as well as the story "Do the Math," featuring Tony Triangle and the Polygon Band, illustrated by Rita Roquite. It's educational, it's musical, it's amusing (the new girl is Poly Hedron, which will go over the heads of the intended audience).

It's always fascinating to watch musicians expand their repertoire. At the same time, it's frustrating when you're not prepared for them to leave you behind – as adults, we looked forward to the next Ralph's World CD and the next local concert appearance. ROCKS AND READS show how Ralph has matured and comfortably straddles different forms of children's entertainment. It's something for Josh and the Jamtones and other artists to emulate. And it's definitely something to hear and read with your kids.

RALPH'S WORLD ROCKS AND READS! is available from Ralph's website, Amazon, and iTunes.

Here is the video for "Sunny Day, Rainy Day, Anytime Band" from Kindiefest 2009. Hey, more than 1,300 viewers can't be wrong!

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, July 30, 2015

Best Friends Forever – Hullabaloo
Coming Back For You – Maroon 5
Crazy Mountain Road – Eric Herman And The Invisible Band
Free Ride Everyday  – Lori Henriques
Stay in the Pool – Jason Didner And The Jungle Gym Jam
Trondaxx Berserker – Key Wilde and Mr. Clarke
The Way We Gets Down – Mista Cookie Jar & the Chocolate Chips

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Da Vinci – Weezer
Everything I Didn't Say – 5 Seconds of Summer
Kings & Queens – The Hipwaders
Manatee – The Whizpops!
My Own Detective – Tom Chapin
The Tale Of The Sun And The Moon – Eric Herman And The Invisible Band
Trapped In The Attic – Lloyd H. Miller

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Alligator Get-Together – Key Wilde And Mr. Clarke
Baldy – Lloyd H. Miller
Closer To You – Michael Franti & Spearhead
Haircut – The Not-Its!
Mayim – Joanie Leeds & The Nightlights
New  – Paul McCartney
Sponges –  Ratboy Jr.

Ben's Playlist - Monday, July 27, 2015

Clouds – One Direction
Duck Ellington – Lucky Diaz And The Family Jam Band
Guitar Pickin' Chicken – Ratboy Jr.
Hold On to Your Dreams – Mista Cookie Jar & the Chocolate Chips
I Can Still Say I Love You – Keith Munslow
Pendulum – Pearl Jam
Pj Party – Joanie Leeds & The Nightlights

Ben's Playlist - Friday, July 24, 2015

Alligator – Paul McCartney
Flannel Jammies – The Not-Its!
Follow The Drinking Gourd – Lloyd H. Miller
Ground Food – Ratboy Jr.
Mi Chamocha (Wade In The Water) – Joanie Leeds & The Nightlights
Show Me A Sign – Michael Franti & Spearhead
Wander 'Round the World – Key Wilde and Mr. Clarke

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, July 23, 2015

Ahava – Joanie Leeds & The Nightlights
Firefly – Jazzy Ash
I'm Not the Sharpest Tool – Dean Jones
Mama Don't Allow – In The Nick Of Time
Runaway  – Ed Sheeran
This Little Light Of Mine – Eric Herman And The Invisible Band
Together We Can Fly – Danny Weinkauf

Leeds Goes Meshugana, Cookie Jar Walks Sunshine, Potty Time for Pop-Ups

The effervescent Joanie Leeds has birthed another CD for kids (her seventh). That's good news for those of us who continue to mine her previous albums (as my son does). For an added bonus, if you happen to be a "member of the tribe," Hebraically-speaking, MESHUGANA will be right down your synagogue's center aisle.

In the past, Joanie has recorded music for PJ Library, which disseminates paperbacks and CDs to Jewish children, at no cost to families. One track herein, "PJ Party," even pays tribute to the service. Her new CD features 13 tracks sprinkled with a conservative dose of terminology (a translation guide is provided, as well as a list of which songs correspond to which holiday – and when those holidays happen to fall this year).

Joanie and her band, the Nightlights (Thomas Eaton, Scott Stein, Jeff Malinowski, and drummer/husband/co-producer Dan Barman) have been playing the kindie circuit for close to a decade. A healthy portion of those appearances have been at summer camps, Jewish tot shabbats, nursery schools, and High Holy Days programs.  They are releasing MESHUGANA just in time for the palindrome Hebrew year 5775.

The CD starts with the title track, an homage to "crazy" how family life can become. No matter what, you still have "Ahava," your family, friends, and their love. A Beatles tribute "Hello Goodbye Shalom" continues the theme of home and health. The holiday portion of the album begins with the farfisa-infused "Sukkah Shakin'." A dreidel-gaming good time is promised in "Spinning." And birthday of trees is celebrated in "Tu Tu Tu B'shevat. Joanie and the Nightlights get bluesy with "Mi Chamocha (Wade in the Water)," a blending of the traditional Passover story with a gospel tune.

I'm aware of the double standard inherent in too enthusiastically promoting liturgical music. In the past, I've shied away from endorsing children's music that emphasizes a religious message in an over the top fashion. There is a clear line of differentiation between entertainment and prostelytizing. Joanie has no hesitation...this is a CD for true believers and she's happy to share the positive values of a virtuous Jewish upbringing. And there's no creepy "don't be afraid of the light" message, that I recall hearing on a past spiritual kid's CD.

Joanie is into the music for the kids. MESHUGANA is music for Jewish children of all persuasions and to help persuade Jewish kids to get more excited and take pride in their culture, language, and of course, their music. There are people who are born to perform and there are people who can't stop performing, except for short breaks to introduce a new generation. Joanie is taking a sabbatical to give birth to her first child, but promises to get back on the road in time to promote MESHUGANA.

