Getting a good night's sleep is key to maintaining your sanity amidst a global pandemic. That holds true for all ages – children can suffer from insomnia as well, as days turn to weeks and weeks turn to months. Short-term and long-term memory become a blur for youngsters. It becomes essential to keep yourself grounded in order to keep them grounded.
Into that mix comes Sara Lovell's NIGHT LIFE, a deceptively-named collection of calming-down and bedtime lullabies.
Sara covers all facets of the evening process, from tantrums ("I Don't Want to Go to Bed") to parental exhaustion ("Sleepwalkers") to letting kids drain all the remaining energy before slumber overwhelms them ("Wear Yourself Out"). She also addresses the importance of fantasy and imaginative play, especially when children are told to stay inside in order to stay safe, with "I Don't Sleep in a Bed," imploring youthful listeners to picture their bedrooms as tents and other settings.
Through it all, NIGHT LIFE is about the comfort and safety of sleeping under the covers, under the stars, under the watchful protection of loved ones. In the time of COVID, that's a sweet, wistful message that Sara Lovell didn't necessarily intend to convey with some solemnity. But that's the mantle currently thrust upon the music.
NIGHT LIFE is available from Sara Lovell's website, Amazon, and Apple Music.
Here is the video for Sara's song, "The Dark Side of My Room":
What if there was an ad-free streaming service with original content custom-made for youngsters? That would be Pinna, which is offering 30 days of free listening (60 days using the code PINNA4KIDS). The service was founded last year and has partnered with Scholastic, Random House, and American Public Media, among other sources.
Podcasting may not be brand new, but it is certainly "of" this generation. Pinna includes dozens of podcasts for children, and pledges that their content is 100% child-friendly within their confines. Making all the shows positively positivity for sheltering minds.
Pinna has released an original kid-friendly album called Real Me, showcasing 10 new songs, written and produced by kindie artist Erica Rabner. Real Me also features tracks with the Alphabet Rockers and Tim Kubart.
Here is the video for "Real Me":
Former Sprout personality and Grammy winner Tim Kubart is also a participant in the new "Birthday Show," a daily interactive kids program for kids ages 3-8 from video startup Hellosaurus. You can sign up for adult notifications. The login page has a handy dandy countdown that tells you when the next show is going live.
"Birthday Show" is the latest effort from Hellosaurus, and is being touted as an interactive mobile video platform for kids from the people who launched HQ Trivia, Toca Boca, and Peekaboo Barn.
Striving to be truly interactive, The Birthday Show allows sheltering kids at home to play use their computer, tablet, or touchscreen phone to engage in classic party games like piñata and treasure hunt, blow out candles, “eat” the cake, and unwrap a present. Past guest stars have included Genevieve Goings, Emily Arrow, and trumpet virtuoso Benny Benack III.
Like Pinna, Hellosaurus started last fall, just in time to (unfortunately) be ready for the COVID crisis. You can view past episodes of "The Birthday Show" at their website.
Ay Batta Batta – Rolie Polie Guacamole
Helicopter Leaves – Ants Ants Ants
Loving & Kind – Aaron Nigel Smith
spooky spooky spooky – caspar babypants
Sunnyside Up – The Okee Dokee Brothers
Village d'Ãtoile – Dog On Fleas
03 Leave The Monkey – Sara Lovell
The original "jack of all trades" for children's music is back with his third solo album. Jack Forman – known from Recess Monkey and SiriusXM Kids Place fame – has dropped HOLD THE PHONE for kids and their supervising parental adults. Produced pre-COVID, the 12 songs travel from the amusement park to Harry Potter to family pets ("The Cat Walk" and "Dogs Always Wait").
Body shaming is a big deal these days and Jack does his part to de-stigmatize bodily functions. On OFCICE HOURS, it was "No Tooting On the Dance Floor." On HOLD THE PHONE, it's "I Had to Pee (On the Ferris Wheel)," the saga of an anxious lad conducting an epic battle with bladder control at the amusement park. His pet songs show the dichotomy of feline/canine ownership – "The Cat Walk" has a protagonist sitting on keys and faces and running the house. Meanwhile "Dogs Always Wait" extols the loyalty and selfless friendship of a faithful companion anticipating the return of its master from a day at school.
A child's big concern with food is amusingly covered in "I Can't Believe I Ate the Whole Thing," formerly a famous slogan back in the day for Alka-Seltzer. Jack channels the concept through the focus of the bottomless pit of childhood feasting habits on treats. Jack also keeps his finger on the pulse of nerd culture, which runs strong through the preteen set. "Little Dobby Does It" is his earnest tribute to Harry Potter's steadfast house elf. The disco anthem "My Walkman" memorializes technology from a different era. It also gave me the opportunity to show the kids my walkman, unused for years, with batteries that were still working! "Surprise Party" recalls the planning and last-minute expectations going through the heads of people waiting for the birthday recipient to arrive:
We got balloons tacked back to the chairs Grandma invited her friends from downstairs Party hats 'cause we've got lots of spares We're going to a surprise party
These are interesting times for the music business. Subscriptions for Spotify rocketed up due to consumers looking for more entertainment options. SiriusXM extended its offer of free service through May 31, so click through and hear Jack doing his daily show, as well as songs from many other artists. HOLD THE PHONE broadens Jack Forman's digital danceprint and thought ownership in kid culture.
Avocado – Rolie Polie Guacamole
hand in hand – caspar babypants
It's a Miracle – Dog On Fleas
Music Train – The Okee Dokee Brothers
Taco Tuesday – The Lucky Band
White Whale – Kepi Ghoulie
Nightlife – Sara Lovell
Some children's musicians are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon 'em. Shakespeare said that, give or take one word. Emmy-winning songwriter Jim Roach and adult comedy performer Brian Wecht only met two years ago. Their love for offbeat humor came to a boil with the creation of Go Banana Go! and its debut release, HI-YA!
Go Banana Go! are committed to serious silliness, taking nothing and everything for granted. HI-YA! starts with the band's theme song (and credo), leading into the accurately-named "Pizza Feet" and the instructional (go with it) "German Lessons," featuring comedian Flula Borg dropping non sequitur phrases, including "This basketball smells like a herd of poodles" and “There are two cupcakes on my cowboy hat.” and “This basketball smells like a herd of poodles.”
