25 March 2008

OWTK NCAA Kid's Music Tournament - Astrograss vs. Bari Koral Family Rock Band

Just two games left in the American in Paris region. Today we have an all-NYC affair as the #2 seed Astrograss and their newest release "Let Me Stay Up All Night" does battle with the 5th seeded Bari Koral Rock Band.

(2) Astrograss "Let Me Stay Up All Night"
Astrograss is incredibly intriguing. From the decidedly modern logo/font they use for their band name to their clever, very indie-looking (if that makes any sense) album art they do not appear on the surface to be a straight-up bluegrass band.
But truth be told, despite their modern look and feel, Astrograss would sound more at home gigging outside of the Boone, North Carolina General Store then the rock clubs of Manhattan. While Astrograss toe the line between kiddie and adult music (in fact, on the surface it is not 100% clear that this new record, their 2nd full length, is indeed meant as a "children's" album) their sound is universally appealing to all people - big and small. Their take on "Drunken Sailor" is superbly cool as is the Celtic vibe of the title track and "Irish Ice Cream" - the best song of the bunch. "Let Me Stay Up All Night" is a highly original kid's album but I feel as though the recording doesn't do Astrograss' sound justice. Much like my beloved hometown rock heroes Dr. Dog and their friends Hoots and Hellmouth - the studio recording falls short in the energy department and the CD proves incapable of capturing the live show experience (keep in mind this is just a hunch as I haven't seen Astrograss live...but I'd love to as I imagine a very upbeat and slightly raucous affair.)

Sample all the tracks from their CD Baby page...heck, why not buy the record while your there!

Check out their Astrograss for Kids site and a live video.

vs.


(5) Bari Koral Family Rock Band s/t EP
What would Norah Jones sound like if she decided to up the tempo a bit and make music geared towards young people? My guess is that she would probably emulate the music The Bari Koral Family Rock Band is making right now. What a lovely original six song effort from this college rock veteran who at one time was considered a peer of Jeff Buckley, Joan Osborne and even Norah Jones. Unlike many kid's acts, Bari has no children of her own but rather soaked up inspiration for the family rock concept from her six year old niece. Bari's voice is serene and soulful while the rootsy music seems effortless and classic in nature. The final track "I Wanna Play in a Rock and Roll Band" is terrific as is the hand-clapping splendor of "A Day At The Beach". The music on this six song CD is anything but corny (despite the questionable cover art) and certainly isn't your typical kiddie rock record (the same can surely be said for Astrograss making this such a cool pairing, don't ya think?)
Your gang will,
without a doubt, be rockin' and groovin' to the Bari Koral Family Rock Band.

Listen to samples here or on the band's Myspace page.

Vote for either Astrograss or Bari Koral by midnight ET on Friday 3/28. Your comments will help decide the winner. Everyone that leaves a comment during the Tournament will have a chance to win the Final Four CDs. Comment on as many "games" as you wish, including the "Very Helpful Songs" vs. "Mr. Oscat Says...", Thaddeus Rex vs. Gunnar Madsen and Brady Rymer vs. Stardust Lullaby contests and increase your odds of winning. Thanks!

45 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think I have to go with Astrograss. It's not my taste, but my kids would prefer it, I think.

Anonymous said...

Go Astrograss!!!

MamaGames - Alexa C. said...

Another vote for Astrograss - we love gathering the more unusual sounds, and I have never heard a kids' bluegrass album before!

Superdumb Supervillain said...

Astrograss!

Anonymous said...

bari koral family band rocks!

Anonymous said...

bari koral! a day at the beach is a great song.

Anonymous said...

Bari! My kids can't get enough of her music.

Devaprem said...

I definitely vote for Bari Koral!!! As a professional children's entertainer myself, I get to experience other entertainers at events all across New York City. When she sings alone or with her band, the kids young and old jump up and dance, dance, dance.
Her music is a beautiful sharing and the kids know it, feel it immediately, love it and dance to it.
Deva

Howard Greenstein said...

I'm voting for Bari Koral band - Day at the beach is such a catchy tune. Nothing I wouldn't do brings a tear to my eye. seriously.

Anonymous said...