MESHUGANA is available on September 4, but you can pre-order from Amazon. The CD will also be available through Joanie's website, CDBABY, and iTunes.

While you're waiting for Joanie (and while she's waiting to deliver an even bigger summer offering), why not drop by Zooglobble and sample the July song of the month from Mista Cookie Jar. "Sunshine Family" delivers a blast of good-time reggae with guest artist Aaron Nigel Smith. The one-world chorus dictates:

Sunshine family!
Every single one is a part of we.
Together we can help the world to see
That we should be living in harmony.

You can grab the MP3 directly from Bandcamp as well. Open your mind, be one, and be well as the hot, hazy days of summer drift on.

While we're opening our minds, something that everyone goes through is being celebrated in the latest video episode from The Pop-Ups. In an effort to make potty training fun, the Brooklyn duo demonstrate a talking toilet. Yes, potty humor. It's "Make a Puppet" time.

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Dad Is Takin' a Nap – Keith Munslow
Grizzly Bear – Red Yarn
Ice Skates – Jazzy Ash
Let The Records Play – Pearl Jam
Look, Think, Guess, Know – Tom Chapin
Poofy – Ratboy Jr.
Raise Your Hand – The Not-Its!

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, July 21, 2015

All Around the Kitchen – Andy Z
All the Pretty Horses – Cat Doorman
Heebie Jeebies  – Jazzy Ash
Odd Socks – Dean Jones
The Start of Things – Alison Faith Levy
Sunshine Family (feat. Aaron Nigel Smith) – Mista Cookie Jar & the Chocolate Chips
Yawn – Gustafer Yellowgold
You Can Do This – Hullabaloo

Ben's Playlist - Monday, July 20, 2015

Buddy – Jazzy Ash
Crazy Mountain Road – Eric Herman And The Invisible Band
Deep In The Dirt – Caspar Babypants
Domino Town  – Dean Jones
Don't Fence Me In – Andy Z
Half Of M – Rihanna
Sittin On A Cloud – The Whirlygigs

Kindie Quick Hits: Peanuts for Tykes, Bazillions for Q and U

The early development years are very important, duh. We prided ourselves on selecting only the finest children's music to play for our progeny. Of course, that was the intention...until they began to crave repetitive plays of Sesame Street CDs, the Wiggles, and any assortment of other performers they heard through osmosis or the outside pernicious influence of relatives, playmates, and kindie-related social media.

It's eye-opening to watch a child cultivate their own musical tastes. I reviewed Miss Nina a few years ago and put her CD in a pile with other kid's discs. Our (then) two-year-old could not operate the CD player and was intrigued by the puppets on the cover. My wife then reported he was requesting it every day. Yes, every day. If only she had been doing appearances in Queens, he would have been in for a shock one morning.

I have a feeling he would have had similar feelings for Michal "Peanut" Karmi's second CD, CUDDLEBUG PARADE, a ukelele-charged burst of caffeinated energy. With her earnest, not cloying sincerity, Peanut delivers easily (and organically sustainable) messages on "How Are You Feeling," "Six Little Pickles," and "Chew and Swallow," the last sung in English, Spanish, and Hebrew.

Then again, there's something to be said when that early development period begins to wane, and your child's tastes become a little more sophisticated. In that way, I don't envy Peanut and her never-ending quest to renew her audiences and stay relevant. It's a noble pursuit and anyone down there in the trenches deserves support and encouragement.

CUDDLEBUG PARADE is available through Peanut's website, Amazon, CDBABY, iTunes, and Bandcamp.

Speaking of older kids' tastes, the Bazillions have released a video from their brand, spanking new CD, ON THE BRIGHT SIDE. It's an old-fashioned, singalong educational song in the style of "Schoolhouse Rock." Give it a try, it's "Q and U":

Ben's Playlist - Friday, July 17, 2015

Brick By Brick – Recess Monkey
How Great Can This Day Be – Lori Henriques
I Love the Beach – Keith Munslow
That's Just Us (Playing Rock-n-Roll) – Hullabaloo
Together We Can Fly – Danny Weinkauf
Uh Huh – Dean Jones
Word Crimes – Weird Al Yankovic

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, July 16, 2015

DJ All Day – Secret Agent 23 Skidoo
Everything I Didn't Say – 5 Seconds of Summer
Great Day – The Not-Its!
Lazy Raisins – Key Wilde and Mr. Clarke
Rainbow Tunnel – Alison Faith Levy
Right Side of the Bed – Ratboy Jr.
Stay Up Late – Dean Jones
A Who? (feat. Joanie Leeds) – Father Goose

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Animal Kingdom – Key Wilde And Mr. Clarke
Back To The Shack – Weezer
Fill It Up – Josh And The Jamtones
I'm Not the Sharpest Tool – Dean Jones
Ice Cream Man – Suzi Shelton
Look, Think, Guess, Know – Tom Chapin
Rest Easy Now – Eric Herman And The Invisible Band
Tacky – Weird Al Yankovic

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Groove – Lori Henriques
Hamsterdam – Ratboy Jr.
I've Had It Up To Here – Weezer
Loving Cup – Cat Doorman
NOW That's What I Call Polka! – Weird Al Yankovic
Show Me A Sign – Michael Franti & Spearhead
Voodoo Doll – 5 Seconds of Summer

Ben's Playlist - Monday, July 13, 2015

Earn It – Hullabaloo
I Lived – OneRepublic
Jamaica Ska (feat. Coolie Ranx & Little Goose) – Father Goose
Lightning Bolt  – Pearl Jam
My Favorite Sneakers – In The Nick Of Time
National Hiccup Day – The Dirty Sock Funtime Band
Sons and Daughters  – The Bazillions

Jazzy Ash Makes a Happy Return to New Orleans

Where were you when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans 10 years ago? For me, it's bittersweet – a family vacation to Sesame Place with our (then) four-year-old son. On a selfish personal level, that was the vacation where gas prices went up 40 cents overnight and another 75 cents by the next morning. We sat in an air conditioned hotel dining area watching peoples' homes being swept away by torrential weather.