Sportscasters narrate the action in "Music to Put Your Shoes On," one of the more unique mashups on the album. "I Love Cookies" is a power-pop anthem with dynamic choruses sung by former child star Hoku, declaring "I'm gonna eat every cookie in sight, I really want some cookies tonight." The peppy "Super Cow" has four stomachs and his very own introductory tune. A unicorn and a cupcake (don't think too hard) take a rap walk through the park in "Mark and Mark." HI-YA! closes with the royal saga of "Queen of No Share" (with Rachel Wecht), who learns a lesson about selfishness.
Kids know when people are talking down to them, but Go Banana Go! are truly ridiculous, in a good way. I'm a tough audience but even giving special dispensation for a few shared experience tunes, such as "Stinky Diapers," Jim and Brian have a pretty pretty good batting average with HI-YA! Allow your kids to broaden their sensibilities while you all flatten the curve and stay home and see just how bananas they can go.
The novel coronavirus is troubling for so many reasons for adults. Just imagine being a child, used to asking "Are we there yet?" Simply put, that is now a question the adults can't even answer. In the meantime, children need music that emphasizes the positive aspects of sheltering in place, homeschooling, and being your own best person. Two new videos stress those qualities. First, here's the debut single from Los Angeles performer (by way of Peru) Twinkle Time. "Unidos" (Together) is the first song from her fourth upcoming CD – her first family album entirely in Spanish. Produced and edited by stellar producer/husband James Dallas, the song manages to incorporate MC Magic and Izzi Def, as well as a host of street scenes:
Father Goose and Friends move the eternal house party to a new level with their new song, "I Can Make It." This is the time for family values and self-reassurance, confidence against all odds, and surrounding yourself with positivity. Goose is joined by David Allan Rivera, Danni Ai, and Etcetera (my current best stage name for a musician). There is a moment of silence in the intro of the video for all the people we have lost in 2020:
alligator – caspar babypants
Dozen Good Reasons – Danny Weinkauf
I Can't Believe I Ate the Whole Thing – Jack Forman
I Don't Want To Go To Bed – Sara Lovell
I'm Just A Singer (In A Rock And Roll Band) – The Moody Blues
Jubilation – The Okee Dokee Brothers
Word Association – Dog On Fleas
For the first time in more than 100 years, the New York subway system is getting shut down at night (for decontamination and cleaning). But what if animals had commutes similar to their human counterparts? Dana's Music Playground humorously imagines the traffic blockages that result from all kinds of subterranean animals going about their day on the tune, "Underground Traffic Jam," from her upcoming album, "A Place To Call Home." Preorder the CD here. Here is the premiere of the video:
Go Banana Go released their debut CD, HIYA!, earlier this month (apologies for no review as yet). Jim Roach and Brian Wecht teamed up to deliver a dozen tracks that have made inroads on SiriusXM Kids Place and in homes. For a sample of their work, here's the new video for the song, "Super Cow":
Speaking of mass transit, we recently celebrated National Train Day (well, who doesn't love trains). Children's music artist Lindsay Munroe released the song "Little Red Caboose" as part of her new CD, "I Am Kind." There's an activity based around the song, which you can find here. And watch the video:
If you feel itchy after listening to the new Caspar Babypants collection, BUG OUT! you're not alone. Caspar (Seattle musician Chris Ballew, formerly of Presidents of the United States of America) has a special affinity with hexapod invertebrates and his latest release celebrates the tiny critters. There's generally a Babypants explosion every year, but his 2020 opus was pushed up an entire three months due to the Coronavirus outbreak. With his audience confined to their homes, Chris felt compelled to move the release date from August to May.
BUG OUT! constitutes the closest thing to a "concept" album that Chris has released since his two Beatles-related compilations. insect-themed songs include "Pay Me No Mind" (about a lonely bug seeking attention and friendship with large animals), "Fuzzy Buzzy Buzzing Bug," "I'm A Bee," "Slugs in the Dust," "Termite," and a Babypants-ed version of "The Ants Go Marching." Chris loves to take a classic song and revise it with his spin on lyrics and almost a rap beat:
The ants go marching five by five, marching makes them feel alive The ants go marching six by six, carrying leaves and tiny sticks The ants go marching seven by seven, marching seems like their obsession The ants go marching eight by eight, right across my dinner plate
Chris credits his kids for inspiration and artist wife Kate Endle for design (and children's books based on his songs). Chris remains one of the most inventive and quirky children's music artists. His mashups of concepts is unpredictable, yet comforting. His songs are imbued with a spirit of "anything is possible if you wish it," from the peculiar "Pickle Holiday" to melodic ballad "Hedgehog in the Fog."
In a recent Facebook post, Chris revealed that he has two Babypants CDs already completed for 2021 release – but that they would be his "final" recordings, although live performances would continue. Looks like he and I will be sunsetting at around the same time. Nonetheless, with an average of 20 songs per CD, Caspar Babypants has a superlative batting average for a children's performer. If your family is feeling stressed and needs some rhythmic release, it's the right time for everybody to bug out.
Dogs Always Wait – Jack Forman
Doppelganger – Dog On Fleas
funky wilderness – caspar babypants
If You Want a Song – The Okee Dokee Brothers
One – Aaron Nigel Smith
The Story In Your Eyes – The Moody Blues
Who, What, When, Where, Why – The Bazillions
Anything Can Be A Hat – Ratboy Jr.
Backstroke Raptor – Story Pirates
The Cat Walk – Jack Forman
I Spy – Ants Ants Ants
i'm a bee – caspar babypants
Lazy Boy – Franz Ferdinand
Sally-O – The Okee Dokee Brothers
Assembly Line – Jack Forman
Cut the Cheese – Danny Weinkauf
Finally – Franz Ferdinand
Inkpot – Kepi Ghoulie
One Little Heart – The Okee Dokee Brothers
pickle holiday – caspar babypants
Village d'Ãtoile – Dog On Fleas
Boy with a Hole in his Heart – Danny Weinkauf
Cathy's Clown – The Everly Brothers
fuzzy buzzy buzzing bug – caspar babypants
Neighborhood Band – The Okee Dokee Brothers
People Watching – Dean Jones
Stick Up Stand Up – Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could
Little Dobby Does It – Jack Forman
In the time of lockdown, you simply can't avoid moms. Whether it's mom on Zoom, or forwarding you funny stories you already saw online, moms rule Days of COVID. Just in time for Mother's Day, Suzi Shelton and Park Slope Parents are gathering a cast of acclaimed family music artists for a "Celebrate Moms" concert to honor not just moms, but all the people who take care of us, including first responders.
The event streams live on Saturday, May 9 from 11 AM to 2 PM ET at Suzi's Facebook page. Admission is free and donations are appreciated. All funds raised will go to the First Responders Children's Foundation, which provides support to first responders and their families who are enduring financial hardship due to the coronavirus outbreak.
