Clementown - Polka Bats and Octopus Slacks CD Review

CLEMENTOWN "POLKA BATS AND OCTOPUS SLACKS - THE MUSIC"
 
The Sound: Everything, plus the kitchen sink, washing machine and Cuisinart.  There are no fewer than 5 genres of music explored over the course of the 28 tracks included here. A sprawling, glorious and beautiful mess of an album.

In the Cafeteria, They Sit With: Recess Monkey, Gustafer Yellowgold, They Might Be Giants

Best Moments: "Kansas City Octopus" may go down as my all-time favorite song under 100-seconds long.  And while I contend that Calef Brown's image of the funky octopus will add greatly to the enjoyment of this incredible, funkdafied track, it's still a gem of a song without the pictorial aid. The Muddy Waters-inspired "Seven Bad Teeth" is a riot.  The bubble-gum pop of "Gumbubble Monday" could be a top-40 hit in an alternate, better universe, while "Mulligan Poker" is as good a country song as there is if, you know, there were country songs about two dogs playing a silly game where "the only rule is to act like a fool and pretend the cards are the same".

Bonus Thoughts: The Clementown CD has just one Calef Brown book in it's title ("Polka Bats and Octopus Slacks"), but the album's 28 tracks cover all the stories in this book and "Dutch Sneakers and Flea Keepers".  

Bonus Bonus Thought: Check out the video for "Ed":



Okay, Time to Wrap it Up with a Nice Little Bow: One word - Obsessed.  My two girls have embedded the Clementown CD and both Calef Brown books into their brains.  At random, they will shout the following absurdities: "Sleeping Fruit", "Polka Turds", "Go Snowman, Go Snowman" and many more lyrics/song titles from this CD.  The Bear and Mouse have fallen head over heels for the music and the books, and the Mrs. and I have as well.  I strongly advise you pick up the affordable, paperback books to accompany the disc.  If you're reading OWTK and you've made it down here to the last sentence, I feel pretty strongly in stating that you too are going to fall in love with the absurdity that is Clementown.

Buy the Books

*For Minnesota readers: Catch a very special, free Clementown live performance with guest author/illustrator Calef Brown - at the Walker Arts Center in Minneapolis on January 2nd 2010.  More info here.


*The "Polka Bats and Octopus Slacks" CD and both books were provided to OWTK for review. The opinions expressed above are unbiased and true - no arm twisting took place in the review process.

Maestro Classics - The Tortoise and The Hare CD Review

I had no idea the original Tortoise and Hare fable was so short.  I also had no idea the tale was centuries old.  I mean, I knew it was older than me, but 2000 years!  

Those are just two of the tidbits I picked up while enjoying Maestro Classics' new Stories in Music CD "The Tortoise and The Hare".  With music from the little outfit known as the London Philharmonic Orchestra, this CD is a delight from start to finish.

The Bear was entranced from the start of the nearly-21 minute story.  The dramatic retelling of the familiar fable, combined with the spirited orchestral score is a big winner.  Steven Simon, the composer of the music on The Tortoise and The Hare, has one track all to himself to explain his instrumental decisions and other fascinating musical intricacies in the piece.  Back in college, I once learned that there is nothing accidental in fiction writing and the same is true of classical composition.  It's exciting for both adult and child to learn why particular instruments where selected for the Tortoise's "theme" music and how Mr. Simon made French-sounding music to accompany Hare's visit to Mrs. Beaver's bistro.  Again, nothing at all accidental about the sounds you're hearing throughout the piece.  In less than 5 minutes, you'll learn so much, in a peeling back the curtain sorta way, that your next listen of The Tortoise and the Hare story will be greatly enhanced.  The concept of this kind of track, and the execution of it here, is my favorite part of the CD.



A good story is always appreciated in our house, and well, it should go without saying that we're also a music lovin' bunch.  This disc satisfies both of these cravings and does so with a style and an educational component that is highly welcome and enjoyable.

Buy The Tortoise and the Hare CD from Amazon.com

*The Maestro Classics "The Tortoise and The Hare" CD was provided to OWTK for review. The opinions expressed above are unbiased and true - no arm twisting took place in the review process.

Neil Brewer - Neil Brewer and Friends Are Back in School CD Review

Neil Brewer "Neil Brewer and Friends Are Back in School"

The Sound: An acoustic time capsule.  Thoughtful reflections of a funnier, simpler time.