Bari's music is great!!! We go to see her every chance we can. The kids love, I mean love, her music. In fact, they don't let us listen to anything else when we drive daddy's car.

Donald

Anonymous said...

Bari's voice is phenomenal and her songwriting is catchy and clever. This album is great for kids of all ages!

mom of 3 said...

We love Bari Koral and her band!
She is great and her music is very nice to listen to :).

Anonymous said...

I vote for Bari!
Best songs: I Wanna be in a Rock 'n Roll Band - and - that fun farm animal song (one of my kids used that song as a starting point for a bunch of other songs, so I don't even know its name anymore). Good stuff!

Anonymous said...

Bari Koral and her band rock. I saw them perform live - the kids were storming the stage, dancin to her tunes...Go Bari!!

Anonymous said...

Astros all the way!

Anonymous said...

I love the BK family band. A toe tapping great time!

Anonymous said...

Bari & the Family Band Rock!

Anonymous said...

I vote for Bari & the Family Rock Band hands down!! Kids are lucky to have such an amazing singer/songwriter create music for them, Bari rocks! Her voice is awesome and her energy is great-the band's shows are a must-see.

Anonymous said...

i can't get dad's new car out of my head. it's bari all the way

Anonymous said...

Bari and her gang rock the house !

- Brooke

Unknown said...

A good album for kids should sound good to grownups too. Astrograss is clearly the winner.

Anonymous said...

My kid and I love Astrograss. We've been singing Astrograss around the house for years!

Anonymous said...

Bari is a true STAR, her band gets my vote for sure! Bari's voice is amazing and so are her songs & vibrant energy. The band rocks! Kids of all ages love them, check them out, see them in action...

Anonymous said...

Bari is a true star, her band gets my vote! Bari's voice is amazing and so are her songs & vibrant energy. The band rocks! Kids of all ages love them, check them out, see them in action...

Anonymous said...

My daugher (age 9) and her friends LOVE the Bari Koral band! Bari is awesome and her musicians rock - the band is fun and approachable and really connects with kids. This group is fun for kids and grownups alike. Don't miss them!

Anonymous said...

OUR KIDS SAY ASTROGRASS IS THE BEST KIDS BAND IN THE WORLD.

Anonymous said...

astrograss rules!

Anonymous said...

I vote for Astrograss! My nieces say they are the best band ever!

Anonymous said...

My kids love Astrograss. The whole family thinks they rock!

Anonymous said...

Astrograss is awesome!!!!!!!!!!!

sadie said...

Bari Koral is my pick--I had her play this CD for my [adult] NYC yoga class...and we danced! It works for big kids too:)

Unknown said...

Astrograss is my choice ... and the choice of all those who are morally righteous.

Anonymous said...

I so vote for the Bari Koral Band my daughter sings her songs all the time. God forbid I don't have the CD in the car.

Anonymous said...

Bari Koral Band, songs are catcher and everytime I take my daughter to a show we have Dad's New Car in our head for days.

Unknown said...

We've seen Astrograss and thought they were good...BUT we are not allowed to miss a Bari concert if she's in town, or our 3 year old will be crushed. She is bari's first official groupie. We're gonna rent a winnebago and follow her concerts across the US

Signed
Alexandra's mom

Unknown said...

Bari rocks and my kids love her music. She is even better live. Our kids play her music over and over again, and jump around the whole time. Bari played at my son's 5th birthday and all the kids were jumping and dancing for 1\2 hour.

Daniel and Rachel's Dad.

Anonymous said...

Astrograss!

Anonymous said...

Bari Koral & Band are so much fun!!!

lace said...

I don't think I have heard of any of the artists you have featured but I am enjoying all of them.

My vote is for Bari!

Unknown said...

Astrograss all the way!

Anonymous said...

Our family votes for Astrograss!

Anonymous said...

Bari Koral gets my vote - kids love the music!

Anonymous said...

Astro!

Anonymous said...

I love sharing Bari's music with my kids. Her recent concert in NYC just made our day. Go Bari!! :) -JR

Anonymous said...

We listen to Bari Koral with our grandchildren. All of us think Bari & the band are great.