Walking Around With Giants

Walking Around With Giants. CD. Performed by The Dilly Dallies. Approx. 44 min. Prod. by Schoolofdrums. 2017. $12.98. 

PS – Gr K—

            Steve Slater and Jenn Ekman present 13 original songs in folk rock, folk pop, and lullaby musical styles. Their voices blend beautifully together to create some lovely harmonies. The talented musicians create background music with ukuleles, piano, glockenspiel, marimba, vibraphone, vibraslap, shakers, triangle, finger cymbals, mini gong, cowbell, wood block, and kazoo. “Superhero” includes a job description. “I Get Up” to see what amazing things are going on after bedtime. “Share the Sun” encourages listeners to share. “School Day” can be very busy. A child believes the “Closet Monster” is having a dance party in the closet. “We Could Be” envisions what children might be able to attain with hard work. The other songs include: “Little Tiny Toes,” “Rainy Day” (which includes the sound effects of rain sticks), “Dreams Await,” “Taken Over by Robots,” “One Big Heart,” and “You Are Me and I Am You.” A great album for bringing the family together.

Gonna Be Great!!

Gonna Be Great!!. CD. Performed by David Tobocman. Approx. 37 min. Prod. by Very Helpful Songs. 2017. $12.00. ISBN unavail.

K-Gr 3—

            A songwriter for Nickelodeon’s Robot and Monster, David Tobocman performs 12 original songs on his fourth album for children. His goal for these songs was to infuse them with optimism, and encouraging children to face adversity with hope and strength. With some great instrumental backup, Tobocman performs in a variety of musical styles, including Beatles-style and 70’s rock, blues, calypso, reggae, Tex-Mex, folk, country, ballad, funk and rap. In his title song, life is “Gonna Be Great.” Tobocman encourages listeners to “Take the Spider Outside” instead of killing it, although he makes it sound as if spider bites are harmless (bites from brown recluse spiders are very dangerous). “Dalia” is an elephant who skates. He encourages “Singing Together” with a friend. And he sings about working at “The Cookie Factory.” The other songs include “Keep Your Hands to Yourself (in the style of Taj Mahal), “Have Some Fun Out There,” “Tell Mama I Love Her” (about the first day of school), “Something Called King Lear” (a trip to the theater), “The Driveway” (in the style of T-Rex), and “Smile For Me.” A lively and fun album the whole family will enjoy.

           

Beverly Wrigglesworth, San Antonio Public Library

Life on a Trampoline

Life on a Trampoline. CD. Performed by Randy Sharp and Dave Kinnoin. Approx. 39 min. Prod. by Song Wizard Records. 2017. $14.98. 

Grades K – 4

            Award-winning Randy & Dave present 12 original wacky songs in several musical styles including polka, folk, country, jazz, rock, blues, and pop on this second album. Randy and a couple of guest musicians handle the excellent performances on guitar, bass, electric sitar, banjo, mandolin, Dobro, saxophone, harmonica, keys, electric piano and drums. “Enjoy It While You Can” details the shenanigans at the fish cannery. A kid hopes that no one remembers the disasters he caused the “Last Time I Was Here.” “Squadoosh” is an imaginary monster. One song is “Not About” anything, anyone, or any place. “Betty Mumbles” so that her words have a mashed potatoes sound. One person is “Happy to Help” as long as it doesn’t put him out too much. A couple of siblings declare that “We Don’t Share.” The title song tells of the short kid who loves flying high in “Life on a Trampoline.” The other songs include “Semolina,” “That Thing,” “A Weird Thing Happened,” and “So What If I Do?” This funny album will keep all its listeners amused and entertained. 

Mr. Pancake Man

Mr. Pancake Man. CD. Performed by Music Man Dave. 28 min. Prod. by David Rodgers. 2016. $12.99. 

Grades PS – 3

            David Rodgers, aka Music Man Dave, presents 13 original songs in an upbeat, pop rock musical style. His vocal style is very similar to that of Joe McDermott. “To the Beat” encourages listeners to participate in the movements. “Numbers in My Bath” extols the value of mathematics. “Like an Elephant” encourages listeners to imitate animal movements. The other songs include “Song to Say Hello,” “If I Could Fly,” “Mr. Pancake Man,” “I’ve Got Two Legs,” “Good at Things (with a guest female singer),” “Months of the Year,” “Toast and Omelettes,” “Meet Peter Pan,” “Out on the Town,” and “Goodbye Now.” A happy, bouncy album.

Songs About Us

Songs About Us. Performed by Kerry Fenster. CD. Approx. 15 min. Produced by Muzic School. 2016. $9.98.

This award-winning album is designed to teach children of all ages and developmental abilities to learn vital social skills, especially those with special needs, such as Down syndrome, and autism. The album includes four original songs, and one adapted cover song, all in pop/rock musical styles. The vocal and instrumental (guitar, bass guitar, drums and percussion) performances are excellent. "Quiet Hands" encourages listeners to keep their hands to themselves, and not hurt others. "Use Your Words" asks listeners to repectfully speak to others. Listeners are reminded to brush their teeth, bathe, and wear clean clothing in "Hygiene." And for those who feel crowded, they are allowed to step away and create more "Personal Space." Fenster also does an excellent cover of "Pinball Wizard," for which he has adapted some of the lyrics; for example, he replaced "deaf, dumb, and blind kid" with "cute, cool, kind kid." I grew up with a sister with Down syndrome, and I believe my parents would have really appreciated an album like this when she was younger.

Julie Frost Kids

Julie Frost Kids. CD. Approx. 41 min. Produced by Julie Frost Kids. 2017. $15.99. Grades K-4.

Julie Frost presents 12 bouncy, energetic tunes in rock, R&B, jazz, and pop musical styles. Her lovely vocals are light and clear. Her excellent backup musicians perform on piano, guitar, bass, drums, trombone, trumpet, saxophone, violin, viola, cello, and double bass. In "Rhythm and Blues," Julie discovers different musical styles, such as R & B, pop, boy bands, and Beyonce. "Homework" encourages listeners to do their homework every day. "Pump It Up" is an energetic dance song that also encourages listeners to make friends using the four "S's": smile, say hello, say your name, and shake hands. The "Lean Green Eating Machine" encourages listeners to pursue a healthy diet. The other songs include "I'm Julie Frost," "Colors in My Crayon Box," "How Lucky I Am," "We Get One," "My Words," "Choose Happy," "My Beautiful World," and "Dare to Dream." This fun album will get listeners up and dancing around. Check out her website at http://www.juliefrostkids.com.