February is here and tomorrow is Groundhog Day. Although there is speculation about the validity of the predictions made by Punxsutawney Phil, aka the “the seer of all seers,” “the prognosticator of all prognosticators” or, simply, “the weather prognosticating groundhog,” tradition is tradition and tomorrow a large crowd will gather around the furry brown fellow eager to hear what their meteorological fate will be. Will we have six more weeks of winter or will we be blessed with an early spring? Who knows!
Either way, I encourage you to take a look at “A Shadow,” from Gustafer Yellowgold’s Year In the Day. “A Shadow” is a sweet little tune, not only honoring this historic day, but also offering a different perspective on shadows in general. Combined with colorful illustrations (as usual) and soft, ethereal vocals, “A Shadow” will bring a smile to your face, regardless of what the morning’s predictions might indicate.
Please note that the video will only be available for the month of February. A Year In The Day is a collection of songs that represent something significant about each month of the year. And, in some cases, more than one day may be represented, as is the case with February. So, stay tuned for more Gustafer videos coming up, particularly one that involves pancakes.
Seattle band, The Not-Its, just released a video for “Busy,” a track from their upcoming album, Kidquake!, available February 5th, 2013.
“Busy” is a rockin’ Ska jam that moves just as fast as life with kids might feel sometimes. There’s some fantastic energy here and the video includes some awesome effects, particularly when the lyrics “we need to just slow down” come up. It’s a mantra I should probably say to myself more often!
It’s a great song, by a great band, with a great message.
The 55th annual Grammy Awards are coming up and the representatives for “Best Children’s Album” are mighty fine indicators of just how much the Children’s Music genre has to offer. Below you will find a list of albums and other goodies from this year’s nominees.
So, take a listen and although you may not be able to vote per se, you can show your support by perhaps purchasing one or two (or more!) of your favorites.
The Pop Ups – Radio Jungle
The second album from Brooklyn-based duo, The Pop Ups, Radio Jungle brings listeners on a musical adventure filled with dance beats, creative lyrics and educational topics. Listeners will explore constellations, a world created with a box of crayons, counting and even some puppets! The Pop Ups once again infuse their sense of humor and musical talent into a fun set of songs. So take a journey through the wilderness and listen to Radio Jungle through the SoundCloud widget below, along with a video for their wildly popular single, “Box of Crayons.” Radio Jungle is available for download and purchase through the BandCamp widget below, Amazon and iTunes.
Just as the subtext on the cover says, Can You Canoe? is “A Mississippi River Adventure Album.” Justin Lansing and Joe Mailander made their way down the Mississippi River in a canoe over the course of a month. During that time, they paddled their way from Minnesota to St. Louis, writing songs inspired by the beauty of the natural world around them. With songs about camaraderie, bullfrogs, mosquitos and camping under a blanket of stars, Can You Canoe perfectly illustrates the brothers’ journey down the river. In fact, it could very well prepare you for your own river odyssey, should you be so bold. You can learn more about the Okee Dokee Brothers at their official site, where you can also purchase a CD/DVD combo, which includes the 15-track album and a documentary of the making of the album. Below are a couple of videos, a trailer from the DVD and a widget containing a few audio samples from Can You Canoe?
Bill Harley is a master storyteller and certainly no stranger to Grammy nominations, being a two-time Grammy award winner in his own right. And now he’s back with High Dive, a hilarious collection of stories and songs about childhood. Listeners will find Harley emotive, engaging and suspenseful as he spins tales about a maniacal goat, a field trip gone awry, and finding out that perhaps mom is actually right, sometimes. Especially relevant to this time of year is a Valentine’s Day story with inadvertently “monstrous” consequences. High Dive is a hoot that will capture the attention of both kids and adults alike. You can listen to samples and purchase the entire album at Harley’s official site.
A Swinging Jungle Tale is a mix of stories and songs about the adventures of a girl named Claire and her stuffed animal friends. What is impressive about this album is the amount of work the creators put in to make it as interactive as possible. The story aims to incorporate listeners by encouraging them to use their imagination along with Claire, as she travels through the jungle (which also happens to be her Grandfather’s backyard) and meets imaginary friends. The album’s cover art is bright and colorful, while the soundtrack was inspired by world-renowned jazz artists, including the legendary Ella Fitzgerald and improvisational master, Thelonious Monk, to name a few. You can read more about Claire and the making of A Swinging Jungle Tale at the Jumpin Jazz Kids official site.
