Tots Can't Miss Miss Nina's Every Day's Your Birthday

I have a soft spot in my heart for Miss Nina. Her second CD, 2013's SHA DOO BE DOOP, was the first time our son (then 2 1/2 years old) showed an active interest in selecting his own music. He would walk to the cabinet in the living room, carefully open the door, select her CD, turn on the CD/DVD player, put in the disc, and play the first two songs (usually). This month, when I brought home the new CD by Miss Nina and the Jumping Jacks, EVERY DAY'S YOUR BIRTHDAY, even though he is now five, he insisted I play it, despite the presence of two other CDs with more immediate release dates.

Sadly, time marches on and he is aging out of her demographic. Miss Nina records lively, upbeat original tunes (the title track and "DJ in My PJs") and energetic interpretations of "(Silly) Wheels on the Bus" and "Subway" (adapted from the Anastasia Suen/Karen Katz board book). With a three-year-old of her own, Miss Nina has both hands on her target audience, literally and figuratively.

Ably produced by Marc Bazerman (of Baze and His Silly Friends fame), Nina and friends give you a peppy "Freeze Dance," a strummable, hummable "Colors of You," and a motion-activity "Up and Down." On her weekly children's vlog, Nina takes on classics and oftentimes does some re-invention. "Five Little Pumpkins" puts a Halloween spin on the traditional one-at-a-time elimination. "(Silly) Wheels on the Bus" features jumping kangaroos, wiggling spaghetti, and marching soldiers in addition to children, parents, wipers, et al.

When we first heard "Every Hero," my older son thought it was Charity and the Jam Band, who are known for rocking slightly harder for slightly older sprites. But the song that delivered the biggest smile for my youngster was the closing "DJ in My PJs," the logical successor to "My Hula Hoop" from her last CD. It inspired him to jump on his bed and shout "I'm a DJ!" that night at bedtime.

The best thing you can say about any performer is that their passion is contagious. The dictotomy of entertaining the youngest of the young is that they are easy to amuse but you can't alienate the parents by being insufferably cute or infantile. Miss Nina walks that fine line of rousting the fervor of children without rustling the feathers of the elders of their flocks.  EVERY DAY'S YOUR BIRTHDAY is a Brady Bunch-esque romp in the playground that the under-6 set will find enchanting and intoxicating. And it's over in a slim, lean 38 minutes before your caramel macchiato gets cold. That should inspire some jumping jacks.

EVERY DAY'S YOUR BIRTHDAY is available May 6 from Miss Nina's website, Amazon, CDBABY, and iTunes.

Here is one of her latest video song posts, featuring "Roly Poly Caterpillar":

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Pj Party – Joanie Leeds & The Nightlights
One After 909 – Caspar Babypants
Stay Up Late – Dean Jones
Toothloser – Gustafer Yellowgold
Everybody Out There – Paul McCartney
Breakdancin' – Sugar Free Allstars
Grizzly Bear – Red Yarn

Ben's Easter Playlist - Monday, March 28, 2016

Calling All the Kids to the Yard – Cat Doorman
Rest Easy Now – Eric Herman And The Invisible Band
Animal Kingdom – Key Wilde And Mr. Clarke
Mama Don't Allow – In The Nick Of Time
Kid Of The Week – The Not-Its!
Music is Everywhere – Mista Cookie Jar & the Chocolate Chips
Upside Down Town – Sugar Free Allstars

Ben's Playlist - Friday, March 25, 2016

Loving Cup – Cat Doorman
Dad Is Takin' a Nap  – Keith Munslow
Ghostbusters – Andrew & Polly
The Bright Side Of Me – Alastair Moock & Friends
Super Hero Rock Band – The Bazillions
The Tale Of The Sun And The Moon – Eric Herman And The Invisible Band
Hold on to Your Dreams – Mista Cookie Jar & the Chocolate Chips
Fresh Spokes (Featuring Susan Lapidus) – Hot Peas 'n Butter

Ben's Playist - Thursday, March 24, 2016

Don't Fence Me In – Andy Z
Sweetest Devotion – Adele
Bad Haircut – The Bazillions
Cheese World – The Dirty Sock Funtime Band
Alligator Get-Together – Key Wilde And Mr. Clarke
Young at Heart – Mista Cookie Jar & the Chocolate Chips

Music Is Everywhere With Mista Cookie Jar

After recording and releasing one song every month for more than a year, it would have been easy for Mista Cookie Jar & the Chocolate Chips to just compile their offerings onto a quick-pressed CD. It would have been easy, but it wouldn't have sat right with Mr. Jar (a.k.a. CJ Pizarro).

Instead, he spent more than six months going back to the drawing board – many of the tunes do make the new CD, MUSIC IS EVERYWHERE. But there are new tracks as well, featuring surf music, rock and roll, big band swing, Motown, as well as CJ's upbeat raps and rhythms. "Young at Heart" is a modern take on Bob Dylan's "Forever Young." If Dan Zanes relocated to the West Coast, he would be proud to write a song like "Hold On to Your Dreams," co-written and performed by Tembra Campbell:

You've got to hold on to your dreams
It's not as hard as it may seem.
It's up to you, you've got the power
Life will open like a flower
You gotta hold on to your dreams.

CJ never loses track of his primary audience – young kids who need a diverse range of musical influences to cultivate their own tastes. When I was a kid (let's not go there for too long), I had school trips to the Philharmonic as well as ballet and theatrical productions. My younger son is getting some of that now but we had to hunt for the Little Orchestra's Lollipops concert series 10 years ago to give our older son a taste of classical music. Thankfully that program thrives to this day. In the meantime, I don't hear a lot of bluegrass and ska on a Selena Gomez or 5 Seconds of Summer CD. But Mista Cookie Jar stretches the boundaries of children's music to make those genres acceptable, palatable, and contemporary.

"Music Is Everywhere" asks kids to live in the moment and wait for that one perfect note in concert. Yes, children's music is the gateway genre that acts as an entree to live performance and interaction with professional artists. As such, CJ emphasizes that there's no wrong way to listen to music, as long as you're excited by the experience. And if the music galvanizes your children enough to seek out videos, concert clips, and perhaps ask if that artist is coming to your area, all the better. MUSIC IS EVERYWHERE started as an ambitious experiment. Although the CD has dropped through numerous outlets, the experiment continues with every new listening.

MUSIC IS EVERYWHERE is available through Mista Cookie Jar's website, Amazon, CDBABY, and iTunes.

Here is the video for the new song, "Young at Heart":

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Mama – Mista Cookie Jar & The Chocolate Chips
Water Under The Bridge – Adele
The Start of Things – Alison Faith Levy
Favorite Book – The Bazillions
Danceology – The Dirty Sock Funtime Band
Can You Picture That? – Sugar Free Allstars
Ground Food – Ratboy Jr.

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Thank You for the Box – Andrew & Polly
Rainbow Tunnel – Alison Faith Levy
20 More Dollars – Chibi Kodama
Road Trip – In The Nick Of Time
New  – Paul McCartney
I Can See It Now – Sugar Free Allstars
Hamsterdam – Ratboy Jr.

Ben's Playlist - Monday, March 21, 2016

All the Pretty Horses – Cat Doorman
Carry a Tune – Recess Monkey
Groove – Lori Henriques
I Dreamed I Could Fly – Eric Herman And The Invisible Band
Monster Truck  – Sugar Free Allstars
Brain Freeze – The Not-Its!

Sugar Free Allstars Make Friends and Influence Kids

No band wears their influences on its short sleeves more than the Sugar Free Allstars (SFAs). In fact, there were so many inspirations for their new self-titled CD, SUGAR FREE ALLSTARS that the duo included an "album listening guide" to document them.

The 11 songs on the new collection draw from (yet are not limited to) the affects of Chris "Boom" Wiser and Rob "Dr. Rock" Martin being exposed to Eric Clapton, barbershop quartets, Grandmaster Flash, Pink Floyd, Deep Purple, the Muppets, Prince, Black Sabbath, and Paul Revere and the Raiders. I've missed a few dozen more. But the SFAs distill these disparate elements and generate danceable 21st century kid's music from the heartland (Oklahoma, to be precise).

