Snow is supposedly coming to Arizona (if not Phoenix proper) today, so I guess I'm suitably in the mood to jam to the funky "It's Wintertime" from the Hipwaders' Kindie Christmas album. Dig the bobbleheads, guys, plus the (presumably) public domain animation.
The Hipwaders - "It's Wintertime" [YouTube]
Video: "2 + 2 Blues Four" - Readeez
The title of this new Readeez is somewhat obscure, sounding like some experimental film. The song, "2 + 2 Blues Four," however, is not. This is half Readeez, half Matheez. Or, as I like to call it, "Rematheez." Plus, live-action Michael Rachap dancing! You know how I think that's the bees' knees.
Readeez - "2 + 2 Blue Four"
Was The Accordion In Existence 300 Years Ago?
Unless you're planning on being on the next space shuttle launch or in the middle of a massive migration of whales, you will not see anything cooler this week than the video below. I know that Antonio Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons" has basically become aural wallpaper at this point, used for ads, film soundtracks, and snowy afternoons in front of the fire, but this rendition of "Summer" from Aleksandr Hrustevich makes you listen again with new ears. If you look away, you might not believe that all these sounds are coming from just one accordionist. It's a long way from "Mary Had a Little Lamb", that's for sure. (Hat tip: Alex Ross)
Aleksandr Hrustevich - "Summer," from Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" [YouTube]
Video: "Mama Loves You" - Earthworm Ensemble
The quality of this video from LA's Earthworm Ensemble, the I'm From Barcelona of kids music groups (seriously, tons of folks in the band, including members of I See Hawks in LA and lots more) is pretty low, but I'm a sucker for a gentle melody. And pictures of meerkats. This has got both of 'em.
"Mama Loves You" is from their self-titled debut album, which won't get an official release for another month or two, but is available now if you're interested...
Earthworm Ensemble - "Mama Loves You" [YouTube]
Video: "New Shoes" - Recess Monkey
One of these days, Recess Monkey will make a video I don't feel like posting here.
This is not one of those days.
I can only imagine what the folks swarming around Powell's Books in Portland (swoon!) must have been thinking as they watched the trio film shoes with chalk lines around them.
Recess Monkey - "New Shoes" [YouTube]
Video: "(I'm Gonna Eat) On Thanksgiving Day" - Laurie Berkner
You can see a Laurie Berkner-approved video for "(I'm Gonna Eat) On Thanksgiving Day" right here (it's set to a class field trip). Or perhaps you'd like to see a bunch of kindergartners offer their rendition of Berkner's simple but elegant (if that term can be applied to a song about overeating) melody. Kids dressed as reindeer = winner.
I like this fan video, however, which only captures about 30 seconds of the song. Which, when you think about it, is probably the approach you should take tomorrow -- leave the table just a little bit hungry. (You can buy a song download here.)
I hope that all of you enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday -- probably my favorite of all the holidays -- and that you have many things to be thankful for.
Laurie Berkner - "(I'm Gonna Eat) On Thanksgiving Day" [YouTube]
