Listen To This: "Old MacDonald... Zulu Style" - Ladysmith Black Mambazo

LadysmithBlackMambazoPhotoByLuisLeal_lowres.jpgThe South African men's vocal group Ladysmith Black Mambazo is probably most familiar to American ears from their appearance on Paul Simon's Graceland album, but the group founded by Joseph Shabalala has been singing for about fifty years now. Songs from a Zulu Farm is their next album. It's due out next month and it's essentially a kids music album -- stories in songs from the youth of the group's members. This track off the upcoming album is "Old MacDonald... Zulu Style" and, yeah, Old MacDonald has moved his farm to Africa. It's charming. "Old MacDonald Zulu Style" by Ladysmith Black Mambazo Photo credit: Luis Leal

Listen To This: "Mary the Fairy" - Key Wilde & Mr. Clarke

This song's been floating around for awhile now, but never in quite such a blogger-friendly form. It's "Mary the Fairy" from Key Wilde & Mr. Clarke, and Little Monster Records has offered it for sale, either by itself or in some other combinations. They also note that it'll be part of Little Monster's Magical Creatures, Musical Pets compilation, available "next year." Of course, the compilation has been promised for so long that I wonder if it isn't as mythical as the creatures supposedly sung about within. (I kid because I love.)

Listen To This - "Live in Monophonorama" - Coal Train Railroad

Fresh off starting a Kickstarter campaign, the fine folks at Coal Train Railroad clearly didn't get the memo that the winter holidays are a time for peaceful reflection, as they've now released a digital EP, Live in Monophonorama. It's a collection of tunes from their fun 6-episode podcast aired over the summer. It's a nice little way to tide you over until the next CTRR album. Jeff over at OWTK has an exclusive coupon code that'll let you download it for just $4.

Video: "You and Me and a Bottle of Bubbles" - Molly Ledford (Lunch Money)

Continuing Lunch Money Day, here's an early version of "You and Me and a Bottle of Bubbles" from Lunch Money chief songwriter/donut wrangler Molly Ledford. She actually posted this to her sweet songwriting blog way back in February. On Original Friend, the tune also features vocals from Frances England, and that version's lovely, but Ledford does this song quite nicely on her own. Molly Ledford (Lunch Money) - "You and Me and a Bottle of Bubbles" [YouTube] And while we're at it, how about one more song from the new album, or at least an early version, recorded more than a year-and-a-half ago...

Monday Morning Smile: "C Is For Cookie (Larry Levan's Funky Version Special Disco Mix)

This 1978 remix of the Sesame Street classic "C Is For Classic" was apparently the first remix by New York DJ Larry Levan. From a kids music perspective, it mostly buries the melody and the vocals, so the original is mostly obscured. From a shake your (and your kids') booty perspective, totally awesome. Cookie Monster - "C Is For Cookie (Larry Levan's Funky Version Special Disco Mix)" [YouTube] (via Maura Johnston)

Video: "Fits Right In" - Robbie Schaefer

FitsRightIn.jpgIt's been a long time since Robbie Schaefer released new music for families. I mean, he gives us the goofy (and fun) Songs For Kids Like Us more than four years ago, and then what happens? He goes and gets himself a radio show on Sirius-XM's Kids Place Live. Apparently being a music director for a radio station means you don't get to record new carp-related family music. But Schaefer's finally gotten around to recording "Fits Right In," which he's been playing at live shows for a little while now. It's a catch little piece of kids folk-pop -- fans of Justin Roberts will quite enjoy it, I think. You can download it here and on iTunes. I don't think it's going to take 4+ years before the next Schaefer release. Listen to Schaefer play the song solo (and acoustic), captured live by Gwyneth. Robbie Schaefer - "Fits Right In" (Live @ Eddie's Attic, Atlanta) [YouTube]