Concoctions

Music CD Review

Concoctions. Performed by Dan Crow. Approx. 32 min. Allshouse Music. 2016. $7.99

Award-winning Dan Crow presents five songs to extol the current educational goals of STEM: “Science, Science, Science,” “Technology,” “You’re an Engineer,” “Seven,” and “Franklin D. Dime & Abraham Penny.” The musicians give great vocal and instrumental performances in rock, bluegrass, and jazz musical styles. “Science, Science, Science” includes beeping SF sounds and states that science is for everyone. “Technology” includes various novelty sounds ala Spike Jones, celebrating all sorts of inventions. “You’re an Engineer” explains what engineers do to make life easier and lists different types of engineers. Math is celebrated in “Seven” and “Franklin D. Dime & Abraham Penny” which explains the different money denominations. The five songs are then repeated as karaoke tracks with the instrumentals and backing vocals included. This album would be a good enhancement in classrooms to encourage students in these pursuits.

Lollipop Motel

Lollipop Motel. CD. Performed by Jason Didner and the Jungle Gym Jam. Approx. 40 min. Knock-Knock Records, 2016. Dist. by CDBaby. $12.98.

Grades K-Gr 3

New Jersey-based Jason and Amy Didner perform 11 original songs and cover “Free to Be…You and Me.” Inspired by 70s and 80s rock and pop legends, the songs are in various rock musical styles, some with wailing guitar licks. The various musicians give excellent performances on guitar, keyboards, bass, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, harmonica, accordion, guiro, drums, and percussion. “Lollipop Motel” is named after an actual historic motel in North Wildwood, NJ, where the Didners would spend summer vacations, and describes how delighted their daughter was the first time she saw the motel. The album cover is a photo of the Lollipop Motel at night, with a boy’s and girl’s face painted on large lollipop signs. “My Superpower” is kindness. “Jersey Dinosaurs” celebrates hadrosaurs with a Jersey attitude. “Summertime Santa” imagines Santa at the beach—surfing, riding bikes, fishing, and serving ice cream treats. Other song titles include “Your Happy Place,” “Day At the Beach,” “Restless Heart,” “Jam Packed,” “Little Yellow Plane,” “The Ultimate Frisbee,” and “Too Big to Jump on the Bed.” This rockin’ album will appeal to parents as well as children.