"Rise Up Shepherd, and Follow" - Dan Zanes with Suzan-Lori Parks

Artist: Dan Zanes with Suzan-Lori Parks

Song: "Rise Up Shepherd, and Follow"

Album: Christmas in Concord

Description: Expanding 2011's fine 5-song EP with a couple songs, including this duet with playwright Suzan-Lori Parks, Zanes moves into "mini-album" territory.   He also gives us this retro-filter-filled lo-fi video featuring Zanes and Parks (on washboard).  It's a DZ video, so that's reason enough to watch, but if you need another reason, pay attention to see the only hat crazy enough to steal the attention away from Zanes' famously unruly hairdo.

Source: YouTube

"Fuzzy & Orange" - Todd McHatton

Artist: Marvy Monstone's Mysterious Fun Time Dream Band (aka Todd McHatton)

Song: "Fuzzy & Orange"

Album: Todd McHatton Presents Marvy Monstone's Mysterious Fun Time Dream Band

Description: I think I like this video because the production values are adequate, not spiffy -- its "let's try this after-effect!" attitude matches the revved up, synthesized song.  Also, I love Finch's collar and necktie.

Source: YouTube

"Alphabet of Nations" - They Might Be Giants

Artist: They Might Be Giants

Song: "Alphabet of Nations" (extended version)

Album: No! (10th Anniversary Deluxe Reissue)

Description: I think I slightly prefer the original video on the Here Come the ABCs disk.  But this has its own in-your-face charm.  Plus, beyond the new countries in the bridge, there are not one but two West Xylophone jokes.  I'm always down for a good West Xylophone joke.

Source: YouTube

"Favorite Names" - Key Wilde & Mr. Clarke

Artist: Key Wilde & Mr. Clarke

Song: "Favorite Names"

Album: Rise & Shine

Description: Wake up or you'll miss the animated cameo by a famous personage.  Waking up to this song is not a difficult thing to do.

Source: YouTube

"More Moles" - Caspar Babypants

Artist: Caspar Babypants

Song: "More Moles"

Album: Hot Dog!

Description: Another beautifully minimalist video -- this time for the call-and-response song feature Visqueen's Rachel Flotard -- from Chris Ballew and his daughter Josie.  Here's my (free) tip for revenue generation -- sell those individual sketches for, like, $5 apiece.  I'll take the happy sun.

Source: YouTube

"Man Gave Names" - Aaron Nigel Smith

Artist: Aaron Nigel Smith

Song: "Man Gave Names"

Album: Welcome to the Village

Description: Yes, there are kids, presumably from Smith's "One World Chorus," who are monkeying around, helping Smith out on the song (see what I did there?).   But the real reason to watch are the puppets who remind listeners of the guest artists Laurie Berkner, Lucky Diaz, and Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, but not in any legally infringing way.

Source: Vimeo