I've discussed before what big fans we are of Austin's Biscuit Brothers, whose TV show is, well, the best kids music show on television.
And sure enough, as I'd hoped in that last comment, there is indeed a third volume of their DVD series Go Make Music! on the way, on sale, in fact, next month. Another collection of Emmy-winning episodes and "Crazy Classics."
For those of us with households who are, despite the charm of the first two volumes' episodes, tiring ever so slightly after, say, the 83rd viewing, this is news for great rejoicing...
New Album From Dog On Fleas On Its Way...
While we're talking about new albums on their way, heads up for a new release from the fine folks in New York's Dog On Fleas. Dean Jones from the band mentioned to me that the band has "shrunk and changed flavors," indicating that a couple long time members (Debbie Lan and David Levine) have moved on and the sound has changed a little bit.
But the new album, scheduled for a mid-November-ish release, is filled as always with lots of different instruments and lots of different friends, including Frances England, Uncle Rock, and Lorette Velvette.
Here's the tracklist along with the lovely cover art which, as always, is by Cindy Hoose.
The Peter Yarrow Songbook: Why Didn't I Think Of That?
It's about time.
I mean, why more artists don't hop on board the songbook bandwagon is surprising to me. Dan Zanes, Ralph Covert, and Laurie Berkner have dipped their toes in that water, but Peter Yarrow is diving in headfirst. In a couple weeks, he'll be releasing two books, Favorite Folk Songs and Sleepytime Songs, that each feature lyrics, guitar notations, and notes on 12 classic folk songs. In addition, they'll each include a CD of the book's songs featuring Peter, Bethany and Rufus, a trio featuring Yarrow, his daughter Bethany Yarrow, and cellist Rufus Cappadocia. He's not stopping there -- Songs to Sing Together will be released next year and Nursery Rhymes is currently on tap for 2010.
The beauty of these books (besides the, well, beauty of the illustrations) is that they're a great mix of tunes familiar and less so. So families looking to sing together -- and why shouldn't they? -- will have a few songs they can easily master along with some songs they can learn.
I'm not always a fan of CDs embedded in picture books -- where do we keep 'em, for one thing -- but I think for this purpose, it's great. While families could get many of these things in just a regular CD with liner notes, I think by putting it in book format, it encourages the singing rather than the listening. It's a concept a lot of other artists could consider.
Anyway, here are the track listings for the two CDs.
YAKMAFAA #253: Keller Williams
A couple years ago, I coined the acronym YAKMA -- "Yet Another Kids Music Article" -- to signify the wave of articles in the media (mainstream and otherwise) about the Kids New Wave. That wave (of articles not kids music) has receded somewhat, but I think it's time to coin a partially new phrase.
YAKMAFAA -- "Yet Another Kids Music Album From (An) Adult Artist"
Because the number of artists who normally make music for adults deciding to try their hands at the genre really is getting nuts.
So next up is Keller Williams, known for his laid-back vibe and awesome multi-instrumentalist and tape-looping skills. According to this article, Williams is now looking at the kids' music world...
Williams has a 4-year-old daughter and 6-month-old son, and one of his upcoming projects is an album for children. “My whole demeanor and performance style and writing style is very tongue in cheek in the positive vein, and I think it's very suitable for the kids' music industry,” he said. The songs, already written, speak to children in a “real way — maybe too real,” said Williams. “There will be a warning on the record that will clearly state: ‘Warning, not suitable for uptight parents over 45.'”I think, then, that qualifies me as interested.
It's Sort of Like Early Voting, But for Kids Music
I mentioned a while back that the ScribbleEmpire had posted some new songs from their Nov. 4th ScribbleMonster release Songs With No Character.
Well now you can stream that whole Election Day-released disk at ScribbleMonster's Radio page. Go and listen now -- and if you like what you hear, for a limited time you can buy two copies for the price of one. Such a deal.Listen To This: "Lovely, Love My Family" - The Roots (Yo Gabba Gabba!)
Well, I've told you about the second season of Yo Gabba Gabba! -- that's going strong. And I've told you about the upcoming soundtrack, set to be released tomorrow through iTunes.
Now both are set to come together in one giant you-got-peanut-butter-in-my-chocolate sort of combination.
Because I've got an mp3 from that soundtrack for your listening pleasure that -- unlike most of the rest of the album -- is actually a Season Two track.
Trust me, even if you're all Yo Gabba Whatta?, you're going to want to hear this...