In the Cafeteria, He Sits With: Bill Harley, Ellis Paul, Paul Simon, James Taylor

Best Moments: The elementary school admiration through a cloud of eraser dust on "Not Like You" is absolutely divine, as is the chorus: "those girls were fine and did so nicely what they do / but not a one could pound erasers on the sidewalk like you / 'cause when you really got to going chalk dust swirled into the air / and it made the softest shades of pastel highlights in your hair / the others stared amazed at clouds of hazy yellow, white and blue / 'cause not a one could pound erasers on the sidewalk like you".  "Not Like You" gives me chills on every listen.  It's one of the rare songs I'm giddy to share with the Mrs.  I simply couldn't wait for her to come home from work and play it for her, about 5 times in a row. "Not Like You" may be my favorite song of the year.  "Dodgeball" tells of more unrequited grade school love (really, the most romantic kind), again with a high level of wit as evidenced in the refrain "dodgeball / dodgeball / Mary sure is beautiful / but friend I wouldn't tell her that / 'cause she'll wind up hard / and you'll wind up flat".

Bonus Thoughts: 100% of the proceeds from the sale of "Neil Brewer and Friends Are Back in School" CDs are being donated to The Harvard Stem Cell Institute to put an end to Muscular Dystrophy.  Read all about Brewer's contribution to the effort in Harvard's 2009 Newsletter.

Okay, Time to Wrap it Up with a Nice Little Bow: Music is an emotional art form. When good, it triggers passions and conjures up imagery capable of forcing the listener to confront demons, relive tragedy, remember romantic interludes or, possibly, flick a switch of inspiration for some future endeavor.  Additionally, what's so beautiful about good music is that sharing in an experience is not a prerequisite to having a song's lyrics affect you.  Despite having no fond memories of a girl from the 4th grade or ever wearing an athletic supporter and playing football, Neil Brewer has stirred something deep inside me.

There is a time and a place captured so magnificently on "Neil Brewer and Friends Are Back in School".  It's likely a different time and place from that which exists in your memory bank, but no matter, for there is an undeniable, crystal clear connection that exists between Brewer and the listener.  This album will transport you back to wherever you belonged, however many years ago it was - to a time and a place when the sun shined brighter, the school bell rang truer and the world seemed a safer, less angry place.

  

"Neil Brewer and Friends Are Back in School" is a warm, thoughtful and fantastic album, the creation of which is rooted in philanthropy, love and hope.  This is CD you and your family should really consider buying, not only because you will, more than likely, enjoy the music but because through your purchase you'll be helping to find a cure for Muscular Dystrophy.

Pick up a physical copy of the disc or a digital download here (where you can also sample all the tunes).


*The "Neil Brewer and Friends Are Back in School" CD was provided to OWTK for review. The opinions expressed above are unbiased and true - no arm twisting took place in the review process.

Putumayo Presents "A Family Christmas" CD Review

Putumayo Presents "A Family Christmas"

The Sound: An eclectic (although less so than other Putumayo World music compilations), mostly mellow mix of Christmas standards along with some lesser known holiday tunes you definitely won't be hearing while walking around the mall.


Best Moments: Johnny Bregar's spin on "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" is enjoyable, as most everything Bregar does is.  Big Al Carlson's vocal performance on the New Orleans jazz version of "Frosty the Snowman" is terrific, as is the soloing that takes place in the middle of the song.  Kate Rusby's celtic "Here We Come A-Wassailing", a song I've never heard before, is quite lovely.

Bonus Thoughts:  I don't think anyone should cover a song originally performed by Louis Armstrong as there is zero chance of improving the number.  Big Bad Voodoo Daddy take a crack at "Is Zat You Santa Claus?" and fall woefully short.


Bonus Bonus Thought: Download a free mp3 of "Jolly Old St. Nick" by Brave Combo directly from Putumayo!

Okay, Time to Wrap it Up with a Nice Little Bow:  Save for "Backdoor Santa" and maybe a couple others, Christmas music is, generally speaking, already family friendly.  That Putumayo put together a compilation specifically labeled as a family Christmas album probably doesn't instill you with the urge to plop down a dozen dollars to pick it up - nor should it.  While I won't attempt to convince you to buy this CD, "A Family Christmas" is a sturdy collection of holiday music that will please, if not thrill, your family.

*The "Family Christmas" CD was provided to OWTK for review. The opinions expressed above are unbiased and true - no arm twisting took place in the review process.

Dean Jones & Felice Brothers - Rock Paper Scissors CD Review

DEAN JONES w/ THE FELICE BROTHERS "ROCK PAPER SCISSORS" 

The Sound: A big rock-n-roll party, kinda like "The Last Waltz" for kids, with Dean Jones (of Dog on Fleas), The Felice Brothers, Uncle Rock and a handful of others, including Lily McNamara who takes the lead (and nails it!) on the title track and John Hughes (also from Dog on Fleas) who happens to sing 3 of my favorites.  I could probably describe the sound of "Rock Paper Scissors" more succinctly by mentioning that "stomping" is given an instrument credit - that pretty much sums up the vibe here.