It's always fascinating when musicians release original music, cite who they hear from their perspective, and compare and contrast to what we hear as unbiased, home audiences. For instance, the SFAs reference the Meters for "I Can See It Now," whereas I sensed a strong Leon Redbone vibe. The latest Muppets incarnation on ABC is fighting for its life. But the Paul Williams-penned "Can You Picture That?" is going strong in its fifth decade, if you can believe it. Tom Hanks' directorial debut "That Thing You Do" was not a breakout hit. Yet I put songs from the soundtrack on different tapes over the years. [Fun side facts – Fountains of Wayne's Adam Schlesinger ghost-wrote the title track and Katy Perry later covered Fountains' HACKENSACK.] But I digress. If Fountains was still around, they would be proud to call UPSIDE DOWN TOWN one of its own songs.

Diversity has become the linchpin of most programming, counter-programming, and world initiatives directed at young audiences. The SFAs use a slightly different take, calling their third CD the duo's "most ambitious album to date." Wiser and Martin spent four years (between family time and live performances) honing the tracks, which offer as much diversity as your typical Spotify randomizer. The SFAs are drive-by kindie auteurs. The semi-biographical "Monster Truck" depicts the bond of manchild and machine (along with a fantasy interlude with said child and vehicle listening to Air Supply and watching sad movies – no spoilers!).

If anything, it's hard to clamp a label (funky! quirky!) onto a band that morphs its sound from song to song. Wiser's keyboard and Martin's drumming provide a resonant one-two punch behind every number. Similar to Molly Ledford (Lunch Money), you can picture the guys smiling from ear-to-ear as they sing the preposterous "Grumpopotamus (and the Crankosaurus Rex)" with guest vocalist Genevieve Goings (Choo Choo Soul). The SFAs are not a band to look back in anger, except to motivate themselves to get every single listener on their feet. With the Sugar Free Allstars' latest release, that's an ambition worth sharing.

SUGAR FREE ALLSTARS is available on April 2 from the band's website, Amazon, CDBABY, and iTunes.

Here is the debut video from SUGAR FREE ALLSTARS' new CD, for the song "Monster Truck":

Ben's Playlist - Friday, March 18, 2016

Ghost Riders in the Sky – Andy Z
Amnesia – 5 Seconds of Summer
DJ All Day – Secret Agent 23 Skidoo
The Word – Caspar Babypants
City Of Hills – Frances England
Amazing Day – Coldplay

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, March 17, 2016

Other Days – Andrew & Polly
Domino Town  – Dean Jones
My Teacher's An Alien – The Bazillions
That Way – Chibi Kodama
Street Life – Frances England
Hello – Adele

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, March 16, 2016

LA Christmas – Andrew & Polly & Mista Cookie Jar
Hey Everybody! – 5 Seconds Of Summer
T.L.C. – Alison Faith Levy
Sons and Daughters  – The Bazillions
A Head Full Of Dreams – Coldplay
City Don't Sleep – Frances England
Uh Huh – Dean Jones

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, March 15, 2016

A Mapmaker's Song – Andrew & Polly
All Around the Kitchen – Andy Z
Tomorrow's People – Brady Rymer & The Little Band That Could
Hymn For The Weekend  – Coldplay
Explorer Of The World – Frances England
I'm Not the Sharpest Tool – Dean Jones

All the World's A Song for Frances England

Frances England falls smack in the middle of the Venn Diagram of children's musicians/multimedia personnel. Originally a recording artist via accident (a home-recorded CD reached the ears of people who knew people in the biz), she has morphed into the accidental tourist.The role she's well-played for a decade is not done; rather, England has added another brush to her palette.

Her new CD, EXPLORER OF THE WORLD, delves into community and awareness of ones physical surroundings. Many children's musicians create busywork around their music – a hopping song, a wave your arms song, etc. England is more interested with interactivity. The CD was borne from counting people going through their day-to-day lives while wrapped up in their electronic cocoons. Is this what kids should aspire to become when they get older, she wondered. Or is this another avenue for education and musical enlightening?

The two-year process involved more than words and music. England shot innumerable photos in San Francisco and the surrounding area, turning those into family activity books as well. "So much to discover, so much to do," she sings on the album's title track.

EXPLORER OF THE WORLD mines the spirit of San Francisco and delivers a love letter through "My Street," "City of Hills," and "City Don't Sleep," featuring ambient street sounds. Capturing audio is one thing, assembling and decoding it is another. For that task, England brought in two men who had never worked together – über-producer Dean Jones and Not Ready for Playtime instrumentalist Dave Winer. The pairing works, as the Burt Bacharach-esque "See What You Can See" rubs shoulders with the percolated drumsticks and horns of "City Don't Sleep." England goes completely meta on "All The Things I Found." During the song, she sings about documenting her process. But it's a song about things she found that constituted the documenting.

Gustafer Yellowgold's Morgan Taylor drops in for "City of Hills," a digital Hallmark card merged with a Google Map laundry list of tourist attractions. "Ballad For a Beatboxer" finds a sweet showcase for England's former nonprofit colleague, Carlos Aguirre. "Sweet" is the all-encompassing word for England's traveling vision on EXPLORER OF THE WORLD. Your eyes may start to tear at the end of the closing tune "Little By Little," but it's not from the dirt in the street, it's from the wind-swept sand high in the hills as you overlook the ocean and a breathtaking city. And a brand-new art and activity volume to ensnare the burgeoning traveler in all youthful adventure-seekers.

EXPLORER OF THE WORLD is available April 1 from Frances England's website, Amazon, and iTunes.

Here is the video for "City Don't Sleep":

Ben's Pi Day Playlist - Monday, March 14, 2016

Crazy Mountain Road – Eric Herman And The Invisible Band
This Land Is Your Land – Alastair Moock & Friends
Hey Jude – Caspar Babypants
My Favorite Sneakers – In The Nick Of Time
Harder To Breathe – Maroon 5
Go Jump in the Water – Keith Munslow

Ben's Playlist - Friday, March 11, 2016

Loving Cup – Cat Doorman
The Bullfrog – Red Yarn
I Dreamed I Could Fly – Eric Herman And The Invisible Band
Favorite Book  – The Bazillions
Take Me Away – Sunshine Collective
Jelly Beans! – Mista Cookie Jar & the Chocolate Chips

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, March 10, 2016

Thank You for the Box – Andrew & Polly
Everybody Out There – Paul McCartney
Airplanes  – 5 Seconds Of Summer
One After 909 – Caspar Babypants
Give Me Love  – Ed Sheeran
Odd Socks – Dean Jones

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Bile Them Cabbage  – Red Yarn
Turned Out – Paul McCartney
Caught in the Screen – Secret Agent 23 Skidoo
The Start of Things  – Alison Faith Levy
The Tale Of The Sun And The Moon – Eric Herman And The Invisible Band
Lego House – Ed Sheeran
Gettin' My Ya Ya's Out – Brady Rymer & The Little Band That Could

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Dad Is Takin' a Nap – Keith Munslow
Sourwood Mountain – Red Yarn
Washington, Dc – The Not-Its!
San Francisco – 5 Seconds Of Summer
The City – Ed Sheeran
Super Hero Rock Band – The Bazillions

Ben's Playlist - Monday, March 7, 2016

It's Only in Your Head – Mista Cookie Jar & the Chocolate Chips
Poofy – Ratboy Jr.
Permanent Vacation – 5 Seconds Of Summer
Bad Haircut – The Bazillions
The A Team – Ed Sheeran
River Lea  – Adele

Ben's Playlist - Friday, March 4, 2016

All In A Day – Alastair Moock & Friends
Unwind – Secret Agent 23 Skidoo
Hey Everybody! – 5 Seconds Of Summer
Mystery – Dean Jones
E.T.  – Katy Perry
Kings & Queens – The Hipwaders

