| Some
of the latest releases in children's music are exciting indeed--Raffi,
who hasn't released a new album for 7 years, Hap Palmer, James
Coffey, and more. What follows are some standouts.
 Daddy-O
Daddy! (Rare Family Songs of Woody Guthrie) American folk
singer and guitarist Woody Guthrie is honored in this
family recording that collects six previously unrecorded songs as
well as Guthrie favorites, performed by the likes of Taj Mahal,
Billy Bragg, Syd Straw, and more. Some of the songs on this
recording were written for Guthrie's own children. Taj Mahal does Little
Sack O Sugar--a standout song with lines like, "little
sack of sugar I could eat you up" and, "Hee, hee, hee,
my little sack of 'taters/So pretty, pretty, pretty, I could eat
your toes". Dry Bed, performed by Billy Bragg &
The Blokes, is a fun celebration of continence. Also included is a
recitation of Howdy Little Newlycome by Woody himself. This
is an exceptional, awe-inspiring, "must-own" family recording.
[For more information, user
reviews, or to buy: Daddy-O Daddy! Rare Family Songs of...
at Amazon.com]
 Ralph's
World: At the Bottom of the Sea follows the outstanding
release, Ralph's World, with gusto. You'd think it would be
difficult to follow up on such an outstanding children's recording
as Ralph's World, but this second album from Ralph Covert is
fantastic. The whole family will adore the peppy, creative songs
on this recording.
[For more information, user
reviews, or to buy: At the Bottom of the Sea
at Amazon.com]
 Raffi:
Let's Play makes a terrific addition to your preschooler's
music collection. Wonderfully warm and happy songs fill the CD,
and although Raffi's Singable Songs for the Very Young
remains our favorite, this latest release is special. Some
standouts include the title song, Yellow Submarine, an
adaptation of If You're Happy and You Know It, and the
delightfully silly Jiggledy Jill (I fall uphill). This CD
will not disappoint!
[For more information, user
reviews, or to buy: Let's Play
at Amazon.com]
 Hap Palmer:
One Little Sound - Fun with Phonics and Numbers From
the "Baby Songs" man comes another warmly educational
and fun album that aims to familiarize young children with letter
sounds and numbers. Children count, sort, sing, and move along to the
music. The CD comes with suggested activities, but the lyrics do a
great job of inspiring children to act out as they listen.
Excellent for preschoolers, both at home and in school.
[For more information, user
reviews, or to buy: One Little Sound - Fun With Phonics And...
at Amazon.com]
 Beethoven's
Wig is a riot. Funny lyrics are set to classical works from
the likes of Beethoven, Mozart, and Bach. Children will
thoroughly enjoy learning about the famous composers and singing
along to the goofy lyrics--all while they become familiar with
popular classical music recordings. The songs are upbeat, and each is played as an
instrumental on the second half of the CD. Exceptional and fun
album!
[For more information, user
reviews, or to buy: Beethoven's Wig: Sing Along Symphonies
at Amazon.com]
 Trout
Fishing in America: inFINity is absolutely fun. Although Trout
Fishing in America didn't start out playing music for kids, what
this two-man band does for children's music is about as original
as its name. On listening to these kid-friendly, folksy songs,
it feels a bit like you are enjoying a comedy routine at the same
time. This collection of songs will entertain parents as much as
their kids. Your Name Backwards is a favorite song, in
which "ordinary names become bizarre" if they're
pronounced backwards (Fred becomes Derf, Robert becomes Trebor,
and Michelangelo becomes...). An
"it-could-be-much-worse" philosophy is adopted in the
cute Happy That You're Here ditty, in which Ezra
starts off saying that he's happy in a manner that comes across as
"insincere", and Keith keeps trying to convince
him that he should be "tickled". Traveling-with-kids
"issues" are addressed in Are We There Yet?,
and Dinosaur in Your Bathtub (and a hippopotamus playing
video games) is just plain fun.
[For more information, user
reviews, or to buy: inFINity
at Amazon.com]
 James Coffey: My Mama Was a
Train is just right for young locomotive-loving children.
Songs like The Little Red Caboose Behind the Train, Counting
Those Railroad Cars, and Down By the Station will
delight little listeners. Complete with whistle blows, clickety-clacks,
and jolly lyrics, My Mama Was a Train is a CD you'll want to play
on the road.
[For more information, user
reviews, or to buy: My Mama Was a Train
at Amazon.com]
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