In the Cafeteria, They Sit With: John and Mark's Children's Record, Dan Zanes, The Band

Best Moments: Since I probably can't get away with simply saying "the entire thing", I'll narrow it down a little bit:  It seems the entire collective sings on "Sing Like a Sparrow", a song that employs a bevy of distinct singing styles and uses that vocal diversity to illustrate the song's point - that you should always be who you are.  It's a sentiment well represented in the annals of kid's music (heaven knows) but Jones et al. do it with panache and a free-spirited style (much like 23 Skidoo's "Gotta Be Me", however at the other end of the musical style spectrum).  "Mama Said No" suggests that you should "put your baby in mud right from the start", an idea that is as absurd as it is funny.  "Frenzy" captures the in-the-moment rock-n-roll feeling you can only get by climbing deep inside the music, whether on stage as a player or in the crowd as audience.  "Frenzy" is about letting it all go and allowing a music performance to vanquish all of life's worries and troubles.  My kids love singing along with songs 17 and 18, the last two on the album - "Tomorrow" with it's simple, yet contagious refrain of "Tomorrow / Hey Hey / Tomorrow / Hey Hey" and the tender "The Little Song" featuring the adorable voice of Rylie Ellis Jones.

Bonus Thoughts: Is it possible that the best kid's album of 2010 has already been released in November of 2009?  To maintain some semblance of organization, I maintain a running kid's top 10 list and as of right now "Rock Paper Scissors" is #1 for 2010 - and it's going to take something pretty significant to knock it down from that pedestal.


Bonus Bonus Thought: This is the album The Band would have made if they made a kiddie rock record in 1972.  From where I stand, and where I come from musically, there is no greater a compliment I can bestow.

Okay, Time to Wrap it Up with a Nice Little Bow: When the album begins, you feel as though you've just stumbled into a rollicking party, one complete with musicians scattered about on sofas, bar stools, and laying down on creaky hardwood floors - all playing, all singing, all smiling (and all, potentially, bearded).   "Rock Paper Scissors" is a peek into Basement Tapes-era musical collaborations, a time before the soul of rock music was corrupted by iPod and car commercials.  "Rock Paper Scissors" is from another time.  It's got oodles of heart and soul. It's timeless. And it is beautiful.

Buy "Rock Paper Scissors" from The Pokey Pup right now, get free shipping AND receive an MP3 of an exclusive bonus track "Complain".

"Rock Paper Scissors" was provided to OWTK for review. The opinions expressed above are unbiased and true - no arm twisting took place in the review process.

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.

Readeez Volume 2 and Songeez - CD/DVD Review

It's said that good things come in small packages.  Michael Rachap, through his Readeez, proves that good things also come inside small songs.

Readeez are just like the people they're intended for - short, sweet, charming and, sometimes, a little goofy.  Mr. Rachap is one hell of a songwriter, crafting adorable 60-second pop songs wrapped around all the subject matter a kid's gonna need in life, including, but not limited to: love, counting, flip-flops, April Fools Day, watermelon and chandeliers. 

Readeez Volume 2 is a treat to watch, but the Songeez disc, complete with the best 28 numbers (spanning both DVDs) and a 32-page booklet, is where it's at.  Now we can listen on the go - and you know what, the songs take on a different shape when only one sense is in use.  The stark, clever video production paired with these tunes on the DVD is awesome, don't get me wrong, but the songs, I'm a little surprised to discover, stand proudly on their own.

In case it's not 100% clear by now - I'm really in love with this CD!

Readeez/Songeez are tiny nuggets of sunshine in a sometimes cloudy world.  I recommended them for every single family with kids under-6 and I can't help but thinking that a Readeez DVD/CD set would make a brilliant, highly-original holiday gift, especially for a new mom and dad, because the Readeez cartoons in front of the pristine white background are sure to sooth and entice a young baby (the great music won't hurt either!)

Plus, Readeez are probably WAY more educational than that Baby Einstein bullshit.

Read OWTK's review of Readeez Volume 1 DVD.

*The Readeez Volume 2 DVD and the Songeez CD were both provided to OWTK for review. The opinions expressed above are unbiased and true - no arm twisting took place in the review process.

The Hipwaders - A Kindie Christmas CD Review

THE HIPWADERS "A KINDIE CHRISTMAS"

The Sound: A little bit of Pernice Brothers and a dash of mid-80's R.E.M. - a melodic college rock vibe.

In the Cafeteria, They Sit With: Brady Rymer, Eric Herman, The Baby Grands

Best Moments: Stand-out tracks "Wake Up" and "Tinsel & Light" are where the Joe Pernice-reference really comes in to play, with stunning effect.  "Wake Up", with it's parade of sleigh bells and cascading, picture-perfect postcard lyrics, such as  "large candy canes dangle from the trees / skating polar bears glide by so gracefully / gingerbread men falling through the snow / the northern lights casting a heavenly glow", may just be the best 2 minutes of rock-n-roll Christmas tunage ever.  You'll hear a lot of R.E.M. (and those sleigh bells again) on "Yes, It's Christmas", an upbeat song about making wishes, trimming trees and all the other joys of the holiday season...with a spoonful of "fa-la-la" for good measure!