The country rallied around New Orleans. The phrase "We are New Orleans," appropriated by later devastations, was heard. And the music – marginalized by many as quaint and archaic – received a reprise, as people learned of the plight of aging area musicians. Ten years later, we are still reminded of what happened in the Big Easy. Even Dave Grohl and the Foo Fighters paid homage to the city in an episode of his documentary series, Sonic Highways.

We've played cajun, funk, and homespun music for the kid(s) going way back to Putumayo Kids' New Orleans Playground. But compilations don't compare to an individual artist or group sharing their passion. Ashli Christoval's mom grew up in New Orleans and her father hailed from Trinidad. That's one recipe for jambalaya on the boombox and sure enough, "Jazzy Ash" grew to embrace many musical cultures. Her third recording for children, BON VOYAGE, promotes her dedication to New Orleans, its traditions, and sounds. Assisted by her group, the Leaping Lizards, Ash peppers the CD with inspired novelties such as Louis Armstrong's "Heebie Jeebies" and "Hide and Seek," which brings listeners back to the 1940s in its chorus of "Never gonna find me!"

At heart, BON VOYAGE lives down on the bayou. The album follows the daily routines of New Orleans kids, including many things Ash herself enjoyed as a child while vacationing during the summers with her aunts and grandparents. "Leap Frog," "Tandem Bike," and "Buddy" celebrate the simple pleasures of childhood, with warm vocals and a jazz band that keeps your toes tapping and your head bobbing.

Grammy award-winner Jennifer Gasoi drops by to harmonize sweetly on "Ice Skates" and mirthmaker Chris "Boom" Wiser from the Sugar-Free All-Stars turns back the clock to Duke Ellington era Big Bands with "Tandem Bike." While that song nearly concludes with a crash, BON VOYAGE soars with optimism for sunny days in New Orleans in the future, for kids of all ages.

VON VOYAGE is available July 28 from Jazzy Ash's website, Amazon, CDBABY, and iTunes.

Here is the vintage-themed video for "Heebie Jeebies":

Ben's Playlist - Friday, July 10, 2015

Alligator Get-Together – Key Wilde And Mr. Clarke
Duck Ellington – Lucky Diaz And The Family Jam Band
Favorite Book  – The Bazillions
Gettin' My Ya Ya's Out – Brady Rymer & The Little Band That Could
It Suits You – Gustafer Yellowgold
Marsupial – Danny Weinkauf
No Control – One Direction
The Tale Of The Sun And The Moon – Eric Herman And The Invisible Band

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, July 9, 2015

Bad Haircut – The Bazillions
Caught in the Screen – Secret Agent 23 Skidoo
Keep The Hate Mail Comin' – Lloyd H. Miller
Nobody's Business – Rihanna Feat. Chris Brown
Nose In A Book – The Not-Its!
Sponges – Ratboy Jr.
This Little Light Of Mine – Eric Herman And The Invisible Band

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Backyard – Riff Rockit
I Can Still Say I Love You – Keith Munslow
Like I'm Gonna Lose You – Meghan Trainor Feat. John Legend
My Teacher's An Alien – The Bazillions
Secret Fox – Gustafer Yellowgold
Something I Need – OneRepublic
Space Kid And Banana – Ratboy Jr.

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Dad Is Takin' a Nap – Keith Munslow
Germs – Joanie Leeds And The Nightlights
I Dreamed I Could Fly – Eric Herman And The Invisible Band
Mama Don't Allow – In The Nick Of Time
Robots From The 4th Dimension – The Dirty Sock Funtime Band
Super Hero Rock Band – The Bazillions
Toothloser – Gustafer Yellowgold

Learning to Love the Bazillions, Harmonica Pocket's New Video

An unexpected turn of phrase. An amusing second meaning. A lesson learned through song. If you guessed, "What are three things the Bazillions do on their new CD?" you are correct. ON THE BRIGHT SIDE gathers 12 tunes for elementary-age children and spins out literacy ("Favorite Book"), science ("Water Cycle"), and grammar ("Use a Contraction").

Five years ago, founding Bazillions Adam and Kristin Marshall (elementary school teachers) thought it would be "fun" to record a children's record. Performances, merchandise, and videos were not even a thought. Two-million-plus YouTube views, one DVD collection, shirts, and two prior CDs later, the group has lodged itself firmly into the middle school firmament of Minneapolis and the surrounding region.

First and foremost to any children's music that's going to succeed in my house are the hooks. My kids have tuned out CDs that I looked forward to hearing myself. Conversely, I won't name a number of artists they keep in rotation despite my protestations. I knew the Bazillions were a keeper when Matt (4 1/2) started to sing along during the first listening of "Q and U":

They've quickly become quite unique.
And their quirkiness adds to their mystique.
They're frequently at the aquarium
because they're quite a big fan
of Aquaman, yeah!
Hey there's Q and his best friend, U. Wherever Q goes, U goes too.

