Dog on the Floor

Dog on the Floor. Performed by Raffi. CD. Approx.34 min. Produced by Raffi. 2018. CD: $11.50; Download: $9.49.

Pre-S - Gr 4--

            Order of Canada recipient Raffi has been sharing his excellent brand of children’s music for over 40 years, and here performs 15 songs on his 25^th album. This album continues the high standards of all of his other numerous gold and platinum albums. Raffi wrote 10 of the songs; there are two covers, one traditional song, one adapted song, and one instrumental piece (“Fiddle Dance”). The guest musicians give excellent performances on guitar, ukulele, violin, mandolin, fiddle, piano, Dobro, and clarinet in primarily folk, jazz and pop musical styles. An enthusiastic children’s chorus joins in on several of the songs. This album emphasizes play, affirmation and the nurturing roles of family and community. “That’s The Way It Goes,” celebrates the cycles of nature. “Luna’s Song” is a love song about Raffi’s dog. In “Play, Play, Play” a child wants to play, sing, and dance all day. “Listen to the Horses” clipping and clopping. While Dad thinks about “Walkin’ My Dog,” the dog thinks about going on a walk. “On Market Day” celebrates the fun of a farmer’s market. Flying low and high is the “Dragonfly.” “Love Grows Love” and brains and hears and other things. “Dog on the Floor” is an adaptation of Bill Russell’s “Spider on the Floor.” While working on the railroad, the singer is also looking for a “Rainbow.” When one is not doing fine, one should “Take a Breath” to change how one feels. “It Takes a Village” to raise a child. Raffi also does a wonderful cover of “Here Comes the Sun,” and “Mary Had a Little Lamb” includes “baa-ing” sounds. This is a masterful addition to an already winning line-up of albums. 

Blue Skies - Sunny Days

Blue Skies and Sunny Days. Performed by Frances England. CD. Approx.22 min. Produced by Frances England Music. 2018. CD: $10.99; Download: $9.49.

            With lovely harmonies, multiple Parents’ Choice Gold Award winner England performs eight light-hearted and mellow songs in mostly pop musical style, with a calypso style song and an a cappella piece thrown in for good measure. England wrote seven of the songs, and one is a cover of a classic Cat Stevens tune. She is joined by Dan Lebowitz, Dean Jones (Dog on Fleas), and Dave Winer to help create this excellent album. Besides soaring vocals, these musicians make beautiful music on guitar, keys, bass, organ, Wurly, moog, mellotron, xylophone, marimba, kalimba, tongue drum, drums, and percussion. Parent and child take a road trip, listening to the Beach Boys and feeling “Carefree.” A child daydreams in school when he would rather be running “Into the Wild.” She is “Not Just My Sister,” she is also my best friend. A child has a feeling that today is going to be a “Good Day.” England covers Cat Steven’s “If You Want to Sing Out.” “Mama Said” to shine your love light. On a “Perfect Tuesday Afternoon” one should stay in bed and read books. Finally, a parent is “Watching You Grow” like a sunflower, like a weed, and like puddles on a rainy day. This lovely album will be as appealing to parents as it will be to children.

Night Train 57

Night Train 57. Performed by Dan Zanes. CD. Approx. 36 min. Produced by Festival Five Records. 2018. CD: $10.00; Download: $9.99.

All Ages



Grammy Award winning Dan Zanes is joined by wife Claudia Eliaza and Mexican percussionist Yuriana Sobrino to present this soundtrack of their Sensory Friendly comic opera which was commissioned by the Kennedy Center. The Sensory Friendly movement’s goal is to help performing arts venues provide conditions that are welcoming to children with special needs. The trio performs this opera with wonderful vocals, and excellent performances on guitar, mandolin, ukulele, trombone, flute, harmonica, congas, bongos, cajon, and tambourine. These 15 original songs are performed primarily in lively folk and pop musical styles. In the story, Dan, Claudia, and their new friend Yuriana discover a mysterious Night Train 57, that when powered by music, zooms into outer space and travels around the galaxies. When the train encounters a meteor shower, it is forced to land on the Planet of Flowers. While there, the trio teaches a singing sunflower how to dance. Eventually, the train makes its way back to Planet Earth, and the three friends arrive home with hearts full of stories and songs. Those songs include “Songs Are Everywhere” (which power the train); “A Seat for One and All” (the train is inclusive); “Can You Sing?” (yes, everyone can sing); “Shine On;” “Night Train 57” (the adventure begins); “Going Up” (encourages the audience to be part of the story); “Guitars to the Stars;” “On Our Way” (counting song); “What Kind of Train?” (the train has more cars than anyone realized and they contain chickens, bakeries, drum circles, thrift shops, barber shops, ping pong tables, etc.); “Hats!” (anyone with the right hat and walk can be a train conductor); “Sea of Stars” (mind-boggling view); “Reds, Blues, and Greens” (when the train is forced to land on the Planet of Flowers); “Bloom, Baby Bloom,” (teaching the sunflower to dance); “The Darkest Night;” and “Bright Morning Song” (returning to Planet Earth). One hopes that this comic opera will be released in video format, so that fans can actually watch all the action as well as hear the terrific songs.

Snorkel

Snorkel. Performed by Randy & Dave. CD. Approx.34 min. Produced by Song Wizard Records. 2018. $14.98.