Bonus Thought: Enjoy the video for "Wake Up":



Okay, Time to Wrap it Up with a Nice Little Bow: The Hipwaders "A Kindie Christmas" will make a great addition to any holiday music collection, especially one desperately in need of a jolt (meaning, feel free to toss that Kenny G Christmas disc/cassette in the garbage).

"A Kindie Christmas" was provided to OWTK for review. The opinions expressed above are unbiased and true - no arm twisting took place in the review process.

Renee & Jeremy - C'mon CD Review

RENNE and JEREMY "C'MON"

The Sound: A joyous acoustic celebration of love and family.  If the duo's sublime debut "It's a Big World" was the musical equivalent of the sweet silence of pregnancy, birth and the 1st couple months of a baby's life - one filled with sleep and unmatched level of peacefulness - then "C'Mon" marks the toddler years - a bit more raucous, with more outward energy and a few mood swings.

In the Cafeteria, They Sit With: The Harmonica Pocket, Elizabeth Mitchell, Danielle Sansone

Best Moments: "Is It Really Any Wonder", a duet, "Watch Where You're Goin", "Right Now" "Mama Papa Love", and "Do Do Do Do" - all the upbeat tunes really steal the show.  This is odd for me as I tend to gravitate towards the slower more introspective numbers but when R&J ramp up the tempo and stray from their lullaby tone, the album springs to life. The aggressive strumming of the acoustic guitar gives the faster tracks a buoyancy that is incredibly enjoyable, especially on an Autumn Sunday morning - the kind of day where everyone is still in their PJs at 11am.

Bonus Thoughts: Enjoy a free download of the title track "C'Mon" courtesy of Renee and Jeremy.

Okay, Time to Wrap it Up with a Nice Little Bow: I was souring a bit on kids music but "C'Mon" is one of the discs that really got me back in the saddle.  Renee and Jeremy have helped me fall in love with this genre all over again.  "C'Mon" is a wonderful example of the lushness and beauty available in kid's music.  My kids love it, my wife loves it and I love it.  C'mon and buy "C'Mon" now.




"C'mon" was provided to OWTK for review. The opinions expressed above are unbiased and true - no arm twisting took place in the review process.

The Jimmies - Trying Funny Stuff DVD Review

The Jimmies are HUGE in my house.  They're probably the Bear's fave band.  Nary a day goes by without her belting out "Everyday's a holiday with you!", rustling her hair along with "Bedhead", or crooning to "Taddy" while the Mouse strums her air guitar and bounces around the living room like she's on stage at the Warped Tour (circle '95, you know, when it was cool).

When "Trying Funny Stuff", the new DVD from The Jimmies, arrived a couple weeks back, my girls suddenly figured out how to work the DVD player without adult supervision.  My kids quickly began rocking out with the Brooklyn band and they only stop for school and sleep.

If you've never seen or heard The Jimmies, know 2 things: they rock and they make incredible videos. Theirs is kid's music with a pulse and a backbeat that is undeniably cool.

Yes, the videos included here (which are also available on the band's website) and the live concert (included on both DVD and CD) are ab fab, without question.  What makes this offering so different, and frankly better, than almost any other I've seen though is the "Behind the Scenes" footage.  Singer Ashley Albert and director Mike Slavens pull back the curtain as they walk you and your kids through the music video making process with a level of humor that's never been seen in a kid's show or DVD.  The script is dry, quick witted and absolutely laugh out loud funny for the whole family.  My kids don't get all the jokes but they love to see all the camera trickeration (green screen, etc) exposed...especially all the handmade sugary edifices used to create an on-screen, larger than life candy carnival.


Barnes & Noble has an exclusive with "Trying Funny Stuff"...which means that while you read this, the thing is actually sitting on store shelves 'round the country.  I'm old enough to remember when you just didn't see CDs from indie/smaller bands on the shelf at Best Buy, Target or Barnes and Noble so it's still a novelty for me and something that is genuinely exciting for both band and fan.  Accessibility is good, despite what purest detractors may say.

Whether this DVD serves as your introduction to The Jimmies or not, "Trying Funny Stuff" is 100% fun for kids and parents.  The Jimmies, and their new DVD, are just about perfect.  

Buy it today from Barnes & Noble.

"Trying Funny Stuff" was provided to OWTK for review. The opinions expressed above are unbiased and true - no arm twisting took place in the review process.

Sarah Lee Guthrie & Family - Go Waggaloo Kid's CD Review

SARAH LEE GUTHRIE & FAMILY "GO WAGGALOO"

The Sound: Traditional American Folk from the Guthries, Pete Seeger and Johnny Irion.