A community of more than 7,000 families in Brooklyn, Park Slope Parents shares advice on everything from choosing childcare to camps, hairdressers to healthcare, and coping with teething, terrible twos, and tweens.
When Dan Zanes surrendered his well-honed kindie throne to pursue show tunes, world music, and songs for children on the spectrum, that opened a Game Of Thrones as big as the heartland. The Okee Dokee Brothers stepped right up to command the crown. Tucking their Grammy award into the back pocket of their jeans, Joe Mailander and Justin Lansing embody the spirit of Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger on their new double-CD release, SONGS FOR SINGIN'.
You can cover a lot of ground with 27 tunes, and the Okees are determined to walk far and wide to tackle everything from procrastination ("Wastin' Time") to change ("If You Want A Song") to personal responsibility ("Sunnyside Up"). Our surrounding natural world, conservation, and ecology are ever-present under the vigilant eyes of Justin and Joe. "In My Bones" is close to being a climate change anthem. "Church of the Woods" sums up their message with the final chorus line "And may your heaven be on earth."
With direction from über producer Dean Jones, there's still a heaping healthy dollop of hijinks, with active senior citizens getting a countrified southern rock number ("Grandmaderation") and quarantine-amped kids moshing through mighty fine picking and strumming in Grand Ole Opry style ("Raise A Ruckus").
Ben immediately pegged the Okees' "Afternoon Walk" a tribute to Bill Harley's classic "A Walk Around the Block," which is not bad company. For those who tend to favor the couch over a campfire, the Okees feel your pain. The great outdoors isn't always great, as they sing on "Campin'":
Well the skeeters are fightin' and the kids are bitin' It's perfect weather with rain and lightning The porridge is slop, the flapjacks flopped I'm telling dad jokes and I can't stop Everyone's tired and then they're wired Whoever burned the marshmallows is getting fired
Coronavirus is never mentioned on SONGS FOR SINGIN' nor was it necessary to do so. Wonders of the natural world include dangers. However, at the end of the day, Joe and Justin know their audience wants words of comfort and security. In a time when adults and other authority figures don't have all the answers, the Okees deliver SONGS FOR SINGIN' as a panacea for those helplessly screaming into the void. The Okee Dokee Brothers use their music to lift spirits and temporarily emancipate families from quarantine.
SONGS FOR SINGIN' is available on May 1 from the Okee Dokee Brothers' website, Amazon, and Apple Music.
Here is the video for the new song, "If You Want A Song":
Long Island's Brady Rymer has been a proponent of special needs and children with disabilities over the course of his career as a kid's musician. His 2011 album, LOVE ME FOR WHO I AM, was dedicated to the concerns and triumphs of spectrum children and their families. Brady serves double duty as the leader of the Little Band That Could as well as bass player for the Laurie Berkner Band. For Autism Awareness Month, he and Laurie have teamed up for a version of his song, "Soft Things." Shot 'low tech' from their respective shelters-in-place, the video was edited by their children, Lucy, Gus, and Daisy.
Wendy Morgan and Darryl Boggs (Wendy and DB) are back with a new album of kindie empowerment songs from their base in Chicago. HEY BIG WORLD contains 15 mostly original songs covering the environment, childhood fears, rules, animals, and education.
A sprightly cover of "Let's Go Fly A Kite" turns any car ride into an instant singalong. "Giralephant" creates a fantastic new creature but also teaches a lesson about different and not fitting in. However, the next track goes right back to a more obvious message, "Stop For the Red Light." Wendy and DB have sincere concerns, know their audience, and delight in spreading their messages of love, inclusion, and peace. The CD is dedicated to DB's mother Addy, who passed away last year at the age of 95. If you buy a physical copy of the CD (a novel idea these days), HEY BIG WORLD comes with an illustrated booklet with the lyrics to every song.
Ten percent of sales from HEY BIG WORLD go towards two charities – Jumpstart, which provides language, literacy, and social-emotional programming for preschool children from under-resourced communities and A Better Life for Kids, based on Ghana, Africa, which purchases food, medicine, and other essential supplies and equipment for the babies and children and funds education and literacy programs.
All I Have To Do Is Dream – The Everly Brothers
All Star – Andrew & Polly
Early Bird – The Okee Dokee Brothers
hidin' and seekin' – caspar babypants
It's A Wonderful Life – Kepi Ghoulie
A Song that Makes Me Happy – Danny Weinkauf
I Had to Pee (On a Ferris Wheel) – Jack Forman
Danny Weinkauf (and his Red Pants Band cohorts, including lead vocalist Tina Kenny-Jones) have released a stop-motion video for "Dinosaurs on Roller Skates," the first track of his new CD, DINOSAURS AND METAPHORS. The video is the work of college freshman Madison Durand, a student of Tim Labonte (a Red Pants Band fan who created the band's “Cast My Vote” and “Tricycle” videos). According to Danny, Madison was learning basic animation and started working with him back in high school. This is her third video for the band, after "Eyes in the Back of Her Head” and “Only One You":
John Cullimore's family band project Chibi Kodama is back with fresh music. Here's the new track released in 2020, "Energy." The song is about feeling comfortable in your own skin:
I don’t owe you a thing And I don’t care if you like the way I sing the song of my life It’s just me being me being me I like what I am I don’t have to pay any dues to anybody Or earn the right to stand It’s just me being me being me
Listen, pay for the download, and share the song here:
Clown Shoes - Ratboy Jr.
Hope Machine - The Okee Dokee Brothers
Mother Earth - Joanie Leeds
Perfect Day - Danny Weinkauf
termite - caspar babypants
Wake Up Little Susie - The Everly Brothers
With a Little Help From My Friends - Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could
Being a kid can make you want to scream. Or bounce up and down. Or bang your head (into a pillow, let's not get carried away here). Jumpin' Jamie (Jamie Theurich) knows how your kids feel and conveys their sentiments with the hard-charging, power pop tunes on his latest collection, NEVER MIND THE BLOCKS, HERE'S JUMPIN' JAMIE. And yes, bonus points if you think "That cover looks familiar."
The album roars to a start with an audio clip of esteemed teen influencer Greta Thunberg, leading into "Greta Says," which sets the tone for fun and games with almond milk, cookies, and enlightenment, with a chorus of "Wake up, stop stealing our future! We haven't enough time! The planet's on the line!" The following track, "I Don't Wanna Dance" kicks out the jams for individuality and not being ashamed of how the music makes you move.