Now ask me in two or three years if Matt retains this ditty's lesson or even realizes that it contained one. In the meantime, I'll take it over another refrain of "Hot Potato." No offense, Wiggles – he'll see you in September.

The Bazillions credit a laundry list of musical influences, with nary a world music reference among the latest batch. ON THE BRIGHT SIDE harkens back to the Kinks on "My Teacher's an Alien" and you can't fault them for cribbing Beatles-esque harmonies on "Use a Contraction."  If you've been longing for Fountains of Wayne to emerge from their latest hibernation and don't mind a literal sixth-grade feel, here's your fix.

There's an institutional prerogative to foist early learning on children of all ages. Kindergarten begat pre-K. Pre-K begat Mommy and Me classes. Pre-natal education is now a growth industry. But the sweet spot is still there on a park lawn, plopped down on a stained blanket. Or sitting in a school auditorium not knowing what to expect from the act in an enforced musical assembly.  Or driving into the city for some classical thing called "Tubby the Tuba." The Marshalls (and bandmates Mike Senkovich, Matt Maccoli, and Joe Letness) reject that institutional prerogative while embracing it at the same time. We'll teach your children well, the Bazillions insist, but we'll also teach them good.

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE is available July 17 from the Bazillions' website, Amazon, CDBABY, and iTunes.

Here is a live performance of the Bazillions performing "Career Day":


Speaking of videos, here's a new one from Harmonica Pocket for their song, "Are You A Monster, Too"?

Ben's Playlist - Monday, July 6, 2015

Closer To You – Michael Franti & Spearhead
Everybody Out There – Paul McCartney
If I Could Fly – Riff Rockit
Mooshpie – The Whirlygigs
Motorcycle Mom – The Not-Its!
My Own Detective – Tom Chapin
Thingamajig – Lucky Diaz And The Family Jam Band

Ben's Playlist - Friday, July 3, 2015

Best Friend – In The Nick Of Time
Calling All the Kids to the Yard – Cat Doorman
Cheese World – The Dirty Sock Funtime Band
Flannel Jammies – The Not-Its!
I've Got Friends In New Jersey – Rocknoceros
Rest Easy Now – Eric Herman And The Invisible Band
Snaggletooth – Dean Jones
Voodoo Doll – 5 Seconds of Summer

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, July 2, 2015

Baldy – Lloyd H. Miller
The Ballad of Ben – Danny Weinkauf
Best Friends Forever – Hullabaloo
The Bullfrog – Red Yarn
Crazy Mountain Road – Eric Herman And The Invisible Band
I'm Not the Sharpest Tool – Dean Jones
Thinking Good Thoughts – Dog On Fleas
Yawn – Gustafer Yellowgold

Rocknoceros Starts a 50-State Kid Trek

Mom, apple pie, and children's music. The foundation that our country was built on.

For their 10th anniversary as a band, Rocknoceros returns to those traditional values with their fifth CD, PLYMOUTH ROCKERS. But wait – it gets better. The 15 tracks are state-themed. That's right, this is the first of an ambitious reclamation project to sonically boost kindie spirits across these great United States of ours. You start with "Would You Like to Visit Kansas" and traverse through "Louisiana" (not the Randy Newman version), "Minnesota," and wind up in "South Dakota."

Along their trip, Rocknoceros return to Irving Berlin for a streamlined, Virginian take on "God Bless America." It's a clear reminder of where their interest lie, in keeping parents invested in listening as well. The trio (Coach Cotton, Williebob, and Boogie Woogie Bernie) are more about authenticity than history (sorry about that, Lloyd Miller).

School is done, that was fun, and I made some friends.
But where I live, there's other kids, let's start again.
Saturday, it's time to play and they've closed the street.
Teams are formed, and they ain't warmin' up to me.
But hey I learned from the best (I've got friends in New Jersey)
References by request (I've got friends in New Jersey)
I'm right here, why second guess  (I've got friends in New Jersey)
Don't be shy, stop and say hi.

State songs is not exactly a new concept. In fact, They Might Be Giants' John Linnell called his lone solo CD STATE SONGS. But Rocknoceros commands attention for a commitment to their music (more than 2,000 shows over the past 10 years), their verve maintaining regional flair (a lilting "Aloha," for example), and what appears to be a "throw-a-dart-in-the-map" selection process. "Squeakers" is about Wisconsin. Now what's that all about? Wait – Rocknoceros has a self-explanatory song for you. "Tennessee" is practically a history lesson while "Colorado Rockies" lets the boys indulge in some reggae.

Had I learned more from music in my youth, perhaps I'd sound as happy as Rocknoceros. These PLYMOUTH ROCKERS are loading up their tour bus for songs and shows to share their lyrics and music from sea to shining sea.

PLYMOUTH ROCKERS is available on July 4 (appropriately) from Rocknoceros' website, Amazon, CDBABY, and iTunes.

