If you are a big name kids musician, who do you call in for a guest artist gig? It appears that Andrew Bird is the Justin Bieber of the kindie rock set, as he's made appearances on two big kid-friendly albums. First off was his take on Kermit the Frog's classic "Bein' Green" on The Green Album. Next up is the Dan Zanes album Little Nut Tree, which features a duet between Zanes and Bird on "I Don't Need Sunny Skies." Yes, Bird whistles.
But every good "trend" piece requires a third data point to prove the thesis, and that's what I have for you below. It's Bird's first appearance with kindie rock royalty. At the very least, a proxy appearance. Here's Bird as "Doctor Strings" on Jack's Big Music Show from 2007. There's no Laurie Berkner here, but it's hard not to smile anyway.
Andrew Bird as Doctor Strings on Jack's Big Music Show [YouTube]
Photo credit: Cameron Wittig
This video for the closing track on the new Caspar Babypants album Sing Along! is every bit as beautiful as the song itself. The video is for "Baby Cloud," which primarily features the vocals of Rachel Loshak (aka Morgan Taylor's wife and a recording artist in her own right.) It's a modern folk classic, and now it has a video worthy of the song.
Caspar Babypants feat. Rachel Loshak - "Baby Cloud" [YouTube]
But wait, there's more at his YouTube page.
I've always enjoyed the playfulness in Jim Gill's music, and this new video for "Foot Notes" from his upcoming fall release Music Play for Folks of All Stripes is an excellent example of his playful word play. What it lacks in, say, melody, it makes up for in improvisational generosity. As a matter of fact, you can dance to it. You just need to think about it a bit.
Jim Gill - "Foot Notes" [Vimeo]
What do you get when you cross Seven Brides with Seven Brothers with musically destructive poultry? I have no idea.
But while you're pondering that, distract your kids for a minute or so by letting them watch the first video from the upcoming Beethoven's Wig album Sing Along Piano Classics, out next month. It's called "My Little Chicken," but you probably know the base melody as "Chopsticks." It's amusing. Perhaps your kids will be able to answer the question I've posed above.
Beethoven's Wig - "My Liittle Chicken (Chopsticks)" [YouTube]
Y'know, Elizabeth Mitchell's version of "Ong Tal Sam," or "Little Spring" was always one of my favorite cuts off Sunny Day, and this video just makes me love it even more. Oh, the cuteness. (Yes, I am secure in my masculinity and still feel confident in proclaiming, "Oh, the cuteness" on the interwebs.)
Elizabeth Mitchell & You Are My Flower - "Ong Tal Sam (Little Spring)" [Vimeo]
It just premiered on Sirius-XM's Kids Place Live, and now you can have it for your very own. Yes, Secret Agent 23 Skidoo world-premiered "Back Home," another slice of kid-hop, this afternoon, but you can download it for free. Perfect for all those kids heading off to a new school...
Skidoo is in the studio now recording his third album, scheduled for release in spring 2012. He has not lost his touch...