Dreaming With the Pointed Man Band

In the olden days (pre-pandemic), a one-man band entertained crowds by performing with tambourines on his knees and maracas attached to his elbows, as well as a harmonica strung around his neck. The modern-day one-man band is Dan Elliott, Portland's eponymous Pointed Man Band. Dan has returned with DREAMS, a four-track EP to brighten your dreary mid-winter spirits. Dan likes to paint word pictures to the point when even a song like "Dreams" comes alive with vivid imagery ("Your mind will race with parachutes in tow").

The songs ("Winter & Co.," "Unsung," "Dreams," and "Love") aim high in celebration and camaraderie, as even the dreariest months make Dan break out into smiles. "Love" can feel in short supply when you can't see loved ones or travel any distance due to coronavirus. But "love is love no matter who you're thinking of," Dan instructs listeners. "Winter & Co." remarks on day becoming night and how the night stars are more than metaphor in something we can strive to reach:

Turning the bright lights on
Light up the sky like the moons and the sun
So turn the bright lights on and we
Aim for the stars cause that’s who we are

There's an asterisk on the one-man band aspect, as Dan is accompanied by wife Kay and son Noam (making it a one-family band, more accurately). Co-production polish was provided by Pat Hanlin (Josh and the Jamtones), with concept design and artwork by Portland illustrator Brooke Weeber. 

It's the rare children's music act that sounds like the Alan Parsons Project crossed with Roxy Music. Most of you can go diving for Wikipedia or ask Alexa who I'm talking about. Or better yet, just accept that the decidedly unsharpened Pointed Man Band will drive right into your kids' imaginations.

DREAMS is available from the Pointed Man Band's website, Bandcamp, Apple Music, and Amazon. 

Here is the video for the band's song, "Love":

Ben's Playlist - Monday, March 8, 2021

Stars – Ants Ants Ants
Doppelganger – Dog On Fleas
Winter Bird / When Winter Comes – Paul McCartney
Dead Roses – Weezer
Two Towns – David Gibb & Brady Rymer
White Whale – Kepi Ghoulie
No Son Of Mine – Foo Fighters

Let's Go With the Laurie Berkner Band (World Premiere Video)

There are some hard and fast truths for most children's music performers, especially when they face an unending procession of Zoom concerts. Paramount is the simple, declarative statement: They will never be Laurie Berkner. Sound harsh? Maybe, but consider the three decades of street cred that Laurie brings to the culture of kids' music. It's been 25 years since the release of WHADDAYA THINK OF THAT? In the intervening time, kindie has become a "thing." The Berkner Band has soldiered on, past piles of discarded download cards, broken CDs, and scratched vinyl singles left in the wake of hundreds of acts that followed.

I'm not comparing Laurie Berkner to Furiosa, the character played by Charlize Theron in the "Mad Max" remake. Laurie's journey included many detours that benevolently opened entry ramps for other artists, such as adapting her songs into children's books and starring in a short-form TV series for Sprout! (now Universal Kids). She even took a six-year break from recording new music to start a family with husband/former bassist Brian Mueller. 

During the early days of the pandemic, Laurie held daily (then thrice-weekly) "Berkner Break" concerts for quarantined children. Those concerts helped spawn many of the songs for her 14th release, LET'S GO! The 16 songs span appreciation for nature ("I Saw A Butterfly"), accomplishment ("Tied My Shoes"), and self-awareness, personal pride, and identity ("Beautiful Light"):

I'll make my beautiful way in this world

The way I dance, the way I sing, the way I bounce, the way I twirl

The way I think, the way I see, the things I'll do and who I'll be

I'll make my beautiful way in this world

The contradiction of the pandemic era is that isolation has made recording music easier for many bands. The refrain "when can we get together" has been solved by shared Google docs and cloud-based sound files. The song credits on LET'S GO! read like a jigsaw puzzle, with a round-robin of musicians and singers. Yet the tunes come together seamlessly, delivering Laurie's beloved, patented song style to her perpetually renewed fanbase. When the world is ready to reopen, the Laurie Berkner Band is excited to meet old fan and new alike. At the very least, LET'S GO! is an understatement.

LET'S GO! is available from Laurie Berkner's website, Spotify, Soundcloud, Amazon, and Apple Music.

The Laurie Berkner Band will be doing a pair of virtual concerts for Easter and Passover on Sunday, March 28 at noon and 5:00 PM ET. Tickets for both shows are available here.

Here is a world premiere video for "When It's Cold," featuring Brady Rymer: 

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, March 4, 2021

No Son Of Mine – Foo Fighters
That's My Style – The Bazillions
Lost And Loving It – Kepi Ghoulie
Seize The Day – Paul McCartney
Bird With A Broken Wing – Weezer
Anything Can Be A Hat – Ratboy Jr.

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, March 2, 2021

'Cause I'm A Man – Tame Impala
The Kiss Of Venus – Paul McCartney
Medicine At Midnight – Foo Fighters
Whole Wide World – Billie Joe Armstrong
Taco Tuesday – The Lucky Band
It's A Wonderful Life – Kepi Ghoulie

Ben's Playlist - Monday, March 1, 2021

The Moment – Tame Impala
I Spy – Ants Ants Ants
Lo/Hi – The Black Keys
Perfect Day – Danny Weinkauf
Village d'Ãtoile – Dog On Fleas
Waiting On A War – Foo Fighters

Flula Goes Bananas!; New Video from Rabbit!

Comedy and children's music go hand in glove, but there's fine line: How much fart humor can adults endure? To that end comes IT'S FOR YOU..., the new EP from German comedian Flula Borg and Go Banana Go!  

There's the pure silliness of "Funky Fresh," where Flula talks about a sting of ridiculous incidents that miraculously happen on the same day, including a brontosaurus making his bed, a robot delivering a loaf or bread, and flying into outer space on a frog. On "Bugs (Are Disgusting)," Flula turns around the Randy Newman vibe of "If I Didn't Have You" and dissects why you shouldn't be afraid of insects. There's even an extended "guess my name" segment where my 10-year-old burst into laughter at the sheer length. 

Plus you get two versions of "Who Tooted," stinky and non-stinky. As I said, you will either be amused or sigh heavily (or both). My kids are not exactly mavens for accents. As Ben pointed out mid-listen, "It's Doctor Doofenshmirtz (from Phineas and Ferb)." Well, not quite, but Flula might enjoy the comparison. He and Go Banana Go! are evil geniuses (sub-teenage division) for their creation of infectious, distinctive comic kids music.

IT'S FOR YOU.... is available on Spotify, Amazon, and Apple Music.