You can listen to A Swinging Jungle Tale through the widget below. The album and its accompanying storybook are available for purchase through the Jumpin Jazz Kids store, as well as, CDBaby.
Mitchell brings color and life to her re-imagined versions of Woody Guthrie’s earlier recordings. The songs covered on “Little Seed” stem from two of Woody Guthrie’s children’s albums, recorded in 1947, called “Songs to Grow on for Mother and Child” and “Nursery Days.” Like Guthrie, Mitchell is a folk frontrunner and icon in her own right, being the first female children’s artist signed to the Smithsonian Folkways label and certainly one of the most beloved. On Little Seed, Mitchell very easily glides through some complex tongue-twisting lyrics, which happen to remind me of a few Dr. Seuss books, making it even easier to follow along than some of the originals. Mitchell’s voice, as usual, is soothing and clear like a serene lake and refreshing like a cold glass of water on a hot day. You can read my full review of the album here. You can learn more about Little Seed at Mitchell’s official site and view a couple of videos from the album below. Little Seed is available for purchase through Mitchell’s online store, Amazon (CD or MP3) and iTunes.
Tim and the Space Cadets are back with a video for “2nd Grade Show,” a track from their upcoming full-length debut, Anthems for Adventure, set to release on January 29th, 2013.
“2nd Grade Show,” like its über-catchy predecessor, “Superhero,” is a vibrant pop track with a snappy chorus. While the video for “Superhero” was very exciting, the production value for “2nd Grade Show” is phenomenal. I really don’t know what is more awesome; the fact that the song is about a kid owning his part as a tree or the fact that a 2nd grade class is reenacting scenes from the TV show LOST. I love how the song was translated in such an unexpected way; subtle, but in each case the tree is a striking part of the story.
For non-LOST devotees, no worries, just watching the adorable cast is enough to get you hooked.
It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s…TATSC! Hmmm, that may not have translated as well as it did in my head. Nevertheless, TATSC stands for Tim and the Space Cadets and below is their video for the song “Superhero.”
The video contains all the right elements for a thrilling experience. Not to mention that the song will prompt immediate dancing the moment you hear it, no matter where you are.
So don your best cape and superhero mask and get ready to fly!
In celebration of her 2012 Grammy Nomination for Little Seed: Songs for Children by Woody Guthrie Songs, Elizabeth Mitchell just released a beautiful video for the track “Sleep Eye.” It’s probably my favorite song on the album and I am so glad there’s a video for it. “Sleep Eye” contains sweet, innocent images of little ones in a peaceful state. The effects in the video are dreamy and the accompaniment of the flute and balafon create a perfect rhythm for rocking, swaying or bouncing with your little one.
Mista Cookie Jar & The Chocolate Chips delivers a futuristic, science fiction approach to the typical xmas jingle. “Robot for Xmas” is an ode to robots (the epic fun so awesome kind, of course!) and 8-bit video games. There’s even shout-outs to some of the most famous cyborgs, androids and other mechanical friends in our history (Transformers, Star Wars, even Chuck E. Cheese). Now that’s rad!
As usual the MCJ crew puts together a funk-tastic seriously cool song and video which you will want to play on repeat. And now I think I want a real certified android of my own for Christmas! Ohhh, Santaaaaa….
Check out the video below and sample of the song (name your price for purchase). Click on the “Download” link to view the lyrics which are always fun to read.
Now that we are past Thanksgiving, the holiday season is officially underway. Usually, we break out classic holiday CDs while stringing up lights around the house (and on my daughter’s dollhouse) and taking in the scents of our special candles. I’ve always loved the comfort of Ella Fitzgerald and Brenda Lee. Even Frank Sinatra and some instrumental holiday jazz have warmed our hearts on those cold nights. But for the past few years, we’ve added some variety to our music collection as some very talented kindie artists have released holiday albums containing both originals tunes and renditions of the season’s most beloved classics. The suggestions below are based on what we are listening to the most right now and those that we think your family will enjoy just as much. But, this is just the first list! There’s more to come so stay tuned for part 2!
You will find a YouTube playlist corresponding with the list of albums in this post, as well as the sample track “Jingle Bells” from Renee & Jeremy’s Sunny Christmas,” at the end of this post. Enjoy!
