Lots of good holiday music from good kids music artists coming down the pike this season, and here's one more from San Diego's Hullabaloo. It's called Holiday Hullabaloo, and in the spirit of giving, it's free. Gratis. Frei. Stream it below, or download away. It's got the familiar roots-folk Hullabaloo sound -- my favorite track is the Christmas rockabilly "Jolly Old St. Nicholas."
"Pokey" Does Not Mean Shipping Times
As many of you know, I lend my reviews to another retailer, but I've always been happy to mention The Pokey Pup as another place to get the best in music for kids and families. The Pup's owner, Bryan Townsend, has been a great supporter of kids music, participating in the Fids & Kamily Awards (you can purchase all of this year's winners), and even releasing a few albums (yay, Jellydots!). (And the number of other kids music fans who've noted these things in the past 24 hours speaks to how well he's regarded.)
Anyway, if you feel like spending your hard-earned cash on music (or the occasional DVD) for your kiddos, you could do far, far worse then heading on over there to do so (especially with, er, the free shipping).Video: "Robot Monkey Head" - John Hadfield
The only serious problem with this video, for John Hadfield's goofy, made-for-Dr.-Demento classic "Robot Monkey Head," is that it's about a month too late. Seriously, totally Halloween appropriate.
Oh, and if you're a 7-year-old boy, you'll go nuts for this video, a relatively literal translation of this song, natch.
John Hadfield - "Robot Monkey Head" [YouTube]
Video: "Centipede Pirate" - Recess Monkey
I suppose if Drew Holloway hadn't been filmed wearing a brown paper bag and black tights through Washington, DC, Jack Forman's trip through Jack Meyer with a centipede pirate face mask would be more impressive. (The Onion "Area Man" t-shirt dims the effective, no?) I love the posters, though, and the gratuitous recycling plug (I'm guessing there's a theme there for an episode on the new, upcoming Recess Monkey DVD.)
Recess Monkey - "Centipede Pirate" [YouTube]
Video: "Fa and a La" - Gustafer Yellowgold
I've been resisting the urge to post winter holiday-related videos and stuff because I'm that grumpy old man who gets irritated when hearing Christmas carols the day after Halloween.
Rest assured, I'll get to them eventually (maybe after Thanksgiving), but I'll make an exception for this new video from Gustafer Yellowgold. It's mellow (natch) and neatly captures the warmth that the Gustafer-se generates and ties it to the season. Add some chords, and perhaps you could carol that thing.
Gustafer Yellowgold - "Fa and a La" [YouTube]
The Fids and Kamily Awards Are Here! The Fids and Kamily Awards Are Here!
OK, they were here yesterday, but it's been a busy weekend, and I'm just now getting around to spreading the word a little bit wider. That's right, the Fids and Kamily Awards for 2009 were announced yesterday, highlighting the best music of the year for kids and families as voted on by about 2 dozen folks who listen to more kids music than, well, just about anybody. Anyway, you can go see the full list of 11 winners and 12 honorable mentions or the other 42 albums also receiving votes.
The Top 11 albums are listed after the jump. Many thanks to the judges and especially Gwyneth and Bill who along with me coordinated this year's poll...