Here's the video of Go Banana Go!'s song "German Lessons":

The new children's music label 8 Pound Gorilla Records is already making an impact as they begin releasing songs and videos for the under-12 market. Indie duo Rabbit! (Ashton Allen and Devin Moore) came together to record tunes for adults, which began to get optioned for commercials. Inquiries for more poppish material led them down the pathway to kids recordings, and here we are 10 years later on the cusp of an April EP entitled Happiness Is Simple. To whet your appetite, there's even an animated video for the number, which features a singalong chorus, a "whoa whoa whoa" refrain, and the message:

Happiness is simple
Give away more than you keep

Rabbit! will release the full EP on April 2. In the meantime, here's their new video "Happiness Is Simple":

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, February 25, 2021

Cloudspotter – Foo Fighters
One – Aaron Nigel Smith
Manic Monday – Billie Joe Armstrong
Cut the Cheese  – Danny Weinkauf
I'm an Optimist – Dog On Fleas
Flexible Brain – Ratboy Jr.
Finally – Franz Ferdinand

Quick Hits: Bonham's Me Symphony; Hello, I Must Be Goings

Second acts are important. Sometimes there's an unexpected twist that moves the story in a whole other direction. Tracy Bonham suffered from severe childhood insecurities. She used her life experiences to fuel her musical career in the 1990s and received a pair of Grammy nominations in 1997. When the pandemic hit, Tracy actualized Melodeon Music House, an education program for young music enthusiasts inspired by the 1970s children's music convergence of The Electric Company, Sesame Street, Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood, School House Rock, and Free To Be You And Me.

After livestreaming literally hundreds of online musical classes, Tracy will release her first CD specifically for children this April, entitled YOUNG MAESTROS, VOLUME 1. For a sample of the album, you can watch the video for the first single, "Me Symphony." The concept is simple – whether or not you've mastered an instrument, a person's most powerful tool is their voice. Watch the video below:

Three-time Grammy nominee Genevieve Goings first became known to this generation of children for her work on Disney Junior's Choo Choo Soul. That exposure led Michele Obama to invite her to the White House two years in a row for the annual Easter Egg Roll. Now she's boarded a new train and headed off on her own and released a five-song EP of children's songs entitled (appropriately) GREAT INDOORS. 

Genevieve has remained active during the pandemic by hosting weekly livestream concerts from her home studio (with occasional appearances by her one-year-old son, Kamari). GREAT INDOORS gives her a chance to share new music with young audiences. 

With an emphasis on rock and funk, Genevieve knows that "we'll be alright, even if it's on Skype," as she sings on "Grateful." It's pretty easy to deduce the concept behind GREAT INDOORS (which is not the title of one of the tracks) – keeping kids focused, entertained, and upbeat. Genevieve accepts the task with "Candy," "Shadow Puppets," "Summer All Year Long," and "Bedtime." 

Catch GREAT INDOORS on Amazon, Spotify, and Apple Music.

Peasley Positively Pleases Preteens and Their Peeps

We’re currently undergoing a turbulent period where artists are opting-out of Grammy nominations due to concerns about the Academy’s absence of multiculturalism. However, the vast majority of children’s musicians are not trying to reinvent the wheel. They pick and choose their spots to gently message their audiences, realizing that it’s parents who make the biggest difference in the pocketbook. That’s especially important during a pandemic, where every YouTube viewing theoretically translates into multiple sets of eyeballs.

Boston-based recording artist Stacey Peasley focused her fifth kids’ album, MAKE IT HAPPEN!  on the simple pleasures of family time and common experiences (such as needing a band-aid, crying for joy, going to a parade) while stirring in a soothing undercurrent of empowerment (“What Girls Do”) and doing it yourself (the title track).

Stacey credits her evolution as a recording artist to producer Marty Beller (of They Might Be Giants fame). Their 10-year, five-CD collaboration (covering TOGETHER (2011), LUCKY DAY (2014), RSVP (2016), UNDER THE TREE (2019), and MAKE IT HAPPEN! ) has challenged her to step to the forefront of a changing social landscape. Stacey’s work demonstrates how children’s music shapes youthful perceptions of the Venn diagram circles where family, community, and the outside world meet.

Older listeners (not me, I don’t want to date myself here) will hear a Carole King influence on “Happy Tears,” a Brill Building power ballad. “What Girls Do” would not feel out of place in a Sheryl Crow setlist. With nearly 30 years of musical performing experience (and more than 10 years of parenting experience), Stacey knows how to structure her tunes to keep parents and children interested and entertained.

“I’ve been inspired by so many different things this past year,” Stacey remarked in the press release. “Looking at our social and political landscape and honing in on the experiences that kids have shared with me has really taken my writing to a new level.” Stacey translated her pandemic interactions into positive energy and pays it forward so children can also literally make it happen.

MAKE IT HAPPEN! is available from Stacey Peasley’s website, Apple Music/iTunes, Amazon Music, and Bandcamp.

Here is the new video for Stacey Peasley’s title track, “Make It Happen!”:

Rabner Helps Kids, Families Cope With COVID

Vaccines are on the way! But ramping up to 350 million people (which means more than half a BILLION vaccinations) means there's still a long time until we all celebrate our family reunions. This is especially frustrating since testing was not done on children under age 16. Seizing on the jumbled emotions of these turbulent, virulent times, Erica Rabner is releasing THE COVID ALBUM: SONGS TO HELP KIDS AND FAMILIES COPE.

Erica is acutely aware of the impact of enforced pandemic separation, as her own grandmother passed away last summer. Over the final six months, there was no in-person contact between them, which inspired her to write "Grandma, I Miss Ya," with backing vocals by Grammy winner Jon Samson. The new video for the song (complete with archival footage of Erica and her grandmother) is viewable below this review.

The year 2020 became a traveling adventure for Rabner, who traded her New York City for a car and moved cross-country. Using her background in early children education, she recorded tracks in a closet in Austin, Texas that became THE COVID ALBUM, including "Imagination Station," "Manage Your Feeings," and "Wash Your Hands," which became the source of more than 500 TikTok videos featuring kids and their creative masks.

Many parents have just about given up trying to get their children to understand the importance of wearing masks. After consulting with a pediatrician, Erica crafted the harmonic "Mask On" to remind families that "personal protective equipment" (PPE) directly affects everyone:

Mask on, put your mask on
Cover your nose and mouth
Don't leave your house without your mask on

THE COVID ALBUM shows Erica's affinity with younger audiences (her "day job" is a research analyst for Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood). While everybody is dealing the pandemic fatigue, parents can step aside for a little while and let Erica Rabner fill the emotional, entertainment, and educational void. 

THE COVID ALBUM: SONGS TO HELP KIDS AND FAMILIES COPE is available on February 17 from Erica Rabner's website, Amazon, and iTunes.

Here is the video for "Grandma, I Miss Ya":

Quick Hits: Mista Cookie Jar's Black Sheep, Uncle Dox Loves Cheese

It's one thing to sing straight lullabies for kids. Shawn Colvin revisited the concept for two different albums over 20 years (HOLIDAY SONGS AND LULLABIES and THE STARLIGHTER). Chris Ballew (as Caspar Babypants) has repurposed multiple chestnuts with all-new verses and purposes. Now Mista Cookie Jar has jumped on the bandwagon with his new single, "Black Sheep Club/I Love You."

