A Very Yellow New Year

In what is turning into a New Year's tradition, OWTK will be attending the Jan. 2nd Gustafer Yellowgold show at World Cafe Live. I may have even used this blog post title before. It's Deja Vu, all over again.

It seems the yellow guy visits Philly on the 1st weekend of each New Year and, you know what, I cannot really imagine a better way to kick off another year of great family music.

We haven't seen Gusty since the release of "Mellow Fever". I'm quite interested to see how Morgan Taylor and Co. squeeze in the new songs ("Panther Stamp Pants", "Quite Easily Lost", etc) while also playing the older tunes essential in telling the Yellowgold tale ("Your Eel", "My Dragon"), so that new converts have some semblance of a clue as to what is going on...and do all that in 45-55 minutes.

Near Philly this weekend? You should come too. Click here for all the info/tickets/etc.

The Muppets + Fallon + The Roots = Christmas Awesome

The Muppets joined Jimmy Fallon and The Roots to sing "12 Days of Christmas". Fallon looks genuinely unnerved at first, but warms up a bit. Pretty sweet stuff. Check it:

New Debbie & Friends Video/Song

Here's the newest cartoon video from Debbie and Friends. The terrific song, "Willy Won't Smile for the Camera", is from the band's forthcoming sophomore release, due in March '10. The track is lively and layered, with a stellar piano solo. Love the press conference backdrop 90 seconds in, brilliant. Check it:

New Dean Jones and Felice Brothers Video

A band of ragtag, flag waving pirates standing in an inflatable, mustard yellow raft outside in the snow.  Blackjack pickle, nose flutes, a kid in a cake...this video, the 1st from Dean Jones & Felice Brothers' outstanding CD "Rock Paper Scissors", has pretty much got it all.  It's uniquely homespun, and nearly as goofy as the song itself.  Additionally, these might be the least fierce collection of pirates ever assembled.  Watch and enjoy the video for "Isthmus Be the Pirate Waltz":

Free Kid's Christmas Music - Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Kid's band Tangerine Tambourine are giving away their Motown-inspired version of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.  Simply right click and 'save link as' to download this wonderful take on the Christmas classic. 

Free Kid's Christmas Music - Todd McHatton

Todd McHatton (Glass Stained Twilight) is giving away for free his new, 5-song kiddie Christmas EP, aptly titled "Christmas Songs".  McHatton's dreamy, meandering folk-pop originals recall a chilled-out, less fuzzy Sebadoh.

"Christmas Songs" is a nice 15 minute addition to your Holiday playlist, especially if you're a fan of indie pop (ala The Shins).

Get your "copy" of this digital release now.

Sunshine on Sale

Today's Amazon.com MP3 deal o' the day is Elizabeth Mitchell's stunning 2002 release "You Are My Sunshine".  

If you don't already own it, head over here to pick it up digitally for just $2.99.  Hurry, this deal is only for today, Thursday December 10th!

Holiday Kindie Rock Deals

Looking for a last minute gift of music for a child?  So many kid's bands/acts/labels are having specials right now, I figured I'd try to collect 'em all (or most of 'em) in one place.  Here goes:

• The Baby Grands self-titled CD - THE DEAL: 2 CDs for $19.99 plus pick any other CD from the label's catalog and get it for free at checkout (no extra shipping charges either).  From Backspace Records, through the end of 2009.  [Read the OWTK review of The Baby Grand debut CD]
• Mr. Stinky Feet Holiday Gift Pack - The DEAL: A Mr. Stinky Feet Christmas CD, T-Shirt and plush dinosaur for $20 (with free shipping).  From Mr. Stinky Feet Store, through Christmas (I'd imagine).
• Dan Zanes - The DEAL: Well, tons of deals, actually - like the "76 Trombones" Gift Pack includes the new CD, Fine Friends Are Here DVD and your choice of any other Dan Zanes CD for $35.  From Dan Zanes Store.  [Read the OWTK review of Dan Zanes & Friends "Fine Friends Are Here" DVD]
• Justin Roberts - The DEAL: 1/2 price Pop Fly T-shirts and 15% off all CDs.  From Justin Roberts Store.  [Read the OWTK review of "Pop Fly"]
• Laurie Berkner - The DEAL: Deeply discounted concert t-shirts and clothes, including an autographed toddler tee for $5!  From Laurie Berkner Store.
• The Pokey Pup - The DEAL: 24 Holiday Gift Ideas for under $24, with free shipping (through 12/10).  From The Pokey Pup.
• Gustafer Yellowgold - The DEAL: Gustafer Gift Bundle includes 1 DVD/CD, 1 Kid's T-Shirt, 1 Gustafer plush toy, 2 temporary tattoos and 1 sticker for $38. From the Gustafer Yellowgold Store.
• They Might Be Giants - The DEAL: A couple Holiday Gift Bundles here, including one that gets you the new "Here Comes Science" DVD/CD, "Kid's Go!" Book/DVD and a T-Shirt for $40 with free shipping.  There are also several coupon codes for building your own gift bundle.  Great stuff from TMBG, check it all out at the official They Might Be Giants Store.  Offer good through 2/1/2010. [Read the OWTK review of Kid's Go!]
• The Not-Its! - The DEAL: The Great Compromise Pack which includes a CD and T-Shirt for $23.  From the Not-Its! Store.  [Read the OWTK review of "What Are The Not-Its!]
• Johnny Bregar - The DEAL: All 3 Johnny Bregar CDs for $30.  From the Johnny Bregar Store. [Read the OWTK review of "Dragonfly"]
• SteveSongs - The DEAL: New SteveSongs T-Shirt, "Music Time with SteveSongs" CD and Barefoot Books featuring SteveSongs music for $35.  From SteveSongs Store.
  

