What, updating last month's list of upcoming releases so soon?
The Squeegees: Meet the Squeegees (Sept. 21, Target exclusive)
Buck Howdy: American Dreams (Sept. 21)
The Boogers: Title TBA (fall)
Jeremy Zmuda: Use Your Words (Sept. 28)
Laurie Berkner: Let’s Hear it for The Laurie Berkner Band! DVD (Sept. 28)
Elizabeth Mitchell: Sunny Day (Oct. 5)
Jim Cosgrove: Swimming in Noodles (Oct. 5)
Maria Muldaur: Barnyard Dance: Jug Band Music for Kids (Oct. 12)
Flannery Brothers: The New Explorers Club (Oct. 19)
Keller Williams: Kids (Oct. 26)
Caspar Babypants: This Is Fun! (Nov. 2)
Buckwheat Zydeco: Buckwheat Zydeco's Bayou Boogie (Nov. 2)
Frances England: Mind of My Own (Nov. 9)
The Baby Grands: The Baby Grands II (Nov. 16)
Lunch Money: Original Friend (Nov. 23)
Meredith LeVande: Monkey Monkey Music: The Videos with Meredith LeVande (DVD, Dec. 1)
DidiPop: DidiPop Goes to Hawaii (Dec. 14)
Jamie Broza: I Want a Dog (Jan. 2011)
Mama Doni: Shabbat Shaboom (Jan. 2011)
Gustafer Yellowgold: Gustafer Yellowgold's Infinity Sock (Feb. 22, 2011)
David Weinstone: All I Want (2011)
Others working on albums with potential 2010 releases? Ella Jenkins, Big Don
Itty-Bitty Review: Kid Songs - Salteens
This is the year of the kids music EP, apparently. First Haley Bonar, then Lucky Diaz -- now Vancouver's Salteens complete the trifecta of excellent family EPs with Kid Songs.
Most folks will probably come to Salteens via Yo Gabba Gabba! -- two of the songs have appeared on the show and another two were written and recorded for it as well. "I'm So Happy" is a giddy romp that will bring smiles to everyone, including and especially fans of The New Pornographers' throw-in-the-kitchen-sink arrangements. (Yes, there's an indie-pop formula at work, and I hope they don't lose it.) "Be Nice To Animals" lopes along sweetly, with just enough giddiness and over-the-top sincerity to make it listenable repeatedly. The band, recognizing the popularity of those two songs given their visibility, has shrewdly made those two songs only available via an $8 physical CD (which includes four other songs); if you just want the other four songs, you can get those digitally without those two songs for just $3.50. Those other four range from OK (the reflective "I Love My Cat") to pretty darn good ("All My Friends Are Different"). The purposefully emotional "Have a Nap Mom" is funny, but sounds out of place here with its wise beyond his years narrator and winking tone -- the rest of the album is so eager and earnest.
The EP is most appropriate for kids ages 2 through 6. You can listen to (and from there buy) the 4 digital tracks below (or here), and listen here for "I'm So Happy" and here for "Be Nice To Animals." Salteens have successfully dipped their toes into the family music water with Kid Songs and the only question, really, is whether you should get the 4-song or the 6-song version. I vote 6-song version -- so fun and definitely recommended.
Disclosure: I was provided a copy of the album by the band's press folks for possible review.
OMG: Dan Zanes and Barbara Brousal Performing "Malti" Together
I'm a guy and confident in my masculity, but I'm still a bit nervous about actually using the word "Squeeeeee!!!" on a blog. But this is as about as close to "Squeeeeee!!!"-worthy news as I can think of. It's Dan Zanes performing with former bandmate Barbara Brousal at this weekend's Life Is Good festival. It sounds like a one-time thing, and Dan's current band is pretty sweet, but it's nice to hear that wonderful voice (performing her own tune) again.
Dan Zanes and Friends (incl. Barbara Brousal) - "Malti" [YouTube]
Video: "Be Nice To Animals" - Salteens (from Yo Gabba Gabba!)
This video from Salteens, with animation for Yo Gabba Gabba! is so cute it makes me want to pinch its cheeks and say, "aaaaawwww, you're so cute! Yes, you are!" Maybe it wasn't quite the Salteens song fans wanted on the first YGG compilation, but the video is ten tons of awesome. (And if you think it starts out too cute, just give it a little time -- it finds a nice balance.)
Salteens - "Be Nice To Animals" (from Yo Gabba Gabba!) [YouTube]
Grammys: Again, This One's for the Musicians
As I noted about 3 months ago, I'm always interested in seeing musicians take more responsibility for the GRAMMY process, and a key deadline is coming up in a couple weeks. October 1st is the last day for musicians (and others in the industry) to join The Academy and receive the first round voting ballot. Lots of really good albums this year deserving of a nomination for Best Recording for Children -- including maybe yours -- so if you've been thinking of joining, now would be a good time, no?
New from Readeez: Folderfuls
You know, I'm a little disappointed with Readeez' Michael Rachap. I mean, he could've recruited NWA's Eazy-E to help him on this new project (I know, he passed away a number of years ago, but work with me here), designed to make learning basic concepts such as basic grammar and how to tell time really easy. He could've called them Eazy-E's Easy-eez.
OK, on second thought, perhaps "Folderfuls" will do. More details forthcoming, but a swell idea for the pedagogically inclined. Update: more details are indeed forthcoming. I don't know, Michael, if The Economist asks to feature Folderfuls, I think you should take them up on it.
Readeez Folderfuls Trailer from Readeez on Vimeo.