As an activist, Jamie wears many hats. The country-flavored "Same As You And Me" is about how cow's milk is for cows and there are plenty of dairy-free alternatives. I defy you to stand still during the straight-out raving "Honesty Is the Best Policy." He channels Devo and Men Without Hats on "Stand Up," quoting some Patti Smith "People Have The Power" at the end of the song. And "Whistleblower" indirectly addresses current Washington, DC
When something isn't right, blow that whistle blow Let it out and fight the good fight, blow that whistle blow You should just know there are consequences, blow that whistle blow When you let it out, it's the only defenses, blow that whistle blow
Jamie continues the trend of promoting female role models. Joanie Leeds celebrated Ruth Bader Ginsburg on her 2020 release, ALL THE LADIES. Jamie sings the story of "Susan B. Anthony" and the women's voting suffragette movement. A big booster of free thinking and social justice, Jamie channels the rage of his punk and hard rock role models into messages of affirmation and personal growth. Kids will like Jumpin' Jamie because the music fun and loud and they can sing the hooks. There's an underlying dynamism that propels NEVER MIND THE BLOCKS to unanticipated, spirited heights. You're gonna rock out with your juice box out.
NEVER MIND THE BLOCKS, HERE'S JUMPIN' JAMIE is available from Jamie's website, Amazon, and Apple Music.
Here is the video for the debut single, "I Don't Wanna Dance":
All The Ladies – Joanie Leeds
baby's driving a car – caspar babypants
Even When.... – Ratboy Jr.
Garden of Your Mind – Andrew & Polly
Loving & Kind – Aaron Nigel Smith
Stars – Ants Ants Ants
That's What a Song Is – Jack Forman
the ants go marching – caspar babypants
El Corazon – The Lucky Band
Flexible Brain – Ratboy Jr.
If Girls Ruled The World – Joanie Leeds
Thank You For Being You – Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could
Your Love is a Metaphor – Danny Weinkauf
The Sun Comes Up Again – Jack Forman
Hang on, you're not going anywhere. Neither are your kids. What's a parent to do in these turbulent times? How about giving your family more than 30 minutes of peppy, poppy, and preppy children's music? Danny Weinkauf and his Red Pants Band have released their fifth – yes, fifth – collection of tunes, DINOSAURS AND METAPHORS. Your sons and daughters may know about oversized, extinct creatures, but Danny and company introduce them to the latter concept.
A man who wears many hats, Danny plays bass for They Might Be Giants, who themselves put out a fistful of children's music CDs. Danny's tracks from those releases piqued his interest in furthering a sideline as a kids' recording artist. That brings us to DINOSAURS AND METAPHORS, with its 15 songs delivering direct messages. For instance, the moral of "Don't Want a Haircut" is "hey that wasn't bad." Similarly, "A Song That Makes Me Happy" is so infectious to the point that my kids were joining in by the second chorus. Which is the point. Of the song.
Danny pulls out a scratchy Louis Armstrong impression for "I've Got the Hiccups All Day." He fancies flatulence in the stink-tacular "Cut the Cheese." Homeschooled kids will find humor in the (now nostalgic) heavily ironic "Hooray It's Monday!" Former music composer Alf Clausen of The Simpsons receives a tribute on "Homer, Danny, and Alf." Danny conducts a perfect round (think "Row Row Row Your Boat") on "Boy with a Hole in his Heart" featuring bandmate Tina Kenny-Jones:
There once was a boy with a hole in his heart Who felt like his world was falling apart Then one day a bird sang a song from above And the hole in his heart was filled up with love
Tina shares harmonies and delivers powerful lead vocals on many tracks, including "Lovely Lazy Saturday Morn" and "Dinosaurs on Rollerskates." The Red Pants Band trio is rounded out by drummer Steve Plesnarski, in the event we get to attend live concert events again in the future.
A child's world is a complicated place and Danny Weinkauf likes to poke around its nooks and crannies, like an english muffin with dripping jelly. With DINOSAURS AND METAPHORS, Danny scrutinizes the mundane and the metaphysical from a kid's frame of reference and wraps everything in a handy dandy, enjoyable package.
The overall theme of Joanie Leeds' anthemic new release, ALL THE LADIES, is optimism. She wants change, not in her daughter's lifetime, but her lifetime, and that shines through on her first collection in nearly three years.
The genesis of ALL THE LADIES (which we discussed in a lengthy Q&A) came post-divorce. While booking more performance as a solo artist, Joanie became aware she was culpable of surrounding herself with mostly male backup performers, to the detriment of an extraordinary collection of female artists in her extended children's music community. With assistance from Grammy winner/producer Lucy Kalantari, Joanie assembled a post-feminist Murderer's Row of performers, including Lisa Loeb (also a Grammy winner for children's music), Suzi Shelton, Sonia de los Santos, Carly Ciarrocchi, Chava Mirel, and more.
The themes on ALL THE LADIES go remarkably deep for "children's music," including forays into divorce ("Rosie Darling"), gender inequality ("Half of the World"), and even miscarriages ("For You"). There's also an historical ode to Brooklyn's own Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg ("RBG"). Joanie uses a deft touch, and the messages are not so heavy-handed that you feel compelled to switch to gangster rap on Spotify for less offensive material. The pro-life proponents will have have a hard time even reading the second meaning into the lyrics of "For You":
You don't understand how much I hoped for A little girl like you who I could love more And more with each rising sun 'Cause one smile had come undone
The primal mother-daughter bond is especially fierce with Joanie, sparking songs such as "Lioness," "Every Mother," and the sonic ballad "Beautiful" (not the Christina Aguilera tune). "If Girls Ruled the World" marches ALL THE LADIES into feminism and finishes with an all-star choir on "Half of the World" calling for unity, peace, and harmony.
Joanie is putting her money where her mouth is, sparking change in national culture in favor of women's rights. A percentage of the Sound Exchange royalties for ALL THE LADIES go to the National Women’s Law Center, which fights for gender justice by driving change in the courts, in public policy, and in society, especially for women facing multiple forms of discrimination.
Children's music is a breeding ground (excuse the current global situation) for engaging young minds with ideas and possibilities. ALL THE LADIES strives to transform that potential into actual change, with Joanie enlightening listeners that all children are created equal, even if progress happens one song at a time.
