I mentioned last month the entry of former Skankin' Pickle musician Mike Park to the kids' music world with the release of his album SMILE. (You can still stream the album here.) But if you're a busy parent (or kid) and only have a minute, might I suggest this stop-motion animation? It's got a lovely DIY aesthetic (which is, well, kinda appropriate for the punk background of the record).
Mike Park - "Animal Park" [YouTube]
Monday Morning Smile: "Cat Quartet" - James Gill / Frank Young
This "Cat Quartet" from James Gill and Frank Young is, well, to tell you anything more would spoil the dorky happiness of the piece, which is barely more than a minute long. Consider it your semi-annual LOLcat video here at Zooglobble.
James Gill and Frank Young - "Cat Quartet" [Vimeo]
Video: "16 or 17 Hours of Sleep" - Trout Fishing in America
I like the art direction in the book/CD collection this new Trout Fishing in America song is found more than the (simple) art direction in this video. It's "16 or 17 Hours of Sleep" from the new book (out this week) Chicken Joe Forgets Something Important. It's an amusing song (which isn't too surprising given its source).
Trout Fishing in America - "16 or 17 Hours of Sleep" [Vimeo]
Two possible video responses after the jump...
Video: "Baby Cloud" - Caspar Babypants (feat. Rachel Loshak)
This video for the closing track on the new Caspar Babypants album Sing Along! is every bit as beautiful as the song itself. The video is for "Baby Cloud," which primarily features the vocals of Rachel Loshak (aka Morgan Taylor's wife and a recording artist in her own right.) It's a modern folk classic, and now it has a video worthy of the song.
Caspar Babypants feat. Rachel Loshak - "Baby Cloud" [YouTube]
But wait, there's more at his YouTube page.
Video: "Foot Notes" - Jim Gill
I've always enjoyed the playfulness in Jim Gill's music, and this new video for "Foot Notes" from his upcoming fall release Music Play for Folks of All Stripes is an excellent example of his playful word play. What it lacks in, say, melody, it makes up for in improvisational generosity. As a matter of fact, you can dance to it. You just need to think about it a bit.
Jim Gill - "Foot Notes" [Vimeo]
Video: "My Little Chicken (Chopsticks)" - Beethoven's Wig`
What do you get when you cross Seven Brides with Seven Brothers with musically destructive poultry? I have no idea.
But while you're pondering that, distract your kids for a minute or so by letting them watch the first video from the upcoming Beethoven's Wig album Sing Along Piano Classics, out next month. It's called "My Little Chicken," but you probably know the base melody as "Chopsticks." It's amusing. Perhaps your kids will be able to answer the question I've posed above.
Beethoven's Wig - "My Liittle Chicken (Chopsticks)" [YouTube]
