I am not a "Beluga Grad," but for many reasons, I am an ardent fan of Raffi. I find the putdowns of his music to be sort of like putdowns of the Beatles -- sure, you can say it, but to somehow suggest that Raffi (or the Beatles) wasn't a) very successful, and b) very talented is to be c) very stupid lazy in your criticism. (We try not to use the word "stupid" 'round here.) People sometimes use Raffi and Barney interchangeably, which makes me wonder if they've ever listened to either of them.
Now, I totally get some of that criticism, and I am not a huge fan of Raffi's later work (especially as compared to his first three albums, which still get played at our house). But the man had a knack for simple but effective arrangements and, oh, that voice. In more recent years, Raffi has given up recording music for kids, and turned his attention to a variety of projects, including the Center for Child Honoring, a non-profit group Raffi founded "dedicated to advancing Child Honouring as a universal ethic, an organizing principle for societal transformation." I haven't enjoyed the music he's recorded recently very much, but the song he recorded in the wake of Egypt's social uprising, is, I think, a reminder of both his songcraft skills and his emotive voice.
Raffi - "Tweet Me Right" (The Cairo Tango) [YouTube]
Video: "The Naked Truth" - The Okee Dokee Brothers
The Okee Dokee Brothers may be only a month away from heading down the mighty Mississippi, but in their latest video, they visit the modern equivalent of the gathering spot the Mississippi was in the 19th century -- New York's Times Square. And for their video for "The Naked Truth" they come up with the genius idea of incorporating The Naked Cowboy, who definitely would've been chronicled by Mark Twain if he'd been around 125 or so years ago. This is joyous and totally safe for kids, but it's probably as close to a NSFW video as I get around here...
The Okee Dokee Brothers - "The Naked Truth" [YouTube]
Share: Free Earth Day Songs
It's Earth Day, a holiday for which kids music represents well, kids being interested in the future of the planet and all. Here's a list of songs for Earth Day 2011, free for the cost of a few electrons:
David Tobocman has a funky, futuristic take on the garbageman of the future on his song, "I'm Gonna Be a Garbage Man."
I'm Gonna Be a Garbage Man by tobocman
Meanwhile, Charity Kahn and the JAMband take an... er... earthier approach on their Songs for Earth Day 2011 EP, featuring "I'm A Little Bunny," "Rattlin' Bog" (my favorite, but I love the song generally), and the mellow "Wise Old Owl."
There's always the Baze and his Silly Friends track "A Little Green." It features Stacia Newcomb, who plays “Star” on PBS Kids Sprout's The Good Night Show as guest vocalist and lots of "na na na"s on the singalong chorus. Download it for free here.
Finally, as we noted last week, Dan Zanes, Bill Harley, and Daria have Earth Day-related songs for your listening pleasure (DZ's will cost you, though it's for charity; the others are free).
Listen To This: "Uki Buki Kuki Duki Fuki Guki Huki Juki Island" - The Biscuit Brothers
OK, this is mostly a Tiny Scarecrow deal, but any new music -- especially TS music -- from Austin's Biscuit Brothers is always welcome. It's a "work in progress," according to the Soundcloud page, but it's amusing with very much of a Disney "Tiki Room" vibe. Reportedly it's from the next BB album, which is in progress, especially after their Kickstarter campaign reached funded status late last week.
Uki Buki Kuki Duiki Fuki Guki Huki Juki Island by The Biscuit Brothers
Interview: Sherry Rich Plant (The Mudcakes)
It can be hard to see half a world away, but there's an entire kids music scene in Australia apart from the Wiggles. It's small, but it's kicking, and trying to be heard. If there's a ringleader to the movement, it's probably Sherry Rich Plant, half of The Mudcakes. I've always enjoyed the Mudcakes' music, even from afar, and wanted to get Plant's view on kids music down under. Read on to hear Plant talk about her star-studded high school band, pirate TV, taking matters into her own hands, and other Australian music recommendations.
Zooglobble: What are your musical memories growing up?
Sherry Rich Plant: I grew up on an Island off the coast of Queensland, Australia. My mother Noelene Rich was a country folk singer in the 60's who toured and appeared on TV variety shows and clubs ... with the Bee Gees when they were first starting out! She was also a Girl Guide [Girl Scout] leader in charge of many large campfire singalongs and a guitar/ukulele teacher. So my brothers and I were surrounded by music whether we liked it or not! I started singing with my Mum onstage when I was 7 but I felt very shy and didn't like it much. Then when I hit my early teens my brother and I decided it was cool to play, so we learnt bass and guitar and started a high school band - which funnily enough also included Keith Urban!
What made you want to first start making music for families?
When my son Ramsay was born we were living in Nashville and I was working as a songwriter for BMG. Rick was a pro guitarist touring and doing studio work. With a new baby I lost the brain space to write anything but the little ditties that I made up to sing to him. I wrote the song "We're Going to Playschool" to help Ramsay get over his anxiety about going to childcare. Folks liked it and Rick and I decided to record some others for posterity. Before we knew it we had a whole album [Songs For Little Monkeys] and The Mudcakes were hatched. It was never a conscious decision to start making family music, but more like a natural shift in what I was writing about. I've always thought that the best art follows life.
What sound (or band) did you have in your head when you started making family music? Has that sound in your head changed at all over time?Video: "Do You Wanna Know My New Dance Step?" - Dog on Fleas
I can't say that "Do You Wanna Know My New Dance Step?" was my favorite song off Dog on Fleas' Beautiful World CD (or even their Bestest of the Best greatest hits collection. (In fact, I much prefer "The Moon Song," heard in the intro to this video and found on the greatest hits CD as well as their please-get-it-post-haste When I Get Little.)
But is this a way cute video that makes me appreciate the song much more? Most definitely. (I particularly dig the ending.) Consider it the sequel to Newsies.
Dog on Fleas - "Do You Wanna Know My New Dance Step?" [YouTube]
