Thank Bill for this one. It's from English singer Frank Turner, whose album England Keep My Bones will almost certainly end up in my top five albums of 2011 and who I was first introduced to by Bill. It's punk with a county/folk edge, or perhaps it's country/folk with a punk edge. Totally tuneful and joyful (except when he's not trying to be joyful) and an excellent live.
Not all of the new album is appropriate for kids, and the lead single, "Peggy Sang the Blues," concerns a visitation in Turner's dreams by his dead grandmother. Which is fine by me, because it's got the best damn chorus of the year, including the lyrics "It doesn't matter you come from / it matters where you go / and no gets remembered / for the things they didn't do." I hope my own kids know that.
Frank Turner - "Peggy Sang the Blues" [YouTube]
The band Lullatone has often walked that line of being "for" adults" without in any way being inappropriate for kids. This new video for the leadoff track to their upcoming album Soundtracks for Everyday Adventures continues much along those lines. It's a pleasant little song, perfect for a Monday morning, and will leave your kids wondering, "those three guys all look the same!" (And, if you're me, thinking, "Huh. A-flat major. That's a key I'd never think to try to write (or play) a song in.") Grab the track for free using the widget below, or just enjoy the video...
Lullatone - "Growing Up" [Vimeo]
When my daughter was younger, on most nights I would sing her a song or two before putting her to bed. But as Miss Mary Mack grew older, she eventually decided she didn't want me to do that every night. Once a week or so, however, I'll still sing her a goodnight song. Until recently, it has been something from my repertoire of lullaby songs -- "Hush Little Baby," perhaps, or Brahms' Lullaby (the "doo doo doo" song, with other silly sounds as well).
But for some reason -- Miss Mary Mack has been very vague as to her motivation -- in recent weeks she has requested "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)," a Jimmy Kennedy/Nat Simon song from the early 1950s whose prominence in my brain is 100% due to They Might Be Giants, who recorded a version for their essential 1990 album Flood.
So now I bring up the TMBG version, with the weird vocalizations and instrumental parts, in my mind using memories of an album twenty years old and am thankful I still get to sing lullabies for my daughter.
They Might Be Giants - "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)" - [YouTube]
The first time you watch this video, I recommend not watching it at all... that is, close your eyes or scroll up (or down) or hide the page behind another page if that's possible on your operating system and just listen to the song. It's a perfectly fine song, sure.
Then watch it.
No matter if you thought the song was cool or "meh," I guarantee you'll be more impressed by the song the second time through.
Jim Gill - "Living Inside of a Jar" [YouTube]
I don't know, if I found Rocknoceros hiding out in my attic, I might feel a little freaked out -- they seem to be really busy and doing reasonably well, so what are they doing in my house!?! But such crazy situations are the basis for many a video setup, and such it is for "Early Worm," the first video from their new album Colonel Purple Turtle. Also: do not play this language for anyone you know attempting to learn English as the mangling of our already colloquial speech will confuse them even further.
Rocknoceros - "Early Worm" [YouTube]
I don't often post live videos here, but I dig this one from Alastair Moock. It's for "Born to Dance," off his forthcoming album These Are My Friends, recorded earlier this month at Boston's Club Passim. The performance also features Anand Nayak, who's all over the new disk. (I think that's Mark Erelli on harmonica as well, not to mention Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem's Scott Kessel on drums.) Nayak'll be on hand for some of Moock's other kid-friendly gigs, such as at the 92Y Tribeca in October, so if you want to catch 'em live (and live on the East Coast), you'll have a few more chances.
Alastair Moock with Anand Nayak - "Born to Dance" [YouTube]
Thank Bill for this one. It's from English singer Frank Turner, whose album England Keep My Bones will almost certainly end up in my top five albums of 2011 and who I was first introduced to by Bill. It's punk with a county/folk edge, or perhaps it's country/folk with a punk edge. Totally tuneful and joyful (except when he's not trying to be joyful) and an excellent live.
Not all of the new album is appropriate for kids, and the lead single, "Peggy Sang the Blues," concerns a visitation in Turner's dreams by his dead grandmother. Which is fine by me, because it's got the best damn chorus of the year, including the lyrics "It doesn't matter you come from / it matters where you go / and no gets remembered / for the things they didn't do." I hope my own kids know that.
Frank Turner - "Peggy Sang the Blues" [YouTube]
The band 
I don't often post live videos here, but I dig this one from 
