The folks at Sing Me To Sleep are having a record release benefit this Sunday (June 13th) at Joe's Pub in New York City, featuring Tanya Donelly, Jenny Owen Youngs, and Julie Peel. This follows up the UK release benefit last month, which featured the Leisure Society. Their track on the benefit album is "Inchworm" and while the recorded version is a bit too sprightly for the lullaby album, it's a great cover nonetheless. Here they are performing it live in London at the release benefit.
The Leisure Society - "Inchworm" (Live) -[YouTube]
A couple more Leisure Society tracks after the jump...
Coal Train Railroad -- Their Podcast Is (Almost) a Series
I finally had a chance to listen to the first Coal Train Railroad podcast this week. Good stuff that I think'll keep the kiddos interested -- they played "Bicycle" by the Jellydots, talked with some Nashville-area kids about bikes, and then wrapped it up with a really cool version of "Bicycle" performed by Coal Train Railroad themselves. (Now how about having Coal Train cover another kids artist with a video from Readeez? -- there's precedence for it.) More of that, please.
Anyway, listen here or subscribe via iTunes here. Podcast #2 is due out this weekend.
To get you in the mood for CTR's jazz ("short sets for the short set"), why not listen to the debut disk right here...
Justin Roberts, Jungle Gym, NPR, and Me (Slight Return)
Heard the review of Jungle Gym, the latest album from Justin Roberts on NPR's All Things Considered last night? Yep, that was me. Welcome. Hope you stick around a bit and find even more music worth sharing.Video: "Night Owl" - Dan Zanes and Friends
Dan Zanes has been posting a bunch of clips from his 2009 DVD The Fine Friends Are Here to his YouTube channel recently. The only new video on the disk was for "Night Owl." It's a sweet and pretty video, so I thought I'd share.
Dan Zanes and Friends - "Night Owl" [YouTube]
Aw, what the hey, the awesome live version of "Cape Cod Girls" after the jump.
"The Body Rocks" In a Very Schoolhouse Rock-Like Way
Rounder Records sold off their Rounder Kids label a little while back, but just when they thought they were out, it keeps pulling them back in, because they've just announced the August 17 release of The Body Rocks on August 17. The album's a whole bunch of songs about functions of the human body. It's the creation of Marc "Doc" Dauer (musician, producer, and physician) and features performances by Liz Phair, Pete Yorn, Minnie Driver, Guster, and Dauer’s own three kids. (Insert joke here about appropriateness of Liz Phair performing on an album about bodily functions.)
The obvious reference here is Schoolhouse Rock, down to the familiar (but not in a legally infringing sense) album logo. However, based on the roots-pop songs at its Myspace pageMyspace page, I think some folks will find it a worthy successor so that there's no need for a Physiology Rock! version from the classic show. (And They Might Be Giants can probably cross Here Comes Anatomy off their to-do list.) Anyway, here's a video bio -- track listing is after the jump...
Justin Roberts, Jungle Gym, NPR, and Me
Yes, I'm on NPR's All Things Considered this afternoon (or evening, depending on your location) reviewing Jungle Gym, the latest album from Justin Roberts. I don't want to give too much away, but I like it.
Anyway, if you want to hear it "live," it'll be streaming at 6:50 and 8:50 Eastern time.
And if you've stumbled across this website after hearing the review, welcome. Tons of information on the kids music/family music/kindie music/whatever you want to call it genre 'round these parts. If you like what you heard on NPR, there's plenty more where that came from. Well, not necessarily "plenty" -- Justin's one of the best -- but more than enough to make your family happy.
