Heidi Swedberg Teaches You "Al Tambor" on the Ukulele

On her latest album My Cup of Tea, Heidi Swedberg and her friends take the listener on a variety show tour of music from across the centuries and continents, a full-fledged instrumental extravaganza.  But at heart, Swedberg remains a ukulele evangelist dedicated to teaching the humblest of stringed instruments to folks the world over.

That's why I'm tickled pink that Swedberg is offering up a free and exclusive ukulele lesson for the song "Al Tambor" (which appears on My Cup of Tea  as well).  She and one of her chief partners in musical crime Daniel Ward take you through the two -- just two! -- chords needed to play the song.  And in case you're the kind of person who wants to study a piece of paper (hey, I'm that guy sometimes), Swedberg has put together a sheet for you.  Download the chord chart here.

Thanks to Heidi and Daniel for the lessons -- uke players, you know what to do! 

Itty-Bitty Review: Todd and Cookie Epic 3 Song Starter Pack

Todd McHatton and C.J. Pizarro (AKA Mista Cookie Jar) are not necessarily the first names that come to mind when you think of natural duet partners, but neither were peanut butter and chocolate, when you think about it, and look how popular that combo is now.

Could it happen for Todd and Cookie?  Could they get some significant placement in a Steven Spielberg movie?  OK, that's doubtful., but I could see the Los Angeles duo picking up a few fans with their slightly-oxymoronically titled debut EP Epic 3 Song Starter Pack.  I would say that the songs are more MCJ's hyperactive melting pot of musical styles than McHatton's '70s orchestral pop, more Cookie than Todd.  "All These Magical Things" is a swirly AutoTuned pop gem, the album's best, with "HotchToozZee" more crazy, and "You're My Bestest Bro" more mellow.

This is kids' music, but not necessarily kids' tunes.  The album's most appropriate for kids ages 4 through 8.  You can hear the album on Spotify, or stream right here.   Those looking for the measured AM radio pop of McHatton's Underbirds project with Morgan Taylor might not necessarily dig, but if your family needs some mashed-up kid-friendly songs from the 22nd century, dig in.  Recommended.

Note: I was given a copy for possible review. 

[Bonus: Here's the first episode of "Todd and Cookie's Catapult of Destiny," "The World of Rock."  It actually makes the EP sound kind of tame.] 

Alastair Moock, Singing His Way Through on NPR

To those of you who heard my review of Alastair Moock and Friends' Singing Our Way Through: Songs for the World's Bravest Kids, welcome.  (Here's the NPR link.)

Go here for more information on the album (or stream via the widget below).  You might also like a video from the album.   It's an album filled with empathy, sympathy, and a large dollop of humor.

And if you're new to the site, thanks for stopping by and feel free to explore some more great kids music. 

World Premiere: "Lishy Lou and Lucky Too" Theme Song

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It's been a very busy year for Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band.  Not only did they release the Spanish-language album Fantastico! earlier this year, they've got a second album, Lishy Lou and Lucky Too , set for release next week.

Oh, did I mention that the album is the aural, radio show analogue to a hoped-for Lishy Lou and Lucky Too TV show?

Like I said, very busy.

But although it's all coming out now, Alisha Gaddis -- AKA "Lishy Lou" -- says that she and Lucky "were quietly and crazily working on all this for over a year."

Although Gaddis that she does most of the funny writing in the family ("Lucky is always the head of songwriting and all things musical"), they had some help for the new album.  In addition to having Michael Farkas help Gaddis and Diaz out with songs for the album, writer Chris McGowan wrote the Laugh-In   bits for the album.  McGowan and write Rebecca Leib also wrote a lot of writing for their other project (the TV show).

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As for the TV show, Gaddis says they "really want to expose kids to the classic live action television that we grew up with - I Love Lucy, Pee Wee's Playhouse, The Monkees - but with a modern twist."  (The fantastical characters in the picture above are all introduced on the Lishy Lou and Lucky Too website.)  One reason for the TV show, she says, is that "We want to entertain the kids in the Midwest or the far Pacific Northwest (and all those places in between) that we don't get to see face to face otherwise."

Asked whether it's easier or harder to write comedy for children, Gaddis says: 

I think it is just as difficult to write comedy for children as it is for adults.  You must always play to an audience's strengths, integrity and intelligence (at least that is what we believe).  Kids are clever sponges who deserve the best.  That is what we really try to give them.

So here, then, is the world premiere of the video for the Lishy Lou and Lucky Too TV show.

Weekly Summary (9/16/13 - 9/22/13)

Radio Playlist: New Music September 2013

It's been four weeks since my August new music playlist, so time to post another Spotify update for new music (see the August playlist here).  As always, it's limited in that if an artist hasn't chosen to post a song on Spotify, I can't put it on the list, nor can I feature songs from as-yet-unreleased albums.  But I'm always keeping stuff in reserve for the next Spotify playlist.

Check out the list here or go right here if you're in Spotify.

**** New Music September 2013 (September 2013 Kindie Playlist) ****

Dan Zanes & Elizabeth Mitchell – Hot Weather Music
Kathy Kallick Band – Use a Napkin (Not Your Mom)
Kath Bee – Ygfoyf
Zannie – The Rain Kid
Hey Buster – I'm a Boy
Heidi Swedberg and the Sukey Jump Band – Al Tambor
Caspar Babypants – Here Comes the Sun
Trout Fishing in America – The Late, Great, Nate McTate
The Digits – Measuring Angles (Parody)

Mr. Palindrome – My Ability (The Pencil & Eraser Song)

The Watson Twins - Hello Hello