These are not your grandfather's "Baa Baa Black Sheep," instead a squadron of funky hip fam with shoutouts to Little Bo Peep and Little Miss Muffet. The tune segues into a modern riff on Sam Cooke's classic "I Love You," close enough that proper credit is given and well-deserved. Mista CJ generally puts out music that gets your kids on their feet. Now he's turned the tables and will help them wind down their day and drift off to sleep.

You can find "Black Sheep Club/I Love You" on Mista Cookie Jar's Bandcamp page:

Uncle Dox, the pride of Minnesota, returns to break the cheese with his new song, also named "Cheese." The Dirty Sock Funtime Band opened the dairy floodgates a few years back with "Cheese World and Danny Weinkauf's Red Pants Band flared nose hairs with "Break the Cheese." That's bad news for the lactose-intolerant but a boon for all dairy farmers.

Now it's Dox's turn to squeak a cheeky cheesy tune for tots. By the time the catchy beat has faded, you will know all the types of cheese that Uncle Dox truly loves, and he's breaking rhymes to boot (Don't put cheese in your boots, I don't recommend it).

Much like the product itself, you can find the song "Cheese" on many platforms, including Spotify, Amazon Music, and Playtime Playlist.

You can watch the image for the song for two and a half minutes while listening to the song on this YouTube video:

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, February 16, 2021

Stars – Ants Ants Ants
Fanga Alafia – Aaron Nigel Smith
I Think We're Alone Now – Billie Joe Armstrong
Shame Shame – Foo Fighters
Anything Can Be A Hat – Ratboy Jr.
El Corazon – The Lucky Band

Ben's Playlist - Monday, February 15 2021

Making A Fire – Foo Fighters
With a Little Help From My Friends – Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could
Inkpot – Kepi Ghoulie
Clown Shoes – Ratboy Jr.
It's a Miracle – Dog On Fleas
Go – The Black Keys

Yowie! A New Music Label For Kids!

When I got into the children's music scene in the early '00s, the major labels treated the genre with literal kid gloves. Recordings for young listeners required curation by parents – and the audience "ages out" of your talent roster in a finite number of years. It was frankly too much of a chore for an industry where physical product – at that point the lifeblood of the touring, local musician – was beginning to dwindle, in favor of digital downloads or online steaming services (something tweens and toddlers don't have a credit card to purchase).

In 2006-2008, a breakthrough looked possible, as Disney Music threw its massive marketing influence behind a selection of artists, including Ralph's World, for a "Disney Music Tour" featuring They Might Be Giants (who performed the theme to Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and had released several children's music CDs). Disaster struck as the Barenaked Ladies, scheduled to headline a few of the concerts, dropped out when lead singer Steven Page was arrested for drug possession. TMBG filled in on those dates (including a show outside the Nassau Coliseum that I attended) but attendance didn't exactly thrill Disney. The experiment ended soon afterward. 

The world is a totally different place and 8 Pound Gorilla Records, curated by SiriusXM Kids Place Live's Kenny Curtis, is poised to face those challenges head-on in 2021. A division of the comedy label 800 Pound Gorilla Media, 8 Pound Gorilla Records will mirror its parent company's digital marketing tactics to promote a diverse lineup of truly independent musicians, spanning a number of genres, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies.

More children's music in 2021? From people who know what they're doing? What's the downside in that? 

As seen by three of the contenders for Best Children's Recording bowing out of the category due to discomfort with the all-white nature of the five nominees, multi-culturalism is a big deal for 8 Pound Gorilla. The roster ranges from Australia’s Formidable Vegetable to Grammy-nominated Bay Area artist Frances England. This year will see new releases by Grammy winner Tim Kubart, Genevieve Goings (Disney Jr's Choo-Choo Soul), comedian-musician Mike Phirman, pop songwriting duo Rabbit!, Sesame Street songwriter Erica Rabner, Nashville's Elliott Park, SaulPaul, Latin Grammy and Emmy Award winners The Lucky Band, Chicago’s soul duo Raii & Whitney, and Atlanta’s hip-hop maestro DJ WillyWow. 

Genevieve Goings christens 8 Pound Gorilla Records as the first artist being featured this year, with the release of GREAT INDOORS, a pandemic family EP. “8 Pound Gorilla is really nurturing to artists – we do what we do, and they will take it from there,” she said. 

Bright Siders Overcome Dark Side of the Mood

Dealing with negative emotions in a positive manner requires a deft touch. But it doesn't necessitate a PhD or years of planning. All it takes is a little TLC. Child psychiatrist Kari Groff, MD, and musician Kristin Andreassen decided more than a decade ago that kids needed a "Free To Be You Are Me" focusing strictly on developing life skills to handle a plethora of feelings. Under the monicker the Bright Siders, their resulting A MIND OF YOUR OWN is a hodgepodge of song styles and sketches, with a number of talented guest stars (including actor Ed Helms). 

The Bridge Siders are valiantly attempting to fill a void in the space for very young listeners. If your child requires a musical intervention to center them, perhaps there are more direct ways to proceed. A MIND OF YOUR OWN has a pretty low ceiling, one I'd estimate at approximately six years old. My ten-year-old heard the sketch "The New Kid" and remarked, "I've never walked up to somebody and said 'Hello, New kid'."

The duo (and producer Chris Eldridge) confront sadness, embarrassment, phobias, harassment, creativity, and individuality. The standout tracks on the collection are "Bully This," a Clash homage about facing physical and verbal bullying and "The Moon and the Stars and Me," the song that sparked the entire project. "Moon" dances around the topic of nightlights and the sundry imaginary things that bump in the dark. Anybody who felt otherwise safe and sound in their own room until the sun went down – and then needed some gentle illumination – will get where Andreasssen and producer Chris Eldridge are coming from.

A MIND OF YOUR OWN is available from the Bright Siders website, Smithsonian Folkways website, Amazon, and iTunes.

Here is the video for the Bright Siders' song "The Moon and the Stars and Me":

Kids Go Nuts for Kelli Welli

It takes a lot to get my younger son (10) to sing along with what he now considers “little kid music.” Since I started reviewing children’s music before he was born, he’s heard (and seen) performers that cross cultures, countries, and languages. Color me stunned that Kelli Welli‘s deceptively simple “Peanut, Pinenut” got him singing from the back seat, doing his version of a British accent on the climactic “It’s a Brazil nut!” on the chorus. It’s one of the standout tracks that will entertain younger music enthusiasts on her latest CD, Let’s Go, Pistachio.

Portland musician Kelli Caldwell has stayed busy during the pandemic – in part because she has seven-year-old twins. Her latest CD draws on country and American folk music and clearly sets the table for a return to live performing, with participation songs like “Jumpin’ Beans” and “The Hat Song,” which practically commands listeners to find suitable chapeaus to pretend they are astronauts and cowboys.