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, March 3, 2016

Here Comes The Sun – Andrew & Polly
Shake a Friend's Hand – Andy Z
The Word – Caspar Babypants
Stay Up Late – Dean Jones
Bionic (feat. Shiz & Lady Asha) – Father Goose
Firework – Katy Perry
Fresh Spokes (Featuring Susan Lapidus) – Hot Peas 'n Butter

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Ghostbusters – Andrew & Polly
Hey Jude – Caspar Babypants
That Way  – Chibi Kodama
Cheese World – The Dirty Sock Funtime Band
Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.) – Katy Perry
Amistad (Featuring Dan Zanes) – Hot Peas 'n Butter

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Forever Young – Andrew & Polly
My Teacher's An Alien – The Bazillions
20 More Dollars – Chibi Kodama
I'm Not the Sharpest Tool – Dean Jones
Yawn – Gustafer Yellowgold
Teenage Dream – Katy Perry
Water Under The Bridge  – Adele

Ben's Playlist - Monday, February 29, 2016

Calling All the Kids to the Yard – Cat Doorman
All Around the Kitchen – Andy Z
Up To Something Good – Sunshine Collective
She Looks So Perfect – 5 Seconds of Summer
Hello – Adele
Listen To The Bob Hope  – Lard Dog & The Band Of Shy
Best Friend – In The Nick Of Time

Ben's Playlist - Friday, February 26, 2016

All the Pretty Horses – Cat Doorman
Other Days – Andrew & Polly
Bad Haircut – The Bazillions
Right Side of the Bed – Ratboy Jr.
Tomorrow's People – Brady Rymer & The Little Band That Could
Messed Up People Are Beautiful – Lard Dog & The Band Of Shy
Sweetest Devotion – Adele

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, February 25, 2016

Loving Cup – Cat Doorman
Dad Is Takin' a Nap – Keith Munslow
Voodoo Doll – 5 Seconds of Summer
The Start of Things  – Alison Faith Levy
Sons and Daughters  – The Bazillions
Catch That Pretzel – Lard Dog & The Band Of Shy
My Favorite Sneakers – In The Nick Of Time

Kindie Quick Hits: Lard Dog, Miss Nina & the Singing Lizard

There's a television commercial where a man shows up for a costume party wearing an 80s hard rock getup, only to learn he's arrived at the wrong address. He feels awkward, the people in the house feel awkward. I had a similar feeling listening to Lard Dog & the Band of Shy's CD, SLURP THE NOODLE OF LIFE. Somewhere a party is going on, but I just felt awkward.

Multi-media performances tend to feel diluted if you remove one or more of the elements. For instance, we saw the Blue Man Group last week during the school break. Now, you can describe the experience. But would you get anything out of just listening to the soundtrack? Pee-Wee Herman's Playhouse was a spectacular breakout performance, however the most famous song from the show is the Champs' "Tequila." Even Kidz Bop changed the title when they recorded their version.

Steven Erdman has clearly been honing Lard Dog for a long time and LARD's 15-week Off-Broadway run was no fluke. He's got something happening, but until I viewed video clips, I just felt awkward. I appreciated the Devo underpinnings to many of the songs, applauded the unabashed unhinged spirit of invention, and saluted his efforts to promote the La'Delles, whom he discovered singing in the NYC subway.

In short, Lard Dog is a cartoon character from the planet Belopio. He traveled here on a giant pretzel and is surrounded by funny characters singing about improbable things. Titles include "He's Plop, Treat Him Nice" (a rockabilly tune sounding ripped from the 1950s), "Catch That Pretzel" (a Buddy Holly yodeling number), and "Listen to the Bob Hope" (prime Devo meets the B-52s).

LIFE'S A REAL DREAM did bring something out of my five-year-old. But he was silly to begin with. So our relationship with Lard Dog may expand in the future. I may feel awkward while the kid sings 'Do the Pooky Do," but at least he's singing. And with nonsense lyrics, he's just inspired to make up more of his own. Really, that's what Erdman has been doing with LARD for 20 years.

LIFE'S A REAL DREAM is available March 11 from the House of Lard website, Amazon, Google Play, and iTunes.

One of my younger son's first "favorite" artists was Brooklyn's Miss Nina. When we had enough of her debut CD, SHA DOO BE DOOP, he was inspired (at 2 1/2 years old) to figure out how to extract the disk, turn on the CD player and stereo receiver, and hit "play." He has aged out (unfortunately) but for younger listeners, Miss Nina is still the bee's knees (or whatever the mod tods are into these days). Her new CD. EVERY DAY'S YOUR BIRTHDAY, is coming out in March. Check out her weekly video series of children's songs:


The Singing Lizard (Liz DeRoche) is prepping for the March release of her CD, CLUB CALLED AWESOME. The "electro-kindie" performer has released the first video from the disk, "Show Me Your Happy," and no, it's not a typo. She encourages listeners to show their happy faces and behavior. And it features a sad Abominable Snowman, so there are no losers here.

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, February 24, 2016

LA Christmas – Andrew & Polly & Mista Cookie Jar
The Bright Side Of Me – Alastair Moock & Friends
Archaeology – Danny Weinkauf
Favorite Book  – The Bazillions
One After 909 – Caspar Babypants
Flowers On My Shirt – Hullabaloo
Uh Huh – Dean Jones

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, February 23, 2016

A Mapmaker's Song – Andrew & Polly
Rainbow Tunnel – Alison Faith Levy
Super Hero Rock Band – The Bazillions
Gettin' My Ya Ya's Out – Brady Rymer & The Little Band That Could
Odd Socks – Dean Jones
I Wear Pink – Hullabaloo
Crazy Mountain Road – Eric Herman And The Invisible Band

Dan Crow Whips Up Concoctions

Children's music can take you in some crazy directions. Now I've made the science-to-Mad Men connection. Recording artist Dan Crow has released a new STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) EP, CONCOCTIONS. In researching his bio, I discovered that Dan wrote songs for a 1994 special, "Hanukkah Tales and Tunes." Who wrote that special? Matthew Weiner, who then wrote for HBO's The Sopranos and created AMC's Mad Men.

But I digress. For more than 25 years, Dan has written and performed children's music. His signature composition will remain the theme from the movie, "The Adventures of Milo and Otis." But he adds to his repertoire with CONCOCTIONS – five songs (with karoake instrumental tracks that follow) related to the various principles of STEM. While I prefer They Might Be Giants' song "Seven" to the one of the same name here, there's a fun and practical purpose to "You're An Engineer." There's more than one kind, you know, as I reminded my train-engaged youngster.

There's a huge push to promote the sciences (and education as a whole). I seldom see (or hear) politicians talk about school, except as an adjunct service that must be provided to everyone except natural-born citizens. But education holds the key to engage children and make them aware of a larger world, where the laws of physics and nature hold true, no matter your affiliations or spiritual beliefs.

Dan Crow sings very clearly about "Science Science Science" and "Technology" as fundamental underpinnings of the planet. "Franklin D. Dime and Abraham Penny" instructs kids that the word "change" can be a double entendre they can bank on. I initially mistook the name of the EP as "Connections," which would have been appropriate as well. CONCOCTIONS is all about tangibly helping create a future and that's what kids are all about. At least when they're not being stubborn.

CONCOCTIONS is available through Dan's website, Amazon, KidzMusic.com, and iTunes.

Here's a video produced to Dan's song, "Take A Walk Outside":

Ben's Playlist - Monday, February 22, 2016

Rest Easy Now – Eric Herman And The Invisible Band
Hamsterdam – Ratboy Jr.
This Land Is Your Land – Alastair Moock & Friends
T.L.C. – Alison Faith Levy
Snaggletooth – Dean Jones
Beauty And A Beat – Justin Bieber Feat. Nicki Minaj
I Can't Let It Go – Hullabaloo

Hullabaloo: I CHEW Is Mind Food for Kids

Off the top of my head, three of the most prolific children's music performers/acts in the past decade are Recess Monkey, Caspar Babypants, and Hullabaloo. This year will prove a watershed moment for all three of the aforementioned – Chris Ballew (Babypants) releases his 11th CD in August. Hullabaloo releases its 12th CD, I CHEW, on February 26. And the Monkey Men's next CD will make a baker's dozen (that's 13, for you butchers and candlestick makers).