*I did my best, but this list still may very well be incomplete.  If you know of another deal not listed here, feel free to leave a comment with all the particulars. 

Dan Zanes on your Computer and on the Silver Screen

Dan Zanes has just made pieces from his most recent DVD, "The Fine Friends Are Here", available as MP4 downloads.  For $1.99 each you can score the videos for "Night Owl", "Wonder Wheel" and the fantastic "Pollito Chicken".  For the fabulous price of $0.00 you can also download the video for "Water for Elephants".  Go get that free one, and the others, right here.

The other thing Dan Zanes has made, is "the leap".  The crazy haired kiddie rocker will be appearing in the new Matthew Broderick picture "Wonderful World".  In addition to the cameo role, Zanes penned 4 original tunes for the film.  

Watch the "Wonderful World" trailer, which features Mr. Zanes about 3/4 of the way in, here.  Catch the movie On-Demand now and in theaters January 8th 2010.

It's Wintertime, Everybody Dance

The Hipwaders are back with a new video, for the song "It's Wintertime" from the band's "A Kindie Christmas" album.  I dig the vintage cartoon action, interspersed with Hipwader bobbleheads.  Cool stuff, check it:

Kindie with a capital I

As reported by Gooney Bird Kids earlier this week, children's music superstars Ralph's World have a brand new album, "All Around Ralph's World", set for a February 9, 2010 release.  

The real news though (also scooped by Gooney Bird Kids), is the label behind the release. Since at least 2006, Ralph's World has been teamed up with the devil Walt Disney Company label.  It appears as though that relationship has come to an end and a new one has been formed with Bar/None, the legendary indie rock label (and interestingly enough, They Might Be Giants 1st label, some 23 years ago - damn I'm gettin' old)


The kindie music world just got a tad more Indie. [smiles]

Time Out New York Kids Top 10 Kids CDs of 2009, Again

In case you were wondering what the article looks like in print, here is the image which includes a hilarious photo of John Upchurch and Mark Greenberg (John and Mark's Children's Record).

The online version of the top 10 list on the Time Out New York Kids website has been updated to now include a music player.  Go there and listen to a song from each band on the list.

Oh, and in case anyone is wondering how "Here Comes Science" didn't make the list, it's for the same reason TMBG didn't get a Grammy nomination: Time. Schedules. Deadlines.

...and the Grammy nominees are

The Grammy Award nods have been announced.

Here are the finalists in the Best Musical Album For Children category:

• American Heroes #3 - Jonathan Sprout

• Banjo To Beatbox - Cathy & Marcy With Special Guest Christylez Bacon

• Family Time - Ziggy Marley

• Great Day - Milkshake

• Jumpin' & Jammin'- Greg & Steve

• Pete Seeger Tribute — Ageless Kids' Songs - Buck Howdy

Ziggy has got to be the favorite, but I'm betting on Cathy & Marcy.  "Banjo to Beatbox" felt important at the time it came out and is rightfully being recognized in receiving a nomination - here's to thinking it wins the Grammy in an upset.

Kudos to all 5 acts!

Putumayo Kids Dance-Off Video Contest

Who doesn't love video of a youngster bustin' a move?  Watching a child dance is irrestible and now, it can be highly rewarding!  

Putumayo Kids is holding a Dance-Off video contest, the rules of which are pretty simple: put on some Putumayo music and let your kiddo(s) go wild.  Capture the hilarity on video, upload it to your preferred public video site (You Tube, etc.) and send Putumayo Kids the link.  Done and done.  

Should you happen to win in one of the 5 categories (Silliest, Most global, Best use of song, Best costuming, Best choreography) you and your family will take home the entire collection of Putumayo Kids CDs - including the newest "A Family Christmas".  That's nearly $300 worth of family-friendly tunage!

Sound interesting?  Go here for all the specifics.  *This just in...the Dance-Off Contest submission deadline has been extended to 12/30/09!


*image credit: Putumayo Kids

Kindie Rock Birthday Mix

The Mrs. celebrated her 31st birthday last week.  To mark the special occasion, I delivered to her a tasty cinnamon chip muffin topped with a candle en fuego, a cup of hot English Breakfast tea, and a bitchin' iTunes birthday mix using nothing but the finest in kid's rock-n-roll. 

Many of these tunes are not yet available on iTunes, otherwise I'd have turned this into an iMix for you to sample and purchase for your own (or your kid's) special day.  Maybe, if I ever get around to figuring out how to record a podcast (anyone wanna help?), I'll someday be able deliver all these tunes to you and your gang too.