Ben Rudnick knows that kids can get stressed. And the best/worst time to stress is when the world is in disorder (a better kid-friendly term than chaos). To address those issues, he has released a new song called "Monster No." In this gentle acoustic tune, coronavirus becomes the monster who can be vanquished through hand washing, wearing a mask, and sheltering in place. You can stream (and purchase) the song through Soundcloud:
Individuality is celebrated by Jumpin' Jamie on his latest single, "I Don't Wanna Dance (Just Like Everyone)" from his upcoming release, NEVER MIND THE BLOCKS. You have your own special moves and 'tude on the dance floor? Then let's see some of your moves. Here's the video:
Rules, rules, rules. That's all kids face with sheltering in place and homeschooling. Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could have now crafted a song to help make following health rules a bit more entertaining for kids. The "Do the Five" campaign inspired both his tune and video (featuring his daughter, Daisy). Follow these five important health tips and learn the dance at the same time:
1. (Hands) Wash them often
2. (Elbow) Cough into it
3. (Face) Don't touch it
4. (Space) Keep safe distance
5. (Home) Stay if you can
Diverse Latin American influences permeate Flor Bromley's newest offering, FlESTA GLOBAL. You will become familiar with Peruvian marinera, Mexican son jarocho, Brazilian batacuda, and Colombian cumbia. Just when you think you know a song like "La Bamba," Flor and collaborator Claudia Vega deliver a rousing new version.
Flor stresses bilingual fun as she tours through South America to discover where these rhythms were born, accompanied by her band, Sinuhé Padilla, George Sáenz, and Raphael Torn. Flor already released a "bonus" single of the song "Superhero" in English, but the CD contains the Peruvian version that she would have sung in her native country.
Flor performs bilingual shows throughout the tristate area (with her sidekick Kitty). Her agreeable style and infectious attitude shine on tracks like the pro-immigration "We Came to America," the Dixieland swing track "Balloon Party" with Jazzy Ash, and the Columbian ode to friendship, "Lalalalalá" with 123 Andres. Come for the celebration, stick around and possibly learn about world culture.
FIESTA GLOBAL will be released on April 24 on Apple Music and Amazon.
Give You a Call – Jack Forman
Helicopter Leaves – Ants Ants Ants
Inside I Shine – Danny Weinkauf
One – Aaron Nigel Smith
That's My Style – The Bazillions
Word Association – Dog On Fleas
You Can Get It If You Really Want – Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could
A lot can happen in three years. Between her two most recent releases, BROOKLYN BABY and ALL THE LADIES, New York City's Joanie Leeds became a single mother, a solo recording artist, a change-maker for gender equality inside the children's music community, and now an online festival promoter.
Joanie is celebrating her upcoming album with the All The Ladies Music Festival (click the link) on Friday, April 3, featuring a lineup of 14 female artists including Lisa Loeb, Lori Henriques, Suzi Shelton, and more. All of the performers are featured on ALL THE LADIES (out the same day) and perform 15-minute sets, from 12:30 PM-4 PM, when Joanie wraps up the show.
Recording artist Joanie Leeds
As early as 2018, Joanie thought about creating an all-female produced and performed album. "Before any song was written, I knew I wanted a female producer, engineer, mixer, and master engineer, even before I made a list of instrumentalists and vocalists – which of course also had to all-female," she explained. "Last year, the ideas began to come to me and I started writing songs with this concept in mind."
New York's musical community comes together at coincidental intervals, and fortuitous timing played a part in Joanie connecting with Grammy winner Lucy Kalantari. "It felt relevant to engage a female producer and I was burning to start this album," she recalled. Joanie took her daughter to see Red Yarn (Andy Ferguson) at Symphony Space and Lucy was there with her son, Darius. "After the concert, we all went out for lunch and I whispered my idea to her about an all-female album," Joanie continued. "Lucy seemed interested. She'd been wanting to produce someone else’s album for some time and connected with the idea. So we were off and running."
Joanie had a long list of "women to work with," mostly singers, but trimmed it for logistical reasons. "I would have loved to have even more women involved," she sighed. "Ultimately, it was a large, amazing ensemble. Lucy found all of the instrumentalists and recorded most of them in her home studio. She really took the reins – I wasn't even there for most of those sessions!"
ALL THE LADIES tackles mature themes, including divorce, gender inequality, and even miscarriages. "Kids today are exposed to way more than I was in my Gen-X upbringing," Joanie said. "My four-year-old knows more about death, racism, and sexism than I did in middle school. I wanted to musically include important themes in an accessible and appropriate way for all ages and genders."
Over the course of 20 years, Joanie's career has evolved from "adult" solo performer to bandleader of the popular Joanie Leeds and the Nightlights, back to solo – as part of the adult duo Joanie and Matt (with Matt Check) as well as playing for younger audiences. "I have always written all my own songs and brought the tunes to the band to arrange," Joanie said. "The finances for making an album, publicity, marketing and paying musicians per show, that all falls to me."
Organically, her shows remain "Joanie Leeds" with rotating backup musicians. "The process isn’t much different now, except I am trying to consciously hire more women, something I'm guilty of not doing in the past," she confessed. Joanie recently came to terms with the all-male structure of the Nightlights. If one of her band members was unavailable for a gig, they would recommended a friend as a substitute. "It was problematic that I never questioned all of their recommendations being male," she continued. "I was usually in such a hurry to find a replacement, there wasn’t time to be picky. My thinking has evolved. I'd like to serve as an example for other bandleaders by hiring more women."
Joanie had planned a big release party for ALL THE LADIES, but the real world rudely intruded. Her online All The Ladies Music Festival provides an alternative that even allows more participation by the musicians. "Before everyone knew the devastating impact of Covid-19, my environmentalist brother told me what the economic impact would be and that I should stop traveling and prepare," Joanie said. "But I didn’t believe him until my album launch concert at the Childrens Museum of Manhattan was canceled."
Joanie's brother pressed her to find a way to create income immediately. As a single mother without a full-time salaried spouse, Joanie knew she had to take action right away. "I didn’t really have time to sit, wait, and see what happened," she said. "I felt panicked at the start. Once my tour was canceled, more than half of my income evaporated. I had to act quickly."
In response, Joanie started a subscription service called Quarantine Kids Concerts (on Facebook). "I was one of the first children's musicians to offer this sort of program for children, which initially translated into an influx of members," she explained, "but signups tapered off, as more performers jumped into the marketplace. The insulting government payout amount isn’t going to cut it for most freelancers, especially city dwellers with large rents and overhead. Plus it's not going to arrive until May."
Joanie conceived of the Quarantine Kids Concerts the evening of Wednesday, March 11. "The idea kept me awake all night," she laughed. "By Thursday afternoon the next day, my business plan was finished and I started with social media outreach." Timing was paramount – a day or two later, a sizable number of kindie folks began offering similar services. "Whether they're free, or donation-based, or through a subscription service, we are all trying to find a healthy balance of what feels good, what our family's specific needs are, and what we offer to the community," she added.