Steve Denyes and Brendan Kremer met in kindergarten. Their love of music (and strong friendship) has deepened and evolved into one of the kindie movement's legendary tales. Hullabaloo are the undisputed countrified descendants of Trout Fishing In America, a duo with innocently funny intentions. I CHEW is the result of a 2015 project to write 21 songs in 21 days last winter. We're not talking epics – the 16 selected tracks clock in at 22 minutes. That's a
ukelele, banjo, and mandolin version of "The Fast and the Furious" for your preschoolers.

Recess Monkey started a penguin motif with 2015's HOT AIR. Hullabaloo continues the trend with "Senator John Arthur Clydesdale III," about a penguin running for President, a bird of the people. The longest track, "I Wear Pink," also features a bevy of guest stars including Red Yarn, Papa Crow, Laura Doherty, Peter Alsop, Dean Jones, Jim Cosgrove, Randy Kaplan, and Mista Cookie Jar. It's a happy-go-lucky true story from Steve's childhood, which featured hand-me-downs from older sisters and doing your own thing. In a similar vein is "Flowers On My Shirt":

Together we can change the world and I will do my part
With flowers on my shirt and love inside my heart.

Much like Uncle Rock (Robert Burke Warren) is country by way of upstate New York, Hullabaloo is country by way of San Diego. We're not talking Eagles/three-part harmony southern rock, we're talking about Johnny Cash, straight-forward, straight-talking, milk-drinking melodies. Two people can certainly generate a lot of sound – just ask the Sugar-Free All-Stars. But it takes truly talented duos to craft a consistently enduring and identifiable product. With a pair of grazing pandas on its cover, I CHEW gives you music to ponder. And who isn't fond of pandas?

I CHEW is available on February 26 from the band's website, Amazon, iTunes, and CDBABY.

The newest instructional video (!) from the band is for the CD's song, "You Are Loved," featuring American sign language:

Ben's Playlist - Friday, February 19, 2016

Thank You for the Box – Andrew & Polly
This Love – Maroon 5
Jelly Beans! – Mista Cookie Jar & the Chocolate Chips
New  – Paul McCartney
Permanent Vacation – 5 Seconds Of Summer
A Head Full Of Dreams – Coldplay
All Around The World – Justin Bieber Feat. Ludacris
Mama Don't Allow  – In The Nick Of Time

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, February 18, 2016

Ghost Riders in the Sky – Andy Z
Hello – Adele
Hey Everybody! – 5 Seconds Of Summer
T.L.C. – Alison Faith Levy
Fun  – Coldplay Feat. Tove Lo
Favourite Colour – Carly Rae Jepsen
Toothloser – Gustafer Yellowgold

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Extraordinary – Eric Herman And The Invisible Band
Forever Young – Andrew & Polly
Don't Fence Me In – Andy Z
Bile Them Cabbage  – Red Yarn
DJ All Day – Secret Agent 23 Skidoo
She Looks So Perfect – 5 Seconds of Summer
When I Needed You – Carly Rae Jepsen
Cheese World – The Dirty Sock Funtime Band

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Here Comes The Sun – Andrew & Polly
All In A Day – Alastair Moock & Friends
San Francisco – 5 Seconds Of Summer
Tomorrow's People  – Brady Rymer & The Little Band That Could
Amazing Day – Coldplay
Emotion – Carly Rae Jepsen
The Tale Of The Sun And The Moon – Eric Herman And The Invisible Band

Ben's Playlist - Monday, February 15, 2016

Start Of The End – The Dirty Sock Funtime Band
Airplanes – 5 Seconds Of Summer
Water Under The Bridge  – Adele
Ghostbusters – Andrew & Polly
One After 909 – Caspar Babypants
Run Away With Me – Carly Rae Jepsen
Hymn For The Weekend – Coldplay

Heart Beats Brings Love from the Heartland

As the Beatles said, "All you need is love."

And a song.

Mighty Mo Productions (forged on the banks of the Mississippi River) has launched itself into the season of love with its second anthology, HEART BEATS (Feel Good Songs for Families). The label's concept is simple – take a theme (love, good times) and build a strong foundation of kindie artists around it.

HEART BEATS dives back several years for existing tracks, utilizing favorites such as Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could's "Light of Love," Joanie Leeds and the Nightlights' "Give Me a Hug," and Josh and the Jamtones' "L-O-V-E." As I noted to Ben (15) during our first play-through, we have either seen (or met) eight of the 12 artists represented on the disc.

The brain (or heart) child of veteran children's musician Jim Mr. Stinky Feet" Cosgrove, Mighty Mo Productions (MMP) seeks to provide a breaking ground for regional performers. Los Angeles-based Andrew & Polly and Sunshine Collective make their MMP debuts with catchy choruses and harmonies. Local artists Rissi Palmer and Katydid continue to make inroads, one song at a time, building interest for listeners who want to reach out and hear more of their music.

MMP has timed HEART BEATS to appear just in time for Valentine's Day (as well as the February school break). Just right for 30 minutes of distraction/down time for overwhelmed parents to catch a breather and settle down the brood for a break. We're not talking about romantic love, more of a "love is all around you" vibe. Positivity and unity abound. Certainly a welcome respite from what I've been personally experiencing, but that's besides the point – the kids are always going to be my primary concern. And HEART BEATS re-affirms that wherever your children are, is where the love is always going to be.

HEART BEATS (Feel Good Songs for Families) is available from Mighty Mo Productions' website, Amazon, and iTunes.

Two years ago last week, we ventured to Symphony Space and heard Josh & the Jamtones perform "L-O-V-E" live. Here is my video from that show:

Ben's Feeling Better Playlist - Friday, February 12, 2016

Animal Kingdom – Key Wilde And Mr. Clarke
Carry a Tune – Recess Monkey
Don't Stop – 5 Seconds of Summer
Another Good Year  – Lori Henriques
Shake a Friend's Hand – Andy Z
Caught in the Screen – Secret Agent 23 Skidoo
Best Friend – In The Nick Of Time

Ben's Antibiotics Playlist - Thursday, February 11, 2016

Ben's Playlist Drop 2 – Father Goose
The Bright Side Of Me – Alastair Moock & Friends
Loving Cup – Cat Doorman
A Mapmaker's Song – Andrew & Polly
Unwind – Secret Agent 23 Skidoo
Mystery – Dean Jones
That Way  – Chibi Kodama

Ben's Sinus Infection Playlist - Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Ben's Playlist Drop – Father Goose
Secret Fox – Gustafer Yellowgold
Calling All the Kids to the Yard – Cat Doorman
Other Days – Andrew & Polly
Rainbow Tunnel – Alison Faith Levy
My Teacher's An Alien – The Bazillions
Gettin' My Ya Ya's Out – Brady Rymer & The Little Band That Could
Danceology – The Dirty Sock Funtime Band
I'm Not the Sharpest Tool – Dean Jones

Ben's Sick Day Playlist - Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Everything I Didn't Say – 5 Seconds of Summer
This Land Is Your Land – Alastair Moock & Friends
The Start of Things  – Alison Faith Levy
Favorite Book  – The Bazillions
The Word – Caspar Babypants
20 More Dollars – Chibi Kodama
I Dreamed I Could Fly – Eric Herman And The Invisible Band
Stay Up Late – Dean Jones

Ben's Playlist - Friday, January 5, 2016

All Around the Kitchen – Andy Z
Archaeology – Danny Weinkauf
T.L.C. – Alison Faith Levy
Hello Goodbye – Caspar Babypants
Kings & Queens – The Hipwaders
Teenage Dream – Katy Perry
Sweetest Devotion – Adele

Quick Hits: Hullabaloo, Diana Panton, and All That Jazz

What do children and jazz have in common? They are both acquired tastes.

What about jazz music for children? Well, now you're talking about an entire new set of standards – namely, if you do not have a predisposition for jazz, do you introduce the genre to your children? Do you feel it essential to "round out" their musical palette? Will they be "deprived" or limited in their appreciation of the entirety of the medium?