Girl power is the underlying concept of the Dolly Parton-esque “She’s So Bright,” which champions performance throughout adversity and disability. “The Smilers” draws comparisons to Oregon original Red Yarn, as does “Kickin’ It with My Chicken” (right down to the puppet in the song’s video). Kelli turns the “are we there yet” concept around on complainers on “We’re Almost There,” which can be sung on trips from diverse locations including the supermarket and standing outside grandma’s home for a socially distanced visit (with no available bathroom). Speaking of bathrooms, get your toddlers motivated to brush their teeth and drop their pants with “Tinkle Tinkle Toot.” 

For the title track’s video for “Let’s Go, Pistachio,” Kelli enlisted the innovative Gunnar Madsen. Using a Chuck Berry riff, the song (and video) features a boisterous pistachio nut whose oversized personality and frenetic energy (possibly ADHD) drive his friends to distraction.

Working together during a pandemic and separate quarantining pods did not slow down Kelli and Gunnar. “Collaborating with Kelli was a treat,” Gunnar explained. “She provided all the art materials – painted rock characters, backgrounds – and I was given free rein to fill out the story of the song and bring it to life.”

 

Even though they’ve yet to meet in person, Kelli called Gunnar a kindred spirit. “I’m thrilled he agreed to make this video,” she said. “Working with Gunnar has been a blast – he’s my kind of goofball. I made the rocks and he brought them to life in our funny little story.”  

 

Each suggested specific elements for the shoot. Kelli sent Gunnar paintings of parachutes, an umbrella, and a unicycle – all on rocks. He was eager to shoot drone footage from all angles. “I can’t wait to do more animation like this,” Gunnar gushed.

It’s a good bet that if your kids like this musical pistachio, they’ll go nuts for all 15 tunes on LET'S GO PISTACHIO!

LET'S GO PISTACHIO! is available from Kelli Welli’s website ,Bandcamp, Amazon, and Apple Music.

Here is the video for the title track to Kelli Welli’s new CD, “Let’s Go, Pistachio”:

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, February 3, 2021

The Less I Know The Better – Tame Impala
Even When....  – Ratboy Jr.
Screens – Weezer
Shine A Little Light – The Black Keys
She's So Bright  – Kelli Welli
At The Parade – Stacey Peasley
Life Is Good – Purple Fox and the Heebie Jeebies

Ben's GroundHog Day Playlist - Tuesday, February 2, 2021

Reality In Motion – Tame Impala
Choo Choo – Stacey Peasley
Two Towns – David Gibb & Brady Rymer
Taco Tuesday – The Lucky Band
Playing My Piano – Weezer
Glue – Frances England
Whole Wide World – Billie Joe Armstrong

Ben's Playlist - Monday, February 1, 2021

'Cause I'm A Man – Tame Impala
Winter Bird / When Winter Comes – Paul McCartney
White Whale – Kepi Ghoulie
El Corazon – The Lucky Band
Clown Shoes – Ratboy Jr.
What Kind Of Fruit – Dean Jones
That Thing You Do! – Billie Joe Armstrong

Quick Hits: Purple Fox Promotes Confidence; Billy Kelly in Orbit

In his 1997 film "Life Is Beautiful," Roberto Benigni cannot bear the thought of destroying his son's innocence and pretends the Holocaust is merely a game being played to silly actors. The title was juxtaposed against the absurdity and horror of the reality of the film's contents. In a similar fashion Purple Fox and the Heebie-Jeebies are back with their new album, CONFIDENCE VOLUME 1 and its first video "Life Is Good."

San Francisco's prime band delivering funk and jazz for preteen listeners, Purple Fox spent their pandemic quarantine contemplating positive family values and individual character traits. Their CD deconstructs the elements of self-worth, from "I Am A Friend" to "I'm Happy With Myself" to album-closer "I Can Do It." The theme is fleshed-out in the tune, "My Hero Is Me (V.I.P.):

Why, who is your hero?
My hero? Who I look up to? Who I want to be?
Well, my hero is me. No really, I’m always thinking of how 
I can be a better person, the best that I can be.
Strive for greatness.
You know, aim for the stars so I can make it over the fence

Purple Fox fits right in with the West Coast groove sound personified by Los Angeles' Mista Cookie Jar. I would have added Grammy winner Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, but he migrated back to the East Coast in late 2020. Give your kids a funk fix and a shot of righteous self-worth with their latest release.

CONFIDENCE VOLUME 1 is available from Purple Fox and the Heebie-Jeebies' website, Soundcloud, Amazon, Bandcamp, and Apple Music.

Here is the video for 'Life Is Good":

Do you wake up in the morning, pondering the existential question, "I wonder what Billy Kelly is doing?" Have your kids logged off their remote science classes and poked you with sharp sticks, asking, "When is Billy Kelly recording more children's music?" Do the neighbors follow you down the street at a socially distanced pace, shouting, "Billy....Kelly....Billy....Kelly?" Of course not. None of those things happen (unless perhaps you're Mrs. Billy Kelly). 

But wait there's been a Billy Kelly sighting and it didn't take as long as Hailey's Comet. The point to my spatial metaphor is that he's recorded the music to a series of silly science songs called BILLY KELLY'S PLANETARY PROMENADE. Each song has an accompanying video crafted by Portland media maven Mike Bennett. The large cartoon renderings of the solar system’s main features are currently on view as an installation of Bennett’s artwork on Portland, Oregon’s Mississippi Avenue.

You can purchase the entirety of BILLY KELLY'S PLANETARY PROMENADE from Amazon (13 songs totalling eight minutes). In the meantime, here's the orbiting enchilada:

Upbeat New Videos from Brady Rymer and Father Goose

 How do you perpetuate peace, harmony, and inclusivity during a global pandemic? If you're Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could, you grab your gear and shoot a socially distanced video in a public Park in New York City (one walking distance from my father's apartment, in fact).

Brady has a bucket list of songs he periodically dips into and "Let's Make a Better World," an Earl King/Dr. John cajun classic, definitely fits as modern mood music:

Society has no priority
We're all one part of a whole
When people scream and shout
You hafta hear 'em out
Everybody is a beautiful soul

On Saturday, February 20 at noon ET, Brady will livestream a special concert with British kid's musician David Gibb to promote their 2020 release, "Songs Across the Pond." The duo will play live from their homes in Oxfordshire, UK and New York, NY – covering their own material as well as from the other's catalog (neither Brady nor David will reveal their selections in advance of the show). General admission tickets are $16 and meet-and-greets are $25. Click here for more information.

Enjoy the video below, featuring Brady with band members Claudia, Seth, and Liz:

Father Goose continues to extend his footprint into children's house party music with the new kids empowerment tune, "I Can Make it." Getting your act together and being your best self is the theme, and Goose is supported by Etcetera, iRiE Goose, Danni Ali, David Allan Rivera, and Grammy winner Lucy Kalantari. 

"The song is meant to inspire us to be grateful for life and live it to its fullest on our own terms," Goose explains. "The chorus tells us all to live your life, live it well, let your dreams be big and your actions louder." 

