Kindiefest 2010: Sugar Free Allstars

At some point during the Sugar Free Allstars set at Kindiefest, I turned to the person standing next to me -- at that point in the set we were all standing -- and said, "Hard to believe they generate that much from just two guys." And it's true -- it's not that Chris Wiser and Rob Martin are playing 3 instruments each, it's just that they get the maximum sound out of their organ and drums. They both also worked hard, Wiser especially, to get the crowd dancing, Wiser exhorting folks to stand up and wringing every last bit of energy out of their funky 17-minute (20-minute?) set. How much energy did they have? They finished the set quickly enough that they had time for an extra song. They also had time to pull Jeni Cosgrove, Mindy Thomas, and Jeff Bogle up to show their disco moves on "SFA Disco Dance Party" (picture below). Sugar Free Allstars - "Cars and Trucks" [YouTube] (watch Mr. Leebot and the guys from Recess Monkey, among others, follow along to Wiser's instructions)

Video: "My Family" - Laurie Berkner (with Elizabeth Mitchell, Suzi Shelton, Dirty Sock Funtime Band)

When Laurie Berkner pulls Elizabeth Mitchell, Suzi Shelton, and the Dirty Sock Funtime Band onto the stage during her set at the Haiti benefit they all performed at last weekend at Joe's Pub in New York City, well, that demands YouTubery. It's like The Last Waltz, but shorter and with lower video quality. Laurie Berkner Band (and a cast of a dozen) - "My Family" (Live) [YouTube]

Video: "The Llama Dance" - Patrick & Eugene

Most stuff I get pitched by publicists who don't appear to have spent more than 1 minute on my site is kinda stupid. This is kinda stupid, too, but not so much so that you won't enjoy it slightly while your kids go nuts over it. I mean, c'mon, there's animation of an overweight hippo -- is there any other kind -- shakin' their tuchus at the viewer. Still, you do learn what an "ungulate" is. It's from the British duo Patrick and Eugene and I'm gonna describe it as 70% vaudeville / 40% techno / 30% pop-folk. What's that? That's 140%? Oh. Patrick & Eugene - "The Llama Dance" [YouTube]

New Album from Ella Jenkins On Its Way

It's a little hard to get a handle on exactly how many albums Ella Jenkins has released for the Smithsonian Folkways label. I've seen 28 mentioned; her Wikipedia discography suggests 30, if you include 2004's cELLAbration!. Really, the last proper Ella Jenkins album -- Sharing Cultures with Ella Jenkins was released in 2003, and I think we can agree than 7 years is too long to hear from her. But we don't have much longer to wait, as Smithsonian Folkways confirms it is indeed releasing a new Ella Jenkins album of, yes, newly recorded material. It's recorded, but the other stuff (art design, etc.) is yet to be finished. And so it'll probably take a little while longer, but between this and that new Pete Seeger album, 2010 is looking to be a very good year for the oldest of old school artists. Count me in that camp. (Photo courtesy Adventures in Rhythm)

Kindiefest 2010: The Hipwaders

The Bay Area trio The Hipwaders took advantage of their showcase at Kindiefest to play some of their hits ("Educated Kid," natch -- see below -- and "Art Car," for example) but also roll out some new songs that they've been working on. "My Dog Steve" was a crunchy rocker so new that lead singer/guitarist Tito Uquillas (he of the lovely Cort guitar) hadn't even done all the necessary copyrighting, while "Go Go Girl" has a pleasant Byrds-ian melody and ends with "ba ba bas." Sounded nice in Brooklyn; look forward to hearing it when it finally makes it to record. The Hipwaders - "Go Go Girl" (Live @ Kindiefest 2010) [YouTube]

Kindiefest 2010: Rhythm Child

Watching Norman Jones, the force behind Rhythm Child, can be a bit hypnotic. Those hands of his are constantly in motion; his body doesn't necessarily move a lot, but it's definitely moving in rhythm. At his Kindiefest set on Saturday night, he and his guitarist gradually got the crowd grooving and clapping hands to classic kids music standards. He apologized for not having the musical instruments he'd normally bring for the kids, but I'm pretty sure if he'd had them, the mostly adult audience dancing in the back would've taken them (as would have the kids dancing up front). By the end of his set of positive vibes, when he asked the audience for an "Amen," the audience gladly complied. Rhythm Child - "Oh Susanna" (Live @ Kindiefest 2010) [YouTube]