Such a conundrum and in walks Diana Panton, the Canadian award-winning jazz performer, with her first (mostly for kids) CD, I BELIEVE IN LITTLE THINGS. If you've ever seen Mr. Rogers Neighborhood or heard its distinctive theme song and transition music by Johnny Costa, you can imagine what Panton has scored. It's jazz for the junior set, with clear vocals and arrangements (and vibes) by Canadian multi-instrumentalist Don Thompson.

Perhaps it's Panton's newness to children's music or her belief that jazz arrangements would elevate them for wider audiences. She definitely has a different take on the oft-recorded "Sing," "Rainbow Connection," "When You Wish Upon a Star," and "Pure Imagination." There are also other tunes by Sesame Street legend Joe Raposo ("Everybody Sleeps") and A. A. Milne ("Halfway Down the Stairs"), as well as an original slumber song, "Sleep Is A Precious Thing."

I BELIEVE IN LITTLE THINGS has already been released to much acclaim in Canada. Now it's the United States' time to stand up (or sit down and sway gently) for Panton and company. This is mind-stimulating stuff, if not get up and dance music. Panton covers "Hushabye Mountain" from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, for Pete Seeger's sake!

I can hear some people saying, "Jazz is culturally important – pay attention!" I can honestly say that when I played the CD as dinner music, it was the fastest meal the kids have ever had. Mainly because the five-year-old nearly fell asleep, as I coaxed him into trying to recognize the songs he knew is more traditional arrangements.

It all comes down to your taste. Are you a rocker or a jazzy hepcat? Or somewhere in between? Do you believe that music can control your subconscious and take you places? I'm asking you quietly and nicely, because I'm currently listening to Panton sing "Slumber My Darling," and I'm almost there.

I BELIEVE IN LITTLE THINGS is available on Diana Panton's website, Amazon, and iTunes.

Hullabaloo may be almost of prolific as Recess Monkey – this month, they are releasing their 12th CD in 12 years! I'll be reviewing it in the days ahead. In the meantime, here's the SECOND video from I CHEW, entitled, "Worm With Wings":

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, February 4, 2016

All the Pretty Horses – Cat Doorman
Super Hero Rock Band – The Bazillions
Odd Socks – Dean Jones
Crazy Mountain Road –  Eric Herman And The Invisible Band
Bionic (feat. Shiz & Lady Asha) – Father Goose
In A Band – Michael & The Rockness Monsters
My Favorite Sneakers – In The Nick Of Time

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Rest Easy Now – Eric Herman And The Invisible Band
Hey Jude – Caspar Babypants
Snaggletooth – Dean Jones
It Suits You – Gustafer Yellowgold
Mama Don't Allow – In The Nick Of Time
Dinosaur Haircut – Michael & The Rockness Monsters
Alligator Get-Together – Key Wilde And Mr. Clarke

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Secret Fox – Gustafer Yellowgold
LA Christmas – Andrew & Polly & Mista Cookie Jar
Ahava – Joanie Leeds & The Nightlights
Groove – Lori Henriques
Turned Out – Paul McCartney
Pon De Replay – Rihanna
Right Side of the Bed – Ratboy Jr.

Ben's Playlist - Friday, January 29, 2016

Sunshine Family – Mista Cookie Jar & the Chocolate Chips  (feat. Aaron Nigel Smith)
That Way – Chibi Kodama
Best Friend – In The Nick Of Time
My Heart Is Open – Maroon 5 Feat. Gwen Stefani
A Million Miles Away – Rihanna
Everybody Out There – Paul McCartney

My Goodness, It's Michael and the Rockness Monsters

For many performers, children's music goes from a hobby to a passion to an occupation. Some try to emulate the success of Music Together, which binds the product (CDs) intrinsically to the program. I will forget a few, but Laurie Berkner is the latest to take that route, which includes Music for Aardvarks, Kira Willey (yoga), and New Jersey's Preschool of Rock.

The risk/reward ratio has an exponential curve – your core audience must be constantly cultivated with concerts, videos, local public relations, and word-of-mouth. Kids who age out of the lowest levels of the program can stick around for music lessons. But it's an endless cycle that can wear out the most dedicated instructors, who sometimes farm out the hands-on activities and stick to the administrative side.

It takes a lifelong immersion to surrender completely to the process. Among the most disciplined of these disciples is Michael Napolitano, the founder and director of Preschool of Rock. The son of a professional touring drummer, Michael began his musical adventure at 18 months old. Smash-cut to 10 years performing with the Blue Man Group and jump-ahead eight years to present day, with Preschool of Rock established at more than one dozen NJ/NY metropolitan locations.

Ben (15) occasionally asks "Where's the next Music for Aardvarks CD?" I explain that he's aged-out of that program. Thus, even if we got new music, it would be more suited for his little brother (5). Michael has left the constraints of Preschool of Rock for a while to devote himself to MICHAEL AND THE ROCKNESS MONSTERS. It's a children's CD without instructions for parents and isn't that a blessing.

Under the direction of über-producer Dean Jones, Michael lets loose a whimsical narrative-free compilation of characters and concepts. After listening to literally dozens of CDs that Jones has produced over the past few years, it's no wonder his services are in such high demand. The Rockness Monsters don't hit any wrong notes or jagged chords because they've been crafted to near-kindie perfection under his skilled hands.

The album's first track, "Pirate Song," delivers a sing-along "yo ho ho" chorus replete with multiple chances to scream "Aaarrrrrrrr!" Michael espouses that Black Sabbath is his favorite band. The closest thing to heavy metal on this disc are "In a Band" and "Rock It!"

More of the songs are in the toe-tapping juvenile jaunty vein of "Single Digits," where the protagonist bemoans the cold weather and recounts all the locations he'd rather be. For out-and-out fantasy, there's also "Dinosaur Haircut" and the reggae-tinged "Cosmic Vacation," where the best places to visit are all in the mind. Understandably (and since the CD is "Presented by Preschool of Rock"), Michael can't get completely away from the winding down concept with "Humming Song."

MICHAEL AND THE ROCKNESS MONSTERS doesn't break any new ground. But it allows Michael an opportunity to erase the dotted line between quality and quantity of musical expression that comes with a time-dependent kids music program. I wouldn't doubt that a few of these tunes show up in Preschool of Rock's curriculum. But they're fine on their own, which is a good placement on the risk/reward ratio for Michael.

MICHAEL AND THE ROCKNESS MONSTERS is available February 26 from the band's website, Amazon, CDBABY, and iTunes.

Here is the debut video from the album, "Pirate Song":

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, January 28, 2016

Cheese World – The Dirty Sock Funtime Band
Colores (featuring Oz Noy) – Hot Peas N Butter
How Great Can This Day Be – Lori Henriques
Spatula vs Sun – Mista Cookie Jar & the Chocolate Chips
On Air – The Pop-Ups
SOS – Rihanna

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Animal Kingdom – Key Wilde And Mr. Clarke
Fresh Spokes (Featuring Susan Lapidus) – Hot Peas 'n Butter
Music is Everywhere – Mista Cookie Jar & the Chocolate Chips
Lightning Bolt  – Pearl Jam
We Are The Kids – Walk The Moon
Paper Airplane – Recess Monkey

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, January 26, 2016

All Around the Kitchen – Andy Z
Sourwood Mountain  –  Red Yarn
Permanent Vacation  –  5 Seconds Of Summer
Road Trip  –  In The Nick Of Time
Mama  –  Mista Cookie Jar & The Chocolate Chips
Up 2 U  –  Walk The Moon
Ground Food  –  Ratboy Jr.

Ben's Playlist - Monday, January 25, 2016

All the Pretty Horses – Cat Doorman
Danceology – The Dirty Sock Funtime Band
Mama Don't Allow – In The Nick Of Time
Animals – Maroon 5
Shut Up And Dance – Walk The Moon
Brain Freeze – The Not-Its!

