I think the world of Dan Zanes. But I'm willing to acknowledge that not quite everyone is as OK with the pied piper of family music as I am.
Mark Foley, the creator of New York's One Man Blam, has put his own take on Mr. Zanes up on YouTube. Now, considering that in the very description of the video, Foley says, "Dan Zanes & Company do such great work, who can resist joining in the fun?," it's clear from the get-go that the phrase "gentle satire" was created for stuff like this.
"Well, I don't have a tangerine suit / Or a fiddler in hot pink tights," Foley starts out, then later notes that "I threw out the very same duds / He got in an old thrift shop." He's aiming Nerf balls at Zanes, but he's certainly hitting the target.
Considering the other songs Foley's made available, Foley is clearly mining the same seam Zanes has mined with such success. And I've got to believe that Zanes himself would probably completely approve what Foley's doing with One Man Blam and Volunteer Music, which brings "free concerts for underserved communities and worthy civic initiatives." He, uh, just doesn't have the distribution deal with Starbucks.
One Man Blam (Mark Foley) - "Dan Zanes Blues"
Now where did I put that DZ ukelele of mine?...
New Music: Barenaked Ladies' "Pollywog in a Bog" (On Cruise Ship)
Not wanting to wait to hear music from the Barenaked Ladies' May album-length foray into kids' music, Snacktime?
Well, then, get yourself to a cruise ship!
(Huh?)
The band hosted their "Ships & Dip III" Caribbean cruise in late January (hmmm, wonder how much interest there would be in a Zooglobble cruise?). The Brothers Creeggan, a BNL side project featuring BNL bassist Jim Creeggan and former member Andy Creeggan, played a show which included Jim's "Pollywog in a Bog," from the upcoming album. It's a mid-tempo reggae tune and here, at least, also features a mid-song dancehall rap.
So who's with me on Zooglobble cruise idea? How about renting a paddle boat?
Video: "Home" - David Tobocman
As you might expect, I get a lot of e-mails from people who make kids music. Sometimes they include links to their own website (which I often peruse, if briefly) or perhaps YouTube videos. I've long since learned not to keep my expectations too high, which makes the occasional discovery that much more fun.
I'm clearly not the only person David Tobocman has e-mailed to let people know about his video for his song "Home," but that won't stop me. [Note: Tobocman let me know he hadn't yet e-mailed people, only the artist, and her post generated the viral popularity thus far...]
Tobocman's a southern California musician, and "Home" reminds me of nothing so much as the wistful songs on the soundtracks from another southern California musician, Randy Newman. The illustrations of Valerie Walsh make an excellent match. It's a great little video.
David Tobocman - "Home"
You can listen to samples from all of Very Helpful Songs here.
Video: "You Can Be Anything" - Gwendolyn and the Good Time Gang
I can't say that "You Can Be Anything," off Gwendolyn and the Good Time Gang's non-holiday, self-titled debut CD, is my favorite track off that CD. (Gwendolyn, make a video for "Anatomy," stat!) But the newly released video, if you're about 3 years old, seems like it hits a whole bunch of sweet spots. Animation, fire trucks, other kids dancing -- yeaaaaaahhhh....
Gwendolyn and the Good Time Gang - "You Can Be Anything" (link is now updated)
And for the adults, about 36 seconds in, your topic is whether ELO merits the #8 ranking. Discuss.
New (Old) Music from Key Wilde & Mr. Clarke - "Sylvester" (aka "Big Pet Pig")
Yeah, I posted this song ten months ago. I don't care. It still rocks (in a very, er, folky and gently humorous way).
Plus, now you can see what the mysterious Key Wilde & Mr. Clarke look like. Well, I guess they're not that mysterious. But it's not like I'd seen a picture before...
Key Wilde & Mr. Clarke - "Sylvester (Big Pet Pig)"
Video: "Animal Alphabet Song" - The Hollow Trees
Kids' music videos don't have to be complicated or produced on a "Thriller"-like budget. In fact, this video, the first from The Hollow Trees' excellent new album Welcome to Nelsonville, is a little better because of the cut-and-paste nature of the video. It's not the best song from the album, but it's a cute little 2-minute video.
The Hollow Trees - "Animal Alphabet Song"
