Many of you may already be heading to other locales for Thanksgiving, but here are some items worth your time, either before you sit down at the table or while fighting off your desire to take a 3-hour nap after dinner.
Charity and the JAMband have a sweet song, Thank You, available for download here. It's from an upcoming book/CD set, The Birthday Suite, for which the band did the music.
As reported here previously, Laurie Berkner will appear on the Fisher-Price float in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. Look for her to reach Macy's Herald Square at about 10:11 AM Eastern time. Despite the fact that the occasion clearly demands her song "(I'm Gonna Eat on) Thanksgiving Day," they're apparently going to play "Bumblebee (Buzz Buzz)." That Laurie, tool of the honey industry.
And finally, Dan Zanes has recorded a special song and filmed a video for Heifer International. You can see the YouTube video (which includes a plea for the organization in the middle) here or go to iTunes for purchase. It lacks the star firepower of "Do They Know It's Christmastime," but it's a better song.
Wherever you are this weekend, I hope you are able to count your blessings and celebrate with people important to you. Thanks to you, readers, for reading and commenting, and thanks to all the artists that have helped us to share musical experiences with our families.
Isn't It Uke?
A few weeks, Bill and I had a debate whether Paul Westerberg's endorsement of a cheapo $159 guitar was a good or bad thing.
Prepare for Round 2.
A note on Dan Zanes' latest newsletter (currently posted here) noted that he was selling a "limited edition" lime green ukelele for, yes, $159. (I'm guessing the quality will be a llittle better than that of the guitar.)
Despite my ambivalence about the idea of plastering a name on an object and selling it, I quickly ordered one because a) it'll be a while before I can get the rehearsal space for the drum set I really want, and b) I noticed there were only 45 that were going to be made available and figured they would sell out very fast.
Sure enough, they're already sold out.
Now, can anybody sell me the Zanes-ian hair?
Review: Astrograss For Kids - Astrograss
This is not your father's bluegrass.
I mean, I don't know whether or not your father listened to bluegrass -- mine didn't -- but I know for sure that this wasn't it.
On its Astrograss For Kids EP (2006), the New York-based band Astrograss takes bluegrass as a jumping-off point for jazz-like improvisation. (It's safe to say that were they to record "Wabash Cannonball" it wouldn't sound like many versions committed to record.) Add to that the fact that they've decided to set their tunes to the lyrics of Shel Silverstein, and the EP is one of the more unusual kids' CDs released this year.
I think the adventurous nature of the songs fits Silverstein's slightly skewed sensibilities, with poems about "Hungry Mungry," who's so hungry he ends up eating the entire universe, or "The Dirtiest Man in the World," about, well, you can figure it out. Probably the easiest song for kids to grasp is "Hurk," with a motley (in the best way) kids' chorus shouting lines such as "I'd rather play tennis than go to the dentist" -- it's a simple melody, with not-so-complex improvisation. I actually thought "Hungry Mungry" might be too long or too complex, but I can see the band live possibly keeping kids' attention throughout the entire story song. "The Generals" is gorgeously arranged, though perhaps a bit too slow to keep the kiddos' attention. (Again, live, it might be a different story.)
I think Silverstein's poetry is targeted mostly at kids ages 5 and up, so that's what I'll peg the age range of the music. You can listen to "Hungry Mungry," which I should note might actually be my least favorite track, as well as their sprightly version of "Jump Up!" with Dan Zanes here.
Astrograss For Kids is probably not the first album you'd think of to start a kids' music collection -- it's not quite as accessible, perhaps, as other albums. But if you're looking for something different for your family's collection, for acoustic music with a definite modern sensibility, this album may be up your alley.The Best Kids Music of 2006
If you're looking for a list of the best kids and family music from the past year, look no further than the 2006 Fids and Kamily Awards. The website is chock-full of reviews and essays, including a downloadable songbook. You can reach all the cool content from this post.
I'll be posting my list of the year's best albums soon, but in the meantime, here's my reviews of the top albums in the poll:
1. Meltdown! - Justin Roberts
2. You Are My Little Bird - Elizabeth Mitchell
2. Catch That Train! - Dan Zanes
4. Fascinating Creatures - Frances England
5. Animal Crackers - Wee Hairy Beasties
6. Electric Storyland - The Sippy Cups
7. Hey You Kids! - The Jellydots
8. Rock Your Socks Off - Charity and the JAMband
9. The Great Adventures of Mr. David - Mr. David
9. Celebrate the Difference - Terri Hendrix
11. Plays Well With Others - Uncle Rock
11. Colours Are Brighter - Various Artists
13. Macaroni Boy Eats at Chez Shooby Doo - Ginger Hendrix
14. Prelude to Mutiny - Captain Bogg & Salty (OK, I can't review everything...)
15. When I Get Little - Dog On Fleas
15. The Family Hootenanny - Various Artists
I'd Like Jelly With My Breakfast, Please
Denizens of the fair city of San Francisco, what might be the most interesting live show of 2007 awaits you. On Saturday, January 20, Doug Snyder of the Jellydots will be joining Enzo Garcia for his Breakfast With Enzo show.
It's as if Matthew Sweet decided to join Tom Waits for a show. I don't know what it'll sound like, but I'd imagine that even the stuff that doesn't quite work will at least be interesting. Should be a hoot and a half.
Review: Celebrate the Difference - Terri Hendrix
Let's get the song out of the way -- was there a better song this year that spoke to how kids and parents really interact than "Nerves?" The answer, in case you hadn't guessed, is no. And even though the hard-charging chorus is supposed to be the voice of the child narrator, most parents would probably admit they've felt that their children were getting on their nerves at some point during the week. (And the rest are lying.)
While "Nerves" is the song that stands out the most on Celebrate the Difference, the first kids album from Texas-based singer-songwriter Terri Hendrix, there are definitely other songs worth hearing. One of my favorites is the sweet, Tejano-styled "Lluvia de Estrellas," sung in English and Spanish (natch). But as shown by "Nerves," the angular techno-pop of "Invisible Friend," or the brass-band-accompanied "Yeah Yeah Yeah," Hendrix is willing to try out all sorts of song styles. (Sometimes the array of styles is almost dizzying.) Well-known Texas musician Lloyd Maines (who co-wrote many of the songs) accompanies her throughout, along with a number of other musicians making occasional appearances.
Lyrically, Hendrix's preaching of self-confidence in songs such as "Get Your Goat On," "First Place," and others tackles a subject that has been oddly left mostly untouched in kids' music. And as shown by "Nerves" and "I Want to be Your Friend" (a song about a new kid in the neighborhood), Hendrix can remember how kids think and feel.
While appropriate for all ages, I think kids ages 5 through 10 will be most receptive to the lyrics. You can listen to sound clips here.
Celebrate the Difference is at times almost too wide-ranging in its musical attack, so that as an album it's not as unified as others. But there are a number of great songs on here and the enthusiasm Hendrix brings to the material helps to underscore her messages of self-confidence. For that alone, the album is recommended.