In the Cafeteria, They Sit With: Randy Kaplan, Elizabeth Mitchell, Dan Zanes, Dreyer Family Band

Best Moments:  "Take Me to Show-and-Tell" is the favorite of my girls, laughing every time they hear about a turtle and spider being brought into school.  My fave comes next, in the form of "Bright Clear Day".  The tune is bathed in sunlight - I'm helpless to the song's power to sooth and make happy.  I find myself singing the chorus uncontrollably throughout the day. 


"If Momma Had Four Hands" is an awesome, more upbeat rock-n-roll song, one that reminds me of the vintage-A.M. radio stylings of M. Ward and Zooey Deschanel's project She and Him.  Around my house, it's sung as Daddy's Four Hands since I'm the multi-tasking washer of dishes, laundry-doer, chef, vacuum-er, and compulsive email checker.

Bonus Thoughts: "Go Waggaloo" features 3 songs written by Woody Guthrie, including the title track and the aforementioned "Bright Clear Day".  Recorded anew ala the Mermaid Avenue discs, Woody's words once again come alive with a modern (yet classic) folk style.  Bonus Bonus Thought: Friend of OWTK and all-around great dude Stefan Shepard of Zooglobble wrote a huge chunk of the liner notes for "Go Waggaloo" - how cool is that?
Double Bonus Bonus Thought: Stream the entire "Go Waggaloo" album for free - hurry this ends today!


Okay, Time to Wrap it Up with a Nice Little Bow: "Go Waggaloo" is a fantastic collection of family songs ideal for fans of Guthrie/Seeger folk as well as for parents who 1st think of the movie Toy Story when hearing the name Woody.  If you dig Raffi and the Jack Johnson Curious George discs and you're looking for something new to add to your kid's music rotation, you'll positively adore "Go Waggaloo".



"Go Waggaloo" was provided to OWTK for review. The opinions expressed above are unbiased and true - no arm twisting took place in the review process.

OWTK Introduces You to DALA

“Everyone is Someone” is the 4^th album from Sheila Carabine and Amanda Walther, a pair of effervescent Canadians known as Dala, and it’s gaining traction here in the States.  This is in large part due to a game changing Sunday brunch performance at the 2009 Newport Folk Festival (the historic Festival’s 50^th)  

Shortly after their small stage set ended, Dala performed their pop-masterpiece “Levi Blues” on the massive main stage, sandwiched between sets by Neko Case and Arlo Guthrie.  It was the only unscheduled “tweener” of the weekend. 

I spoke with Ms. Carabine briefly after their Folk Fest performance and then again a couple weeks later.  She admitted the pair arrived in Rhode Island with “no expectations” and went on to add “…we were kind of worried that nobody would come to our show!  Those feelings quickly transformed into elation, as we looked out onto a sea of new fans. It all unfolded like a fairy tale.”

That sea included fans of all ages.  While the band’s new album is not a kid’s recording per se, Dala is seeing more and more families in the crowd (including my 5 and 2-year old, both of whom were singing along), and according to Ms. Carabine, the feedback from the moms has been overwhelmingly positive. After just one look and listen, the reasons for that become clear.

The relaxed beauty and grounded, humorous attitude of the twenty-something ladies undoubtedly aids their commercial appeal but Sheila Carabine remarked bluntly that the duo “have no interest in compromising [themselves] for short-term gain. It would be meaningless.” Dala, with their angelic voices, songwriting chops and grace as individuals, appear ready to stake claim to being the conscience-clearing alternative to the shiny, sexy, relatively hollow pop music world.  They offer poetry over perversion, and parents need not cringe when their kids view Google Image results for this duo.  The same cannot be said of some other female pop stars today.

Dala’s sound doesn’t resemble American tween pop music and that’s not surprising. They (with a big hat tip to producer and co-songwriter Mike Roth) craft classic pop music, where melody takes precedence over midriff. That theirs is an intoxicating mix of classic acoustic folk, ethereal pop and sweeping balladry is no accident.  Sheila and Amanda were raised on a healthy musical diet consisting of “lots of Cat Stevens, Bob Dylan…Neil Young and Led Zeppelin”.  Ms. Carabine admits she “fell in love with Paul McCartney when I was 13, and suddenly I saw music as an integral part of my identity. All I wanted to do was go online and learn the guitar tabs for every Beatles song ever written.”  The web searches paid off.  McCartney’s influence is undeniable. Listen to Dala harmonize on “Stand in Awe” and you will do just that.

While they honor legends, Dala also draws inspiration from 21^st century sounds. I asked Ms. Carabine to play record store employee and planogram the CD rack around “Everyone is Someone”.  Amidst fears that she’d “sound conceited,” she imagined Dala’s latest disc surrounded by “Simon and Garfunkel, Joni Mitchell, Fleet Foxes, Sarah McLachlan, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Tegan and Sara and The Barenaked Ladies.” That desired peer group gives clues as to why Dala’s music is proving so multi-generational. 

