The high point in my list of the best kids music of 2011 is this, my list of my favorite kids music albums of the year.

By "year," again, I mean albums with Nov. 1, 2010 through Oct. 31, 2011 release dates available to the general public. That means albums like Laura Veirs' Tumble Bee, with a Nov. 8, 2011 release date, have to wait another 12 months before appearing in this list. (I would be shocked -- albeit incredibly delighted -- if there were 25 albums better than that particular one in the next year.)

I do use the word "favorite" advisedly. I receive something approaching 300 family music albums every year. I review maybe 20% of those. Last year I picked out 20 albums, and cutting off this list this year at 20 just seemed cruel. But, as it turns out, increasing the number on the list to 25 didn't make things any easier. Albums from folks like Laura Doherty, Chip Taylor, Todd McHatton, and ScribbleMonster -- albums I genuinely liked -- didn't make the list. That's what happens when albums in the top 10% of everything I heard this year can't fit into the number of slots available; I had probably about 40 albums I was seriously considering for this list. So the difference between what goes in this list and what stays off is as much about personal preferences as it is about "objective" quality. (That's why I came up with the idea for Fids and Kamily, thinking that the personal preferences of many folks would be a much better approximation of "best.")

In any case, here are those 25 albums, ranked from most favorite to a little less most favorite, that I (and we) most appreciated this year. (As always, the top 10 reflects my Fids and Kamily ballot.)

1. Caspar Babypants
Sing Along!
[Review]
"I really, really like Sing Along! -- the Caspar Babypants disks have been favorites at our house for a long time, and I see no reason why this new album won't join its predecessors in heavy rotation. If he can keep it up, Chris Ballew might just create a body of work for preschoolers to rival Raffi's."

Continue reading "Best Kids Music 2011: Top 25 Albums" »

Posted by SAShepherd at 05:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

What do I have to do, people? I tell you -- repeatedly -- about Austin's Biscuit Brothers, and yet they're still not internationally-loved kids music stars.

I suppose I could tell you how Get Up and Go, their fifth and latest album, continues what the Biscuit Brothers have done from the beginning of their TV show (now entering their sixth season on a variety of PBS stations) -- seamlessly blend top-notch musical performances with entry-level musical education. It's always been liking hiding the shredded carrots in the mac-and-cheese, and a song like "Tempo Tongue Twister," featuring the always hysterical Tiny Scarecrow singing a tongue twister that gradually increases in speed (aka tempo) is a perfect example of that. [Note: Tiny Scarecrow doesn't play quite as large a role on this album as he does on others, so those of you who are fans -- e.g., me -- should take note.]

But really, why bother? Why tell you that the Biscuit Brothers band, though Americana country and folk is its home territory, covers the genre ground from zydeco ("The Crawdad Song," of course) to jazz ("Bill Bailey") to surf-rock ("Dance Party") to funk (the title track) with aplomb just as they've always done if you're not going to buy the albums or watch clips from the shows. There's no point in telling you that there is more pure joy on a Biscuit Brothers album than almost any other kids music album (which is already a fairly high-joy genre) -- their version of "Little Red Caboose" may be the most fun track I've heard all year.

So go ahead. Ignore me. Your kids aged 3 through 8 who would get the most out of this album can ignore me, too. Get Up and Go is yet another solid album of traditional favorites done fresh and with good humor, mixed in with a few originals, an album which would be a good entry point for non-fans into the Biscuit Brothers show. It's definitely recommended, not that you care.

Posted by SAShepherd at 05:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

OK, this is mostly a Tiny Scarecrow deal, but any new music -- especially TS music -- from Austin's Biscuit Brothers is always welcome. It's a "work in progress," according to the Soundcloud page, but it's amusing with very much of a Disney "Tiki Room" vibe. Reportedly it's from the next BB album, which is in progress, especially after their Kickstarter campaign reached funded status late last week.

Uki Buki Kuki Duiki Fuki Guki Huki Juki Island by The Biscuit Brothers

Posted by SAShepherd at 08:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I have long been a fan of Tiny Scarecow, the diminutive scarecrow puppet/fool in the PBS show The Biscuit Brothers. So while I'm sad that his Kickstarter video doesn't feature, well, either of the actual Biscuit Brothers, it does mean that TS gets 3 minutes of his own.