Ben's Playlist - Friday, January 22, 2016

Mayim – Joanie Leeds & The Nightlights
Favorite Book – The Bazillions
Hey Jude – Caspar Babypants
I'm Not the Sharpest Tool – Dean Jones
Amistad (Featuring Dan Zanes) – Hot Peas 'n Butter
Different Colors – Walk The Moon
Kid Of The Week – The Not-Its!

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, January 21, 2016

Dad Is Takin' a Nap – Keith Munslow
Crazy Mountain Road – Eric Herman And The Invisible Band
20 More Dollars – Chibi Kodama
Snaggletooth – Dean Jones
Washington, DC – The Not-Its!
Umbrella  – Train

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Start Of The End –The Dirty Sock Funtime Band
Ahava –Joanie Leeds & The Nightlights
Tomorrow's People  –Brady Rymer & The Little Band That Could
My Heart Is Open –Maroon 5 Feat. Gwen Stefani
If It's Love –Train
Done With The Science Fair –The Not-Its!

Listen! The Not-Its! Return for Sixth Rock Romp

There's always something going on with the Not-Its! and that's alright. As Yoda would say, "Are alright, the kids."

The Not-Its! are into their second decade of entertaining children and parents with their full-throttle "real rock band" sound (the band released its first album way back in 2009). The group's sixth studio CD, ARE YOU LISTENING? will have kids dancing and singing with their "outside" voices.

Yes, that's six albums in seven years. Did I mention the band has 10 children between its five members (Sarah Shannon, Danny Adamson, Tom Baisden, Jennie Helman, and Michael Welke)? Where they find the time to be this creative? Well, Seattle does love its coffee...

While tackling the usual assortment of real-world kid issues, the Not-Its! don't scrimp on the guitars and drumbeats. Instead, they dig right in and drag the tots with them. "Don't Fear the Dentist" starts with a Black Sabbath-esque riff circa "Iron Man." Academic requirements get a grunge/garage anthem in "Done With the Science Fair." You won't find a happier, happening, independent-thinking figure than the tutu-and tie-wearing "Kid of the Week." I'm surprised there hasn't been a message song like "Washington, DC," with its chorus, "Can you hear me?" and the following ironic verse:

I'll meet the President. I don't need an appointment.
Hanging on the White House lawn with the Secret Service looking on.
Talking foreign policy. Maybe we won't agree.
Then we visit the C.I.A. I introduce myself but they already know my name.

ARE YOU LISTENING? is not a "cool-down" CD. Don't expect much in the way of soft ballads (there isn't one). The Not-Its! are too busy providing solid rock for kids, who get enough of the sweet-and-mellow stuff from other outlets. The tune about elders, "Granddad Is A Spy," harkens back to a Ramones song being slowed down from 45 to 33 RPM so Pop-Pop can understand the lyrics.

I'm on the record saying that if I had to live in another part of the United States, I would chose San Francisco. However, based on the voluminous number of children's musical acts from the Seattle area (including Caspar Babypants, Recess Monkey, Harmonica Pocket, with Lori Henriques and others 173 miles away in Portland), I am honestly reconsidering my selection. Are you listening? With the Not-Its!, that's a mission. And that's alright.

ARE YOU LISTENING is available February 19 from the band's website, Amazon, iTunes, and Bandcamp. See the band at Symphony Space on Saturday, January 23.

Here is the new video from the band's song, "Dance With Me":

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Extraordinary – Eric Herman And The Invisible Band
Sugar – Maroon 5
Flannel Jammies – The Not-Its!
The Bullfrog – Red Yarn
Hey, Soul Sister – Train
DJ All Day – Secret Agent 23 Skidoo

Ben's Playlist - Friday, January 15, 2016

Amnesia – 5 Seconds of Summer
All In A Day – Alastair Moock & Friends
Don't Fence Me In – Andy Z
Domino Town  – Dean Jones
The Word – Caspar Babypants
Water Under The Bridge  – Adele

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, January 14, 2016

Everything I Didn't Say – 5 Seconds of Summer
This Land Is Your Land – Alastair Moock & Friends
Ghostbusters – Andrew & Polly
One After 909 – Caspar Babypants
I Dreamed I Could Fly – Eric Herman And The Invisible Band
I'm Not the Sharpest Tool – Dean Jones

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Mayim – Joanie Leeds & The Nightlights
Other Days – Andrew & Polly
Mystery –  Dean Jones
The Tale Of The Sun And The Moon – Eric Herman And The Invisible Band
Best Friend – In The Nick Of Time
Sunday Morning – Maroon 5
Alligator Get-Together – Key Wilde And Mr. Clarke

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Calling All the Kids to the Yard – Cat Doorman
The Start of Things – Alison Faith Levy
Gettin' My Ya Ya's Out – Brady Rymer & The Little Band That Could
Archaeology – Danny Weinkauf
Bionic (feat. Shiz & Lady Asha) – Father Goose
This Love – Maroon 5
I Love the Beach – Keith Munslow

Ben's Playlist - Monday, January 11, 2016

Pj Party – Joanie Leeds & The Nightlights
Rest Easy Now – Eric Herman And The Invisible Band
Odd Socks – Dean Jones
Toothloser – Gustafer Yellowgold
My Favorite Sneakers – In The Nick Of Time
Harder To Breathe – Maroon 5
Go Jump in the Water – Keith Munslow

Ben's Playlist - Friday, January 9, 2016

Loving Cup – Cat Doorman
Secret Fox – Gustafer Yellowgold
LA Christmas – Andrew & Polly & Mista Cookie Jar
Super Hero Rock Band – The Bazillions
Just Be – Kira Willey
20 More Dollars – Chibi Kodama

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, January 7, 2016

Forever Young – Andrew & Polly
Ahava – Joanie Leeds & The Nightlights
That Way  – Chibi Kodama
Uh Huh – Dean Jones
Crazy Mountain Road – Eric Herman And The Invisible Band
Dance For The Sun (2015 Remix) – Kira Willey
Mama Don't Allow – In The Nick Of Time

Honoring Birds and Celebrating Heroes

National Bird Day was January 5.

Birds are wild animals.

During our recent vacation in DisneyWorld, we saw the "Flights of Wonder" live show in Animal Kingdom. They specifically point out that you won't see parrots riding miniature bikes or wearing funny hats during the performance, because they are indeed wild animals, worthy of their dignity.

In celebration of the 14th annual National Bird Day, Born Free USA is asking people to look at captive ('pet') birds from their point of view and to make thoughtful choices when it comes to their well being. The website is asking people to sign their "Captive Bird Video Pledge " (click through to link).

But wait – there's an incentive! Raffi is offering an autographed copy of his upcoming CD, OWL SINGALONG. One lucky signee will win (and two will win non-autographed copies). You have until Tuesday, January 12 to enter.

Give a hoot – don't promote captive birds.

And in two days, it's time for a hero. An inner hero.

Jason Didner and the Jungle Gym Jam are releasing "My Superpower," a tribute to real and imaginary idols as well as the personal strength within all of us.

Jason concocted the tune while helping to plan a hero-themed children's event. Riffing on Superman and Batman, he free-associated to Martin Luther King Jr. and Mother Theresa. Before he knew it, lyrics and music merged. And Jason decided not to wait until the spring to share "My Superpower" with the world.

The song has special poignance for the Jungle Gym Jam. After working on four tracks for the band's upcoming CD, bassist Lou DeMartino lost his life after a fatal asthma attack. A musician who had just started a kindie career, DeMartino had fallen in love with performing for kids and families. In his memory, the Jungle Gym Jam will donate half of all proceeds from download sales of "My Superpower" to the Asbury Park-based Light of Day Foundation, one of Lou's favorite charities.

Download "My Superpower" starting this Friday, January 8 from the band's website, Bandcamp, Amazon, CDBABY. Google Play, and iTunes. 