Additionally, in a sign that we listen to WAY too much kid's music, we enjoyed a "cookie as big as her head" (thank you, Lunch Money) and "pizza and punch for her birthday lunch" (that's for you, Recess Monkey).  Essentially, the Mrs. was a living, breathing kindie rock song for her birthday.

Here's the tracklist of the mix I made:

The Jellydots - "It's Your Birthday"
The Jimmies - 2 songs from the new live CD (let's call 'em "Somebody's Birthday" and "My Birthday Party")
Justin Roberts - "It's Your Birthday"
Lunch Money - "Cookie As Big As My Head"
Recees Monkey - "Birthday Bite"
Baze and His Silly Friends - "Happy Happy Birthday"
Daddy A Go-Go - "Birthday Song"
Mr. Leebot - "It's Your Birthday" (popular song title!)
Ralph's World - "Happy Not My Birthday" (this one was for the kids and I who aren't a year older)
The Hipwaders - "Birthday Ruckus"

Rebecca Frezza and Big Truck - "Birthday Song"
Hullabaloo - "400 Cupcakes"
The Not It's! - "Let's Birthday" (a song that proves "Birthday" can be a verb)

*The snazzy TODAY, I EAT CAKE button is available in my t-shirt & gift shop...in case you were curious.

David Tobocman - Hanukkah All Over The World

We haven't heard from Mr. Tobocman in quite a while, and we most likely won't see a new kid's album from him for a while still.  BUT, here he is with a brand new, upbeat and rather terrific Hanukkah song.  It's just a buck to buy digitally, but before you do listen to the whole thing right here.  No matter what you celebrate, I think you'll find "Hanukkah All Over The World" quite enjoyable.

For New York residents (or those traveling to the Big Apple during the 1st weekend in December), you've got a rare chance to see David Tobocman live.  He generally only prowls the left coast, but he's in town for 2 kid's shows - one on 12/5, in Clinton NJ (sold out!), and a free one on Sunday 12/6 at 2pm, in NYC at the Barnes & Noble on 86th and Lexington.  Check his website for more details.

Disco Dreidel

Hanukkah, like you've never experienced it before.  I present to you Mama Doni's "Chanukah Fever"...be prepared to boogie:

Free Holiday Kid's Music

Hullabaloo is giving away a full album's worth of kiddie holiday music for free.  The 10 cuts included on "Holiday Hullabaloo" are new interpretations of some classics performed with just guitar and voice.  

"Up on the Rooftop" and "Here Comes Santa Claus" are the tracks that really standout for me. It's a solid overall effort, even with no track reaching the heights hit on "High Roller" or "Princess Bluejean".


"Holiday Hullabaloo" is spirited, fun and free...and just in time for the most wonderful time of the year...so, ya know.  Go get it here.

2009 Fids and Kamily Kid's Music Awards

I just got done listening to Bill, Ella and Liam count down the top 11 kiddie albums of 2009.  Maybe you were listening as well.  If not, and if you're curious about the discs that made the cut this year, head on over to the Fids & Kamily website for the complete list with write-ups on each record.

Many of you have already seen my top 10, as it was published in the current issue of Time Out New York Kids.  What you haven't seen yet is the proper order for my 10 (the Time Out NY list is in no particular order).  Here's my official ballot, as turned in to the Fids & Kamily powers-that-be:

1. Field Trip - Recess Monkey
2. John and Mark's Children's Record - John and Mark
3. Dizzy - Lunch Money
   
4. Thank You For Joining the Happy Club - Billy Kelly
5. Mellow Fever - Gustafer Yellowgold
6. Family Photograph - The Dreyer Family Band
7. My Trampoline - Peter Himmelman
8. Great Day - Milkshake
9. Kids in the City - Laura Doherty
10. Something Sweet - King Pajama

You can certainly buy all these discs from Amazon, through the widget below. But, you'd be better served heading over to the Pokey Pup. They've got all the winners and honorable mentions in one spot, in the special Fids & Kamily page of their site (I don't see Amazon doin' that!).

It was a spectacular year for all-ages/family/kid's music (call it what you will).  I continue to say, and stand by the statement, that we are in the midst of the Golden Age of Family Music (yes, it deserves the caps).  Naturally, paring down to 10 albums wasn't the easiest thing I've ever done.  New CDs from TMBG, Johnny Bregar, The Not-Its, Billy Jonas, Robert Bobbert, The Jimmies (Live), Cathy & Marcy, Daddy A Go-Go, Mr. Leebot, The Sippy Cups, Eric Herman...the list goes on and on...made this tough.  

So many good albums have already been (or are about to) be released this month, counting towards 2010, meaning that next year is probably going to be as amazing in this crazy kiddie rock world.

Time Out New York Kids Top 10 Kids CDs of 2009

...as written by me.  This is my first piece for Time Out New York Kids magazine.  The article is online now (officially this time) and will appear in the December issue on newsstands soon (or now, possibly).  *Important to note that the albums are in no particular order.  Check it out here.