He's taken to Kickstarter to raise funds for a new episode of the TV show (distributed for free to any PBS station which wants to air it). It's a great TV series, and if you haven't checked out the clips available on YouTube, you really should. For the love of all that's good, people, Tiny Scarecrow deserves a tracking shot. I'm backin' the project.

[Note: TS is also on Twitter, which seems a bit advanced for a puppet, but, hey. Follow him here.]

Posted by SAShepherd at 08:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

I saw "for road trips" not because these are travel-themed but because there are seven of them. Seven seems like enough to get through at least a day or two of your drive across or through the country. Let's get to it, then.

I don't think the guys in Seattle's Recess Monkey actually sleep. They already release more CDs than just about anybody else, and now they're cranking out a DVD a year, too. Like their first volume, Field Trips with Recess Monkey Episodes 5-8 features a combination of band "field trips" (Sirius-XM studios, Ella Childs at Spare the Rock, illustrator Jarrett Krosoczka), live shows, and their stellar videos. The videos are the highlight of the DVD ("The Teens" and "Sack Lunch" in particular) -- should episodes 9 through 12 be in the works (knowing the trio, they probably are), the band should consider creating a menu that'll allow viewers to just access the videos. Recommended.

The Nields' Organic Farm DVD is, as you'd expect, an appealingly low-fi (dare I say "organic") affair. It's mostly a collection of tunes recorded in front of a live audience, and features the Nields singing a number of hits from their two family albums. As they were on record, the Nields sisters are joined by their father on a few songs. Among the non-live tracks are a couple songs showing how a parent or teacher might use a song as a simple teaching tool. It's a nice little bonus treat. Recommended.

Continue reading "Review: DVDs for Road Trips" »

Posted by SAShepherd at 12:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Oh, how we do enjoy our Biscuit Brothers here at Zooglobble HQ. The DVDs are great, the CDs are around the house -- really, we love 'em.

But there are times when not living in Austin, the Brothers' home base, really puts a crimp in our Biscuit-lovin' lifestyle.

For example, we'd probably be thinking about attending the Austin Family Music Festival this Saturday, featuring not only shows from the Brothers (and presumably Buttermilk, though I'm not sure about Tiny Scarecrow) but also sets from the incredibly cool Sara Hickman and the incredibly cool-sounding Invisible Czars. (Not to mention a lot of other musicians and farm animals. Can't go wrong with farm animals.)

And on top of that, long-awaited Season 5 of the Brothers' TV show (sadly unaired here in Arizona, despite my pleas to our local PBS affiliate) debuts that very morning. Here's a clip from the season opener featuring Austin artist ZEALE RapZ. At 3 minutes long it doesn't give a good sense of the general goofiness a full episode provides, but, hey, it's all I'll get of Season 5 'til the DVD comes out, oh, 3 years from now.

Posted by SAShepherd at 03:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Longtime readers know how over the moon our family is for Austin's Biscuit Brothers. So, yes, I know this is a blatant attempt at spreading the word and doesn't feature, you know, any actual music. But it does feature Tiny Scarecrow, who, in the tiny world of kids music ancillary characters, is up there neck-and-neck with Recess Monkey's Mayor Monkey for most amusing.

OK, OK, fine actual news -- they're starting production on Season Five. And their new Live in Concert DVD is out now. Happy? Just watch the video.

Posted by SAShepherd at 08:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Everybody knows who the secret weapon is on The Biscuit Brothers' TV show.

It's Tiny Scarecrow, of course.

But after Tiny, the Brothers' other secret weapon is the somewhat underutilized Buttermilk Biscuit. Well, perhaps underutilized until now, because here's a feature of her very own, "Buttermilk's Dance Party." The concept -- teaching dance moves -- is pretty basic, but the execution is simple and elegant.

Now if they could do some sort of cross-promotion with that Dance Dance Revolution game, they'd be set.

The Biscuit Brothers - "Oh Susanna" (Buttermilk's Dance Party)

If that's too easy or too hard for your kids (or, er, you), a couple more videos after the jump.

Continue reading "Buttermilk Biscuit Busts A Move" »

Posted by SAShepherd at 05:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Austin's Biscuit Brothers are TV's greatest kids music secret. OK, Dusty and Buford Biscuit aren't a huge secret in Texas, but these guys deserve a larger stage. In the meantime, we'll content ourselves with another album from the Brothers, Musical Farm.