Laurie Berkner – A Laurie Berkner Christmas
We have been devoted Laurie fans for several years now and getting to hear Laurie’s very first Christmas album, A Laurie Berkner Christmas, means this holiday season just got a whole lot sweeter. Coupled with her infectious charm, the songs are catchy and ready for some holiday sing-alongs. The album features 15 traditional holiday and seasonal songs, three of which were originally written by Laurie: “Santa’s Coming To My House Tonight,” “Candy Cane Jane,” originally featured on her 2008 release Rocketship Run, and “Christmas Lights.” Joining Laurie on the album is Brady Rymer in the spirited “Children Go Where I Send Thee (below).” Elizabeth Mitchell also joins in on the beautiful, folksy rendition of “Silent Night.”Kids will enjoy wiggling around, kicking their feet and laughing like they’re Santa Claus in “Santa’s Coming to My House Tonight,” spelling along with Laurie in “Jingle Bells” and learning about Gumdrop Joe, Candy Cane Jane and her horse with the candy cane mane in “Candy Cane Jane.”
A Laurie Berkner Christmas is truly delightful and one that should definitely be opened before Christmas. The album and the single “Candle Chase,” recorded especially for those who celebrate Chanukah, is available for purchase and digital download through Berkner’s site, Amazon, and other media outlets.
Renee & Jeremy – Sunny Christmas
Expanding on their 2011 single “Sunny Christmas,” Renee & Jeremy recently released a 6-song EP of the same name just in time for the holidays. Like other recordings from the Los Angeles duo, Sunny Christmas is like comfort food for your soul. The album opens with a sentimental greeting in “We Wish You A Merry Christmas,” and you will instantly want to add your voice to the harmonious vocals and your hands to the rhythmic clapping. The title track, “Sunny Christmas,” is a bouncy pop tune that reminds us that the true gift of the season is spreading peace, love and happiness to those around us. It’s hard not to feel cozy and warm while listening to anything by Renee & Jeremy and Sunny Christmas is certainly no exception. So, as you string up your tinsel and mistletoe or sip a cup of hot cocoa, let Renee & Jeremy fill the room with joy as they wish you and your family good tidings. Sunny Christmas can be sampled and purchased through Renee & Jeremy’s site and Amazon, as well as other regular media outlets. And be sure to listen to “Jingle Bells” at the bottom of the post.
Mama Doni – Chanukah Fever
Doni Zasloff, aka Mama Doni has Chanukah FEVER! brings us a quirky compilation of Chanukah songs that is sure to shine like a brightly lit menorah amidst the plethora of Christmas albums on the shelves or maybe even in your living room. Expanding on her 2008 EP, I Love Chanukah, Mama Doni’s Chanukah Fever celebrates the historical and traditional aspects of the holiday through a variety of musical styles, including disco, reggae, rock and ’80s freestyle rap. The 14-song album includes original tracks such as “The Funky Gold Menorah,” “Latke Man” and “La Vida Dreidel.” Even Hanukah Harry gets a personal note. Mama Doni’s songwriting skills and knack for Jewish humor is sure to bring your family to tears with laughter this holiday season.
Chanukah Fever can be sampled and purchased through Mama Doni’s site, Amazon and other media outlets.
Bonus: Mama Doni’s cookbook, Get Cooking, was just released, and it includes some fine family recipes and a 29-song CD. Grab it while it’s hot!
2013 UPDATE: Check out for Mama Doni’s new releases, Mama Doni’s Jewish Holiday Party(DVD) and Mama Doni: The Acoustic Jewish Holiday Collection (CD), available beginning November 12 at Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, iTunes, FYE Stores, See of Sound, and directly through Mama Doni’s website. This collection of Chanukah themed songs is set to acoustic and bluegrass sounds creating a warm, sentimental vibe. Highly recommended. See YouTube video playlist below to check out some of these sweet sounds for songs like “A Chanukah Love Song, ‘Eight,'” “Honey This Ain’t Money,” and “Chanukah, Oh Chanukah” which contains Hebrew and English verses.
The Hipwaders – A Kindie Christmas
A Kindie Christmas by Bay Area band The Hipwaders is a holiday classic and offers a unique take on holiday jams. The album features 10 original songs filled with a diverse array of sounds ranging from funk in “It’s Wintertime” to country rock in “Santa’s Train,” which features Santa coming down the tracks in a red hopper car full of toys, and the R.E.M.-like sound of “Wake Up.” Other songs include “Tinsel & Lights,” a nostalgic ode to festive traditions, and “Christmas Vicuna,” a humorous tale about a South American camel who dreams of flying like a reindeer.
