We're All Fruit Salad: The Wiggles' Greatest Hits

 

We’re All Fruit Salad: The Wiggles’ Greatest Hits. Performed by The Wiggles. CD. Approx. 1 hour, 15 min. The Wiggles Pty Ltd. 1991-2021. CD: $12.00; also available for download or streaming. Preschool - Kindergarten

For 30 years, this multi-award winning group from Australia has been entertaining and teaching preschool children with their age-appropriate songs. Although the current group is comprised of Anthony Field, Lachlan (Lachy) Gillespie, Simon Pryce, and Emma Watkins, the “original guys,” Greg, Murray, and Jeff, are included on this retrospective album. The Wiggles perform 30 of their most popular past tunes, and they have also included 10 new recordings exclusive to this album. Most of the songs are in their iconic “cradle rock” musical style. The vocalists harmonize beautifully with each other as the background musicians give excellent performances on guitar, keyboards, drums, percussion, and more. Song titles include “Get Ready to Wiggle,” “Rock-a-Bye Your Bear,” “Hot Potato,” “Fruit Salad,” “Dorothy the Dinosaur,” “The Monkey Dance,” “D.O.R.O.T.H.Y (My Favourite Dinosaur),” Can You (Point Your Fingers and Do the Twist?),” “Romp Bomp a Stomp,” “Go Santa Go,” “Toot, Toot, Chugga Chugga, Big Red Car,” “Captain Feathersword Fell Asleep on His Pirate Ship,” “Food Food Food,” “Here Come the Reindeer,” “Wiggle Bay,” “Anthony’s Workshop,” “Getting Strong,” “Follow the Leader,” “Do the Propeller,” “I’ve Got My Glasses On,” “Ready, Steady, Wiggle,” “Say the Dance, Do the Dance,” “Wake Up Lachy,” “Apples and Bananas,” “Simon Says,” “Who’s in the Wiggles House,” “The Wonder of Wiggle Town,” “Henry’s Christmas Merengue,” “Emma’s Theme,” “Welcome to the Lachy Wiggle Show,” “I Went to the Library,” “Hey, Wags,” “The Toilet Song,” “Shirley Shawn the Unicorn,” “Emma’s Yellow Bow,” “H.O.L.I.D.A.Y,” “Here Come the Wiggles,” “Handwashing Song,” “Everybody Wiggle Along,” and “We’re All Fruit Salad.” Parents who grew up with the Wiggles will want to share these fun and lively songs with their little ones. 

Website: www.thewiggles.com.au

Young Maestros Vol. 1

 

Young Maestros Vol. 1. Performed by Tracy Bonham. CD. Approx. 29 min. Melodeon Music House Records. 2021. CD: $13.99; Digital: $9.49. Preschool—Grade 3

            Classically trained violinist and pianist, rocker Tracy Bonham performs 11 original songs that teach musical concepts, in folk, jazz, rap, bluegrass, country, rock and other musical styles. Known for her chart-topping hit single “Mother, Mother” in the mid-90s, Bonham has most recently been teaching music concepts to preschool children. Her goal is to demonstrate that the process of making music can be more about fun than achievement. Bonham’s vocals adeptly handle the various musical styles, whether belting it out or quietly crooning. Bonham and the backup musicians perform with excellence on guitar, bass, violin, upright bass, piano, organ, clarinet, trombone, harmonica, drums, and percussion. In “Me Symphony,” the narrator has lost an entire orchestra of instruments in a variety of locations (tuba in Aruba, piano in Indiana, bongo in the Congo, etc.), but the show must go on. “Beats to a Measure” introduces children to rhythm in a measure of music. The black keys on the piano are likened to “All the Blackbirds” sitting in a tree. “Let’s Take the Subway” is a rollicking song using the names of the piano keys (C, B, G, etc.). The organization of a musical staff is detailed in “Lines and Spaces” and is compared to dancing and skipping. “I Like the Big Beats,” a parody of  “Baby Got Back” by Sir Mix-a-Lot, celebrates various drums. Frightened by a variety of small animals, the reptile’s reaction is to “Shake Like a Rattlesnake.” “I Am a Movable Do” (of Do, re, mi) explains how the tonic note can begin on any pitch. Interesting harmonies and descants characterize the “Background Singers” when the lead singer is locked in a closet. “Feelin’ Pretty Major” musically explains the difference between major and minor keys. “A Song Without an Ending” is exactly that—is just stops in the middle of the song. This excellent album will be a boon to music teachers and parents, and fun for children learning to read music and play an instrument.    