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, December 6, 2016

The Bright Side Of Me – Alastair Moock & Friends
Take Me Away – Sunshine Collective
She Looks So Perfect – 5 Seconds of Summer
All Around the Kitchen – Andy Z
Fun – Coldplay Feat. Tove Lo
Hey Jude – Caspar Babypants

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, January 5, 2016

The Bullfrog – Red Yarn
Here Comes The Sun – Andrew & Polly
Biggest Brother – Tim Kubart
The Start of Things – Alison Faith Levy
Amazing Day – Coldplay
Sons and Daughters  – The Bazillions

Willey Mindful of Yoga for Kids

Yoga and kids music. What could go wrong? You're asking someone who isn't part of the equation.

I know people who do yoga. I know people who swear by yoga. My own son did yoga for several years (he stopped due to school time constraints and an instructor who subsequently relocated without letting ex-pupils know).

 There seems to be a mini-explosion of children's recording artists who double as yoga instructors. We are more commonly acquainted with Bari Koral (who hosts a "Yogapalooza" event), but there's also Bethlehem, PA's own Kira Willey. Selected PBS affiliates run Kira's yoga-for-kids interstitials. And at the urging of SiriusXM Kids Place host Mindy Thomas, she produced a series of "Backseat Yoga" exercises that run on the station.

Kira is releasing a collection of yoga "shorts" for short-attention-span children, MINDFUL MOMENTS FOR KIDS. For our older son, who leads a fairly stressed life (early wake-up for school, long bus rides, homework, and after-school activities, not to mention a hyper little brother who attaches himself to big bro), these exercises are just the ticket for a quick breather.

The 30 moments are broken into sections such as "Calm," "Focus," and "Energize." You get the basic concept from titles like "Count to Five," "Be a Bumblebee," "Imagine You're a Tree," and "Do Nothing Moment." The arrangements contain simple instrumentation and plain, spoken directions in a sweet, encouraging tone. Kira has the confidence from years of experience and tried-and-true technique and is delighted to share these meditations, whether families choose to use them in the home or on the road.

MINDFUL MOMENTS FOR KIDS closes with two songs, "Dance for the Sun" and "Just Be," which is close to an anthem for meditation, if such a thing is possible. And she's on the road, singing and leading yoga to receptive audiences in the PA/NJ area – just click through to Kira's site for upcoming events.

MINDFUL MOMENTS FOR KIDS is available on January 15 from Kira's website, Amazon, iTunes, and CDBABY.

Here is the video for Kira's PBS kid's yoga series, "Fireflies Musical Yoga":

Ben's Playlist - Monday, January 4, 2016

All In A Day – Alastair Moock & Friends
Somebody Somewhere – Sunshine Collective
Voodoo Doll – 5 Seconds of Summer
My Teacher's An Alien – The Bazillions
Adventure Of A Lifetime – Coldplay
Tomorrow's People  – Brady Rymer & The Little Band That Could

Ben's Playlist - Friday, January 1, 2016

Don't Fence Me In – Andy Z
Animal Kingdom – Key Wilde And Mr. Clarke
Sourwood Mountain – Red Yarn
My Favorite Sneakers – In The Nick Of Time
Raise Your Hand – The Not-Its!
T.L.C. – Alison Faith Levy
Favorite Book  – The Bazillions
Hymn For The Weekend – Coldplay
The Word – Caspar Babypants

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, December 31, 2015

All the Pretty Horses – Cat Doorman
Everything I Didn't Say – 5 Seconds of Summer
Rainbow Tunnel – Alison Faith Levy
Ghostbusters – Andrew & Polly
Bad Haircut – The Bazillions
A Head Full Of Dreams – Coldplay
Weirdos On Parade – Chibi Kodama

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Dad Is Takin' a Nap – Keith Munslow
Snaggletooth – Dean Jones
I Dreamed I Could Fly – Eric Herman And The Invisible Band
It Suits You – Gustafer Yellowgold
Maps – Maroon 5
Music is Everywhere – Mista Cookie Jar & the Chocolate Chips
Long White Beard – They Might Be Giants Feat. Robin Goldwasser
On Air – The Pop Ups

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Mayim – Joanie Leeds & The Nightlights
Hello Goodbye – Caspar Babypants
That Way  – Chibi Kodama
I'm Not the Sharpest Tool – Dean Jones
The Tale Of The Sun And The Moon – Eric Herman And The Invisible Band
Elephants – They Might Be Giants Feat. Danny Weinkauf
Yawn – Gustafer Yellowgold

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Amnesia – 5 Seconds of Summer
My Heart Is Open – Maroon 5 Feat. Gwen Stefani
Hamsterdam – Ratboy Jr.
Backyard – Riff Rockit
Then The Kids Took Over – They Might Be Giants
Rooms – Tim Kubart

Berkner Shares "This Little Light," Pop-Ups Share New Video Special

Kids love Laurie Berkner!

No really, they do. And in support of her recent two-CD collection, LAURIE BERKNER'S FAVORITE CLASSIC KIDS' SONGS, she has released a new video of the holiday standard, "This Little Light of Mine." There are 51 songs in the compilation. Yes, you read that right.

Berkner will not be releasing 51 separate videos. That would be silly. And "This Little Light" is certainly not a silly song. So take a gander and relax with your families through the holiday season. I'll be take with some new children's music reviews after the New Year.



Remember holiday variety specials? Clips from the abominable STAR WARS Christmas special are rife on the Internet right now, but I refuse to provide more fodder. Instead, direct your attention to the Pop-Ups. They've been releasing kids' music videos for some time. Now, as part of their deal with Amazon Prime, they have unleashed a 30-minute "Great Pretenders' Club Special" just in time for the holidays.

You can view individual videos from the duo at their YouTube channel. But the special (part of their Great Pretenders' Kids Club) is an Amazon Music exclusive. It will move to the YouTube channel in the future, but you need a Prime membership to see it right away.

Sign up your kids for the club and earn badges. When they earn all the badges, they can get the biggest badge of them all. Next year, The Pop Ups and Amazon will release more videos to accompany each song on the album. And if you're not a Prime member, you can download the entire MP3 album for $7.99! See the band at Symphony Space on Saturday, January 9.

Here's the video for "Pretend We Forgot":

Ben's Playlist - Monday, December 21, 2015

The Bright Side Of Me – Alastair Moock & Friends
A Mapmaker's Song – Andrew & Polly
Ghost Riders in the Sky – Andy Z
Super Hero Rock Band – The Bazillions
Out Of A Tree  – They Might Be Giants
Gettin' My Ya Ya's Out – Brady Rymer & The Little Band That Could

Ben's Playlist - Friday, December 18, 2015

Calling All the Kids to the Yard – Cat Doorman
Start Of The End – The Dirty Sock Funtime Band
Archaeology – Danny Weinkauf
Rest Easy Now – Eric Herman And The Invisible Band
Bionic (feat. Shiz & Lady Asha) – Father Goose
Omnicorn – They Might Be Giants
Amistad (Featuring Dan Zanes) – Hot Peas 'n Butter

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, December 17, 2015

Everything I Didn't Say – 5 Seconds of Summer
Sugar – Maroon 5
Stuff – The Pop Ups
Paper Airplane – Recess Monkey
Sweetest Devotion – Adele
Caught in the Screen – Secret Agent 23 Skidoo

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, December 16, 2015

All In A Day – Alastair Moock & Friends
All Around the Kitchen – Andy Z
Bad Haircut – The Bazillions
Tomorrow's People  – Brady Rymer & The Little Band That Could
River Lea  – Adele
20 More Dollars – Chibi Kodama

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Secret Fox– Gustafer Yellowgold
Dad Is Takin' a Nap– Keith Munslow
Uh Huh– Dean Jones
Mama Don't Allow– In The Nick Of Time
Water Under The Bridge – Adele
Coming Back For You– Maroon 5

Ben's Playlist - Monday, December 14, 2015

Mooshpie – The Whirlygigs
Haircut – The Not-Its!
Grizzly Bear – Red Yarn
Unwind – Secret Agent 23 Skidoo
Hello  – Adele
Sunday Crafternoon (Featuring Drue Davis) – Tim Kubart

Ben's Playlist - Friday, December 11, 2015

Shake a Friend's Hand – Andy Z
Ghostbusters – Andrew & Polly
Sons and Daughters – The Bazillions
Gettin' My Ya Ya's Out – Brady Rymer & The Little Band That Could
One After 909  – Caspar Babypants
San Francisco – 5 Seconds Of Summer

A Frog Named Sam – Happy Hops from Rudnick & Friends

Eleven albums into his children's recording career, Ben Rudnick took a turn.