Vaccines offer a glimmer of hope for live concerts to return late this year (and more certainly in 2022). In the meantime, watch the fanciful fantasy in the video below:

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, January 27, 2021

The Moment – Tame Impala
Seize The Day – Paul McCartney
Manic Monday – Billie Joe Armstrong
It's a Miracle – Dog On Fleas
You Can Get It If You Really Want – Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could
What Girls Do – Stacey Peasley
Boy with a Hole in his Heart – Danny Weinkauf

Quick Hits: Weekends For Kids Radio; Tunes With Tim

Welcome to the third week of 2021 and the world of children's music continues to expand and evolve. There is a controversy around the Best Children's Recording for the Grammy Awards that resulted in three of the nominees declining consideration, leaving Justin Roberts and Joanie Leeds vying mano-a-womana for the honor. Meanwhile, the broadcast has been delayed for two months due to California COVID protocols, so there will only be more discussion of the topic between now and then.

My opinion – for those who care – is that you bring more people to the table by accepting the nomination, and, if you win, making a statement to the widest audience at the ceremony. By removing yourself from the award process, it's a sign of protest but won't give you a voice at the award presentation. Okay, stepping off the soapbox.

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Bob Harrison hosts the weekly kids' music program "Weekends R 4 Kidz," which is broadcast at 9:03 AM and again at 2:03 PM at KLDL/Los Angeles. You can also click through their website to find the program. Among the artists on his first shows of 2021 were Tom Paxton, Shirley Temple, The Story Pirates, and Bruce Springsteen. You can listen to the station live on Radio365.

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Tim Bredrup (Tunes With Tim) has released his second collection of kids' tunes, WE'RE ALL HUMAN. It's a collaborative effort featuring music written by Tim, his sister Kate, and their aunt Jenny. The hip-hop tune “PBJ,” glorifies the virtues of peanut butter and jelly. A Chicago native, Tim celebrates the animals in the city's Lincoln Park Zoo on “Ziggy Zaggy Zoo.” And you can find a thru-line to the works of Randy Newman on “Let’s Get Ready to Go.” You can purchase WE'RE ALL HUMAN through Tim's website and Apple Music.

Here's a recent video of Tim performing the Stevie Wonder classic, "Sir Duke":

Celebrating Black Women in History; Pointed Man Band, iRiE Goose

Musician and social justice advocate Fyütch has released “Black Women In History,” a new song that calls attention to (as you might imagine from the title) impactful and powerful Black women throughout American history. The somberly-titled track features artists Rissi Palmer and Snooknuk and focuses on "herstory" throughout the centuries. Current honorees include Stacey Abrams, Kamala Harris, and Dr. Kizzmekia “Kizzy” Corbett. Past figures are Fannie Lou Hamer, Claudette Colvin, J Frankie Pierce, Rebecca Crumpler, Jane Hinton, and Alfreda Webb. The track dropped on Monday, January 18, 2021 (Martin Luther King Day). The video is here and the song is below:

FYÜTCH · Black Women In History (w/ Rissi Palmer & Snooknuk)

Dan Elliott, the mastermind behind Pointed Man Band, wrote most of his songs on a spinet (piano without the lowest and highest keys) from Winter & Co. As the pandemic grinds on, Elliott decided to commemorate this instrument with its own song. "Winter & Co." is the first single from the band's upcoming EP, Dreams (release date February 12). The phantastical imagery that Dan creates is evident in the song's chorus:

Turning the bright lights on
Light up the sky like the moons and the sun
So turn the bright lights on and we
Aim for the stars cause that’s who we are

Click here for a video teaser. The peppy, poppy tune is available for listening here:

 

Father Goose, the King of the Dance Party, is producing music at a voluminous pace these days. I've realized it's not as difficult these days due to teleconferencing tools and cloud recording software. Plus Goose surrounds himself by a cadre of like-minded funkmeisters, including his own son iRiE Goose. The younger Goose returns with guest artist Vic Ross for "Skraaata Ta Ta Tar." If you ever wondered what would have happened if Musical Youth was produced by Def Jam Music, look no further than iRiE Goose. Here's the new video:

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, January 19, 2021

All Star – Andrew & Polly
Lo/Hi – The Black Keys
Lazy Boy – Franz Ferdinand
Inkpot – Kepi Ghoulie
El Corazon – The Lucky Band
I Think We're Alone Now – Billie Joe Armstrong
Fanga Alafia – Aaron Nigel Smith

Ben's Playlist - Monday, January 11, 2021

Lost And Loving It – Kepi Ghoulie
The Kiss Of Venus – Paul McCartney
Grandmaderation – The Okee Dokee Brothers
Clown Shoes – Ratboy Jr.
Boo Boo – Stacey Peasley
Village d'Ãtoile – Dog On Fleas
Got to Get You Into My Life  – Tragedy

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, January 6, 2021

Lost And Loving It – Kepi Ghoulie
I Spy – Ants Ants Ants
Taco Tuesday – The Lucky Band
Shine A Little Light – The Black Keys
Finally – Franz Ferdinand
Make It Happen – Stacey Peasley
Just One Look – Linda Ronstadt

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, January 5, 2021

Stars – Ants Ants Ants
Even When.... – Ratboy Jr.
Summer's Here – The Bazillions
Humans Are Still Evolving – Dean Jones
Word Association – Dog On Fleas
Perfect Day – Danny Weinkauf
It's A Wonderful Life – Kepi Ghoulie

Ben's Playlist - Monday, January 4, 2021

Afternoon Walk – The Okee Dokee Brothers
Helicopter Leaves – Ants Ants Ants
Reality In Motion – Tame Impala
People Watching – Dean Jones
Go – The Black Keys
I'm an Optimist – Dog On Fleas
Cut the Cheese – Danny Weinkauf

Celebrate With Brady Rymer, Sonia de los Santos, and Roger Day

Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could love the holiday season. In 2017, they released REVVIN' UP THE REINDEER, an entire album of upbeat family tunes. With the pandemic still in full swing, Brady used technology to produce a four song EP, ANGELS IN THE SNOW (available now on Spotify, Apple Music, and Deezer). Brady sings about the agonizing wait to open gifts on Christmas morning ("Why, Daddy, Why?"), penning your gift note to the North Pole ("Writing A Letter to Santa Claus"), a dog-centric version of "My Favorite Things," and the title track, about making snow angels outside in wintry weather. Here's the video for that song:

Sonia de los Santos made a pilgrimage to Mexico earlier this summer. While there, she took the opportunity (with partner Martin Vejarano) to produce a celebratory video for "¡Fiesta, Fiesta!" from her upcoming 2021 CD. The video is the very definition of a "family affair," with her father José manning the camera and other friends and extended family performing on- and off-screen responsibilities. "No matter your age, I invite you to reflect on your personal journey in 2020 as we prepare for the new year," Sonia recently wrote. Here is the video:

