Children's
Music News & Mini-Reviews
Recommended Children's Musical Recordings:
Putumayo Kids offers
children and families an amazing array of global sounds:
Brazilian Playground-- Samba, bossa nova
and
forró
are among Brazil’s most popular and accessible
musical styles for adults and children alike. This new CD features
these and other engaging rhythms, reflecting the country’s diverse
culture and easy going way of life. In celebration of the exuberant
sounds of this fascinating country, Putumayo Kids has collected 13
child-friendly songs from many of Brazil’s most talented musicians.
A portion of Putumayo's proceeds from the sale of this CD will be
donated to the Axé Project in support of its efforts to educate and
defend the rights of disadvantaged Brazilian children. Putumayo Kids Presents: Brazilian Playground
Celtic Dreamland – This is the latest release in Putumayo Kids’ acclaimed
Dreamland
collection. Full of beautiful and lyrical
songs from the musically rich traditions of Ireland, Scotland and
Canada, these songs will soothe even the most wintry nights.
Animal Playground- This collection of songs from around the world celebrates the wild
side of life with an amazing mix of international sounds. A 2007
NAPPA Gold winner, the enhanced CD includes full-color liner notes
and an enhanced music video, "No More Monkeys". A portion of
proceeds from the sale of this CD are donated to the Wildlife
Conservation Society, in support of its activities that save
wildlife and wild lands. Putumayo Kids Presents: Animal Playground
  Scat Like That: A Musical Word Odyssey
is a fabulous, playful, and educationally rich children's recording
by Grammy-Award winners Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer. Kids will adore
the scat singing, yodeling, Pig Latin, and tongue twisters; and
parents will marvel at the diverse musical styles and expert
musicianship on the recording. It's upbeat, musically diverse, and
encourages interactivity with a kids' chorus backing up the talented
musicians.
[For more information, user
reviews, or to buy: Scat Like That: A Musical Word Odyssey at Amazon.com]
 There is a fabulous children's
DVD (and audio CD) on the horizon by They Might Be Giants
and Disney Sound entitled Here Come the ABCs. We had a
sneak peek at the DVD, and we have fallen in love with it. Set to
be released on Feburary 15th, both the DVD movie and audio CD are
now available for pre-order. Here Come the ABCs DVD
features songs about letters set to fun animated scenes that will
entertain the whole family, and educate preschoolers. They
Might Be Giants (John Flansburgh and John Linnell, an
alternative rock musical duo who first ventured into the kids'
music market with the album, No!, a recording that debuted
at #1 on Billboard's Children's Music Chart) had complete creative
control on the DVD, and employed graphic artists, illustrators,
and puppeteers from around the globe in order to create this funky
and charmingly out-of-the-ordinary project. TMBG recently wrote
the theme song for the animated series, "Higglytown
Heroes", on Playhouse Disney, and twelve of the Here Come
the ABCs videos will begin airing on Playhouse Disney
shortly. One video claims that "LMNO" are sometimes
confused for one letter, but they're not! Others include, "C
is for Conifers", "F is for Fake-Believe", "ZYX",
and "The DVD is hosted by John and John as puppets. This DVD
is distinctive, highly "edutaining", and a must-own for
families with young children.
For more information, user
reviews, or to buy:
They Might Be Giants - Here Come The ABCs (With Exclusive Amazon.com Content)
(DVD) or Here Come The ABCs (With Exclusive Amazon.com Content)
(audio CD)
 Mike
Mulligan and His Steam Shovel is the first release in a new
series, Stories in Music, and it's wonderful. Featuring original
compositions and performances by the London Philharmonic
Orchestra, and based on the classic tale by Virginia Lee Burton,
this CD and program book set offers children an unforgettable
experience. The classic story is first told in full, and then
executive producer Bonnie Ward Simon offers more information about
the the author and her story. Composer Stephen Simon discusses
techniques composers use, and then the story is told again. This
gives listeners the chance to listen to the story with newfound
information. A jazzy arrangement of the original tune is included,
and an instrumental of the same tune allows kids to sing along
karaoke-style. Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel is an impressive
set that will please both children and their parents.
[For more information, user
reviews, or to buy: Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel
at Amazon.com]
 Zak
Morgan's When Bullfrogs Croak is witty and refreshing, and
appeals to both kids and adults alike. When Bullfrogs Croak was
nominated for a 2004 Grammy Award in the category, "Best
Musical Album for Children", and is filled with fun wordplay
and imagination. This recording is warm and wordy, featuring such
kid-friendly topics as chicken pox, apples, a new sibling, and,
naturally, bullfrogs.
[For more information, user
reviews, or to buy: When Bullfrogs Croak
at Amazon.com]
 Sixteen
original blues songs are featured on Even Kids Get the Blues. This
recording is designed to introduce kids to the blues genre, and to
encourage self-expression at the same time. Twelve children belt
out the blues, along with Big Joe Burell and Sandra Wright, with
themes such as sibling rivalry, homesickness, and the frustration
of waiting. Backed up by The Unknown Blues Band, whose musicians
have played with legends like John Lee Hooker and Etta James, this
recording is inspired, sincere, and empowering.
[For more information, user
reviews, or to buy: Even Kids Get The Blues
at Amazon.com]
 A follow-up
to the decidedly unique, Grammy Award nominee, Beethoven's Wig, is
now available. Beethoven's Wig 2: More Sing Along Symphonies
features 11 new songs that help introduce kids to classical music
in fun and inspired ways. Silly lyrics grab children's attention
in renditions of classical music from the likes of Dvorak, Chopin,
Schubert, and more. Designed to help children remember composers
and their musical pieces, this collection of songs helps build
appreciation for classical music. What fun!