Here is the video from their song, "Texas":

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Bionic (feat. Shiz & Lady Asha) – Father Goose
Don't – Ed Sheeran
Great Day – The Not-Its!
Keep The Hate Mail Comin' – Lloyd H. Miller
Mystery – Dean Jones
New – Paul McCartney
No School Today – Danny Weinkauf
Sourwood Mountain – Red Yarn

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Alligator – Paul McCartney
Amnesia – 5 Seconds of Summer
Grizzly Bear – Red Yarn
Haircut – The Not-Its!
My Favorite Sneakers –  In The Nick Of Time
Show Me A Sign – Michael Franti & Spearhead
Start Of The End – The Dirty Sock Funtime Band
Unwind – Secret Agent 23 Skidoo

Ben's Playlist - Monday, June 29, 2015

Dad Is Takin' a Nap – Keith Munslow
Danceology – The Dirty Sock Funtime Band
Duck Ellington – Lucky Diaz And The Family Jam Band
Everything I Didn't Say – 5 Seconds of Summer
Gettin' My Ya Ya's Out – Brady Rymer & The Little Band That Could
Love Runs Out – OneRepublic
Mole in the Ground  – Red Yarn
Uh Huh – Dean Jones
You Can Do This – Hullabaloo

Live Recess Monkey: Return to the Big Apple

The last time we saw Recess Monkey live it was kind of a compromise. The Seattle-based band flew to the East Coast and appeared at Pennsylvania's glorious Longwood Gardens. We took our first family vacation in several years, packed up the kids, and drove from Queens to see them at the outdoor venue (and attend KindieComm the next day). Despite temperatures hovering around 90 degrees (and Jack Forman declared on-stage temps closer to 100), it was a delightful early-evening performance.

This year, the band returned to Manhattan for the first time since January 2014 for a morning concert in Madison Square Park. Even better, the show fell on the exact Thursday of the week when both of our kids were on break from their schools and had yet to start their summer programs.

The Madison Square Park Conservancy has booked a wonderful series of kids concerts for the past several years. The problem is our younger son was, well, too young to schlep that far into the city so early in the morning. And our older son was in a summer program that was walking distance to the park. I pitched walking kids over for the concerts (and volunteered if they needed more chaperones) but my assumption is the summer program was very formalized and if something was scheduled "on the fly," it would mess up their routines. Plus loud music is tricky for children with autism and they may have felt some of the performers skewed too "young" for the older grades.

Recess Monkey easily defies those expectations. They are one of the rare kindie acts we can listen to repeatedly as a family and not roll our eyes or gnash our teeth. In fact, it was only on the 20th or 21st listening that I picked out an amusing key lyric from one of the songs on DEEP SEA DIVER. Okay, I can't remember which one, offhand, right now. Just go with it, folks.

We got to the park as they were opening the "stroller park" and letting people grab places on the lawn. We secured a nice spot (a wee bit too close to one of the speakers, but hey we were arm's length from the band, as you can see from the videos) and the kids began to give "status" reports on band members Jack, Korum Bischoff, and Drew Holloway ("Jack is checking the set list... Korum is in the booth...Drew is not wearing glasses").


Unlike an "adult" performer like James Taylor, who played eight songs from his last CD when we saw him in 2002-03, Recess Monkey are not married to their latest material. They did play 3-4 songs from HOT AIR. But they were more concerned with getting the crowd of youngsters on their feet and interacting, to classic older songs such as "Flapjacks," "Jet Pack," and "Twins."

After the show, Jack remarked that some of the band's East Coast shows have been met with harsh temperatures. In fact, their 2013 Madison Square Park show was performed in 90-plus degree heat. But on June 25 the weather was agreeable and so were the kids in the audience. Well, until the final song and the nannies and camp programs began to quickly disperse, but that's another story.


Drew is a reliable and enjoyable lead singer. Jack provides narrative and instruction between songs. And Korum anchors the trio with robust drum beats. Even when they lost sound early on, they vamped in professional style and never lost an easily-distracted demographic.

Recess Monkey does a fun show. They deliver an interactive show (Jack ran through the crowd early this time, although no conga line as in previous concerts). While our older son has mostly "aged out" of the kid's music demographic, this is one act he clamors to see and hear. And his younger brother listens to their Pandora station and routinely selects their CDs for rotation in the car.

Kudos to the group for their continued ingenuity and to Madison Square Park for bringing them back to NYC. It was our third Recess Monkey concert in 18 months and the first in a year. Seems way too long a gap, so let's see what 2016 brings!

Ben's Playlist - Friday, June 26, 2015

Bile Them Cabbage – Red Yarn
Don't Stop – 5 Seconds of Summer
Fountain of Youth – Brady Rymer
Hold On to Your Dreams – Mista Cookie Jar & the Chocolate Chips
Jet – Robin Zander & Rick Nielsen
Kings & Queens – The Hipwaders
Mooshpie – The Whirlygigs
Together We Can Fly – Danny Weinkauf

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, June 25, 2015

Alligator Get-Together – Key Wilde And Mr. Clarke
Carry a Tune – Recess Monkey
Change Your Ticket – One Direction
Extraordinary – Eric Herman And The Invisible Band
Future Days – Pearl Jam
Invisible Wind  – Earthworm Ensemble
Look, Think, Guess, Know – Tom Chapin
That's Just Us (Playing Rock-n-Roll) – Hullabaloo

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Animal Kingdom – Key Wilde And Mr. Clarke
Archaeology – Danny Weinkauf
Gloria – Van Morrison & Them
Junior's Farm – Steve Miller
Now Let's Dance – Elizabeth Mitchell & Dan Zanes
Odd Socks – Dean Jones
Smile in My Heart – Suzi Shelton
This Land Is Your Land  – Alastair Moock & Friends
Tomorrow's People  – Brady Rymer & The Little Band That Could

Red Yarn Spins a New Deep Woods Revival, Cookie's June Tune

"Traditional" is typically another way for musicians to say "public domain." How else to explain multiple versions of "Oh Susanna" on so many children's recordings? Portland-faced Andy Furgeson doesn't see things that way. Under his "Red Yarn" persona, he knits a concise connection to songs from American history on his second release, DEEP WOODS REVIVAL.