ALL THE LADIES hold special significance because it's the first recording where Joanie's daughter was an active, willing participant. "I don’t have much choice in the matter now," Joanie said. "She asked to be on the album and I was happy to include her." Joanie's daughter's voice appears on the songs “Anything” and “RBG.” "I’m thrilled to have this recording for posterity," she added. "Years down the road, she can look back and hear her sassy four-year-old self! As a mom, that is really special."
Click on the link for more information on the All The Ladies Music Festival on Friday, April 3, from 12:30 PM-4 PM, when Joanie wraps up the show. ALL THE LADIES is available the same day from Amazon and Apple Music.
Here is the video for the title track, "All The Ladies":
Are you trapped in the house? Trapped in an apartment? Trapped in a trailer park? Trapped on a luxury boat? Okay, maybe the last one is kind of a stretch. No matter what, children's music is here for you. Okee Dokee Brother Joe Mailander and his son Hap recorded a video singing "If We Ever Needed Love Before," and it's so cute you need to see it by clicking on the image:
Mista Cookie Jar and Dean Jones teamed up for a cover version of the Dog on Fleas' front man's "Just Another Finger." It's the story of a thumb, told from the perspective of a thumb. Yes, that's what it's about:
Ok. I'm the kinda finger that you wouldn't put a ring on Not rilly, unless the ring
was kinda silly.
Mister CJ is plotting his next CD for later this year. Will this track make the cut? Who knows. You can buy it for a buck or just hear it here at Bandcamp:
What if there were more to life then just being a children's music performer? I know, it's hard to wrap your head around the concept. But Billy Kelly decided it might be possible. To that end, he minimized the window of his music recordings (a computer joke) while opening a new window into the world of family-friendly comedy.
We saw him do his thing live a few years ago in support of his first comedy CD. Now he's back with an Audible Original standup comedy special for parents and kids – the perfect antidote (don't sue me) for Corona virus. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll want to leave your house. But in lieu of all that, here's a one-hour comedy special that's perfect for the whole self-quarantined family. Find it online at Billy Kelly's website or at Audible.
Bilingual children's recording artist Flor Bromley is prepping for the release of next month's FIESTA GLOBAL with the release of the bonus English-language single, "Superhero." The song appears in Spanish as "Superhéroe" on the CD. Flor perused a plethora of different musical styles throughout her upbringing, and "Superhero" is an upbeat rocker, reminiscent of early Green Day.
Cloud Skateboard – Mo Phillips
Doppelganger – Dog On Fleas
Dozen Good Reasons – Danny Weinkauf
Ducky Is The Name Of My Bike – Caspar Babypants
Finally – Franz Ferdinand
Planting Seeds (Featuring Sean Staples) – Alastair Moock
Summer's Here – The Bazillions
Environment breeds music. Slaves sang spirituals (despite what Blazing Saddles portrayed), impoverished Okies sang folk tunes, British mods inspired Quadrophenia. The groundbreaking Free To Be: You and Me injected social commentary into children's music in the early 1970s, and demonstrated that young minds could multi-task just as well as teens and adults.
In the intervening decades, social justice has not only gained a name, but a game strategy as well. Crowdsourcing allows musicians to band together like-minded people who celebrate, educate, and course correct. Alastair Moock has taken that tactic with his newest release, BE A PAIN. The title mockingly refers to such people as Muhammad Ali, Mahatma Gandhi, Rosa Parks, and Billie Jean King ("She was a King who was also a pain," he insists).
When society's norms are stretched, or abused, to their limits, children's music gets more insightful as the songwriters and performers stress the importance of personal freedom, family, and individuality. Activism reacts like a rubber band. [POLITICAL WARNING] Right now, we are cursed with an American Cancer in the White House and a government not for the people, but for a handful of privileged families whose wealth dwarves the majority of our population. The venal narcissism and lack of empathy of this existential Voldemort is a black stain on our history, and will hopefully start to be washed away come this November. In the meantime, Alastair and his collaborators know this is the time to "Get To Work" on making that happen. [END OF WARNING]
The messages on BE A PAIN are forthright and brutally honest, from an adult perspective. But they also trend as first-rate kid's motivational songs, such as "Kids Can Do Great Things" (with Kris Delmhorst), "What Is A Leader?" (featuring Rani Arbo), and the conquering hate anthem, "Lead With Love" (with Melanie DeMore). If pressed for a representative track, I would highlight "No Wall (Ninguana Pared)," sang in English and Spanish by Alastair with Sol y Canto and Alisa Amador:
There's no wall between an ending and a start There's no wall between the sunshine and the dark There's no us, there's no them All walls fall down in the end There's no wall that keeps us all apart
Alastair heard the clarion call of activism not long after embarking on his career as a children's musician a decade ago, including a remarkable CD dedicated to his young daughter's fight with pediatric cancer, SINGING OUR WAY THROUGH. That led to ALL KINDS OF ME AND YOU, about gender roles, ethnicity, and identity. With his band of merry mini-influencers, Alastair seeks to stem injustice and preach to the warmness of each human soul.
Alastair Moock and the change-makers on BE A PAIN lean more towards heartwarming then heartbreaking. Bringing about change requires more than nickels and dimes. Isn't a childhood worth more than that? Alastair strives to bring his message to more underserved communities, which suffer from cuts to arts funding. To that end, BE A PAIN was funded by a campaign that guarantees a free enrichment program to a school or Head Start program for every $1000 raised during this campaign. It's still going – here's the link again. The closing song, "What We Tell Our Children," includes a list of common refrains, ending with "Remember to share." Including music? Well, who wouldn't.
Backstroke Raptor – Story Pirates
Clown Shoes – Ratboy Jr.
Harmony With You – Jack Forman
If I Had A Hammer (Featuring Clio Moock) – Alastair Moock
Inkpot – Kepi Ghoulie
Lazy Boy – Franz Ferdinand
What Kind Of Fruit – Dean Jones
Anything Can Be A Hat – Ratboy Jr.
Everyday Life – Coldplay
Everything Has A Song – Caspar Babypants
#Goals – Jack Forman
One Foot / Lead With Love (Featuring Crys Matthews) – Alastair Moock
Under the Big Umbrella – Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could
All Star – Andrew & Polly
Be A Pain – Alastair Moock
Champion Of The World – Coldplay
Humans Are Still Evolving – Dean Jones
In My Nintendo – Jack Forman
New Pair Of Shoes – The Bazillions
Shine It Up – Caspar Babypants
Mother and daughter children's music performers Ruth Weber and Emilia Lopez-Yañez have returned with their new CD, KOKOWANDA BAY, with a message of ecology and the three R's (recycle, reduce, and reuse). The alien acquaintance URR (from their previous CD) transports the duo on a mini-vacation where they teach children how nature can only do so much.
