We Are One

We Are One. Performed by Animal Farm. CD. Approx. 54 min. Label: Bespectacled Records. 2018. CD: $15; Download: $12.

Pre-S – Gr 4

            Awarded a 2018 NAPPA award, We Are One, the second album from Animal Farm (David Ladon, Seth Adams, Thor Bremer, and Stephanie “Sly” Young), includes 14 fun and energetic songs in various styles of rock, jazz, folk, Klezmer, Afro-pop, Tin Pan Alley, and salsa. In the background, listeners can hear some great instrumentation on guitar, ukulele, bass, violin, piano, organ, saxophone, clarinet, drums, and percussion. In “Snow Bird,” a penguin wishes to travel to warm places such as Bali, Morocco, and Boca Raton. The “Awesome Possum” saves his family from a wolf by dancing. A snail wants everyone to “Slow Down” and enjoy the sights around them. A poor guy has an “Ear Worm” of a song stuck in his head. When one is “Cranky Pants,” then he or she can make animal noises to feel better. If you think you have it bad, “It Could Always Be Worse,” so have an attitude of gratitude. “Totes McGoats” advises listeners not to keep anger bottled up inside, but to let it go. “Paw and Think” gives advice on how to repair relationships. A “Two-Headed Tortoise” has two heads (Mort and Pat) that can’t get along and have problems sharing the same space. “Screen Time” finds several bugs gathered at a screen door, attracted to the light inside. Many strange creatures live in “The Abyss,” but despite the cold and dark, they call it home. A bat is terrified of the dark in “Nocturnal Me.” Seeing trees being chopped down around him, “Monkey See, Monkey Do” is worried because the trees are home to many animals. “We Are One” shows the connectedness of all living things on Planet Earth. Children will enjoy these bouncy, lively animal-inspired songs.
Website: https://animalfarmband.bandcamp.com 

Rock & Rhyme

Rock & Rhyme. Performed by Mr. Jon and Friends. CD. Approx. 47 min. Produced by Jon and Carrie Lewis. 2018. $15 for CD or download.

K-Grade 5

Jon Lewis, on staff in the children’s department of a public library in Frederick, MD, and his wife Carrie present 20 energetic songs in mostly various styles of rock, but also with some bluegrass and gentle pop as well. This 3^rd album features a band of excellent musicians performing on guitar, mandolin, ukulele, bass, organ, piano, accordion, recorder, melodica, drums, and percussion. The Lewis children join in enthusiastically on some of the songs. Inspired by Raffi, they perform an a cappella cover of Raffi’s “Brush Your Teeth.” Several songs invite listeners to perform participatory movements, including “Rock and Rhyme,” “Dance Party,” “Clap Your Hands,” “Going on a Bear Hunt,” “Dragonfly,” and “Let’s Move to Some Music.” In different seasons, I “Play My Drum” for everyone. The traditional “Tortoise and the Hare” is presented as a musical story, with a fast tempo for the hare and a slow tempo for the tortoise. This album’s “Old MacDonald” has chickens, snakes, tickle-opes and yogurt on his farm. Children are invited to join in with elephants, lions, alligators, and more in “Animal Parade.” It is relaxing floating down the Delaware in a “Yellow Tube.” A child who can’t sit still has "Ants in My Pants.” A “Hermit Crab Going on a Walk” shows off his brand-new shell. “Clean Up” tells the story of cleaning up a messy room. In “Alphabet Song,” the alphabet is recited at different tempos. A “Red Balloon” escapes from its child and floats away. When there is “Summer Rain,” it is a good day for reading a book. “My Little One” is a gentle lullaby. The final track is a humorous exchange between Jon and his puppet monkey, George, in which George sings a silly version of “Old MacDonald.” A fun album that will keep listeners moving and grooving.
Website: https://mrjonmusic.com 

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

Swamp Romp

Swamp Romp. Performed by Johnette Downing and Scott Billington. CD. Approx. 42 min. Produced by Johnette Downing and Scott Billington. 2019. $10.00.