The disc has deeper meaning in the vinyl edition (I stuck with the new traditional digital format), where the A side contain pop favorites such as "Skip to My Lou" and "Mole in the Ground." Yes, there was a time when these songs were contemporary. Then they were kitsch. Now they are kindie. The B side "For Brave Kids and Grownups" dives headfirst into the woods and the wonders of nature with "Grizzly Bear," "Crosseyed Gopher," and "The Bullfrog."

Red Yarn has performed since 2008 for children in the Portland area with a combination music and puppet show, slowly cultivating a persona and musical identity with "free-range ethics." Accompanied by spouse Jessie Eller-Isaacs and ace producer Dean Jones, Furgeson has a deep love and appreciation of early American culture, values, and musicality. Red Yarn delivers a resonant, enriched early American experience that young children can appreciate – boy, puppets can accomplish almost anything!

DEEP WOODS REVIVAL is available through Red Yarn's website, Amazon, CDBABY, and iTunes.

Mista Cookie Jar is getting silly. Well, when you set a mandate to release one song every month, you're bound to get a tad ridiculous and June is his month to do so. "Spatula Versus Sun" pits a plastic spoon against a backyard full of mangy characters, akin to the wild west. You don't believe me? Well, who asked if you believed me – the story is all here, see for yourself.

It's a nice little slice of fiction. Consider it the kid's equivalent of a summer sci-fi blockbuster, condensed and set to music.

As per schedule, you can find "Spatula Versus Sun" his CJ's bandcamp page or his blog. Enjoy!

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, June 23, 2015

All In A Day – Alastair Moock & Friends
All the Pretty Horses – Cat Doorman
Amnesia – 5 Seconds of Summer
Earn It – Hullabaloo
Follow The Drinking Gourd – Lloyd H. Miller
Gratitude – Mista Cookie Jar & the Chocolate Chips
I Dreamed I Could Fly – Eric Herman And The Invisible Band
Robots From The 4th Dimension – The Dirty Sock Funtime Band

Ben's Playlist - Monday, June 22, 2015

DJ All Day – Secret Agent 23 Skidoo
Don't Fence Me In – Andy Z
Every Day's A Holiday – Alastair Moock & Friends
H-U-L-L-A-B-A-L-O-O – Hullabaloo
National Hiccup Day – The Dirty Sock Funtime Band
Right Now – Rihanna Feat. David Guetta
Snaggletooth – Dean Jones
Spatula Vs Sun – Mista Cookie Jar & The Chocolate Chips
Tsy Akeo  – Madagascar (All Around This World Africa)

Ben's Playlist - Friday, June 19, 2015

Baldy – Lloyd H. Miller
The Bright Side Of Me – Alastair Moock & Friends
Free Ride Everyday  – Lori Henriques
I Got This! – Princess Katie & Racer Steve
I'm Not the Sharpest Tool – Dean Jones
If Red Tastes Like Strawberry – The Whirlygigs
The Start of Things – Alison Faith Levy
Toothloser – Gustafer Yellowgold
A Who? (feat. Joanie Leeds) – Father Goose

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, June 18, 2015

Early Days – Paul McCartney
Groove – Lori Henriques
I Can Still Say I Love You – Keith Munslow
I've Had It Up To Here – Weezer
Nobody's Business – Rihanna Feat. Chris Brown
Nose In A Book – The Not-Its! Raise Your Hand
Poofy – Ratboy Jr.
Raised by Trolls – Key Wilde and Mr. Clarke
Stay Up Late – Dean Jones

All Kinds of Alastair Moock For Your Kids

A little education can be a dangerous thing, if placed in the wrong hands. Luckily for us, Alastair Moock knows just what to do with a little education. Now, I'm not saying he's got limited experience. Far from it – Alastair's resume includes a 2014 Grammy nomination, a Parents' Choice Gold Medal, and a trio of National Parenting Publications Gold Awards. On the contrary, Alastair makes music that teaches your kids with a soupçon of brain-growing content.

His latest CD, ALL KINDS OF YOU AND ME, is Alastair's personal take on the classic 1970s FREE TO BE...YOU AND ME collection. While not as groundbreaking (and few children's music performers aspire to achieve those lofty standards), ALL KINDS... sits comfortably as a companion piece. Once you've mentioned FREE TO ME... it's almost incumbent to make the comparison. Okay, I've done it. Let's move on.

ALL KINDS... includes a number of Alastair's friend such as Rani Arbo, Anand Nayak, Jennifer Kimball, Samirah Evans, Debbie Lan, and Mark Erelli. Cover art is provided by illustrator and kindie musician Key Wilde. If anything has changed from the 1970s, it's that "that" world was more concerned about "boy things and girl things." Gender roles between the sexes have become so complicated that Alastair largely leaves the topic alone for younger listeners, save for "You Might Be A Girl."

In place of gender politics, Alastair turns to world issues. Alas, this is my weak spot. "Kenya Imagine?" is a neat conceit, but that's what Putumayo is for. He is on better footing with catchy tunes like "It Takes All Kinds" and "My Life (Is A Lot Like Yours)." And he takes to jauntily strumming for an inclusive take on "People":

People people people you meet
Look at all the people walking down the street
Some are grumpy and some are sweet
Some like bananas some like peas

Alastair takes people down south for some zydeco flavor with "Everything's Upside-down But Me" and closes with a solid narrative take on his childhood hero Woody Guthrie's classic "This Land Is Your Land." In between, he and his friends are busy and upbeat. They're not kidding about the concept – there's eight "you" or "me" instances in the album's 12 tracks. Alastair is sincere about promoting the pioneering efforts of such people as Dr. Martin Lither King and Gloria Steinem. And a little education in the right hands has never sounded as sweet.