I know that sounds ominous, but I mean it in the most positive way. Rudnick and Friends have taken (some would say "repurposed") songs from his oeuvre and worked them into the soundtrack for a musical for children, A FROG NAMED SAM. An oft-requested Rudnick favorite, Australian playwright Augusta Supple was enlisted to spin this yarn.

Rudnick and Friends have carved a niche as a kid's jam band, hence the copious references to the Grateful Dead (although every time he whips out a harmonica, like on "When Something's Got You Terribly Blue," I think of Dan Zanes). A soundtrack is different from a concept album in that everything is neatly explained on the latter. Without liner notes (or an attached public relations note), A FROG NAMED SAM comes across as a decent collection of Rudnick tunes, some previously heard and enjoyed. "Macaroni and Cheese" and "Love Is a Superpower" bring back pleasant memories of past CDs. The band clearly relishes the opportunity to deliver alternate takes on the older songs (anybody read for a Dead callback?).

Briefly, the title character is a world-weary rock star who returns home to find his pond nearly waterless and populated by a three-eyed alien named Tripp. The duo decide to investigate what has caused the disrepair. In between, there's the country-fied "Where's My Horse," with a clip-clop beat and violin and "I Got a New Friend (He's an Alien)." Yes, a southern rural hoedown that brings extraterrestrials to the inclusion table. The disc wraps with a bonus track (which means it's not part of the overall theme of the musical) "Coney Island Crazy,"  a straight rock closer for Rudnick.

Rudnick and bandmates John and Chris Zevos and Jared Steer stick mostly to the New England area, although they did visit Symphony Space earlier this year and they return to Manhattan on January 16 at Brookfield Place. The tightly-honed quartet also tightly knits its identity to their region. Yet their sound is pure Americana, harkening back to Fourth of July boardwalk entertainment and county fairs. There's a summer feel. And with a genuine alien character, A FROG NAMED SAM is literally out of this world.

A FROG NAMED SAM is available January 22 (pre-order it) from Amazon, CDBABY, and iTunes.

Here is the video from "I Got a New Friend":

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, December 10, 2015

All the Pretty Horses – Cat Doorman
Rest Easy Now – Eric Herman And The Invisible Band
Danceology – The Dirty Sock Funtime Band
Colores (Featuring Oz Noy) – Hot Peas 'n Butter
Airplanes – 5 Seconds Of Summer
Best Friend – In The Nick Of Time

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Alligator Get-Together – Key Wilde And Mr. Clarke
Kings & Queens – The Hipwaders
Animals – Maroon 5
Music is Everywhere – Mista Cookie Jar & the Chocolate Chips
Permanent Vacation – 5 Seconds Of Summer
Motorcycle Mom – The Not-Its!

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Carry a Tune – Recess Monkey
Turned Out – Paul McCartney
Backyard  – Riff Rockit
DJ All Day – Secret Agent 23 Skidoo
Dancing in the Kitchen – Tim Kubart
Outside of December – The LeeVees and Matisyahu
Hey Everybody! – 5 Seconds Of Summer

Sing Along With Raffi's Owl Singalong

It's hard to envision a world without Raffi.

Even people without kids – we in the kindie world refer to them as "civilians" – have an awareness of the man who almost single-handedly spearheaded this movement. I don't want to belabor the point, but yell "Raffi!" in a crowded movie theater and someone will know who you're talking about.

It's thus mind-bending to realize that such an influential figure, a seminal individual, a statesman for children's music (okay, he's no Abraham Lincoln) could take a 12-year break from his best-known industry. That's almost twice the average age of his preferred listener. An acceptable dog's lifetime. But in 2014, Raffi returned to the scene and toured to support his CD, LOVE BUG. And he's back to welcome 2016 with OWL SINGALONG. It's not like we should be surprised that Raffi is recording new music. It's just that after an extended absence, we didn't expect it. And then expect more, so soon.

Since his debut in the 1970s, Raffi has remained a dependable acoustic source of warm, hummable children's tunes. OWL SINGALONG contains reworkings of "More We Sing Together," "Dog on the Bus," and "The Lion Pokey." Pete Seeger's "Abiyoyo" wraps up the collection. In between, there's shapes ("You May Be A Triangle") and personal achievement ("I’m Not Small"). And for you French Canadiens, "Dans La Forêt Lointaine" (In the Distant Forest) harkens back to Raffi's days in Toronto and Montreal coffeehouses.

When Raffi played Manhattan's Town Hall in 2013, it fell on the same day as the family festival of Kidstock. Befuddled kindie pundits tore themselves from BAM to make an almost-obligatory pilgrimage. The next day, I anticipated the set list and lamented being unable to triangulate my day (where I was tasked with wrangling both kids). And this from a man who spent nary a moment listening to Raffi (my entire family had aged out, so no Beluga grads in my house) during his heyday. My initial exposure was a concert DVD at a friend's family's New Years Day party to entertain their kids. "Raffi?" I inquired. "He's a better choice that Elmo," I was told. How little we knew. If only I had then the knowledge base I have now.

The good news is, if you liked Raffi when you were a kid, you'll be excited to introduce your kids to that Raffi. Sure, there's a focus on ecology ("Green Dream" and "Garden Song"), but that's to be expected from a man who founded an organization dedicated to honoring and respecting the Earth and Children. Oh, and there's no bad news in that respect.

For many performers, children's music stays a hobby, a sideline, something to fill some family time until their own kids are grown. Rare are the artists who persevere and dig deeper into the darker corners of childhood to deliver more than just wistful homilies. Under the classification of children's music, Raffi remains almost sui generis, a genre unto himself. Long may he strum.

OWL SINGALONG is available for pre-order and drops January 15, 2016 from Amazon and iTunes.

Here is the video for "Owl Singalong":

Ben's Playlist - Monday, December 7, 2015

Here Comes The Sun – Andrew & Polly
Domino Town – Dean Jones
Extraordinary – Eric Herman And The Invisible Band
Archaeology – Danny Weinkauf
My Teacher's An Alien – The Bazillions
Yawn – Gustafer Yellowgold
20 More Dollars – Chibi Kodama

Ben's Playlist - Friday, December 4, 2015

Sourwood Mountain – Red Yarn
Let The Records Play – Pearl Jam
Hamsterdam – Ratboy Jr.
Take Me Away – Sunshine Collective
Word Crimes – Weird Al Yankovic
Better (Featuring Laurie Berkner) – Tim Kubart

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, December 3, 2015

Loving Cup – Cat Doorman
Shake My Sillies Out – Andy Z
This Land Is Your Land  – Alastair Moock & Friends
Rainbow Tunnel – Alison Faith Levy
That Way  – Chibi Kodama
Toothloser – Gustafer Yellowgold
Snaggletooth – Dean Jones

Kindie Quick Hits: New Vids from Berkner, Rudnick

It's that most stuffing-stocked time of the year.

Here are a couple of new videos, one holiday related and the other, not so much.

First, Laurie Berkner performs "Children, Go When I Send Thee," accompanied by Long Island's own Brady Rymer. The song appears on the new LAURIE BERKNER'S FAVORITE CLASSIC KIDS' SONGS as well as A LAURIE BERKNER CHRISTMAS.



Ben Rudnick and Friends are releasing A FROG NAMED SAM: A MUSICAL FOR CHILDREN in January. Here is the debut video, "The Adventure Song," featuring animation by Matt Litvinov.

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Bionic (feat. Shiz & Lady Asha) – Father Goose
Mama Don't Allow – In The Nick Of Time
Go Jump in the Water – Keith Munslow
Baldy – Lloyd H. Miller
Great Pretenders Club (feat. HAERTS)  – The Pop Ups
Jelly Beans! – Mista Cookie Jar & the Chocolate Chips