Released last summer, it's another stellar collection of familiar and slightly less traditional songs with snazzy arrangements, along with some originals, all from the Brothers' Emmy-award-winning TV show. If you have the DVDs at home, you may find yourself a bit tired of some of the tracks ("'This Old Man' again?"), but they're all solid. I'm always a big fan of Tiny Scarecrow, and this album features our family's favorite TS track, the duet with Buttermilk Biscuit on "I Am Singing Softly," which manages to be simultaneously educational, hysterical, and sweet. (New to me, but also amusing, is Tiny's "Continental Tango.") As always, the production, singing, and playing are top-notch; as you might expect from folks who work on "Old MacDonald's Farm," Americana is the most commonly heard genre, but you can also hear some rock, Latin, ragtime, and organ-based pop-rock ("Polly Wolly Doodle").

The album is most appropriate for kids ages 3 through 7, though since these are mostly traditional tunes, that's pretty flexible. You can listen to soundclips here. While nothing's a substitute for their TV work, and the album will probably hold the most interest for fans of the show, Musical Farm is also a fine collection of tunes in their own right, no TV required. Recommended.

Posted by SAShepherd at 07:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It's always good news when Austin's Biscuit Brothers have new stuff for public consumption -- and the Volume 3 of Go Make Music! I told you about a few weeks back, is so-close-you-can-taste-it available. (It's gonna be here any day now, they swear.)

But that's not all -- the Christmas/holiday episode I mentioned before is now available for PBS stations across the land to pick up for free to airing this holiday season. And in case you (or your local PBS affiliate) need some convincing, they've kindly gone ahead and posted some clips on YouTube.

Here's one of my favorite Biscuit Brothers Christmas tunes (they have a whole Christmas CD) featuring, of course, Tiny Scarecrow:

Biscuit Brothers - "The Best Christmas Ever"

And some more...

Continue reading "Fresh Biscuit (Brothers) for Christmas" »

Posted by SAShepherd at 08:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

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...

Continue reading "The Zooglobble Household Rejoices: A New Biscuit Brothers DVD On Its Way" »

Posted by SAShepherd at 12:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

No secret that we're big Biscuit Brothers fans 'round these parts. Currently we're watching their Go Make Music Vol. 1 DVD just about daily, with Little Boy Blue asking constantly, "Watch tuba?" (one of the episodes is loosely tied around a tuba that is inexplicably producing high notes rather than low ones).

So it was with a "woohoo!" that I read in the Brothers' latest newsletter that they're working on new Biscuit Brothers episodes to air starting in early 2009. Not only that, they've produced Christmas and Holiday specials for airing this year. Perhaps a DVD for those of living in areas with PBS stations insufficiently clued in to start airing the show isn't far behind...

I'd also note that although I happen to think our soiree in Austin next weekend will be lots of fun (6 PM Saturday the 27th at Ruta Maya, just $5, hint hint), I'm also very impressed by the lineup the Brothers have put together for their Austin Family Music Festival the following Saturday, October 4th. Besides the Biscuit Brothers, the Festival will feature performances by Mr. Steve (aka SteveSongs), Lucas Miller, Super Pal Universe, and maybe coolest of all, Kelly Willis and Bruce Robison. Plus lots more.

So go to Family Music Meltdown a week from today and AFMF two weeks from today. Or move to Austin.

Posted by SAShepherd at 01:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Now, don't get me wrong -- Austin's Biscuit Brothers are most thoroughly enjoyed on your local PBS station or on DVD. But it's been a bit of a pain trying to describe the show with, you know, just words.

Relief for the word-challenged Biscuit-appreciating music writer is at hand, however, because the Brothers finally have themselves their own YouTube channel.

That's right, they have nine videos from the show posted on the site, ready for your viewing pleasure.

And I'm going to tell you which ones to watch first.

So, I'd start with the immortal "Chickens Playing Bongos," which has several things going for it, including the almost-always hysterical Tiny Scarecrow, lots of different instruments to learn, and chickens playing bongos. Sadly, the chickens are unseen, but otherwise it's a fun little vignette...

But there are eight more videos... Which ones should you watch first?

Continue reading "The Biscuit Brothers, Where They Belong. On YouTube." »

Posted by SAShepherd at 08:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

OK, maybe you can, but seeing as the fabulous Biscuit Brothers (no, not the fabulous Baker Brothers, that was a movie) just have 3 CDs, they're a ways away from that limit.

