Classic Kids' Music: Lead Belly Sings for Children
Lead Belly, aka Huddie Ledbetter, recorded many sing-alongs, play party songs, and folk tunes for children over his storied career. Lead Belly Sings for Children collects them all in one neat package.
Besides being an excellent document of African-American folk song history, this CD is a great way to introduce kids to a one-of-a-kind musician and singer, because children will never hear anyone perform songs live in Lead Belly's unique style ever again. Lead Belly Sings for Children is historical, powerful, and, above all, fun.
Read a full review of Lead Belly Sings for Children
Image Courtesy Smithsonian Folkways
New Lullabies for Babies (and Grownups!)
If you're a new parent and you'd like to venture beyond the standard lullaby fare of "Hush, Little Baby," "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star," and "Rock-a-bye Baby," check out these new lullabies for babies. This new wave of music for babies will soothe your sleeping tots while introducing you to original compositions by new artists and performers.
From Jason Falkner's quiet interpretation of songs by The Beatles, to Dean Jones' quirky but tender contemplations, to Sunflow's unbelieveably pure pop tunes, there's something sleepy out there for everyone.
Image Courtesy Little Maple Leaf Productions
Kids' World Music Two-fer
Tired of the same ol' same ol' when it comes to kids' music? Check out these two off-the-beaten-path releases that explore the world music genre.
Rhythm Child's Drum Circle Sing-A-Long and Mariana Iranzi's Aventura Collage utilize polyrhythms, traditional dances, and entertaining songs in bringing diverse sounds to the ears of young listeners. While Rhythm Child's Norm Jones is based in L.A, and Iranzi calls Boston home, the sounds they create on their respective albums span the globe.
Image Courtesy Mariana Iranzi
Review - Gustafer Yellowgold's Have You Never Been Yellow?
In anticipation of Morgan Taylor's latest chapter in the Gustafer Yellowgold saga, we revisit a blast from the past. Gustafer Yellowgold's Have You Never Been Yellow? was the second CD/DVD in the story of our friend from the sun, and this April will see the release of the fifth Gustafer package, Gustafer Yellowgold's Year in the Day.
Taylor has been busy lately with Gustafer Yellowgold activities, from partnering with the educational resource Speakaboos, to a second Off-Broadway run at New York City's DR2 Theater. Check out the Gustafer Yellowgold official website for more info, and read a review of the classic Gustafer Yellowgold's Have You Never Been Yellow?
Image Courtesy Apple Eye Productions
Eclectic Kids' Music: Kaplan & Schorr
Lookin' for some new kids' music sounds to lay on your bored-of-the-mainstream ears? Dig these two musicians and their unique take on music for families: Randy Kaplan takes the folkie storyteller route, while Dan Schorr brings the Bakersfield country rock vibe to the table.
Kaplan's Five Cent Piece and Schorr's Every Word I Say is True are both gems in their own right, and both offer a treasure trove of influences for listeners to mine. And they both happen to be Brooklyn boys!
- Read a full review of Randy Kaplan's Five Cent Piece
- Read a full review of Daniel Schorr's Every Word I Say is True
Image Courtesy Tee-Tot Records
St. Patrick's Day Music for Kids
Get a head start on your St. Patrick's Day fun with some great Irish music for kids.. The songs on these CDs are performed in both English and Irish, and include sing-alongs, story songs, dances, and traditional tunes for the whole family. Sláinte!
Image Courtesy Shanachie Entertainment
Farmer Jason Brings the Country!
Are you ready for the country? Former Jason and The Scorchers head honcho Jason Ringenberg jumped into the kids' music arena a few years ago as Farmer Jason, and his first two albums for children and their families retain The Scorchers' alt country rockin' twang, while including kid-sized humor and a gentle sense of wonder.
2003's A Day at the Farm with Farmer Jason and 2006's Rockin' the Forest with Farmer Jason are silly, rambunctious, catchy musical adventures with Jason and friends, including guest stars like Webb Wilder, Todd Snyder, and Tahra Dergee, star of Nashville Public Television's Tahra Time.
Image Courtesy Yep Roc | Kid Rhino | Courageous Chicken Music
Get Up and Go Go with The Fresh Beat Band
That's right, kids, The Fresh Beat Band are releasing their first compilation of tunes from their Nick Jr. program. The CD, appropriately titled The Fresh Beat Band: Music from the Hit TV Show, will hit the shelves January 31, 2012, and will feature 19 songs heard on the program, including faves like "A Friend Like You," "Great Day," and "Here We Go."
Image Courtesy Leigh Vogel | Getty Images Entertainment
Laura Veirs' Tumble Bee a Modern Classic
Good folk music albums are hard to come by, great ones even rarer. Superb collections of folk tunes are like shooting stars, and Laura Veirs' Tumble Bee is one of those stars. Released on her own Raven Marching Band record label, Laura Veirs' Tumble Bee: Laura Veirs Sings Folk Songs for Children is unique, fun, informed by history, well-produced, and charmingly performed, a musical treat for the whole family.
Image Courtesy Raven Marching Band
Review - Disney's Shake It Up: Break It Down Soundtrack
Disney's Shake It Up: Break It Down soundtrack seems to be another in the Disney Channel's long line of music releases in their relentless pursuit of the next High School Musical, Camp Rock, Hannah Montana, or Jonas Brothers phenom.
The album is a compilation of tunes performed on, or used as background music in, the Disney tween comedy dance TV series Shake It Up, starring Bella Thorne and Zendaya. Selena Gomez is the featured performer amongst a host of singers on Shake It Up: Break It Down, and delivers the lead off single "Shake It Up."
Image Courtesy Walt Disney Records