I so enjoyed coming up with a list of counting songs from Sesame Street that I'm going to duplicate it by moving on to numbers. (No, I haven't decided if I'm going to do 3 science-related songs from the show next week.)
First off, the show recently re-did their classic "Ladybugs' Picnic" video. This new version is done with claymation and features vocals from Langhorne Slim. But as you can guess by the fact that I'm not actually embedding that video, I prefer the old traditionally animated version and sung by Bud Luckey. It's like an old college t-shirt (or, if you're a kid, a well-loved teddy bear) -- the rough-around-the-edges nature of the original has become an asset. (I really like Elizabeth Mitchell's version, though.)
"Ladybugs' Picnic" [YouTube]
Pancake Mountain Needs Your Help. Your Kickstarting Help.
I've long been a fan of the TV show Pancake Mountain, which combines a subversive take on commercial culture with a whole bunch of cool musicians wrapped in a kid-friendly packaging and hosted by a goat puppet. (I love Rufus.)
Anyway, perhaps seeing the success of Yo Gabba Gabba! gave the creators of PM pause, because they've now started a Kickstarter campaign in hopes of raising enough funds to produce a proper pilot for shopping around to networks. (I always thought they were legit before, but I guess I'm a poor judge of that.)
It'll take a lot of coin -- $50,000, to be precise -- but I think they might just make it. Pledges get you DVDs, t-shirts, and at pledges of $250 or more, a "Little Rufus" hand puppet. Anyway, here's their pledge video. One more video of a fun musical performance (David Bowie, eat your heart out) after the jump.
The Ketchup Report, Vol. 5
Back with another list of random notes from around the kids music world...
-- I'm a fan of Symphony Space's Just Kidding series, even 3,000 miles away, but I don't typically talk about single shows in that or any series. Having said that, I have it on good authority that Elizabeth Mitchell is planning on attending the Lunch Money Just Kidding concert on Saturday, January 29 (at 11 AM) and make a "guest appearance" for some songs. NYC fans, I expect you to be there -- not to be missed, I'm telling you.
-- Continuing in the category of single shows meriting mention, if you're not tired out after the Lunch Money show (or if you're busy that morning), there's another show in NYC that afternoon. It's an event called "KIDS ROCK!" -- it's a big 'ol benefit concert for KIDS NEED A MELODY, which provides developmental music classes to young children living in the shelter system. It's also Saturday the 29th (from 1 to 4 PM) at Crash Mansion in the Bowery in NYC. It's hosted by Bob McGrath and will feature performances by Rebecca Frezza and Big Truck, Suzi Shelton with guitarist Steve Elliot, Jeremy Plays Guitar, The Fuzzy Lemons, Joanie Leeds, and Baze and His Silly Friends. Not bad, eh?
-- Moving out of the city (sort of), word from Florida's Mr. Richard that he's leading David Weinstone's Music For Aardvarks classes in Orlando. Mr. Richard isn't the first kindie musicians with his own career to participate in these types of classes. Audra Tsanos has done MFA classes in NYC for years, Rebecca Frezza got her start doing Music Together, and Enzo Garcia is another. But Mr. Richard, who's definitely on the shortlist for the title of hardest-working guy in kids music, may be the first to join those types of classes after starting his own, independent kindie career.
-- I noted this on Facebook yesterday, but the first video from Moona Luna is up. You can watch the currently exclusive video here (or just go straight to YouTube here).
-- Frances England has a whole bunch of creative resolutions (designed very, er, creatively of course) and not only that she's pulled in a bunch of creative resolutions from folks like Caspar Babypants, Drew from Recess Monkey, Joe from the Okee Dokee Brothers and lots, lots more. Worth a perusal.
-- Finally, in the category of self-promotion, Australian newspaper The Age dips its toes into the world of Australian kindie music and picks out the two best, Holly Throbsy and The Mudcakes. (It also cites this site, but not in a policeman-sort-of-way. The good way.)
Video: "K-I-D-S" - Luv Clowns
There are certain kids musicians which make families all warm and snuggly inside, filled with love and grace.
And then there are Memphis' Luv Clowns, who last December strolled through the Memphis Christmas Parade... without, as best I can tell, having permission to do so. Watch as the Luv Clowns play "K-I-D-S" as they stroll through the parade, interacting with the youngsters walking along, then get denied entry to FedEx Arena by the police at the end. Every genre needs its subversives -- Luv Clowns are (one of) ours. (Remember, you can pick up a free mp3 of the track here.)
Luv Clowns - "K-I-D-S" [YouTube]
Listen To This: "Sing With Me" - Haley Bonar
It made my list of 2010's best kids music albums, but in my review of Haley Bonar's Sing With Me EP, I couldn't provide listening links. Bonar's now rectified that -- you can stream the whole darn thing:
And, what's this? Another new album from Bonar?
Video: "Green Light, Go!" - The Not-Its
The latest video from Seattle's Not-Its crams in a little chit-chat, primping, driving, and gratuitous slo-mo mugging at the Seattle Center before wrapping up one of 2010's hardest-rocking kindie songs. Takes barely 2 minutes - perfect for even the most short-attention-spanned amongst your family.
The Not-Its - "Green Light, Go!" [YouTube]
