This is a couple days old, and I know I've already posted a few of Barenaked Ladies' Ed Robertson's "Bathroom Snacks" videos. But I think everybody 'round here was distracted with something else the past day or two, and this might just be my favorite song off of BNL's Snacktime CD.
For some reason I'm thinking of the two fine speeches from last night, which, though obviously different, both conveyed a seriousness of purpose that felt like a nice ending to a long day (and year or two). I can't quite put my finger on why I'm associating those speeches with the song, aside from their effective use of sentimental imagery.
Anyway, I like the song and Ed's rendition.
Ed Robertson (Barenaked Ladies) - "Things"
Music To Vote By
Arizona has early balloting, but even though I had my mail-in ballot, I took it to the polls this morning. I also took my kids. Given the historical nature of the election, no matter who wins (especially if you're an Arizona resident), I wanted Miss Mary Mack and Little Boy Blue to say they went to the polls on Election Day 2008. (Oddly enough, there were hardly any Obama or McCain signs at the polling place, so the kids got their photos taken in front of assorted signs for the Legislature, school board, and propositions.) They'll thank me when they're older, they will.
Even though you don't get a day off, Election Day is a holiday to me. A party for democracy, how aweome is that?
My sense is that my (United States) readership probably will exhibit a near 100% turnout this year, but if you need some more kids music to get you in the proper frame of mind to vote (or to register for the next election), Brady Rymer has posted "My United States," a bluesy roots-rocker that, well, lists the United States. Check out the rhyme scheme (and his take on "Mississippi") and listen to or download the track here.
Songs For Halloween (Updated Again)
I'm not a huge Halloween fan, but lots of other people are. So I'm once again updating last year's list. At least this year I'm doing this the day before Halloween.
If you have more suggestions, leave 'em in the comments...
First, 2 new albums appropriate for the season. A bit too late too order in time for this year, but definitely worth getting if you collect Halloween albums like some people collect Christmas albums...
-- Eban Schletter's Witching Hour is a full hour of Halloween-themed music, some pretty hysterical ("Devil Doll," featuring Paul F Tompkins, or the droll "Some Things To Know About Monsters," featuring Jill Sobule), some melancholy ("Forever Lurking," featuring Grant Lee Phillips), and some even a little creepy ("Incantation"). (The 9-minute-long "Headless Hitchhiker of Highway 13," featuring comedian Dave Foley, is a story that didn't quite meet my outrageously high expectations for something featuring Foley.) It's not really a kids' record per se, but there's nothing on here that a 7- or 8-year-old with their head on straight wouldn't be too freaked out by. Listen to selected songs here.
-- Wee Hairy Beasties' Creepy Lullabies, a double 7" single, features Halloween-ish, monstery songs that are appropriate for all but the most timid (and youngest) of kids. The monsters here are mostly humorous, with just as many problems (if not more so) than the "normal" among us. I mean, who can be churlish about the instant classic "Monster's Disco," which features lyrical nuggets such as "The boogiemen / Sang 'Boogie Nights'?" As noted here before, you can stream essentially the whole thing at the Beasties' Myspace page. (Buy it digitally here.)
Randy Kaplan In Concert: Dec. 27th (Phoenix)
Over the next few days I'm going to be announcing a number of kids music shows taking place here in Phoenix in 2009, but let's kick off the list with a show squeaking in 2008 -- Randy Kaplan, who'll be officially releasing his second album Loquat Rooftop (review) this fall.
Randy will be making his way east from LA to play a record release show at Symphony Space in New York City in November, then eventually heading back west. On Saturday, Dec. 27th, Randy will be playing a show at central Phoenix's Church of the Beatitudes (555 W. Glendale Ave., the corner of 7th Ave and Glendale). It'll be a 2 PM show, with tickets just $3 a person. Come get the kids (and yourself) out of the house and enjoy a great show.
This isn't a "Zooglobble" show -- it's being put on by the Church (its first kids show, but definitely not the last) -- but I've helped coordinate it, so consider it Zooglobble-approved.Video: "Railroad Bill/Freight Train" - Todd Baio
I first stumbled across Todd Baio via his Ukulele Evangelist website and interview with Jack Norton.
But I've really been digging the tons of videos he's been uploading to his YouTube channel. A whole bunch of traditional favorites, mostly done solo on the ukulele.
There's nothing odd or special about the renditions -- they're just folk classics, done well. And the videos are about as simple as you can get, but that's not so bad when the music's good. Here's a medley of "Railroad Bill" and the Elizabeth Cotten classic "Freight Train" for your listening pleasure...
Todd Baio - "Railroad Bill/Freight Train"
The Zooglobble Household Rejoices: A New Biscuit Brothers DVD On Its Way
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...