Roger Day recently released a holiday special via his YouTube channel. Accompanied by sons Thomas and Jacob, the trio sing original tunes "Ukulele Christmas" and "The Yak Who Saved Christmas," re-imagined classics like "Must Be Santa," and conduct a virtual sing-a-long for young viewers. Roger once told me that his children's music evolved as his own kids grew older, which enabled him to incorporate more science and history themes into his songs. Now the circle has completed and his sons are part of Roger's music-making process. His most recent CD, INVINCIBLE, is available for purchase and streaming through Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, and Soundcloud. Here is the special:

Quick Hits: Videos from Father Goose, Bright Siders, and Twinkle

Father Goose keeps busy with his gaggle, including son IEiE Goose. Their new song, "You Silly Goose," furthers his message of fun, family inclusion. The Grammy winning "king of the dance party" will help listeners work off any extra winter weight from sugar cookies, with this (free downloadable) tune. I guarantee that your kids will know most of the lyrics – they're from popular children's nursery rhymes (he does call himself Father Goose, so you know Mother Goose has to be close by). The only kind of house parties are private parties right now, except by Zoom. Goosehut has taken the opportunity to deliver the soundtrack to any (socially distanced) junior rave. Here's the video:

Helping children connect to their emotions is especially important in these times of pandemic. Together, Nashville-based songwriter Kristin Andreassen and Brooklyn-based child psychiatrist Kari Groff have created the Bright Siders expressly to address this difficult situation. The duo have a CD entitled "A Mind Of Your Own," coming in 2021. A video for the track, "The Moon and the Stars and Me," was inspired by a conversation that Andreassen had with Dr. Groff's daughter about being afraid of the dark. Here is the song that evolved from that discussion, featuring Kristin with co-producer Chris Eldridge:

Los Angeles children's personality Twinkle produces daily bilingual musical education videos on her YouTube channel (also available on Instagram, but many parents limit their kids to the 'Tube). Her new power-pop English/Spanish singles are “Mask It Up" and "Mascara," related to (obvious) coronavirus, but also about positive self-image and the fun of kids dressing up. You can download the songs through the clickable links in the titles. And here's a recent episode of her YouTube show. Give your youngster a juice box and some pretzels and it's their version of Oprah, if Oprah channeled Lady Gaga.

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, December 22, 2022

'Cause I'm A Man – Tame Impala
Glue – Francis England
Lazy Boy – Franz Ferdinand
Buenos Dias – The Lucky Band
With a Little Help From My Friends – Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could
Your Love is a Metaphor  – Danny Weinkauf
Flexible Brain – Ratboy Jr.

Ben's Playlist - Monday, December 21, 2020

The Less I Know The Better – Tame Impala
It's a Miracle – Dog On Fleas
Two Towns – David Gibb & Brady Rymer
Lo/Hi – The Black Keys
Anything Can Be A Hat – Ratboy Jr.
Boy with a Hole in his Heart – Danny Weinkauf
New Pair Of Shoes – The Bazillions

Quick Hits: Story Pirates Live to Sleep; Goings is Grateful

It's hard for anyone to get to sleep these days. Kids have fevered imaginations and parents have dreams of 2021 vaccines. But the entire family can agree that a good bedtime story sets the right mood for relaxing slumber. Enter the Story Pirates with their new sketch and music theater experience, SLEEP SQUAD. Aimed at kids from 4 to 12, the production recently launched with a discounted "10-day pass" running through February 21 that gives each family their entry date into a world of inventive play.

The Story Pirates have a history of adapting children's ideas into fully-realized experiences and SLEEP SQUAD continues that work. Tony nominee Lilli Cooper (SpongeBob SquarePants, Tootsie) hosts the production as the Dream Queen, who guides audiences through different scenarios. The 45-minute episode include a visit to a desert island (“Stuck Island”), a dinosaur’s birthday party (“Spinosaurus’ Birthday”), and an intergalactic nightclub (“30 Moons”), and come with an additional 15 minutes of supplemental music. And just when your charges get all amped up, SLEEP SQUAD winds them back down with soothing music to ease them into a sleep zone to produce their own nighttime fantasies.

The Story Pirates continue to adapt material from young contributors and may break the production into three 20-minute episodes in 2021. The show's theme song, "30 Moons," written by nine-year-old Julien, has just been released as a single, featuring singer Ellen Winter.

Performances are available on the date purchased starting at 7 pm ET and can be viewed any number of times for 14 days thereafter. Buy tickets here.

With the holiday season fully underway, it's time to count your blessings and look ahead to better times in the new year. Genevieve Goings, former star of Disney Junior's "Choo Choo Soul," has an EP coming on February 8 and recently debuted the first single, "Grateful."

Choo Choo Soul existed long before Disney Music acquired the property. But those four seasons of original music and exposure opened the door for Genevieve to expand her own imprint as well as carry on the worldwide mantle of Choo Choo Soul.

The lyrics for the funk-rock "Grateful" plainly state what everyone feels when people try to see each other:

It can be a Zoom party or a Facebook feed
As long as we're together it doesn't matter how we meet
We'll be alright,
Even if it's on Skype

The 2021 EP is amusingly titled GREAT INDOORS, which everyone can relate to. "Grateful” is is available to stream and download via Spotify, Deezer, Pandora, Apple Music, and Amazon.

Ben's Playlist - Friday, December 18, 2020

The Less I Know The Better – Tame Impala
Inkpot – Kepi Ghoulie
Loving & Kind – Aaron Nigel Smith
Summer's Here – The Bazillions
You Can Get It If You Really Want – Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could
How Can You Mend a Broken Heart – Bee Gees

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, December 15, 2020

The Moment – Tame Impala
All Star – Andrew & Polly
Wastin' Time – The Okee Dokee Brothers
Humans Are Still Evolving – Dean Jones
Run to Me – Bee Gees
One – Aaron Nigel Smith

Jazzy Ash Puts Her Good Foot Forward

Making a strong first impression is super important. With a a new generation of listeners coming fast and furious every few years in the field of children's music, Jazzy Ash (Ashli St. Armant) used her pandemic time to build GOOD FOOT, a six-song EP that introduces audiences to her influences – the Black American music sound of the 1950s and 1960s. 

The renaissance of kids' jazz continues unabated, from the 2019 Grammy win of Lucy Kalantari to present day. Ashli has chosen to revisit the classic jump rope song, "Teddy Bear" and uses a soul/funk beat on the mask-friendly "Be Outside" (see the video below). Who knew that walking your dog during coronavirus could inspire such an upbeat number? In fact, the song reached Number 1 on SiriusXM's Kids Place Live's "13 Under 13" over the summer. Ashli delves into the early rock roots of Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley on the title track and executes a James Brown rave on "The Sauce." Guest performer Amelia Robinson (Mil's Trills) complement Ashli's vocals on "Seize the Day" and life partner Pam Rocker duets on the '60s harmony echo "Honey."