Let's Put on a Show

 Let’s Put on a Show. Performed by Beth Jean. CD. Approx. 25 min. Jetti Winkle Music. 2021. Digital: $9.99. Ages 4—11 

            Award-winning Beth Jean is a songwriter, singer, tap dancer, and actress. She also contributes videos featured on the Emmy-winning PBS children’s show The Friday Zone. On this album she performs 10 original songs in show tune and pop rock musical styles. She envisions her album encouraging listeners to put on their own song and dance shows. Beth’s strong vocals are clear, and the background vocalists harmonize beautifully. Her backup musicians give excellent performances on guitar, bass, ukulele, keys, kazoo, drums, and percussion. “Let’s Put on a Show” invites listeners to put on a show, with tap dancing sound effects in the background. Never forget “You Are Magic!” Penguins sing “Waddlin’ We Go,” as they celebrate winter and sliding on snow and ice. In outer space, there is “No Gravity,” so we can float and fly free. You can do anything, so “Never Give Up.” A small rodent announces, “I Am a Hamster, Yes I Am Sir,” while nibbling and sipping on his water bottle. A man had “The Best Mustache in Michigan,” until one day there was a clipping mishap. In a high falsetto, the “Garden Gnome” describes searching for a new home. “Whoopsie Daisy,” what a doozy of a day, but it will be okay. The bird flies and sings, “Tweet a Little Tweet Tweet.” This fun album will entertain youngsters and encourage their imaginations.

Website: bethjean.com

Under the Pepper Tree

Under the Pepper Tree. Performed by Sara Watkins. CD. Approx. 36 min. New West Records. 2021. Price: CD: $15.00; Digital: $5.00. Preschool—Grade 2

            Sara Watkins (of Nickel Creek and I’m With Her) performs with beautiful vocals on two original songs and 13 covers. The songs, some childhood favorites of hers, were chosen as soothing songs for a child’s nightly bedtime rituals. She is accompanied by an excellent group of musicians on guitar, bass, mandolin, violin, banjo, organ, piano, drums, and percussion. A musical interlude seamlessly segues one song into the next. The covers include “Pure Imagination” (Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory); “The Second Star to the Right” (Disney’s Peter Pan); “Blue Shadows on the Trail” (The Three Amigos); “Edelweiss” (The Sound of Music; with Watkins’ three-year-old daughter); “Moon River” (Breakfast at Tiffany’s); “When You Wish Upon a Star” (Disney’s Pinocchio); “La La Lu” (Disney’s Lady and the Tramp); “Tumbling Tumbleweeds” (Tumbling Tumbleweeds with Gene Autry); “Blanket for a Sail” (Harry Nilsson); “Beautiful Dreamer” (Stephen Foster); “Stay Awake” (Disney’s Mary Poppins); “You’ll Never Walk Alone” (Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Carousel); and “Good Night” (Beatles). Sara contributed two original pieces: “Under the Pepper Tree,” a slow country/bluegrass instrumental; and “Night Singing,” a sweet folk-style lullaby. This album deserves a place in every home with young children.

Website: www.sarawatkins.com

Let's Go!

 

Let’s Go! Performed by The Laurie Berkner Band. CD. Approx. 33 min. Two Tomatoes Records. 2021. CD: $10.98; Digital: $9.99. Ages 0—8

            Best-selling kindie artist Laurie Berkner and her band perform 16 original and lively songs, mostly in pop rock musical style, but with a couple of Latin folk tunes and a cappella pieces included for good measure. Laurie’s soaring vocals are joined by a great children's chorus. Her background musicians perform with expertise on guitar, bass, violin, keyboards, organ, saxophones, trumpet, drums and percussion. Those impatiently waiting for others to get ready cry, “Let’s Go!” With a beautiful minor tune, Laurie explains that a lot of movement helps warm one up “When It’s Cold.” Halloween is the time to wonder “What Am I Gonna Be?” In “The Superhero Handwashing Song,” are instructions for effective hand washing. “I Saw a Butterfly,” so I purchased a hat, a jacket, pants, boots, and a scarf because I’m cold. I’m going to the lake and relax while “I’m On Vacation.” When “It’s Time to Eat,” we will have mac and cheese, vegetables, tacos, guacamole, apples, bananas, and strawberries. It is time to quieten down and “Listen to the Sounds,” such as breathing, heartbeat, children playing, traffic, etc. “It’s Hard to Be 3” because everyone says the opposite of what I say. “The Superhero Mask Song” tells children the reasons to wear a mask (although it is not quite true that germs, especially viruses, cannot get in or out of the paper or fabric masks most people wear). The other songs include “Jumping Jack,” “Take a Look at My Face (emotions),” “Tied My Shoes,” “One Step (with whistling),” “Happy New Year,” and “Beautiful Light.” Another terrific winning album from this seasoned performer.

Website: www.laurieberkner.com