The acoustic pop gem “Levi Blues”, the 1^st single from “Everyone is Someone”, proves the perfect showcase for their alto/soprano harmonies, with ornamental tickling of the ivories added for good measure.  This travelogue love song is the type of tune capable of making, and defining, a career.  According to Ms. Carabine “[Levi Blues] was one of those gifts you dream of as a songwriter. We came up with the first line "I've been waiting for a guy like you" almost immediately, and we wrote the whole thing in less than an hour. We knew that it was special, if only because we couldn't get it out of our heads for weeks.”

On “Horses”, the pair prove they’re able to tackle weightier subjects with as much fervor.  The song was written for a young man who had so much of his life stripped away after an accident.  “Horses” frames his sadness and stands as a stunning portrait of internalized grief.  The track should come with a 3-tissue alert.  Ms. Carabine believes “[they] captured some pretty intense emotions in the words and melody.” She goes on to say, “it is incredible to look out and see people in the audience crying when we sing that song.”

Behind a strong new album, an impressive foundation and an unwavering commitment to their craft, Dala is poised for greatness at home and in the U.S.

Visit Dala online.

Photo: Dala's tweener 1-song set on the main stage at The Newport Folk Festival 50.  Photo credit to Wiqan Ang.

The Fine Friends Are Here - Dan Zanes DVD Review

Dan Zanes is amazing.

His hair, the leg slide thing he does, his raspy voice, the musicians he surrounds himself with - all of it practically perfect in every way. The Fine Friends Are Here!, his latest live DVD release (on the delayed heels of 2005's fine All Around the Kitchen!), is no exception.

A Dan Zanes live performance is a winning combination of exuberance and warmth. Zanes himself provides the youthful energy, while the coziness is supplied by the Americana instrumentation and horns. You get the feeling, watching Zanes and his fine friends play, that that they'd feel just as at home inside the posh Lincoln Center as they would on your front porch. Since Jalopy's stage is about as big as the latter, it proves the perfect venue to intimately experience the music of Dan Zanes. Considering that there is ZERO chance of actually getting to see him live in such a small space, this new DVD is essential for any Zanes-head.

As with his prior DVD release, this one is a mixture of live show and a handful of videos. The videos are sprinkled throughout, a move that works rather well. Highlights include the faux-classroom fun of "Pollito Chicken" featuring La Bruja on vocals, the gorgeous lullaby "Night Owl" and the rollicking "Wabash Cannonball" with Zanes on banjo, proclaiming that "it's not a party until someone plays a banjo". This entire DVD is a party, one well worth the price of admission.

Note: There is also a bonus 4-song sleepytime CD included in the package.

*Dan Zanes & Friends "The Fine Friends Are Here" DVD was provided to OWTK for review. The opinions expressed above are unbiased and true - no arm twisting took place in the review process.

Laura Doherty - Kids in the City CD Review

LAURA DOHERTY "KIDS IN THE CITY"

The Sound: Folk music for city folks. A warm, familiar sounding record perfect for toddlers and pre-schoolers.

In the Cafeteria, They Sit With: Frances England, Little Miss Ann, John and Mark (of John and Mark's Children's Record).

Best Moments: Doherty's covers of Robert Johnson's "Sweet Home Chicago" and Burt Bacarach's classic "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head" are outstanding. I think I prefer her interpretations of these songs more than the originals. The last 15 seconds of "Kitty Cat" is nothing but clapping, a few kids singing along and an adorable meow - it's a lovely ending to a very cute song. "Rockin' at the Zoo", with it's pronounced upright bass and horns, would sound sweet inside a kiddie jazz club - should such a venue exist.

Bonus Thoughts: Watch the video for "Hot Dog" and take a tour of Chicago and Wrigleyville. Warning: you may find yourself salivating at the site of a real Chicago hot dog being constructed - have some munchies nearby.


Okay, Time to Wrap it Up with a Nice Little Bow: There isn't anything on "Kids in the City" that will shock or amaze you. After all, songs about animals, colors and trains aren't exactly going to set the world on fire. Usually, they're not enough to warrant a review here but, and here's the important part, Ms. Doherty spins these kiddie music staples into what essentially amounts to a collection of love songs about her hometown of Chicago. As I mentioned at least a couple times on OWTK over the past few years, there's little I love more than a touching ode to one's abode - David Tobocman's "Home", John Prine's "My Darlin' Hometown", Josh Ritter's "Idaho" - all of 'em gorgeous reflections on what it means to have a place to call your own. With "Kids in the City", Laura Doherty has made an entire album that feels as comfortable as your favorite spot on the sofa, in your favorite place on earth - Home.

King Pajama - Something Sweet CD Review

KING PAJAMA "SOMETHING SWEET"

The Sound: Piano driven, bluesy rhythms and a heavy does of affection for Carole King.

In the Cafeteria, They Sit With: Funky Mama, Sugar Free All stars, The Dreyer Family Band.

