I Like to Dance and Sing

I Like to Dance and Sing. Performed by Patty Shukla. Shukla Music. 2015. $15.00.

Shukla presents 13 original lively, upbeat songs in rock, tango, and pop musical styles. Shukla's husband and children also get in on the act, helping out with instruments (guitar, bass, violin, keyboards, drums and percussion) and vocals. The songs include "I Like to Dance," "Pop the Bubbles," "Feelings," "Going on a Trip," "Bananas," "I'm a Fish," "Be Responsible" "Mommy's Got a Baby in her Belly" (with a child as lead vocalist),  "I Can Tango," "Trick or Treat," "Potty Time," "Reduce, Reuse & Recycle," and "Mommy and Me" (with a child as lead vocalist). This album will have the whole family dancing and jiving!

Trees

Music CD Review

Trees. Performed by Molly Ledford and Billy Kelly. CD. YAY! Music. 2015. $14.00.

Who knew that the oak tree was the national tree for so many countries, including the United States? Ledford and Kelly list them all, in their song "The National Tree of England." This harmonious duo sing 14 songs in bluegrass, rock, folk, and march musical styles. Several musicians make beautiful music on guitar, ukulele, banjo, piano, organ, cello, upright bass, autoharp, trombone, trumpet, piccolo, drums, drinking glasses, tambourine, wood blocks, glockenspiel, Wurlitzer, and marimba. More of their song titles include: "Trees," "To the Woods," "(It's Just a) Dumb Ol' Stick," "Acorns," "Coniferous Trees," "Angel Oak," "Here Come the Trees," "Two Trees, Old Friends," "Meet You by the Roots," "I, Wood," "Count Your Rings," "The Dichotomous Key," and "Standing by You, Sapling." This is a wonderful album for getting children excited about the great outdoors.

Possessed!

I have been watching three summer science fiction shows these past few weeks: "Falling Skies," "Extant," and "Under the Dome." I have confirmed with imdb.com that Stephen Spielberg is one of the executive producers on each show. And in each show, there is some variation on the theme of extra-terrestrial aliens taking over the bodies or minds of human beings in order to advance their agenda. I just thought that was interesting--different plots, different characters, different settings, but same alien possession. The other thing I noticed is that on two of the shows: "Falling Skies" and "Under the Dome" there is an alien queen who rules her colony, albeit in different ways.

It's a Doo Da Day

Music CD Review

It's a Doo Da Day. Performed by Wendy & DB. CD. Tigerlily Records. 2015. $15.00.    wendyanddb.com
Preschool - Gr 2

"Curiosity" may have killed the cat, but it is essential for children to learn, as they ask questions about everything, in this song on Wendy and DB's new album. This lively and upbeat album features bluegrass, blues, folk, rock, calypso, and easy listening musical styles. Vocal performances are excellent with lovely harmonies on several songs. Wendy, DB, and several other musicians make beautiful music on guitar, piano, organ, bass, mandolin, banjo, percussion, djembe, kete, and conga. The opening song expertly combines Wendy's "It's a Doo Da Day" with "You Are My Sunshine." The other songs include "It's OK Being You," "Pink Flamingo," "Walla Walla Tree," "I Love My Body," "Johnny Cash Cooking Song" (baking cookies), "Beautiful Day," "One Shoe," "Little Engine" (little engine that could), and "Shine a Light" (with an accompanying student chorus). This is a great album that the whole family will enjoy.

Calling All Elephants

Music CD Review

Calling All Elephants. Performed by Randy Sharp and Dave Kinnoin. Song Wizard Records, 2015. $14.98. songwizard.com/randyanddave
Ages 5-10

Randy and Dave have put together an upbeat, and sometimes silly album of twelve original tunes, performed in pop, rock, and jazz musical styles. "Last Word" has fun with compound nouns, producing absurdly silly images such as a man who doesn't have a head- (pause) band, and who is having trouble cutting off his toe- (pause) nail. One character has to "Hum" because he mixed up the toothpaste and glue and has glued his lips together. "Woke Up Cranky" is a great song about a little brother who gets up on the wrong side of the bed. Duke and Deb star in "Good Day for Spiders" and tells of all the bugs they like to eat. Miriam's recital takes a turn for the worse as something nasty lands on one of the piano keys, and she tries to transpose the music in order to avoid the key with not a lot of success in "Miriam's Muse." The other songs include "Puzzle," "Squish It Up," "Calling All the Elephants," "Counting One, Two, Three," "I'm Special," "Never Ever, and "Acting Like a Baby." Kids will get a kick out of these funny songs.

Classic Songs & Traditional Tunes

Music CD Review

Classic Songs & Traditional Tunes. Performed by Andy Z.  Andyland Music. 2015. $14.98
Ages 4 up

Andreas G. Zamenes, aka Andy Z, has put together a magnificent collection of 15 songs. His spot-on energetic and enthusiastic vocals do great justice to these songs, performed in folk, bluegrass, and country western musical styles. Andy and his guest musicians back up the arrangements with various guitars, bass, harmonica, mandolin, banjo, fiddle, hammered dulcimer, accordion, clarinet, trombone, and drums. One of Andy's goals with this anthology was to use true-to-genre instrumentation and restored lyrics that are not often heard on some of the songs. This musical treasure includes songs that every American child should be familiar with:
"This Land is Your Land," "Shake A Friend's Hand," "I've Been Workin' On the Railroad," "All Around the Kitchen," "Shake My Sillies Out," "She'll Be Comin' Round the Mountain," "Take Me Out to the Ballgame," "Oh My Darlin' Clementine," "Turkey in the Straw," "Don't Fence Me In," "You Are My Sunshine," "The Hokey Pokey," "Ghost Riders in the Sky," "Oh Susanna," and "Happy Trails." The CD is accompanied by a booklet with all the lyrics. This is a great collection for libraries, schools, and homes.