Please Release Me: September 2011 Edition

Time once more for an updated list of new and upcoming releases, for the busiest time of year, release-wise. (Last month's list is here.) Additions to the list are noted with a "++"; changes to previously-mentioned items are indicated with italics. As always, if I've listed you on here and gotten something wrong (or something not ready for primetime), let me know and I'll edit or delete it. And if you're not on here and think you should be, drop me a line, too, and I'll get you added for the next iteration. The Mighty Buzzniks Bug Out (Sept. 11) Papa Crow: Things That Roar (Sept. 11) Rocknoceros: Colonel Purple Turtle (Sept. 13) The Jimmies: Practically Ridiculous (Sept. 20) Randy Kaplan: Mr. Diddie Wah Diddie (Sept. 20) Ted Jacobs: Back to the Garden (Sept. 20) Disney: Jake and the Never Land Pirates Soundtrack (Sept. 20) [features folks from Captain Bogg & Salty] ++ Todd McHatton: Galactic Champions of Joy (Sept. 21) Dan Zanes and Friends: Little Nut Tree (Sept. 27) Beethoven's Wig, feat. Richard Perlmutter: Sing Along Piano Classics (Sept. 27). [features piano works by Chopin, Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, Schumann, Debussy, Stravinsky, Schoenberg, and Joplin] Mr. Richard & the Pound Hounds: Backyard Astronauts (Sept. 27) ++ Yosi and the Superdads: Wake Up! EP (September) Groove Kid Nation: Title TBA (September) Roy Handy and the Moonshot: Title TBA (late September/early October) Laura Doherty: Shining Like a Star (Oct. 1) Alastair Moock: These Are My Friends (Oct. 4) Chip Taylor & the Grandkids: Golden Kids Rules (Oct. 18) [next family release from Smithsonian Folkways] ++ Various Artists: All About Bullies Big and Small (Oct. 22) Recess Music (Various Artists): U R Some 1 (mid-October) The Deedle Deedle Dees: Strange Dees, Indeed (Oct. 31) The Secret Mountain: Songs from the Baobob (October) The Ohmies: Morning Wish Garden (October) [prodced by Tor Hyams] Jim Gill: Music Play for Kids of All Stripes (October) DidiPop: Everyday Adventures (Nov. 1) Laura Veirs: Tumble Bee: Laura Veirs Sings Folk Songs for Children (Nov. 8) ++ Coal Train Railroad: Coal Train Railroad Swings! (late November 2011) Central Services Board of Education: Title TBA (fall) Chuck Cheesman: Title TBA (fall) Suzi Shelton: Title TBA (fall) Maestro Classics: The Soldier’s Tale (Dec. 1) The Dirty Sock Funtime Band: Dirty Socks Come Clean (January 2012) Riff Rockit: Title TBA (CD, DVD, January 2012) Hope Harris: Picasso, That's Who (spring 2012) Andy Z: The Grand Scream of Things (Halloween 2012) [produced by Tor Hyams] Other 2011 albums: Ah-Choo, Peter Apel, Funky Mamas, Big Don, Ratboy, Jr. Also, Rockabye Baby for Van Halen, The Police, Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Video: "16 or 17 Hours of Sleep" - Trout Fishing in America

I like the art direction in the book/CD collection this new Trout Fishing in America song is found more than the (simple) art direction in this video. It's "16 or 17 Hours of Sleep" from the new book (out this week) Chicken Joe Forgets Something Important. It's an amusing song (which isn't too surprising given its source). Trout Fishing in America - "16 or 17 Hours of Sleep" [Vimeo] Two possible video responses after the jump...

Share: Free Music from Justin Roberts, Bloodshot Records, VeggieTales (and more)

FunForAllAges.jpgNot really sure what Amazon's been thinkin', but somebody last month must have said, "Hey, you know what would be cool? Free kids' music!" And, then, actually followed through on that idea, because now there are a handful of free EPs for the digital downloading, with easily 15 to 20 good songs worth your time. Justin Roberts leads the pack with his, er, Snack Pack EP, featuring songs from 5 of his albums. You probably have some of these already, but maybe not the earlier songs ("Little Raindrop" or "Billy the Bully"), and if you don't have any of them, then get over there pronto. The real find in the craziness is Roberts' fellow Chicagoans Bloodshot Records' Fun For All Ages sampler, which includes seven tracks from four fine albums, Songs for Wiggleworms, Wiggleworms Love You, Animal Crackers, and The Bottle Let Me Down. Do not hesitate in picking up this album, the Alejandro Escovedo track is especially lovely. But that's not all. VeggieTales aren't for everyone (particularly if you're not religious and you're listening to their Bible-based stuff), but their silly secular stuff can be fun no matter your denomination or lack thereof. Their Five Super Silly Songs EP is exactly that; it includes versions of a couple songs that were big hits on Kids Place Live, "The Hairbrush Song" and "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything." What's that? You want more? How about some Sesame Street? Their Amazon sampler has a more energetic version of "Ladybugs' Picnic" than you might be familiar with (but it's still good) and also features "What's the Name of that Song?" You can also pick up an EP from the Wiggles as well as a Cedarmont collection and a sampler from a Rockabye Baby-style knockoff called "Cradle Rock." Not my thing, those last two, but your mileage may vary.

Andrew Bird: Indie Rock Guest Artist to the Kindie Rock Stars

bird_01.jpgIf 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

Video: "Baby Cloud" - Caspar Babypants (feat. Rachel Loshak)

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.