[For more information, user
reviews, or to buy: Beethoven's Wig 2: More Sing-Along Symphonies
at Amazon.com]
 Sing Along with Putumayo features
top artists singing family-friendly folk, blues, and reggae
classics. Arlo Guthrie, Keb Mo, Taj Mahal, and more American roots
artists perform familiar songs like Old MacDonald Had a Farm, You
Are My Sunshine, Love Train, Michael Row the Boat
Ashore—plenty
of sing-along fun for the entire family. This recording is a
blast!
[For more information, user
reviews, or to buy: Putumayo Kids: Sing Along With Putumayo
at Amazon.com]
 Although the
songs featured on Time to Sing! II are familiar, the tempo of the
album is unique. Music is such an important part of children's
development, but many kids with language or speech delays are
somewhat intimidated by the pace of nursery rhymes and other
children's songs when it comes to singing along. This clever
children's recording slows down the tempo of favorite kids' songs,
such as Happy Birthday, Muffin Man, Hush Little Baby, and This Old
Man. Time to Sing! II not only encourages younger children to sing
along, it can be very useful for children learning English as a
second language.
[For more information, user
reviews, or to buy: Time to Sing! II
at Amazon.com]
 It's
difficult not to find at least one of Sandra Boynton's
playful books on preschoolers' bookshelves. Moo Baa La La La,
But Not the Hippopotamus, Opposites, and more fun
board books, feature whimsical line drawings and simple concepts
that preschoolers--and their parents--adore. Philadelphia
Chickens was originally published as a book-and-CD set, and is
now available as a CD-only release from Rounder Records. This
jazzy, humorous recording is described by Boynton as an
"imaginary musical revue", featuring songs like Cows:
The Seldom Herd, Nobody Understands Me (Meryl Streep),
BusyBusyBusy (Kevin Cline), and more. Hilarious!
[For more information, user
reviews, or to buy: Philadelphia Chickens
at Amazon.com]
 Hap Palmer is
back with a follow-up to his excellent One
Little Sound. With more than 20 children's recordings and
the wonderful Baby Songs videos under his belt, this established
leader in children's educational music knows what he's doing. Two
Little Sounds: Fun with Phonics and Numbers is designed for a
slightly older audience this time around as he explores beginning
and ending sounds, word families and rhymes, letter blends, money
math, place value, and more through music and movement. Packed
with fun activity songs, this recording is brimming with
educational opportunities for children ages 4-8.
[For more information, user
reviews, or to buy: Two Little Sounds - Fun With Phonics And Numbers
at Amazon.com]
 Hear
and Gone in 60 Seconds is a fabulous concept album that's
ideal for families who would like a sampling of some of the
fantastic children's musicians out there today. The idea behind
the recording is this: each of 29 award-winning children's
performing artists were given a challenging assignment to create a
song that runs for only one minute. The result is a fun, diverse,
and unique recording brimming with talent. Tom Paxton, Ralph
Covert (Ralph's World), Tickle Tune Typhoon, Joanie Bartels, and
Fred Penner are just some of the quality artists on the album.
This spirited, musically diverse recording offers family exposure
to the top children's performing artists around today. More than
just a sampling, however, this recording offers creative,
humorous, and heartwarming songs for the whole family. Highly
recommended! Rating: A
[For more information, user
reviews, or to buy: Hear & Gone in 60 Seconds
at Amazon.com]
 Trout Fishing
in America's latest children's recording, It's A Puzzle,
explores the mysteries of family life through unusually fun,
high-quality, and intelligent songs the whole family will enjoy.
Alien in My Nose, Why I Pack My Lunch, and It's Like are just some
of the humorous songs that make up an excellent album that's ideal
for family road trips and easy weekend listening. Highly
recommended! Rating: A
[For more information, user
reviews, or to buy: It's a Puzzle
at Amazon.com]
 Putumayo
Presents: Christmas Around the World
With
such beautiful recordings as African Playground and Dreamland
under their belt, Putumayo World Music have established
themselves as first-rate international music publishers. Although
designed primarily for kids, Putumayo Presents recordings
are as parent-friendly as they are kid-friendly. Their latest release, Putumayo Presents
Christmas Around the World, offers classic Christmas songs
with an international twist. This multilingual recording is fresh,
rousing, and rich with culture.
[For more information, user
reviews, or to buy:
Putumayo Presents: Christmas Around the World
at Amazon.com]
Celtic
Lullabies & Gentle Worship is lovely! Featuring Sheila Walsh, a
Grammy Award nominee, this lullaby album uses traditional
Celtic instrumentation and gentle, loving lyrics to soothe little
ones to sleep.
[For more information, user
reviews, or to buy:
Celtic Lullabies & Gentle Worship
at Amazon.com]
African
Playground is part of the Putumayo's World Music series, and it's
fantastic. It has quickly become a family favorite. This is the
kind of album that leaves no member of the family behind. The
opening song is a favorite--Battu by Angelique Kidju--is simply
uplifting and fun. This is the perfect tune for picking up energy
(a natural substitute for coffee!). Rating: A+
 Need help
lulling your child to sleep? There's a new title in the Putumayo
series of world music for kids, and it will relax every member of
the family: Dreamland is just lovely. Featuring lullabies
from around the world (some traditional, others
contemporary), Dreamland is a rich recording that is more than
just acceptable for adults. The first song is Naimi, a gorgeous
lullaby written by Angelique Kidju to her daughter with Carlos
Santana on guitar, and the recording maintains its momentum to the
end. Outstanding! Rating: A+
[For more information, user
reviews, or to buy:
African Playground
or
Putumayo Kids Presents: Dreamland
at Amazon.com]
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