We must do more to help save the planet. In the end, who knows? But it's up to younger citizens to do their part, and Ruth & Emilia are being proactive with their peppy, interactive tunes.
The Laurie Berkner Band has a new video for their song, "Chipmunk at the Gas Pump." It's about jumping and pumping. Comes complete with an eco-friendly reference to e-charging station. It's always a fun jaunt with the Queen of Kindie music... Here's the video:
With the novel Corona virus taking the world by storm (literally), the Okee Dokee Brothers have recorded a quick PSA for kids called "Don't Touch Your Face." You can listen, just don't... okay, you get it.... and dry those hands, too! Click on the pic to get to the video!
Cloud Skateboard – Mo Phillips
I Love The Night – Gustafer Yellowgold
It's a Miracle – Dog On Fleas
Orphans – Coldplay
Stumble Into You – Jack Forman
That's My Style – The Bazillions
Who In The Circus Is Me? – Caspar Babypants
Bring My Chimpy Home – Caspar Babypants
Even When.... – Ratboy Jr.
Handle With Care – Like Father Like Son
Loving & Kind – Aaron Nigel Smith
Under the Big Umbrella – Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could
Word Association – Dog On Fleas
Flexible Brain – Ratboy Jr.
Fly Like A Bird – Dean Jones
Noodles And Butter – Caspar Babypants
One – Aaron Nigel Smith
Sunshine Sunny Sun Sunshine Day – Danny Weinkauf
Who, What, When, Where, Why – The Bazillions
You Do You – Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could
Growing up is tough. That's why Peter Pan refused to do it. Suspended adolescence is one of the primary charming enticements in becoming a children's musician: You get to continually relive your childhood experiences through the eyes of an attentive, appreciative audience. Raffi never had children of his own over the course of a 40-year career. Others embark on "late" parenthood, when they're established themselves and the timing is right. That's the case with Justin Roberts, who released his first kid's music CD, GREAT BIG SUN, in 1997. And released his first child in 2019 – more than 20 years later.
Roberts' latest release, WILD LIFE, chronicles the delights, trials, and tribulations of new parenthood. It falls well within the bounds of his last effort, LEMONADE, as well as an earlier effort, LULLABY. The songs are acoustic, with keyboards and harmonica on "Hide And Seek," which is about "how there ain't nobody who doesn't want to be found" more than the kid's game. The CD also contains a few shout-outs to God, on this track as well as "Wild Life." Put that information into your non-secular folder when you compile your musical shopping list.
Produced by "Not Ready For Naptime" bandmate Liam Davis, WILD LIFE is a deeply personal effort for Roberts. Newborns are more prone to tantrums during loud music, resulting in an absence of ravers and audience participation tunes. WILD LIFE instead relies on a group of instrumentalists that includes fellow bandmate/percussionist Gerald Dowd, pianist Lisa Kaplan, baroque cellist Anna Steinhoff (incidentally Mrs. Roberts), and vocalist Nora O’Connor (who has sung with the Decemberists).
Roberts welcomes his firstborn with wonder on the song, "Glad You're Here":
We don't know if you descended from some far-off distant star But you landed in our laps now we happy are Now we'll dance with you and sing to you while we're spinning on this sphere So you don't forget the world is full of love, and we're glad that you're here
Title track "Wild Life," perhaps the most evocative song on the CD, is a life lesson written by longtime Roberts' friend, playwright Craig Wright, with a chorus urging kids to "cut their own path through this wild life." The liveliest song, "I've Got the World (For You)" almost gets the kids up and dancing. I said almost. On WILD LIFE, children's music bridges the space between parents and kids; sharing the spectacle of modern life, and taking baby steps until everyone – no matter what age – is confident as an individual, special person. And ready to walk on their own.
Father Goose always promises a good time and a positive message. Now the self-proclaimed king of the house party presents his latest video, "Rise Up Now" featuring Coolie Ranx, Addis Revolution, Itimo and Vic Rosario. Inspired by ongoing modern day issues and events that affect adults and children alike, "Rise Up Now" addresses human suffering, racism, equal rights, justice, extinction, social agendas, and cyberbullying. As FG says, "As we strive to create a better world for humanity, we all will continue to rise up now as one."
Buenos Dias – The Lucky Band
Dozen Good Reasons – Danny Weinkauf
Everything Has A Song – Caspar Babypants
Garden of Your Mind – Andrew & Polly
Helicopter Leaves – Ants Ants Ants
I'm an Optimist – Dog On Fleas
Stick Up Stand Up – Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could
All Star – Andrew & Polly
Even When.... – Ratboy Jr.
Have You Ever Been Real – Dean Jones
I Love The Night – Gustafer Yellowgold
I Spy – Ants Ants Ants
Orphans – Coldplay
Taco Tuesday – The Lucky Band
Clown Shoes – Ratboy Jr.
Fly Like A Bird – Dean Jones
Give You a Call – Jack Forman
Lost And Loving It – Kepi Ghoulie
Loving & Kind – Aaron Nigel Smith
Stars – Ants Ants Ants
Thank You For Being You – Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could
Nashville musician, illustrator, and children's book author Elliott Park celebrates Valentine's Day with a charming duet, "Love Will See Us Through," featuring eight-year-old Lilah Benjamin. With so many divisive forces in the world today, Park hones in on the pure, unadulterated bond between parents and offspring.
There's no overt politicizing and it's a world of difference between what a child sees as overwhelming compared to a parent. But Park brings it all into focus with a simple piano arrangement that instantly makes listeners recall Randy Newman's "You've Got a Friend In Me." In that sense, "Love Will See Us Through" is a notable companion piece.
Park: The road has been a little rough and a little bit rude, but I know love will see us through.
Lilah: Whatever, it don't matter, what it takes we will do, 'cause I know love will see us through.