Alastair Moock and Friends descend on Madison Square Park on Thursday, June 18 for part of the annual summer children's concert series. If you're interested, drop by and take a listen for yourself.

ALL KINDS OF YOU AND ME is available June 19 from Alastair's website, Amazon, iTunes, and CDBABY.

Here is the video for the song, "It Takes All Kinds":



Oh – and rustic roots revival racounteur Red Yarn (Andy Furgeson) is back soon. Here's the first video from "Deep Woods Revival," his upcoming CD. It's "Bile Them Cabbage." Tell me that's not obscure!

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Foolish Father – Weezer
Lighter Feathers – Dean Jones
Mama Don't Allow – In The Nick Of Time
Motorcycle Mom – The Not-Its!
Right Side of the Bed – Ratboy Jr.
Runaway – Ed Sheeran
This Little Light Of Mine – Eric Herman And The Invisible Band
Tomorrow's People – Brady Rymer & The Little Band That Could

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Be a Little Angel – Mista Cookie Jar & The Chocolate Chips
Best Friend – In The Nick Of Time
Cheese World – The Dirty Sock Funtime Band
Go Jump in the Water – Keith Munslow
Ground Food – Ratboy Jr.
Lightning Bolt – Pearl Jam
Ninja Pajamas (feat. P.O.S.) – Play Date

Ben's Playlist - Monday, June 15, 2015

All Around the Kitchen – Andy Z
Blink Of An Eye – Frances England
Coral Reef – The Whizpops!
Crazy Mountain Road – Eric Herman And The Invisible Band
My Own Detective – Tom Chapin
Show Me A Sign – Michael Franti & Spearhead
Sponges – Ratboy Jr.
Start Of The End – The Dirty Sock Funtime Band
Trapped In The Attic – Lloyd H. Miller

Ben's Playlist - Friday, June 12, 2015

Amnesia – 5 Seconds of Summer
Archaeology – Danny Weinkauf
Hamsterdam – Ratboy Jr.
Invisible Wind  – Earthworm Ensemble
Keep The Hate Mail Comin' –  Lloyd H. Miller
Little Things – One Direction
Raise Your Hand –  The Not-Its!
T.L.C. – Alison Faith Levy

Big Hamster Dance for Ratboy Jr. and New Kids Vids!

It's all about plate tectonics.

Yeah, there's finally a kid's song ("Poofy") that gets to the bottom of the division of the Earth's land masses. Well, not really. But Ratboy Jr. plays hard and fast with serious stuff. The duo (yes, it only takes two people to make such unique craziness) of Tim Sutton and Matt Senzatimore (aided by ubitqituous uber-producer Dean Jones) are not afraid to ask leading questions such as "What Does the Farm Do?" and "have you ever thought about sponges?"

On the latter song, the chorus answers resoundingly, "Even Billy Ocean uses sponges from the ocean," which led both my kids to ask, "Billy who?"

From their cozy confines in New York State's Hudson Valley, Ratboy Jr. has hatched their third collection of tunes, HAMSTER PANTS. You will be amused ("Marian the Barbarian Librarian"), you will be confused ("The Skunk and the Robot"), and you will be educated ("Ground Food"). And by you, I refer to the reader and any attached children.

If there's a lesson to be learned from Ratboy Jr., it's that fun matters. Children's music doesn't need to always pound home concepts and theories. Sometimes a kid just needs to kick back and enjoy his "Dancing Room." However it's not all fun and games for Tim and Matt. They do finish the CD with "Try," reminding kids that there's more to life but you have to make an effort:

Try to watch for falling stars.

Try to dance in clogs.

Try to sing with the swan as you sit amongst the logs.

You can take the Ratboy Jr. guys from the Hudson Valley (they do a lot of shows around the East Coast) but they remember to bring their sense of humor wherever they go. HAMSTER PANTS is infused with warmth and mirth. You also get a sly reference to Johnny Marr, and name another children's group that works him and Billy Ocean onto the same disk!

HAMSTER PANTS is available from the band's website, Amazon, CDBABY, and iTunes.

Recess Monkey is back and they're full of HOT AIR. That's their new CD/DVD package, featuring a short film about Andrew (singer Drew Holloway) and his magical ballooning adventure. Here's a look at the latest video, "Lighter Than Air":

Brooklyn's impressively silly duo, The Pop-Ups, have released the second in their new kid's webcast series. In this installment, they teach viewers how to play with a ball. Got it?

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, June 11, 2015

Changes – David Bowie
Farewell – Rihanna
Germs – Joanie Leeds And The Nightlights
I Love the Beach – Keith Munslow
Marsupial – Danny Weinkauf
Sittin On A Cloud – The Whirlygigs
Tunneling To Paradise – Pointed Man Band
Turned Out – Paul McCartney
Wake Up  – The Neville Brothers

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, June 10, 2105

All About That Bass – Meghan Trainor
Apple Tree – Bari Koral Family Rock Band
Everybody Out There –  Paul McCartney
Flannel Jammies – The Not-Its!
Hot Air – Recess Monkey
It Suits You – Gustafer Yellowgold
Mama – Mista Cookie Jar & The Chocolate Chips
Metaphor – The Alphabeticians
Stay Up Late – Dean Jones

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Carry a Tune – Recess Monkey
Dad Is Takin' a Nap – Keith Munslow
Fountain of Youth – Brady Rymer
Lips Are Movin – Meghan Trainor
National Hiccup Day – The Dirty Sock Funtime Band
Secret Fox – Gustafer Yellowgold
Snaggletooth – Dean Jones
Voodoo Doll – 5 Seconds of Summer
The Way We Gets Down – Mista Cookie Jar & the Chocolate Chips