Grades K and up

            Johnette and Scott pull out all the stops with this homage to Louisiana roots music, with a different musical style for most of the 15 songs and 1 adapted traditional song. These musical styles include swamp pop, Dixieland jazz, zydeco, mambo, doo-wop, fife and drum band, jazz with bamboula beat, Caribbean folk, R&B, ragtime, a cappella with hand clapping and foot stomping, rock and roll a la Jerry Lee Lewis, Latin, and gospel. These songs are accompanied by exceptional vocals and instrumental stylings on guitar, bass, ukulele, fiddle, timple (a traditional instrument of Tenerife), piano, organ, clarinet, cane fife, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, sousaphone, harmonica, accordion, washboard, drums and percussion. An enthusiastic children’s chorus joins in on three songs. “Swamp Romp” is an animal party in the Black Lagoon. “Who Got the Baby in the King Cake” will have to host the next party. Listeners are invited to a line dance in the “Mudbug Boogie.” In “It Wasn’t Me (The Possum Song),” the family blames all the mess on the possum. The young girl who worries about everything is called “Poor Worry Anna.” The bilingual traditional “J’ai Vu Le Loup, Le Renard et le Belette (I saw the wolf, the fox and the weasel) encourages listeners to move to the music. Learn how to spell the state name “Mississippi.” One can hear the “Bamboula Rhythm” all over New Orleans, but especially in Congo Square. “Gather Something Sweet” includes gathering bananas, strawberries, and watermelons. Wear “Your Best Pair of Shoes” when you dress up to go out. “How to Dress a Po’ Boy” celebrates that sandwich and how it is put together. “Crawfish Etouffee” is a celebration of another famous Louisiana culinary treat. “Get Ready, Get Set, Let’s Groove” and dance the “Twist,” the “Pony,” the “Swim,” and the “Sprinkler.” When the farmers take their produce to market, they ride in “Our Oxcarts,” a song in Spanish and English. The energetic “Stand Up, Jump Up” will have listeners hopping all over the room. The album closes with the gentle “Star in My Sky.” This outstanding album is a great introduction to youngsters of the sounds and rhythms of Louisiana.
Website: https://www.johnettedowning.com

Nothing Is Impossible

Nothing is Impossible. Performed by The Story Pirates. CD. Produced by Brendan O’Grady. 2018. Download: $8.99.

K-Gr 5—

            All of the mini-musicals on this award-winning album are based on story ideas which young fans have submitted. Some of the pieces include dialogue along with the songs. The Story Pirates is made up of several professional vocalists and musicians, all of whom perform with excellence. The instrumentalists perform on guitar, bass, piano, violin, keyboards, synths, and drums. Musical styles range from funk, to electro-pop to hip hop. “Fart Out Loud Day” is the sort of gross song kids love, with fart sound effects. A band of singing monsters perform at a Halloween party in “Frank the Monster Who Wasn’t Scary.” An annoying neighbor asks “The Guy” for potato chips day after day. A child believes “Riding a Seagull Was Good,” like riding a horse. A young “Star” seeks to be part of a constellation. Glitter, a talented pony, believes “Nothing is Impossible,” and so becomes the best guitar player in the world. One can see the whole world “In the Car.” In “All 8 Unicorns,” these girly unicorns, using high school girl speak, talk mane and hoof colors, and admire each other’s mane extensions. Coming across a unicorn buddy all tangled up, they help untangle her, and then post the event on Instagram. “How Penguin Office Became a Thing” tells of an office fitted out to suit penguins, with krill in the ice machine, etc. “Pizza Revenge” details the plans to draw people away from eating hot dogs and back to eating pizza. “Fred the Carrot” who lives on Saturn, devises ways to get a human to Saturn so that he can be eaten. The narrator wonders “What the World Was Called Before Us,” and suggests such unlikely names as “Cow,” “Dolphin,” and “Spaghetti.” This creative and inventive project will keep young listeners mesmerized.