Fireflies

Fireflies. Performed by Mister G. CD. Approx. 28 min. Label: Coil Records. 2018. CD: $14.99; Download: $9.99.

K-Gr 3—

            Mister G (aka Ben Gundersheimer) -- multiple award-winner of a Grammy, a Parent’s Choice Gold Award, and many others--performs 10 amazing songs with catchy melodies and lovely harmonies. With guest musicians such as Lucy Kalantari and Dean Jones, this is an imminently listenable album featuring folk, bluegrass, soul, vintage country, and gospel musical styles. The back-up musicians give excellent performances on acoustic & electric guitars, pedal steel, fiddle, mandolin, banjo, upright bass, drums, and percussion. In the summer, people go camping and watch “Fireflies” light up the sky. Children plan everything they’re going to do in “Sweet Summertime,” such as riding bikes. “Me and You” can work together to fix the world. “S’mores” are a wonderful summer treat. Everyone shares this “Big Old World” that we love. A child’s “Four-Footed Friend” is the best thing he’s found in this two-footed town. Before you can walk, you have to “Crawl.” We are walking “Together As One,” sharing the sun, the moon, and a hope for peace. A “Perfect Day” is one in which you can sit in the cool beneath the trees with a glass of lemonade. “Moonbeams,” a lullaby, invites children to close their eyes and dream. This album that both parents and children can enjoy, will not grow old even with multiple playing.

Website: https://mistergsongs.com 

In Our World There Are No Strangers

In Our World There Are No Strangers. Performed by Evan and Vanessa. CD. Approx. 61 min. Label: Banyan Records. 2018. CD and Download: $10.00.

Ages: Pre-S - Grade 1—

               Vanessa Richmond and Evan Blum perform 24 songs—the first half in English, and the second half in Spanish. Vanessa’s vocals are clear, light and sweet. These are mostly folk and gentle pop songs, backed up by guitar, clarinet, flute. Guzheng (Chinese wooden harp), and synthesizer, and featuring lovely harmonies. “Welcome to Our Album” features bird song and a gentle instrumental, with Evan and Vanessa speaking, that they want to go exploring. “Sun Sun Sun” shines everywhere such as on gardens and on the ocean and creates shadows. “Any Dream Will Do” is a cover of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s prologue to Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. “Edelweiss” is a cover of Oscar Hammerstein song for Sound of Music. “Los Pollitos” is a traditional Spanish nursery song. “Somewhere Out There” is a cover of a song from An American Tail. “The Traveler” includes a spoken narration of the traditional Irish blessing prayer which begins “May the road rise to meet you.” “Tu Tu Teshcote” is a meditative ancient Aztec lullaby. “Coloring Book” includes ocean sounds. Evan tells Vanessa “I Know of a Special Place” and they decide to go on one more adventure. “In Our World There Are No Strangers,” only friends we can learn to love. In “Goodbye Friends,” there are the sounds of nature and faint background instrument like a xylophone or marimba. Finally, there is a spoken introduction to the Spanish half of the album, followed by 11 of the songs in Spanish. The drawback are that there is no lyrics list included, and some of the English lyrics are difficult to understand. Other than that, this is a lovely album for the whole family.

Website: www.evanandvanessa.com

Total Eclipse of the Rainbow

Total Eclipse of the Rainbow. Performed by Rainbow Rock Band. CD. Approx. 22 min. Label: Del Ray Rocks. 2018. CD: $9.99; Download: $7.99.

Ages: Pre-school

            Led by songwriter Dr. Karen Moran, the Rainbow Rock Band performs 7 high energy songs in folk, rock, country, and pop musical styles, with lovely harmonies. The back-up musicians make beautiful music on guitar, mandolin, fiddle, banjo, bass, piano, and drums. Dr. Moran plans for this album to be a teacher resource for circle times; or for parents to support learning for their children. “Crazy Cakes” combines counting with participatory movement. “Lee Lee the Lizard” can change his color in all colors of the rainbow. “Sunflower” tells how a potted sunflower needs lots of sunlight. Everyone turns to the “Sparkle Fairy” for the daily weather forecast. “Samuel the Zookeep” sees various animals in the zoo, including monkey, tiger, elephant, lion, and others, accompanied by their sounds. Children are encouraged to dream of rainbows in “Rainbow Lullaby.” And everyone celebrates when “It’s Your Birthday.”  Teachers and parents will welcome this album with open arms.

Website: www.rainbowrockband.com