A 2010 Honors Award winner from the National Parenting Publication Association (NAPPA), A Kindie Christmas is the perfect alternative to the classic carols of the season and will have your family rockin’ around the Christmas tree and beyond.
Dan Zanes – Christmas in Concord Dan Zanes‘ fans will have another reason to celebrate the upcoming holiday season with the re-release of Christmas in Concord. The mini-album which celebrates the old Christian tunes that have been a part of Christmases in Zanes’ hometown of Concord, NH, for generations also has two new songs which feature Pulitzer Prize winning author Suzan-Lori Parks. Parks brings rich, soulful accompaniment in my favorite song, “Rise Up Shepherd and Follow.” The song was initially performed at a legendary local venue for people in need, known as the Friendly Kitchen. During a road trip, Zanes and Parks wrote “I’m Counting the Days Until Christmas” while reminiscing about their fathers’ experiences in the military. As with most of Zanes’ work, there is a feeling of joy in being surrounded by, creating and sharing music. Christmas in Concord carries the same feeling. Coupled with a nostalgic backstory, a well chosen collaboration and Zanes’ soft rasp, classics like “Joy To the World,” “Deck the Halls” and “Silent Night,” are sure to warm your heart as you snuggle and share your own stories with your loved ones. Christmas in Concord can be heard and purchased through Dan Zanes’ official site and Amazon, as well as other regular media outlets.
Ben Rudnick – It’s Santa Claus! It’s Santa Claus! by Ben Rudnick & Friends contains renditions of traditional holiday tunes that don’t stray too far from the sounds of the originals but certainly showcase the group’s signature folksy rock style. The title track, “It’s Santa Claus,” an original on the album, is a bouncy tune that is just as jolly as the man in the red suit.
The album is made up of catchy arrangements filled with the instrumental stylings of the many “Friends” who play along with Rudnick. “Jingle Bells” is jazzy with saxophonic accents, and even “Greensleeves,” a song I obsessively played on the piano in my earlier days, gets a jumpstart with some fast-paced finger picking and accordion before it slows down toward the end.
It’s Santa Claus will provide your family with a fresh festive twist on holiday classics. You can hear samples and purchase It’s Santa Claus! through Rudnick’s site, Amazon and other media outlets. Learn about the inspiration for and the making of the album on Rudnick’s blog.
Justin Roberts, known in the kindie world for his high energy shows and catchy power-pop tunes has decided to slow down the pace with a moving lullaby album. The first track on the album, “Count Them As They Go,” was recently released with a charming video directed and animated by ALSO.
The video for “Count Them As They Go” presents a dreamscape sprinkled with fluffy sheep in a tree-lined pasture and gliding birds under a blanket of stars. Orchestral accents complement Roberts’ soft voice as we are lulled into a more peaceful state of mind through guided imagery.
Simply beautiful.
The album is now available for purchase at Amazon and Justin’s site, along with merchandise featuring those adorable fluffy sheep.
I could really get used to these one-offs by The Pop Ups. Although, I think this one deserves to be on a future album as well. “40 Things To Do In A Blackout,” is a new song to benefit the victims of Hurricane Sandy.
Aside from benefitting victims of Sandy, I think we can all benefit from the activities suggested in this song. So many of them are good for anytime you have a need to prevent yourself (and your kids) from going stir-crazy. And, it’s especially timely as things like shorter days, darker playgrounds, double stuffed down jackets and golf umbrellas corner us into staying inside.
You can purchase the song through Amazon or by clicking on the link below. All proceeds from the purchase of this song go to the Sandy relief effort and for $1 it’s more than worth it!
February is here and tomorrow is Groundhog Day. Although there is speculation about the validity of the predictions made by Punxsutawney Phil, aka the “the seer of all seers,” “the prognosticator of all prognosticators” or, simply, “the weather prognosticating groundhog,” tradition is tradition and tomorrow a large crowd will gather around the furry brown fellow eager to hear what their meteorological fate will be. Will we have six more weeks of winter or will we be blessed with an early spring? Who knows!
In celebration of her 
Kids Can Groove 