In just a couple weeks, though, they'll be ever-so-slightly closer there as they'll be releasing their fourth CD, Musical Farm. Their newsletter (which includes a free download of the math-friendly "Watermelon Song") says they'll be releasing the CD (which includes 7 music videos) on April 2.

Woo. Hoo.

Posted by SAShepherd at 09:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Here are a handful of new Christmas CDs that have crossed my desk that might be worth your time... and even possibly in time for you to listen to before, you know, Christmas... For the most part, the CDs below are going to be of greatest interest to the artists' fans, but if you're looking for a Christmas album that might be especially of interest to kids, you might want to start here. (If you're looking for Christmas CDs in general, by all means go here -- goodness, that is impressive.)

Austin's Biscuit Brothers released their first Christmas CD, Have a Merry Musical Christmas, this year, and fans of the slightly goofy and slyly educational TV show will not be disappointed. For the most part, it's Biscuit Brothers originals -- a funny Tiny Scarecrow on "The Best Christmas Ever, " a sweet and jazzy "Together (a Christmas Waltz)," an expanded vocal role on "Have a Merry Musical Christmas." It's all appealingly goofy. Might not be the best entry point for a listener unfamiliar with the Brothers, but it's a fun cookie of a CD nonetheless.

From the folks who brought you 2006's awesome Family Hootenanny CD comes Holiday Hootenanny, a 2007 collection of tunes from Detroit-area artists benefiting Detroit's Capuchin SoupKitchen. Definitely not a traditional CD in most senses of the word -- if you're looking for a swinging Ella Fitzgerald or the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, keep looking because even the most traditional tunes sound off-kilter in Danny Crow-Haw's brief interludes here. While not as awesome as the first CD, the last 3 tracks -- American Mars' Dylanesque "The Little Baby Jesus," co-producer's Deanne Iovan's band the Come Ons' "More," and Ultimate Ovation's awesome rendition of "It's Christmas" (which reminds you where Motown was founded) -- are almost worth the price of the CD by themselves. Sample here.

And there's more...

Continue reading "Review Basket: Christmas CDs" »

Posted by SAShepherd at 08:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Austin's Biscuit Brothers are best seen on TV or live. There's a definite theatrical sensibility in the episodes you can watch on selected PBS stations or on DVD, and they've been performing live even longer. (The live shows were the inspiration for the TV show, in fact.)

As good as those shows are, though, trying to capture the essential Biscuit nature on CD is a little tougher. Their previous disk, Old MacDonald's EIEI Radio, sounded a little bit like a (long) TV episode, with a little emphasis on the educational component of the TV show. It usually worked OK, but there were points where it seemed like there were some visuals missing and it wasn't as entertaining as watching the show.

Now, with their just-released Family Favorites, they're taking a slightly different approach, essentially forgoing attempts at direct education and an episodic structure, and putting together an album of fun songs, some of which were originally recorded for the TV show, some of which are new for this album. While the result is definitely not like the show in its overall structure, the album does a fine job of capturing the Biscuit Brothers spirit, energy, and humor.

The album starts off with a great version of the "Wabash Cannonball" -- its soaring chorus is a high point of the album -- and proceeds to wander through some time-tested tunes. Irving Berlin ("Alexander's Ragtime Band) and George M. Cohan ("Grand Old Flag" and "Yankee Doodle Scarecrow" -- OK, that last one has been modified a bit from the original) help the 20th century make an appearance, while "Old Dan Tucker" gets a smooth, polished performance from the band. Indeed, one of the pleasures of the CD is listening to the Brothers' fine voices and Allen Robertson's musical arrangements in song after song. And while the Biscuit Brothers' primary musical approach is renditions of folk songs, they're talented enough to make the alphabet song sound a bit like the Fifth Dimension on "Alphabet!"

And, yeah, Tiny Scarecrow, one of my favorite kids' show characters of all time (and one who gets high marks from my kids, too), gets his share of air time -- he's appropriately goofy on the "World's Shortest Dance Break," he negotiates the rapid-fire lyrics on "Tiger Rag" -- so that pleased me. In the let's-make-a-silly-rhyme "Schnitzelbank," he makes a Rene Magritte reference about floating apples -- high and low in the same song.

These songs are really an all-ages setlist, but given a couple of the titles, let's put the target range at kids ages 2 through 9. You can hear clips from the 34-minute album at its CDBaby page.

