I don't normally give shout-outs to splashy venture-funded sites that occasionally deign to review kids music, but at least Babble is going full out for its week called "Music and Video Issue 2009." Some commentary, more reviews from their childless interns, but the real reason to get on over there is for the interviews. A nice one by Tammy La Gorce with Robert Schneider (Robbert Bobbert) and a wonderful chat between Dan Zanes and Nerissa Nields (of The Nields, natch). They call 'em 5-Minute Time-Outs, but it'll really only take you a couple minutes...
Mayor Monkey Gets a DVD to Call His Own
I already mentioned the new video for "Marshmallow Farm" from Seattle's Recess Monkey, but what I didn't mention was that the video's actually from an upcoming DVD release from the band. Subsequent to posting the video, the band sent me the cover to the DVD, Field Trips with Recess Monkey. (See the band rockin' the... Futura font?) According to RM's Jack Forman, the DVD includes four episodes "each hosted by Mayor Monkey, sort of like American Bandstand meets This American Life." That's either the worst American Bandstand ever or the best This American Life ever. Part 1: MayMo visits Gasworks Park -- I give it an 85. (Details of the first episode after the jump.)Live Video: Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could
As we continue our stroll through the showcase from KindieFest 2009, the memories from the event -- now a good ten days behind us -- grow a bit dimmer. The one thing that I remember crystal clear regarding Brady Rymer was that everytime I saw him throughout the day, he was smiling.
That especially went for his performance with the Little Band That Could. I think most of the bands up there on the Jalopy stage were having fun to some extent, but by far Rymer was having the most fun of all. Certainly that ties in well with his music, suffused with warmth and good feelings, but he and his band were clearly having a blast during their set. Good times.
Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could - Jump Up (It's a Good Day) (Live at KindieFest)
One more picture...Video: "Marshmallow Farm" - Recess Monkey
Yeah, it's about as silly (and fun) as you'd expect a video for a song about a marshmallow farm from the goofy guys in Recess Monkey to be. (Too many prepositions!) The song's from their upcoming album Field Trip. No word on where Drew learned how to stuff all those marshmallows in his mouth.
Recess Monkey - "Marshmallow Farm"
Review: Family Time - Ziggy Marley
I'll start this review of Family Time, the first kids music album from Ziggy Marley, by saying that I'm not a big reggae fan. So, when I put my review copy into the CD player my expectations were low.
Saying that the album exceeded my expectations, then, would be somewhat like damning with faint praise. So let me put it this way: Family Time is a lot of fun, regardless of what music your family likes. Unsurprisingly, there's a pleasant, laid-back vibe to the album which is one of its greatest strengths. "I Love You Too," for example, with Marley's mom Rita and his sister Cedella, won't change the world but its simple groove will probably put a smile on your face. "Take Me To Jamaica" features a fun duet between Marley and reggae legend Toots Hibbert. And my favorite moment on whole CD might just be when Marley's daughter joins in on the singing on the title track. It certainly isn't polished, but it's exactly that feeling of recording amongst friends and family that takes this album so far.
As for the rest of the guest stars, some of it works, some of it doesn't so much. Generally, I liked the female singers -- it's hard to go wrong with two of the best voices in the kids music genre, and Elizabeth Mitchell and Laurie Berkner don't disappoint on their tracks. The male guest stars, not so much -- it's not that Willie Nelson and Paul Simon are bad, just that they don't really add much to the track. And the placement of not one but two Jamie Lee Curtis narrations (one Marley's, one hers) back-to-back at the end of the disk is just plain odd. (Interspersed earlier in the disk, and it might have worked...)
The 45-minute album might be targeted to kids ages 3 through 7, but I think a lot of adult fans will find the album eminently listenable as well. You can find samples throughout the internet, the title track on his Myspace page.
Ziggy Marley has said that he hoped to make Family Time an album which could be passed down from generation to generation. And while I don't know if it's a timeless classic, there's no doubt that it's worthy of some repeat play. Definitely recommended.Live Video: The Jimmies
There is no mistaking New York's The Jimmies when they enter a room. Between Ashley Albert walking in a bright red dress (for Austin Kiddie Limits last year she also brought a very western gingham dress as well) and the rest of the Jimmies with their matching white shirts and ties, they rock a uniform better than any kids music band this side of the Wiggles. Between their website, their videos, and, oh yeah, their songs, they've done a great job of defining the Jimmies "brand," much as that term's a bit distasteful. They are, in short, ten tons of fun.
The Jimmies were the one band on the KindieFest 2009 showcase I'd seen before. So I didn't have the thrill of anticipation or curiosity I had with the other acts -- I could just appreciate the showmanship, do the occasional accompanying hand motions, and wonder whether they would hand out egg shakers to the audience (the answer to that was no). Of course, if I were to remember a single event from the set, it'd probably be when Ashley fired off her streamer cannon at the end of "Every Day's a Holiday" and several streamers wrapped themselves around the high-speed ceiling fan at Jalopy, providing a colorful swirl above our heads (that picture to the left doesn't do it justice). I could've tried that three dozen times and never succeeded. It was just Ashley's (good) luck, I think.
The Jimmies - "Cool To Be Uncool" (Live at KindieFest 2009)