Best Moments: "Heavy Coat" is the best song on the disc. It's absolutely going to have people giving you eyes as you sing to yourself "heavy coat / heavy coat / will you sail with me / on a ship across the ocean / just my heavy coast and me". I cannot get that delicious melody out of my head. Additionally, I can't help but think of Where the Wild Things Are as I listen to this track. In fact, many of the lyrics on the album have a Sendak-feel to them. The lyrical content, together with the obvious Really Rosie musical influence, give "Something Sweet" a timeless aesthetic, kinda like a pair of faded old bluejeans - comfy, cool and classic.

Bonus Thoughts: King Pajama is Brooklyn based husband and wife Jason and Jena Blechman who enlisted the help of the uber-talented vocalist Nina Zeitlin to bring their debut kid's music project to life.

Okay, Time to Wrap it Up with a Nice Little Bow: "Something Sweet" is a just that, a sweet, surprising and utterly pleasant album from start to finish. There's no reason you couldn't leave this disc spinning long after your kids have been deposited at school or after they've drifted off to sleep. It's likely that you, before getting to this point in the review anyway, had never heard of King Pajama...you're not alone. I had no idea who they were either and now I cannot stop playing their CD. I love it and my girls love dancing to it. If you're reading OWTK and you've made it this far down, there's a very good chance your gang will want a little "Something Sweet" too.

The Sippy Cups - Time Machine CD Review

The Sippy Cups "The Time Machine"

The Sound: California kiddie psych rock.

In the Cafeteria, They Sit With: The Jellydots, The Flaming Lips, Ralph's World, Eric Herman.

Best Moments: "One Day Soon", the album's stand out track, tells of a child excited to learn to swim, read and, before long, blast off into space. The soaring chorus is insanely good. "My Angry Voice" delves into the emotions behind a scream, receiving high marks for it's honesty and it's mid-song apology. Every child balances excitement and fear in loosing their 1st tooth, "My Loose Tooth" outlines that juggling act perfectly, doing so on top of a groovy beat ideal for shakin' that tooth right out of your head.

Bonus Thoughts: Last month the band broke new ground as the 1st ever kid's band to have a free download via iTunes. The song, "7 is the new 14", cleverly uses the "blank is the new blank" phrase to articulate the phenomenon of kids growing up too fast while we adults continue to act younger and younger. But, just to be clear, "6 1/2 is the same old 6 1/2".

Okay, Time to Wrap it Up with a Nice Little Bow: "Time Machine" is an immaculately recorded album with glistening production work and featuring some superb vocal performances. The Sippy Cups are pushing the boundaries of kid's and family music, infusing funk and groove into a genre still trying to find room for such flavors. Not every song here works but it's not for lack of effort. When the band finds the voice of a child however, as they do on all 3 of my aforementioned Best Moments, they rarely miss the mark. In total, The Sippys have a crafted a thoroughly modern, fantastic family album.

Milkshake - Great Day CD Review

I'm all for efficiency so, off the cuff, I'm trying something new here. I'm moving to a new format for record reviews in an effort to get through my gigantic batch of CDs a bit faster, cover more family music in this space and lessen the terrible guilt I feel in not discussing some of the really good music being made for us and our children.

In short, less prose, more, um, reviews I guess.

Expect this format to change/disappear/get better/suck as I figure it out on the fly.

First victim: Milkshake "Great Day"

Here goes...

The Sound: Artisanal power pop loaded with positivity and more hooks than a meat locker.

In the Cafeteria, They Sit With: The Jimmies, Lunch Money, The Not-Its!

Best Moments: "Statue of Me", the star of the disc, sizzles with a creole favor. Straight from the piano intro, you know it's going to be awesome. "Enemies" dramatizes the fun and frustrations of a pair of best buds, treating friendship in a blunt, insightful way. "When I Get Old" is every bit as gorgeous a rumination on aging and family as Justin Roberts' "From Scratch". "Travel Far" is a dreamy wish for the kind of knowledge accumulated far away from school textbooks.

Bonus Thoughts: Holistically, the album is so good I'm even willing to forgive the uncomfortable Spin Doctors riff on "Happy Place."

Okay, Time to Wrap it Up with a Nice Little Bow: "Great Day" is akin to a musical-genre costume party, hosted by DJ Tor Hyams. All you need to slip into this happenin' shindig is to buy a CD. Milkshake's "Great Day" is a party your family isn't going to wanna miss.

Hullabaloo - High Roller CD Review

Hullabaloo's latest album of "organic kid-folk" tunes begins with "High Roller", the title track that will make you think Johnny Cash has been reborn. It's a diddy so darn good you may never get past it. "High Roller", the song, not only evokes the spirit of The Man in Black, it's the ultimate ode to being a cool baby out on the town and may just be the best kid's song of the year (also nominated for: best kiddie album artwork of the year). After you've heard "High Roller" a few (or a dozen) times, move along 'cause there are some other all-ages gems here.