If you're already a Biscuit Brothers fan, you've probably picked up Family Favorites by now -- and if you haven't, you should. For those of you who aren't sure about the Brothers, I think this is a fun album you can enjoy even if you've never seen the show -- it's the best audio introduction to the Biscuit Brothers. Recommended.

Posted by SAShepherd at 07:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

If you've read this website over the past five or six months, you know how big a fan I (and the rest of my family) have become of Austin's Biscuit Brothers. They've recorded four CDs and make the not-infrequent concert appearance in the Austin area with their top-notch, often rootsy versions of American classics and originals, packed with not a small amount of wit for both kids and parents.

But it's their PBS TV show in which they really shine. Each episode of the show typically tackles a different musical concept -- tempo, harmony, folk songs, emotion in music -- and illustrates that concept through a variety of ways. The two brothers Dusty (Jerome Schoolar, the executive producer) and Buford (Allen Robertson, the musical director) are the genial guides; sister Buttermilk (Jill Leberknight, jack-of-all-trades) reads from "The Big Book of Music" (it's a really big book); and Tiny Scarecrow (a puppet voiced by Damon Brown, the director) often plays the fool, demonstrating a concept via exaggeration or general silliness.

It sounds dry on paper (or, er, the screen), but it's anything but. Just watch Go Make Music! Volume 2, a collection of 4 episodes from the show's second season (2006-2007) released this summer, and tell me you and your family members a) don't learn something, and b) don't enjoy it. It's explicitly educational, to be sure, but there's such joy and fun on the screen that you don't mind learning (or re-learning) even the most basic of concepts. In the episode titled "Dynamics," all about how loud and soft music is, Tiny Scarecrow and Buttermilk share a duet where Tiny doesn't quite get the concept of loud and soft at first. It's funny to hear Tiny singing "I am singing softly, softly, softly" at the top of his nasally voice, but it gets the point across to the young'uns quite clearly. Or in "Conduct Yourself," the Brothers go on a "Conducting Adventure" illustrating exactly how important conductors are to drawing good or bad musical performances out of people (or how confusing it can be to having two conductors). If there's a base musical style used for illustrating concepts, it might classical music, but the show employs a whole host of styles, particularly folk and roots music when just playing music.

By this, the second season, the show has certainly settled into its routines for each episode, and so the favorite segments -- "Instrument of the Day," Crazy Classics," the end-of-show song in Symphony Barn -- all make their appearances here. The production is, once again, first-class. To artists who think they can just put together a DVD without much effort, I encourage you to watch these shows and look at how many people it takes (or how much effort it takes) to put one of these disks together.

A few technical notes -- the disk contains four 27-minute episodes from the season's second (13-episode) season. It also includes all 12 "Instrument of the Day" segments from Season 2. Strung together, I found listening to the segment theme a dozen times in about 24 minutes a little tiring, but individually (either option is available), I think they're great little 2-minute lessons about, say, the clarinet. There's also a brief DVD "Easter egg" that's worth finding.

The shows are going to be of most interest to kids 3 through 8. Unfortunately, there's nothing showing the Biscuit Brothers in action on Youtube or anywhere else on the web (a segment or three from "The Best of Symphony Barn" episode would be perfect uploaded there, hint hint, guys). But trust me. You can buy all sorts of Biscuit Brothers stuff here.

We watch the two DVDs from the show quite a bit. I watch Go Make Music! Volume 2 and can't help but think that this show a) could be huge, and b) should be huge. They have just the right mix of educational goodness, entertaining productions, and musical talent that make the show a real treasure. Definitely recommended.

Posted by SAShepherd at 07:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

... because I'm gonna be writing a lot about the Biscuit Brothers, the awesome PBS show out of Austin, Texas, this week. If I really had my act together, I'd have the interview I did with them back in September, but that'll have to wait and you'll just have to live with some reviews.

According to their Wikipedia entry, in addition to appearing on a bunch of Texas stations, they are airing (or have aired) in North Carolina, New York, Oklahoma, Florida, Utah, Georgia, and California. If you live in an area that gets the Biscuit Brothers, and you're not already watching them, you (and your kids) are missing a great little show. (And if your local PBS station isn't showing them, write them and tell them the show is free. Free. Isn't America great?)

