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.

Happy Beach

Music CD Review

Happy Beach. Performed by Perry Springman. Produced by Mark Heimermann. 2016. $12.00

Perry Springman's Happy Beach is a lively, wonderful album, which, unlike other secular albums for children, celebrates God in our lives. These ten bouncy songs are performed primarily in various of rock and pop musical styles, which include Latin and Hawaiian flavors. Several of the songs speak of God's having created people, His forgiveness, and our thanking and trusting Him. The various musicians give excellent performances on guitar, ukulele, keyboards, trumpet, trombone, saxophone, bass, drums, and percussion. Song titles include "Chimichanga," "The 3 Minute Clean-up," "Unh-Uh, No Way," "My Ukulele," "Me and Buddy," "Why Does the World Have Slivers," "Bouncy Bouncy," "Mommy and Daddy," "Happy Beach," and Sleepyhead." Parents and children alike will enjoy this energetic album.

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I Like to Dance and Sing

I Like to Dance and Sing. Performed by Patty Shukla. Shukla Music. 2015. $15.00.

Shukla presents 13 original lively, upbeat songs in rock, tango, and pop musical styles. Shukla's husband and children also get in on the act, helping out with instruments (guitar, bass, violin, keyboards, drums and percussion) and vocals. The songs include "I Like to Dance," "Pop the Bubbles," "Feelings," "Going on a Trip," "Bananas," "I'm a Fish," "Be Responsible" "Mommy's Got a Baby in her Belly" (with a child as lead vocalist),  "I Can Tango," "Trick or Treat," "Potty Time," "Reduce, Reuse & Recycle," and "Mommy and Me" (with a child as lead vocalist). This album will have the whole family dancing and jiving!

Trees

Music CD Review

Trees. Performed by Molly Ledford and Billy Kelly. CD. YAY! Music. 2015. $14.00.

Who knew that the oak tree was the national tree for so many countries, including the United States? Ledford and Kelly list them all, in their song "The National Tree of England." This harmonious duo sing 14 songs in bluegrass, rock, folk, and march musical styles. Several musicians make beautiful music on guitar, ukulele, banjo, piano, organ, cello, upright bass, autoharp, trombone, trumpet, piccolo, drums, drinking glasses, tambourine, wood blocks, glockenspiel, Wurlitzer, and marimba. More of their song titles include: "Trees," "To the Woods," "(It's Just a) Dumb Ol' Stick," "Acorns," "Coniferous Trees," "Angel Oak," "Here Come the Trees," "Two Trees, Old Friends," "Meet You by the Roots," "I, Wood," "Count Your Rings," "The Dichotomous Key," and "Standing by You, Sapling." This is a wonderful album for getting children excited about the great outdoors.

Possessed!

I have been watching three summer science fiction shows these past few weeks: "Falling Skies," "Extant," and "Under the Dome." I have confirmed with imdb.com that Stephen Spielberg is one of the executive producers on each show. And in each show, there is some variation on the theme of extra-terrestrial aliens taking over the bodies or minds of human beings in order to advance their agenda. I just thought that was interesting--different plots, different characters, different settings, but same alien possession. The other thing I noticed is that on two of the shows: "Falling Skies" and "Under the Dome" there is an alien queen who rules her colony, albeit in different ways.

It's a Doo Da Day

Music CD Review

It's a Doo Da Day. Performed by Wendy & DB. CD. Tigerlily Records. 2015. $15.00.    wendyanddb.com
Preschool - Gr 2

"Curiosity" may have killed the cat, but it is essential for children to learn, as they ask questions about everything, in this song on Wendy and DB's new album. This lively and upbeat album features bluegrass, blues, folk, rock, calypso, and easy listening musical styles. Vocal performances are excellent with lovely harmonies on several songs. Wendy, DB, and several other musicians make beautiful music on guitar, piano, organ, bass, mandolin, banjo, percussion, djembe, kete, and conga. The opening song expertly combines Wendy's "It's a Doo Da Day" with "You Are My Sunshine." The other songs include "It's OK Being You," "Pink Flamingo," "Walla Walla Tree," "I Love My Body," "Johnny Cash Cooking Song" (baking cookies), "Beautiful Day," "One Shoe," "Little Engine" (little engine that could), and "Shine a Light" (with an accompanying student chorus). This is a great album that the whole family will enjoy.