"How About You" is going to have Parrot Head parents reaching for their beach balls. No, it's not about cheeseburgers or margaritas, but the song's tropical vibe plus Steve Denyes' Buffett-esque delivery will have you dreaming of island life.

Moving inland, "Princess Bluejean" should have pro-girl-power families (like ours) nodding in approval of a royal gal who ditches frilly dresses for faded old jeans and would rather play soccer than sit around looking pretty. Upon assuming the Queen's crown, everyone in the kingdom receives a new pair of bluejeans and lives "comfortably ever after". Wickedly clever. "Princess Bluejean" fits nicely on the shelf, alongside Jane & The Dragon, Dahlia and The Paper Bag Princess, in the woefully under-served strong & interesting girl/princess section of childhood.

When not tackling the princess epidemic, Hullabaloo is imagining an overwhelming kid's birthday party scenario. Picture your child inviting everyone, literally every single person, he or she knows to their next annual aging celebration. What's worse? A positive RSVP from every single one! "400 Cupcakes" gives you a glimpse at the prep time required for such a gala.

Hullabaloo blends classics like "Old Dan Tucker", "Oh Susanna" and "This Land is Your Land" with witty, high spirited originals. The result is "High Roller" - a loose, jangly old-timey record that your kids, toddlers through kindergartners especially, will be dancin' to and singin' along with in no time.

Visit Hullabaloo for samples of "High Roller" tunes along with tracks from the band's previous efforts.

Peter Himmelman - My Trampoline CD Review

Not to get all movie-poster-ish on you, but Peter Himmelman's "My Trampoline" is a Triumph! It's a fully realized, professional album of all-ages tunes by one of the great troubadours of the children's music world. "My Trampoline" dazzles and delights from the percussion intro on "Imagination" to "the whole world just feels right", the final 1/2 dozen words you'll hear sung on the album, appropriately placed over top of gently stroked piano keys.

Himmelman finds success by traveling down lyrical roads less traveled. On one track, he questions the fate of classic names in a world that revels in concocting crazy new identifiers for children. On another, he presents a bevy of curious kid-related statistics. Yet, even when walking down a well-beaten path, Himmelman manages to find something new in the commonplace.

Life lesson, or lecture songs as I regard them, are very, very familiar in this genre. By shrouding a "being yourself is best" lesson in a food allegory, as he does on "Main Dish", Himmelman proves his lyrical dexterity, making such a tune fresh and digestible. He wonders aloud if "BBQ ever wants to be the ribs" or if spaghetti longs to be the sauce. In the end, the tofu, vinegar and soup are content with who (er, what) they are. While the emotions and self-doubt of our children are a touch more complex than that of mayonnaise, the song drives home an extremely valuable point with a cleverness unique to few songwriters.

In all likelihood, the words "Neil" and "Diamond" have never appeared in succession in a kid's music review, but "Ten Billion Blades of Grass" could pass as a long lost epic from his mid-1970's days of grandeur. The tune is a sublime celebration of the outside world. It's a remarkable, far-reaching musical effort that only an artist completely confident in himself would attempt, let alone accomplish with such eloquence.

"My Trampoline" is, at it's core, a record with roots planted firmly in a love of the planet - animals, fresh air, flowers, pesky weeds even. The eco-joyousness in Himmelman's songs serve as a musical reminder that the best life is the one lived with a healthy appreciation of all that exists out of doors.

I cannot recommend enough that you check out this fantastic, fun album from Peter Himmelman. "My Trampoline" will be officially released next week, but you can order it directly from Minivan Productions (the record label) right now!

Dinosaur Pop - Kid's CD Review

Kids loves dinosaurs. Kids love music. Seems a perfect fit, no?

While there's a smattering of dinosaur-themed kid's songs out there in kiddie rock-n-roll land, Lunch Money's hilarious "Tiny Dinosaurs" and Kid's Music Underground's fantastic "My Pet Dinosaur" quickly come to mind, never before has someone had the prehistoric audacity to release an entire album's worth of dino-centric tunage.

...until now!

Paul Legrady has, under the moniker Dinosaur Pop, crafted a terrific concept album centered entirely about those extinct creatures so many kiddos love to wear on their pajamas and play with in the bathtub.

Imagine if The Decemberists took a break from writing about stillborn children and prostitute mothers and focused their efforts on a Jurassic rock opera. You might end up with something as lovely as the dino-ballad "Pterodactyl Baby".

Personally, I was never a lover of those over sized terrors. Thanks to my dino ambivalence, it's no surprise that my girls have only a passing interest in dinosaurs. As a result the dino-detailed lyrical content here, while clever, catchy and educational, fails to hold my family's attention. That will certainly not be true of your kids, should your gang be gaa-gaa for dinosaurs.

Visit the snazzy Dinosaur Pop website for more info, to sample the songs, and to buy the physical disc, digital music and/or the pop-up book!