Posted by SAShepherd at 03:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We are definitely Biscuit Brothers fans at our house, so the news in their latest newsletter (go sign up!) that the Brothers are readying not one but two CDs for the upcoming season is good 'round here. Family Favorites sounds like it's probably a Greatest Hits CD of sort from their first two CDs, minus the skits which, though amusing, don't always translate as well without the television pictures. What I'm really looking forward to, though, is Have a Merry Musical Christmas! I get all giddy thinking about what liberties Tiny Scarecrow will take with longtime favorites.

OK, maybe not giddy. But I think it'll be fun.

Posted by SAShepherd at 02:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Ah, Austin, a city I've called home (or home-away-from-home, or home-away-from-home-away-from-home) for well over twenty years.

Which means that I'm entitled to feelings of "when-the-hey-did-they-build-this-thing?," even if I was just there a couple months ago. Driving from the airport to the Glenn at the Backyard, site of the first Austin Kid's Day, held this past Labor Day weekend, I was constantly amazed at the width of the freeways and the number of power centers I passed. (Of course, this being Austin, many of those power centers are tastefully tucked in behind some trees so they're not nearly so noticeable from the road.)

I take that brief detour (metaphorically) to suggest that Austin, while it might have been able to put together a music festival 20 years ago, it certainly wasn't at the point where it might have supported a long afternoon of quality kids' music.

Continue reading "Austin Kid's Day, A Recap" »

Posted by SAShepherd at 08:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Austin's Biscuit Brothers start their 3rd season of their awesome TV show tomorrow morning (Sept. 8th) at 8 AM on Austin's KLRU. Fans in the rest of the country where the show airs will have to wait until October.

As for fans in the other parts of the country where the show doesn't air, write your PBS station and tell them to get the show on the air, pronto. You can tell them they can have it for free. (Really.)

Oh, and even if you don't live in Austin, check out Tiny Scarecrow's latest blog entry. "Except I did not get to go to Singapore." Dude kills me.

Posted by SAShepherd at 04:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Like many people my age, I grew up on PBS shows. Sesame Street, Electric Company, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood -- all of them great. (And so was Scooby-Doo, but that's not relevant here.) So it's been a little weird to me that the great TV kids' music show of this generation -- Jack's Big Music Show -- has never been anywhere near PBS.

Which isn't to say that PBS doesn't have a show worthy of adulation right in its own backyard, if only it would share it with the world.

My friends, meet the Biscuit Brothers. Produced in the musical city of Austin, Texas (and appearing on a few PBS stations, mostly in Texas), this show centers around the titular brothers, Buford and Dusty Biscuit, who live on, yes, Old McDonald's farm. Along with their sister Buttermilk Biscuit and Tiny Scarecrow, the funniest muppet this side of Kermit, they explore different components of music -- tempo, melody, or emotion, for example.

Want to listen for yourself? Then try their second kids album, Old McDonald's EIEI Radio, released this spring.

Lest this sound somewhat dry, let me assure you that it's not. It's rarely didactic, and the show would much rather make its point through humor, as in the classic "Chickens Playing Bongos," which features many different instruments (ferrets playing french horns, for example). The skit "Traffic Report" demonstrates the importance of conducting by illustrating what can sometimes happen without a conductor helping to orchestrate musicians' entrances and exits.

The music is pretty darn good, too. Buford and Dusty (better known to friends in Austin as Allen Robertson and Jerome Schoolar) have some fabulous Americana roots arrangements of children's classics -- "Oh, Susanna!" and "I've Been Working on the Railroad" are particularly sharp. But they don't limit themselves to Americana. Their revisionist lyrics to Jacques Offenbach's classical "Can Can" (as a how-to entitled "The Can, Can!") are a hoot and a half, while The 'All Coming 'Round the Mountain' Music Block," shows how the same song can be arranged in many different ways (one of which is, apparently, lovingly ripping off the guitar riff from the Beatles' "Daytripper"). Some of the originals are classics (the aforementiond "Chickens Playing Bongos," the snappy "Make Your Shoes Move!," which includes Tiny Scarecow's classic, "Help! I'm being chased by bees... No, that's OK, they were just bees of the mind"), while I don't think the slow songs near the end worked quite as well. Maybe if there were visuals...

Continue reading "CD Review: Old McDonald's EIEI Radio - The Biscuit Brothers" »

Posted by SAShepherd at 07:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)