After spending much of her youth in New Orleans, Ashli decamped in Los Angeles, where she founded Leaping Lizards Music, a music and theater education program for TK-12 students. Her touring band, Jazzy Ash and the Leaping Lizards, produced five albums and looks forward to returning to the road in 2021. The band is joined on GOOD FOOT by esteemed musicians Phil Glenn (Show Ponies, Psychic Temple), Danny Frankel (Fiona Apple, Lou Reed, Brian Eno), and Davin Givhan (Lauryn Hill, Psychic Temple). An authentic sound was almost guaranteed, as the EP was recorded at LA's EastWest Studios, which has produced more Grammy Award-winning albums than any other studio in the world, including Frank Sinatra and Marvin Gaye.

The playing field will be leveled for all performers in 2021 once vaccines and science coax us into the open from our sheltering pods. With GOOD FOOT, Jazzy Ash accomplished her task – a shiny first impression, clearing herself a prime landing space in our funky new world.

GOOD FOOT is available from Jazzy Ash's website, Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon.

Here is the video for "Be Outside":

Ben's Playlist - Monday, December 7, 2020

Afternoon Walk – The Okee Dokee Brothers
Who, What, When, Where, Why – The Bazillions
Village d'Ãtoile – Dog On Fleas
It's A Wonderful Life – Kepi Ghoulie
El Corazon – The Lucky Band
I Spy – Ants Ants Ants
Clown Shoes – Ratboy Jr.

Ben's Playlist - Friday, December 4, 2020

Even When....  – Ratboy Jr.
Thank You For Being You  – Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could
What Kind Of Fruit  – Dean Jones
White Whale  – Kepi Ghoulie
Shine A Little Light  – The Black Keys
Two Towns  – David Gibb & Brady Rymer
Cut the Cheese  – Danny Weinkauf

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, December 2, 2020

Helicopter Leaves – Ants Ants Ants
Almost Saturday Night – John Fogerty
You Are the One – The Okee Dokee Brothers
Perfect Day – Danny Weinkauf
Doppelganger – Dog On Fleas
Buenos Dias – The Lucky Band
It's So Easy – Linda Ronstadt

Parry Gripps the Holidays

The novelty song is a staple of the music industry, going back further than I can even fathom. For our purposes, let's use "The Twist." The song was first released by Hank Ballard (as a B-side of a 45) in 1958. 18-year-old Chubby Checker's version two years later rocketed the song into popular consciousness. In 1962, the song returned to Number 1 – the only time that's ever happened in Billboard Hot 100 history. The song also pigeonholed Chubby as a novelty maestro and he returned to the well dozens of times, including "Let's Twist Again" in 1962, "L-82" in 1982, a mashup with the Fat Boys in 1988, and a country version in the 1990s.

Children's recording artist Parry Gripp has dropped "Jingle Burgers" for December consumers. Parry is double-dipping on the success of his earworm of delirium, "It's Raining Tacos," with a holiday-inspired "It's Raining Tacos (For Christmas)." It's not much of a stretch to expect SiriusXM's Kids Place Live to pound all flavor out of the number during this festive season.

This is not an all-inclusive, check-off-the-denominations holiday collection. Virtually every song contains the word "Christmas," not that there's anything wrong with that. Similar to a rapper marking his territory when he breaks rhymes, Parry has cast a pretty determined net. The three songs without the "C" word are "Jingle Burgers" (which hews pretty closely to "Raining Tacos"), as well as "Pancakes We Have Cooked On High" (think 'Angels We Have Heard On High' with 'yummy yummy yummy' chorus) and "Pirate Santa Claus," which brings me full circle as far as rapping goes.

I'm not raining on Parry's parade. He promises 100% ridiculous holiday fun. If you're consumed with his special brand of infectious novelties, then here's another dozen thumbs up (including release-closer "Christmas Christmas Christmas Christmas Christmas Christmas Christmas"). Merry JINGLE BURGERS for all, and to all, a festive twist.

Get JINGLE BURGERS from Parry's website, Apple Music, and Amazon.

Here is the new video for "Raining Tacos (for Christmas)":

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, November 24, 2020 (Matt's 10th Birthday)

Stars – Ants Ants Ants
Lost And Loving It – Kepi Ghoulie
Grandmaderation – The Okee Dokee Brothers
I'm an Optimist – Dog On Fleas
New Pair Of Shoes – The Bazillions
Your Love is a Metaphor  – Danny Weinkauf
You Can Get It If You Really Want – Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could

Caspar Babypants Growing Up? Perish the Thought!

The prolific Caspar Babypants (Chris Ballew) is back with more infantile hijinks and hilarity on his 18th children's music release, HAPPY HEART! The 20 quirky and capricious tunes promises to be the penultimate collection of Babypants material. Earlier this year, Chris penned a Facebook post where he confessed it's gotten difficult to conjure another ditty about mirthful creatures or impossibly incompatible contradictions. With HAPPY HEART! and final CD EASY BREEZY! coming in 2021, he will continue to perform as Caspar Babypants, but his incredible output will expire (19 CDs in 12 years).

Chris, frontman for The Presidents of the United States, is a musician who has turned his sideline project (kids recording artist) into almost as big a deal as his "day job," which has taken on even more significance during the time of coronavirus. He has also expanded his cachet with books (with artwork by his talented wife, Kate Endle). 

Chris has a fascination with taking songs from the Great American Children's Songbook and adding new verses or expanding their stories. This go-round, he plays it fairly straight on the oft-covered "This Little Light Of Mine" and "Rockin' Robin." 

The concepts behind some of the best Babypants songs are right there in their titles. If you can't get behind ditties called "I Can't Remember This Song" or "Chimp In A Suit," then brother, this isn't gonna be a good hang for you. Plus there's a mean surf guitar in the instrumental "Mosquito" that demands attention must be paid.

It's kind of hard to pigeonhole Caspar Babypants, which means that he's accomplished what he set out to do. Like a hired gunslinger (or water pistol shooter, for the preschool set), Chris Ballew holsters his weapons of mass distraction and sets off into the sunset, having entertained a few generations of kids. At least we'll always have our Spotify playlists and happy hearts.

HAPPY HEART! is available from Caspar Babypants' website, iTunes, and Amazon.

Here is the video for the new song, "Five White Ducks":

Ben's Playlist - Monday, November 23, 2020

Glue – Francis England Honey
People Watching – Dean Jones
That's My Style – The Bazillions
With a Little Help From My Friends – Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could
Word Association – Dog On Fleas
Anything Can Be A Hat – Ratboy Jr.
Taco Tuesday – The Lucky Band

Frances England Debuts Honey EP and New Video

Sometimes when you want cake, you settle for a cookie. That's my reaction to Frances England's new six-song EP, HONEY. It's a teaser that leaves you wanting more; a one-sentence answer to a question that required a lengthy explanation. But in a way, we should feel relieved that Frances has produced these soothing tracks to address children and families who are stuck in a pandemic. 