K-Gr 3—

          Award-winning Randy Sharp and Dave Kinnoin present 12 original songs in island, pop, rock, smooth jazz, and mariachi musical styles. The backup musicians give wonderful performances on guitar (acoustic, electric, lap steel, pedal steel), bass, banjo, ukulele (baritone and soprano), keyboard, mandolin, clarinet, drums, and harmonica. In the title song, “Snorkel,” the narrator gears up for the worst with a snorkel for floods, helmet for meteors, anchor in case of a twister, etc. A child blames an absent “Squirrel” for all the destruction in the house. After the narrator describes his great achievements—climbing the highest mountain; flying solo across Atlantic; forming the Beatles band; and winning an Olympic gold medal, he realizes “Oh Wait, That Wasn’t Me.” “Everybody’s Ignorant” because we can’t even imagine what we don’t know. Everything is topsy-turvy on the “Mixed-Up Day.” “Why Not” try something, even though everyone thinks it’s impossible. The rest of the songs include “Absolutely Nowhere to Go,” “Mr. Berschmicker,” “My Little Dog,” “Funny Papers,” “Curly Cat,” and “I Should Have Been Born in Mexico.” A fun and silly album.

Family Photo Album

Family Photo Album. Performed by Recess Monkey. CD.  Produced by Recess Monkey. 2018. $10.00.

Grades— K – Gr 5

            Award-winning Jack Forman, Drew Holloway, and Korum Bischoff (aka Recess Monkey) perform 15 original songs on their 14^th album. Musical styles range from rock and funk to pop and rag time. Guitar, bass, and drums are the only instruments these polished musicians need to accompany their lively, catchy tunes. “Chewy to Your Han” celebrates a friendship between two boys who share a love of Star Wars. “Make It Up As You Go” features improvisational guitarist Mister Noodles. In “Just One More Thing,” a child tries to delay bedtime. And “Not For You” depicts a tricky child, who when he cannot get something from his parents, asks Grandma instead, who always comes through. The other songs include “All My Friends Are Here,” “That Laugh,” “Digging A Hole,” “Together,” “Stickin’ Right By You,” “Sing Your Song,” “Wake Up,” “Blankie,” “Get It All Wrong,” “Hey Puppy,” and “A Seed Doesn’t Know.” This excellent album will be appreciated by the entire family.

Come Together

Come Together. Performed by Jeanie B! CD. Approx.35 min. Produced by JeanieBMusic. 2018. CD: $13.82; Download: $9.49.

Pre-School

The first 14 tracks of the album are original folk songs performed by Jeanie Bratschie accompanied by guitar, bass, rhythm instruments, mandolin, Cajon, and drums. Children join in on some of the songs. These songs include “If I Was an Ant” (or a spider, or bee, or cricket, etc.); “5 Little Pieces of Bubble Gum” (a count down song); “How Do We Play Fair” ( with tips); “Read a Book” to learn things; “Unicorn Song” (all about them); “Marching On My Feet” (parts of the body); “Zim Zamma Zoom” (what animals at the zoo eat); “Mary Had a Little Farm” (animal voices and noises); “How Do You Build a Nest” (how birds build nests); “Please Don’t Pick Your Nose;” “Clap Up High” (participatory movement); “I’m a Little Butterfly” (its life cycle); “Seed In the Ground” (how plants grow); and “While You Were Sleeping” (a lullaby).

The second half of album (tracks 15-28) are transitional songs, accompanied only by guitar. The playlist includes “Let’s Say Hello,” “Time to Wash Hands,” “Come On Over to the Carpet,” “Time To Go Outside,” “The Hallway Is a Quiet Place,” “Get Into a Line,” “Right Hand on the Rail,” “Snack Time,” “Have a Seat on the Floor,” “Voices At Zero,” “Time To Listen,” “Clean Up,” “Firebird Goodbye,” and “Goodbye Friends.”

This is a great album for libraries, day cares, and pre-school classrooms.

I Love Music

I Love Music. Performed by Jeanie B! and the Jelly Beans. Approx. 36 min. Prod. by Rockmom Records. $9.49 download; $15.00 CD. 2018.

Grade PS – Gr 2—

Jeanie Bratschie (aka Jeanie B) performs 14 original songs and 1 set of traditional songs in pop, rock, bluegrass, country, Latin, and folk musical styles. She and the other musicians perform with excellence on guitar, bass, kazoo, rhythm instruments, drums, mandolin, keys, accordion, and Cajon. Song titles include “I Love Music;” a celebration of “French Fried Potatoes;” “Build a Better World” with hammer, saw, drill, hands and heart; “Send Some Peanut Butter My Way” with toast, apples, carrots, etc; “Be a Hero” by helping with chores and helping others; “Summer Is Sunshine” with flowers in bloom, warm breezes, days at the beach and more; “Boing, Boing, Boing;” “Rhythm;” “M-O-M” is love, pretty, funny, smart & more; and traveling with “Abuela.” Jeanie shows how “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star;” “ABC Song;” and “Baa Baa Black Sheep” all have the same traditional melody. The rest of the songs include “Hop on Pop,” “Grandpa’s Hands,” “Lady Liberty,” and “I Dig You.” This playful album will keep youngsters moving and grooving.