Kith and Kin

Kith and Kin. Performed by Duke Otherwise. CD. Approx. 40 min. Duke Otherwise. 2019. CD: $15.00; Digital: $10.00.

Pre-S—Gr 3

Duke, in his deep baritone, presents 14 amusing and funny-bone tickling original folk-style songs, with musical influences from Mexico, Peru, Cuba, the Mediterranean, South Africa, the Middle East, and Switzerland. Excellent instrumentalists back up these quirky and imaginative songs with several types of guitar, bass, upright bass, banjo, violin, cello, harp, piano, organ, synth, drums, congas, floor tom, doumbek, tambourine, shaker, washboard tie, melodica, spoons, castanets, glockenspiel, cymbal, kazoo, didgeridoo, and cowbell. Three songs also include goat, pig, and rooster sounds. “Everybody Spins” invites listeners to spin around one way, then the other. A child is “So Full” that he can’t eat his peas, but he has room for dessert. In this class, everyone has the wrong name, because “Joy’s a Grump,” Rich is poor, Buddy has no friends, and several more mis-named students. Yodeling is a rare occurrence in children’s music albums, but “Yodeling Lament” features a poor yodeler attempting to learn from a yodeling virtuoso. On his abacus “Atticus” adds the kisses he gets. The narrator has never met anyone who “Eats Like You.” In third grade, a student has an “Elementary Crush” on his teacher. Not only is there a “Lion in My Room,” but also a chicken, wolf, and hippo. The “Slow Monster” is unable to catch any children. Up before dawn, “Gavin” has already done his chores while the rooster is still snoring. Although “Zane” can play exotic instruments such as kalimba, lute, and didgeridoo, he cannot play the radio. We’re the “Twins” who agree about everything/nothing and other opposite pairs. Duke introduces listeners to the “Golden Wheel Spider” of the Namib desert in Southern Africa. While all his friends have to travel to their homes, this snail is “Always Home.” This fun and musically diverse album will be a treat for young listeners and their parents.

Website: www.dukeotherwise.com