You can look for Elliott Park's debut children's CD, JUST BE, from his website and Amazon. You can stream "Love Will See Us Through," (out February 14), on Soundcloud:
Finally – Franz Ferdinand
Inside I Shine – Danny Weinkauf
It's A Wonderful Life – Kepi Ghoulie
Shine It Up – Caspar Babypants
Village d'Ãtoile – Dog On Fleas
What Kind Of Fruit – Dean Jones
With a Little Help From My Friends – Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could
Backstroke Raptor – Story Pirates
Ducky Is The Name Of My Bike – Caspar Babypants
People Watching – Dean Jones
Stumble Into You – Jack Forman
White Whale – Kepi Ghoulie
Word Association – Dog On Fleas
You Can Get It If You Really Want – Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could
Anything Can Be A Hat – Ratboy Jr.
Handle With Care – Like Father Like Son
Harmony With You – Jack Forman
I'm an Optimist – Dog On Fleas
Who In The Circus Is Me? – Caspar Babypants
Who, What, When, Where, Why – The Bazillions
You Do You – Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could
Buenos Dias – The Lucky Band
Doppelganger – Dog On Fleas
Even When.... – Ratboy Jr.
Everything Has A Song – Caspar Babypants
#Goals – Jack Forman
Inkpot – Kepi Ghoulie
Summer's Here – The Bazillions
It looks like the year 2020 will see a bunch of returns and re-inventions, as well as an upswing of singles releases. Secret Agent 23 Skidoo has promised to have monthly EPs (!) coming, for a total of more than 60 tracks by the end of the year. But for now, here are the first two selections.
The answer to the hypothetical question, "Do you need to have children to make extraordinary music for children?" used to be "Justin Roberts." The Chicago-based performer and his band, The Not Ready for Naptime Players, garnered three Grammy nominations during their long-tenured career. Very soon Justin's new CD, WILD LIFE, will arrive, celebrating his marriage and subsequent introduction to parenthood. In the meantime, we have the first single, "Heart Like A Door," and it sounds like fatherhood agrees with him. Take a listen here and you'll agree with me.
Those two fellows from Koo Koo Kanga Roo are at it again. By that, I mean they've released another single from an upcoming release, date to be determined. The song, "My Jam," is gathering airplay at Harlem Globetrotters games, so kids are getting jiggy (and jelly) with it. "We are excited to get to partner with Koo Koo Kanga Roo as we're big fans of the work they do to help kids be active," commented Globetrotters rep Hammer Harrison. "We hope that when kids and families watch the video they are inspired to get up and get moving." You can grab "My Jam" here and watch for the video next week.
Bryan and Neil from Koo Koo Kanga Roo will bring "My Jam" and their other newest songs “Glitter” and “Hot Sauce” to California audiences starting today. As always, they will get fans of all ages up and dancing along at several venues around the Golden State:
January 23 at 6 pm: Voodoo Room, San Diego, CA
January 24 at 6 pm: Temblor, Bakersfield, CA
January 25 at 6 pm: Cornerstone, Berkeley, CA
January 26 at 6 pm: Holy Diver, Sacramento, CA
January 29 at 6 pm: Strummer’s, Fresno, CA
January 30 at 6 pm: Chain Reaction, Anaheim, CA
January 31 at 6 pm: Rock City Studios, Camarillo, CA
These shows are open to all ages. Details and advance tickets (unless otherwise noted, $15 general admission; $40 VIP admission) are available now at http://kookookangaroo.com/shows
Bring My Chimpy Home – Caspar Babypants
Cloud Skateboard – Mo Phillips
El Corazon – The Lucky Band
Flexible Brain – Ratboy Jr.
Helicopter Leaves – Ants Ants Ants
Loving & Kind – Aaron Nigel Smith
New Pair Of Shoes – The Bazillions
Mista Cookie Jar's new song "Kindness Is the Way" falls somewhere between rap and piano jazz. CJ refers to this style as "soul jambalaya," on a track that symbolically drops on Dr. Martin Luther King Day, as the Senate gears up for a game of political Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots over the Trump presidency.
The world can be a cold place but a friendly smile or warm embrace can make all the difference. The Cookie maestro takes his upbeat hip-hop lyrics and delivers them over a tinkling piano and midtempo drumbeat:
For our love love love to elevate, we gotta do whatever it takes. To the top top top you bet we'll escalate each day, everyday.
You can grab "Kindness Is the Way" from Mista Cookie Jar's BandCamp page as well as his website.
Buenos Dias – The Lucky Band
Ducky Is The Name Of My Bike – Caspar Babypants
Fly Like A Bird – Dean Jones
Handle With Care – Like Father Like Son
In My Nintendo – Jack Forman
Lazy Boy – Franz Ferdinand
Non-secular children's music walks a fine line between entertainment and enlightenment. Every Christmas song ever recorded (with the exception of "Last Christmas") qualifies as non-secular. However kids of all religions happily sing along when December rolls around. If you're in the market for story-oriented modern interpretations of classic religious tales, (Brendan) Parker and (Erick) Alexander have released "All Of Us: Bible Songs for Everyone."
The duo are also responsible for a multitude of amusing non-secular children's CDs recorded as Spaghetti Eddie, over the past several years. "All Of Us" covers creation to the Nativity to the stories of Noah and Jonah (and the whale). They have branded their new project under their own names to disengage from the more generic Spaghetti Eddie brand. The songs are bright and filled with uplifting sentiment, perfect for certain developing religious sensibilities. You can order "All Of Us" from Parker & Alexander's website.
What if Seth Rogen decided to record children's music? I have a feeling it would sound (and look) something like Jesse Jukebox (otherwise known as Jesse Freidberg). A children's music educator and performer, Jesse teaches kids how to play instruments on his website, as well as tells stories, and acts as a font of unassuming entertainment.
Jesse's third CD, AWESOME! drops next week. The title track is now available as a video, featuring sign language from his deaf friend Jaison Anderson. They recount a large number of things that are, well, awesome. Here, watch for yourself:
Clown Shoes – Ratboy Jr.
Garden of Your Mind – Andrew & Polly
New Pair Of Shoes – The Bazillions
One – Aaron Nigel Smith
Shine It Up – Caspar Babypants
Taco Tuesday – The Lucky Band
Word Association – Dog On Fleas
All Star – Andrew & Polly
Backstroke Raptor – Story Pirates
Inside I Shine – Danny Weinkauf
That's My Style – The Bazillions
Under the Big Umbrella – Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could
Village d'Ãtoile – Dog On Fleas
Who In The Circus Is Me? – Caspar Babypants
Dozen Good Reasons – Danny Weinkauf
I've Got An Apple Pie In My Bookbag – Lisa Loeb and Kid Pan Alley
In My Nintendo – Jack Forman
It's a Miracle – Dog On Fleas
Noodles And Butter – Caspar Babypants
White Whale – Kepi Ghoulie
With a Little Help From My Friends – Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could
