Video: "The Kid with the Replaceable Head" - Richard Hell

Really, when you think about it, this might almost be the perfect Pancake Mountain song -- punk, with a kid-friendly-in-a-Roald-Dahl-sort-of-way narrative. The song's performed by Richard Hell (Television and a solo career, primarily), and although the song's pushing 30 years old at this point, I'm guessing this version is from his new Destiny Street Repaired release. Really, though, it's about 10 months too late, as the animation (and song) is just about perfect for Halloween... Richard Hell and the Voidoids - "The Kid with the Replaceable Head" [YouTube]

Interview: Dean Jones (Dog on Fleas)

Dean_Rhys_2_lowres.jpgDean Jones is a busy man. Member of the great and earthy kids band Dog On Fleas, he's also got a solo career in his own right (witness the excellent lullaby disk Napper's Delight), produces others' disks (the upcoming album from Uncle Rock), and sometimes plays with the Felice Brothers. (He also sometimes plays "John Lemon" to his son's Paul McCartney -- see picture to left.) In spite of Jones' many obligations, he still had time to answer a few questions about his musical background, what it was like to record his new album Rock Paper Scissors with the Felice Brothers, and his favorite instruments. Zooglobble: What are your earliest musical memories? What are your memories of learning to play and sing music? Dean Jones: I come from a pretty musical family. There was always someone playing the piano, and I remember fighting for my chance to make some noise on it. My Mom used to sing to me when I was little, and sometimes now I hear some random song and a memory floods back to me of her singing it to me. My brother (11 years older) was my biggest musical influence. He played a lot of boogie woogie on the piano, as well as the Beatles, the Band, and that kind of thing. I used to hide in the closet when he got home from school and listen to him play. We listened to a lot of great music around the house too, from the Esso Trinidad Steel Band to Bach to Ella Fitzgerald. My brother took me to see Ella and she kissed me on the cheek! When did you decide to become a musician?

Video: "Freight Train" - Elizabeth Cotten

Imagine, if you will, Mick Jagger performing "Satisfaction" at John Lennon's house, where John and Yoko record him for posterity. This is the kids' music equivalent. Elizabeth Cotten performing "Freight Train" at Pete and Toshi Seeger's house, as recorded by the Seegers. The sound quality isn't the best, and I've noted this clip before, but now it's been posted to YouTube. Given how little video we have of the early days of recorded family music, this is quite valuable. (Not to mention a great song.) Elizabeth Cotten - "Freight Train" [YouTube]

Video: "One Shoe Blues" - Sandra Boynton (B.B. King)

I like Sandra Boynton's music, and this, her first video, for "One Shoe Blues" featuring B.B. King, is just as droll as the rest of her output. Not clear what NPR's favorite part was. I liked the stone-faced sock -- "Momsock" -- with glasses and purple hair. That is a sentence I'm pretty sure has never been written before. The video isn't embeddable, but here's a "making of" video that's, er, longer than the actual video.

How Much Would You Pay for the New Key Wilde & Mr. Clarke EP? How About a Buck?

NoPeriod_lowres.jpgOver the last 3 years or so, I'm not sure there's anyone who's been as big a fan of Key Wilde & Mr. Clarke as I. Go ahead -- look at the archives here, dating all the way back to April 2007, where I extolled the song "Favorite Names" and talked about sharing great kids music like that of the duo's with the world. I dig this band. So when I was asked last week by Little Monster Records if I'd be interested in an exclusive offering of the new Key Wilde & Mr. Clarke EP Hello, Our Name Is Key Wilde & Mr. Clarke to you, my readers, at a super-low-are-they-crazy? price it didn't take me long to agree... Really, the song "Favorite Names" is worth a dollar in and of itself, but, wait, there's more! (I've always wanted to say that and mean it.) If you click that "Get it Now" button you'll be able to buy that song, plus two more fun songs that aren't on their January 5th full album Rise & Shine plus the video for "I Had a Little Dog" plus the digital liner notes which include coloring pages. For. A. Buck. Now the only reason I thought about declining the offer is because I don't want to make it seem like my editorial integrity is being compromised. But I think I've made it clear over time how much I like the band. It seemed to me that trying this was an opportunity for experimentation regarding new distribution channels for kids music that I'd like to see more of. And you are welcome to stream the songs and video without buying. In any case, I won't make a single dime from doing this, either upfront or based on sales. All the money -- which won't be dramatic, because it's just $1, people! -- will go directly to Key Wilde & Mr. Clarke and Little Monster. Just click on "Get it Now" and you'll be able to purchase it in mere seconds. Instant gratification. One final caveat -- this offer is only good through January 1, 2010. After that, the offer (and the digital EP and this stream) will disappear. Ed: And so it has...