Some of the songs are reimagined versions of past recordings, such as "Daddy-O" from FASCINATING CREATURES and "Red Balloon" from MIND OF MY OWN. Coronavirus has required all of us to step up and change the way we view the world. And Frances is challenging herself to reinterpret her music with new arrangements. 

The new song "Glue" addresses just how stuck we are in our homes, our pods, our self-determined communities by worldwide health concerns. Frances is inviting fans and families to record and share their own home videos demonstrating who they’ve been joyfully “stuck” with in 2020 – send submissions to her website. "Daddy-O" (also from FASCINATING CREATURES) takes on additional depth and meaning, as many children look to their adults to lead by example, keeping them entertained as well as safe and sound. 

The San Francisco-based England originally recorded FASCINATING CREATURES in 2006 to as a school fundraiser for her (now teenaged) son. Within a couple of years, her music had garnered a dedicated following and her second life as a touring children's musician began in earnest. On HONEY, she goes back to almost the beginning, using the lockdown to explore her past and find new significance in her lyrics. The title track is especially prescient coming on the heels of Election Day:

You look like you could use some rest
A little tired, a little stress
Take a load off, and sit back with me
Honey, honey honey

As the bee population dangerously dwindles, it's important to find sweetness and harmony anywhere, whether it's for your morning tea or an afternoon drive with rambunctious offspring. Frances England has pollinated a little HONEY for all your little busy bees.

Find HONEY at Frances England's website, Amazon, Spotify, Apple Music, or Pandora.

Here is the new video for Frances England's song, "Daddy-O":

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, November 17, 2020

It's a Miracle – Dog On Fleas
Finally – Franz Ferdinand
All Star – Andrew & Polly
I Spy – Ants Ants Ants
Go – The Black Keys
Flexible Brain – Ratboy Jr.
Inkpot – Kepi Ghoulie

Elliott Park's Family Sound

Remarkable children's music draws families together; parents introducing their offspring to previously unheard genres, tempos, and performers. It's also a way for musicians to work with their own progeny. Nashville's Elliott Park is the latest in this long tradition. His latest self-explanatory release, SONGS WITH MY DAUGHTERS, aptly describes its contents. Off the top of my head, I can think of two recent musicians who incorporated their kids into their recordings and performances – Lucy Kalantari's son Darius plays cello on her CD and Jim Dague's son played drums for his band, ScribbleMonster.

Elliott used his coronavirus quarantine to creative SONGS WITH MY DAUGHTERS, twelve acoustic tracks with his teenage daughters Anna (18), Autumn (16), and April (14). The trio have popped up on previous songs as background vocals. As they grew into separate, more fully-formed personalities, Elliott decided to bring them into the forefront and showcase their abilities. 

Back in late March, the Park family went for a drive and his daughters began singing in the backseat. Their harmonies turned into the mashup, “Blue Skies Over the Rainbow,” which is included on this collection (and see the video below). The spunky “To The Moon and Back,” features a duet between Anna and her dad. “Rock Paper Scissors” sounds like it was discovered from the archives of some 1940s radio show, but it's a family original. Same with the sprightly "Cricket's Ball":

You're too big if you're too tall
Well, that's okay you can watch it all
Through the old knothole in the tool shed wall

Inspired by this article in TIME magazine, Elliott was moved to use his talents draw attention to current trends to engage social change. All streaming and sales proceeds for the song "Follow" are being donated to a foundation tasked with helping promote teen suicide awareness and prevention. 

Elliott's songs have a gentle, genial quality and his daughters' blended harmonies fit in perfectly with those sensibilities, with a side order of quirkiness, such as the bob-your-head "Orange Jello." Words of wisdom and encouragement are the theme of "Bloom." With three girls on the verge of college and emancipation, Elliott may be preparing for an imminent empty nest with the uplifting "Set Me Free." In the meantime, this 31-minute assemblage of SONGS WITH MY DAUGHTERS could be the start of something big for the Park family.

SONGS WITH MY DAUGHTERS is available from Elliott Park's website, Apple Music, Spotify, and Amazon.

Here is the video for "Blue Skies Over the Rainbow":

Ben's Playlist - Monday, November 9, 2020

Afternoon Walk –  The Okee Dokee Brothers
Loving & Kind –  Aaron Nigel Smith
Lo/Hi –  The Black Keys
Two Towns –  David Gibb & Brady Rymer
Buenos Dias –  The Lucky Band
Village d'Ãtoile –  Dog On Fleas

The Story Pirates Inspire Imagination

Coronavirus may have stopped kids from going outside or attending school in person, but it hasn't stopped them from being imaginative. The proof exists on CATS SIT ON YOU, the latest release from the Story Pirates. The dozen songs were inspired by kids' original ideas, including the timely "The First Kids to Work at the Census," written by William, a 7-year-old whose father is an actual U.S. Census worker in California.

A nationally renowned group of top comedians, musicians, best-selling authors, and teachers, the Story Pirates have 15 years of experience creating content that literally did not exist before children thought it up, many times on the spot (for their live shows). Their Creators Club helps keep nascent minds firing on all cylinders with live stream workshops, radio shows, and podcast bonus activities. The fourth season of their podcast launches this week with the Halloween-themed "The Weird Sisters," by 9-year-old Evalea from Missouri, a poppy Billie Eilish homage song composed by Monique Moses and featuring Stephanie Hsu of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.

The title track on CATS SIT ON YOU is a deceptive earworm (complete with a dance, see below video) adapted from an original story by six-year-old Alex. It made an impression on SiriusXM's Kids Place Live and now is immortalized on this collection. The troupe always draws an eclectic group of celebrity and musical guests. Grammy winner Secret Agent 23 Skidoo breaks some rhythms on "Banana Clown," about a fruit-obsessed fast food worker who finally finds his big break. 

Unpredictability and plot twists abound on the songs on CATS SIT ON YOU. That's par for the course, with titles such as "The Raccoon's Very Hard Choice," "The Boy Who Hated Kisses," and "The Mad Piano Player." A rabbit discovers the wisdom of foraging for vegetables on "Cheese Quest," and "Turtle Beach" is a paean to inclusion that sounds like an homage from a Disney film (think "Little Mermaid"). Speaking of big-time musical productions, "The Amazing Adventure" acts as a gateway to live theater, whenever that happens near you. "One Little Pink Rose" could be sung by Adele, if Adele performed kids songs. 

If your youngsters have a forté for creative thought, the Story Pirates may cater to their inner impulses. For your inner child longing for variety, CATS SIT ON YOU is cabaret on demand. 

CATS SIT ON YOU is available from the Story Pirates website, Amazon, Spotify, and Apple Music.

Here's the "Cats Sit On You" dance class video:

Ben's Playlist - Monday, November 2, 2020

 Wastin' Time – The Okee Dokee Brothers

Boy with a Hole in his Heart – Danny Weinkauf

El Corazon – The Lucky Band

Shine A Little Light – The Black Keys

Under the Big Umbrella – Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could

Lazy Boy – Franz Ferdinand

Humans Are Still Evolving – Dean Jones