Ben's Playlist - Monday, June 8, 2015

Big Green Party Machine – David Heatley
Brick By Brick – Recess Monkey
Head in the Clouds – Recess Monkey
Kings & Queens – The Hipwaders
Lazy Raisins – Key Wilde and Mr. Clarke
Listen To What The Man Said – Owl City
Sing in the Sun – The Harmonica Pocket
Smile in My Heart – Suzi Shelton
Thinking Good Thoughts – Dog On Fleas

Ben's Playlist - Friday, June 5, 2015

Beneath The Water – Caspar Babypants
Bionic (feat. Shiz & Lady Asha) – Father Goose
Life In Color – OneRepublic
Lighter Feathers – Dean Jones
Lucky Penny – The Whirlygigs
NOW That's What I Call Polka! – Weird Al Yankovic
Penguinese – Recess Monkey
Robots From The 4th Dimension – The Dirty Sock Funtime Band
Trondaxx Berserker – Key Wilde and Mr. Clarke

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, June 4, 2015

Future Days –  Pearl Jam
Nobody's Business – Rihanna Feat. Chris Brown
Paper Airplane – Recess Monkey
She Looks So Perfect –  5 Seconds of Summer
Space Kid And Banana – Ratboy Jr.
Tomorrow's People – Brady Rymer & The Little Band That Could
Uh Huh – Dean Jones
Welcome To New York – Taylor Swift

Recess Monkey Thankfully Full of Hot Air

Never underestimate Recess Monkey. In December 2012, original founding member Daron Henry left the trio to pursue other avenues. At the time, I was skeptical that the band could forge onward. Indeed, at the time I made a comparison to the Beatles losing John Lennon. Three-plus years later, I can happily eat my words. Drummer Korum Bischoff stepped in and the Monkey Men have not only persevered, they have prospered.

For Recess Monkey's amazing 12th studio release, HOT AIR, the trio are debuting a combination CD/DVD set. The album is once again a collection of magical songs. The theme is self-evident and many of the tunes are flight-related, such as "Lighter Than Air," "Head in the Clouds," and the George Harrison-esque "My Balloon," to enact a Beatles callback.

The DVD tells a 30+ minute adventure story featuring lead singer Drew Holloway as "Drew," a boy who grows up obsessively sewing together his older siblings' "Hand Me Downs" (another song). He fortuitously uses them to create a hot air balloon and competes in a local 24-hour flight contest where he meets a talking penguin on a flying carpet. You may ask, "How do the fellows fit 39 minutes of music into a 30+ minute film?" The answer is, "They didn't try." Many songs are reduced to short clips, which works in advancing the story without the redundancy of additional verses and choruses that might take younger kids away from the narrative.

The music of HOT AIR stands independently from the DVD. In fact, I had to view the DVD apart from my kids in order to concentrate on the story, which was simple enough to paraphrase and includes some nifty old aero footage and a combination of graphic animation and live-action. Veteran producer John Vanderslice gives a modern feel to some very retro songs, especially the balled "Morning Sun" and the jaunty title track:

I'm as red as a beet from my head down to my toes.

"Come down," they all say, but I just can't let it go.

Can't you tell that I'm ready to yell.

I'm like a grizzly bear with a really soft tooth or an army of wasps about to get loose.

I've had enough, everybody back up, everybody back up.

Because I'm full of hot air.

Remember Lando Calrissian, Han Solo's double-agent friend in "The Empire Strikes Back," who happens to be the mayor of cloud city? Well, Recess Monkey remembers him and includes the tribute "Oh, Lando" near the close of HOT AIR. While it fits into the concept of the album, my kids have yet to see any of the "Star Wars" films. DON'T ATTACK ME – WE'LL GET THERE. I just told them it was a nice tribute and they'd probably hear it in rotation on Kids Place Live as we got closer to the release of "Episode 7" in December.

The third member of Recess Monkey is Jack Forman, known to SiriusXM listeners as one of the voices of Kids Place Live's "From the Monkey House." That's what is known as synergy. Drew provides sweet vocals and guitar playing, Jack delivers steady bass lines and harmonies, and Korum rounds out the band with jaunty, bold drumming. Undoubtably one of 2015's most anticipated children's music releases, HOT AIR delivers with gentle novelty, genuine emotion, and serious fun.

HOT AIR is available on June 16 from the band's website, Amazon, iTunes, and CDBABY.

Here is the first video from HOT AIR, "Penguinese":

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Animal Kingdom – Key Wilde And Mr. Clarke
Banana Pudding – Sugar Free Allstars
Domino Town – Dean Jones
Fill It Up – Josh And The Jamtones
I Dreamed I Could Fly – Eric Herman And The Invisible Band
Me Time – Chibi Kodama
The Owl And The Pussycat – Papa Crow
Pendulum – Pearl Jam
That's Just Us (Playing Rock-n-Roll) – Hullabaloo

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Alligator Get-Together – Key Wilde And Mr. Clarke
Baldy – Lloyd H. Miller
Guitar Pickin' Chicken – Ratboy Jr.
Hold On to Your Dreams – Mista Cookie Jar & the Chocolate Chips
I'm Not the Sharpest Tool – Dean Jones
Mothership – Mr. Saxophone
New  – Paul McCartney
Unwind – Secret Agent 23 Skidoo
Voodoo Doll – 5 Seconds of Summer