A little late in posting this, but worth it nonetheless -- Wired's Geekdad posted an mp3 of the awesome track "We R Super Heroes from Robbert Bobbert and the Bubble Machine's upcoming self-titled debut. Trust me, folks, it's an awesome track.
If that wasn't cool enough, he also secured a video from Todd Webb, who drew the comic book accompanying the album. The video (scored to another Robbert Bobbert track) features Webb showing exactly how to draw Robbert Bobbert. In a single take. Cool.
Readers Who Need Readers: St. Patrick's Day Songs
A reader sent me this request recently:
I am a children's librarian... I am getting together a music/movement/story program for toddlers and preschoolers for St. Patrick's Day and am stumped on finding great music. Any suggestions?Well, I'll admit to being a little stumped, but here's what I suggested... I'd probably go with an Irish theme -- "Wild Mountain Thyme" perhaps (the Dan Zanes and Nields recordings are excellent). There's a kids album by Kathy Ludlow and Mary Coogan, who sing with traditional Irish groups. The album is called The Big Ship Sails and while it's not really Irish-specific, it has a definite Irish sound. For quiet time, you could always try Putumayo's Celtic Dreamland disk. The American-Irish duo Sunflow has an album called Under the Stars, which is another non-Irish specific quiet time disk. Or you could always play songs featuring Patrick... from Spongebob Squarepants. (I'm here all week, folks.) Anyways, those are my suggestions -- how about yours?
Phoenix Chorale FTW
Every now and then I'll post something just because I can. Friends going up on stage to accept a Grammy Award totally fits that criteria.
Here, then, is video of the Phoenix Chorale and artistic director and conductor Charles Bruffy accepting their Best Small Ensemble award at the 51st Annual Grammys for Spotless Rose: Hymns to the Virgin Mary.
Dogs and Butterflies: New Stuff (sort of) from Mr. David
It's been awhile since I've talked about California-based musician Mr. David -- too long methinks -- but that doesn't mean he hasn't been busy. He's just posted "Rainbow of Butterflies," a mellow groove originally recorded last year as a fundraiser for a Bay Area preschool. It features a chorus of kids, some nifty guitar work, and if you like Mr. David at all, it's worth your time to check it out -- the track is at his Myspace page.
Mr. David, who recently relocated to the Los Angeles area, also released a video for "She's a Good Dog," off his excellent Jump in the Jumpy House disk from '06. Pretty simple -- Mr. David, and a dog, and not much else -- but I think the song is one of the more idiosyncratic and affectionate portraits in song of a canine friend. (Tip: view the video in high quality -- "normal quality" looks a little chunky.)
Mr. David - "She's a Good Dog"
Video: "Valentine" - The Hipwaders
We're coming up here on Valentine's Day (or, as we also like to call it here in Arizona, Statehood Day), so that means it's time for some topically-appropriate YouTube cribbing.
First up on the list -- The Hipwaders, who've posted one of my favorite tracks from their fine Educated Kid album -- "Valentine."
Lots of 3-D, with a red 3-D person and a blue 3-D person acting out the song. A political allegory?
The Hipwaders - "Valentine"
Grammys 2009: A Follow-Up
I already mentioned the winners of the 2009 Grammys for kids audio. A couple follow-ups...
First, here is where you can watch the Grammy ceremony. The kids audio categories are about 42-43 minutes in. If you don't want to bother loading the video, I've embedded a copy of TMBG's comments below. Afterwards, backstage, John Linnell was quoted as saying
"The money is in children's music," he said. "Those kids are loaded... Even with music sales down for adult music, a lot of parents are willing to pay for songs for their kids," he said. "And maybe just to set a good example, they're less likely to steal it." There's also special joy, for him, he said, in making music for tots. "A lot of adults are walking rock critics. They always compare the music to what they've heard before. Kids don't do that. They're hearing it all for the first time."I plead guilty to the "walking rock critic" part. As for Bill Harley, a lot of these comments have been seen elsewhere, but it's nice to pass on. Harley notes that "no matter what you're thinking before ("I could win!", or "I should win!", or "There's no way I'll win!" ) - you're still surprised when someone calls your name. In this case, it was particularly pleasing to hear my two dear friends, Marcy Marxer and Cathy Fink, make the announcement... This was a very competitive category this year, and I know a lot of people had to vote for me. Thanks to them, and those who support me, and the couple generations of parents, kids and teachers who have put their trust in me." Harley also said he he hung out with Ezra and Keith of Trout Fishing in America -- the three of them introduced ourselves to Brenda Lee as her new band and she says she wants to make a kid's recording. And in one of the funnier lines of the week, Harley noted this e-mail from a fan: "My husband and I were discussing your nomination earlier today and Emma (5) overheard us talking. She said, "Doesn't Bill Harley already have a Grammy? Why does he need another one?" Video of TMBG after the jump.
