New Music From Frances England: "Sunset Shines On Me"

This is how much I trust Frances England and her music. For the life of me I can't get this video to work, but it's new music from Frances, celebrating her kids' preschool, Sunset Co-op Nursery School in San Francisco. Seeing as her career got started from recording Fascinating Creatures as a preschool fundraiser, I'm guessing she likes the place. So I'm posting it in hopes that you'll tell me what it sounds like. (And eventually I'll get it to work myself.) Update: I got a chance to hear it last night. My instincts were correct. For somebody unconnected to the school, it was a pleasant chance to hear Frances sing about something meaningful to her. I'm sure those connected to the school loooove the song.
Sunset Shines On Me from Frances England on Vimeo.

Concert Recap: Justin Roberts and the Not Ready for Naptime Players (Phoenix, March 2009)

Justin_NR4NP_1.jpgOne of the things you don't really appreciate if you've spent time putting on small shows or Family Music Meltdowns (Austin division) is how much time it takes to set up a Big Show. I'm not just talking about the all the work leading up to the day of the big event -- I'm talking about the big day itself. Sure, I've been to the Austin Kiddie Limits stage a couple times, but that was always after everything was set up (and before everything was taken down). So I spent basically a good part of 4 hours helping to get Church of the Beatitudes ready for the Justin Roberts concert this past weekend and another 2 hours after it ended. Bringing in the backline (drums, amps, additional speakers, etc.). Setting it up. Welcoming the band (hi, guys and gal!). Getting the instruments and voices warmed up. Running through sound-check which, for a band which has as many singers and multi-instrumentalists as Justin Roberts and the Not Ready for Naptime Players has, takes a while, even with a pro running the soundboard. All the other little things and then... Justin_NR4NP_2.jpgShowtime! As I would have expected, the band sounds great in concert. They ran through a set of song selections from every Justin album, including all the big hits ("Pop Fly," "Our Imaginary Rhino," "Yellow Bus"). No "Cartwheels and Somersaults" or "Fruit Jar," but I wasn't really expecting them to do the latter (nor was I surprised by "Cartwheels'" absence. Show was only an hour long, after all.) And Roberts is good at getting the healthy-sized crowd (for Phoenix) involved with a lot of the songs -- I never would've expected "She's A Yellow Reflector" to lend itself to crowd participation, but there it was... And just like that, it was over. Good time. Justin Roberts - "Pop Fly" (Live) More live video and pictures after the jump.

Video: "Brand New Key" - Suzanne Sherman Propp

I am gently entertained by this video for "Brand New Key," a pop hit for Melanie more than 35 years ago. It's a cover from Suzanne Sherman Propp, found on Propp's new album Play!. Propp's voice fits the ear-wormy descending line of the chorus, and the video art (from a 16-year-old out of North Carolina) is an appealingly lo-fi blend of images. And while Wikipedia explains how some of the song is open to interpretation, the key in question is a rollerskate key, meant for tightening the skates. So now you know. I'm all about the learning here. Suzanne Sherman Propp - "Brand New Key"

Concert Recap: Gustafer Yellowgold (Phoenix, March 2009)

MorganTaylor.jpgAgain, before it gets too far past the event, wanted to throw out a few thoughts about the first-ever Arizona appearance of Gustafer Yellowgold this past weekend. Morgan Taylor and Rachel Loshak performed a couple brief sets at the Children's Museum of Phoenix. Little Boy Blue and I attended the first set, which we enjoyed, except when I wouldn't let him use my tiny camcorder, at which point he pitched a fit. (Which is why you won't be seeing "Butter Pond Lake.") In any case, it was a good show, and what was interesting for me was seeing the DVD translate to a live setting. I mean, the insertion of between-song banter was something I'd never really considered while watching the DVDs (for obvious reasons). Taylor's a funny guy, which comes through in the videos, of course, but the concert confirmed the fact. We chatted a bit after the show (and before the noon show) and we bought a Gustafer doll. Now to figure out where to pose him for a picture... Gustafer Yellowgold - "Your Eel" (Live) One more picture after the jump...

International Songwriting Competition - Now It's Your Turn

I don't know much about the International Songwriting Competition. Their judges include Black Francis from the Pixies etc., Darryl McDonald from Run-DMC, and "Weird Al" Yankovic, so that's a plus in my book. There's an entry fee for folks to participate, so that's a demerit. But there's a children's music category. (I could dream that the folks above judge this category, but I'm guessing it's the Music for Little People CEO and the Senior VP at Nickelodeon.) Anyway, they've named the 2008 finalists, and there are few familiar names on the list -- Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer, Leeny and Steve, Babaloo, and Rock Daddy Rock. If you would like to demonstrate the power of the internet in action, you can go here to sign up and vote for the finalists. Alternately, you could just click through and see the list of finalists (songs and artists). Up to you.

Video: "Field Trip" - The Hipwaders

I know I already posted a video for this song by The Hipwaders a couple weeks ago. But it's going to be a little while before I can get all the video, etc for this weekend's shows up. So look at it as making an early withdrawal in the great overall YouTube karma. The animations are a little odd, but it sorta fits the song, which, as I said the first time around, is kinda "space-jazzy." The Hipwaders - "Field Trip"