Curious: Think Outside the Pipeline

Curious: Think Outside the Pipeline. Performed by Ants on a Log. CD. Approx. 48 min. Label: Ant Hill. 2019. CD: $13.99; Download: $9.49.

Grades 1 - 7

Ants on a Log (Julie Beth and Anya Rose) present a musical that combines expert narration, expressive voice acting and songs in pop and country musical styles to convey the story. The characters are convincingly portrayed by Julie, Anya, Kathy O’Connell, Lucy Kalantari, John McCutcheon, Manny Gonzalez, Sterling Duns, and narrated by Peter Rose. The background instruments include guitar, bass, flute, drums, percussion. The story is based on a true situation that occurred in Philadelphia. A couple of men are planning to expand an oil refinery in a small town. But Clio realizes that the current refinery is already causing many people in the community to get sick, including her sister, Taylor, whose asthma is getting worse. After doing some research and writing letters, Clio and Taylor rally the community to stand up against the expansion. They also offer some alternatives, such as solar and wind power. In the end, the expansion is stopped. The story is very one-sided, painting people in the oil industry as greedy and ruthless, and as wanting to ruin the environment. Otherwise, the musical will encourage young people to stand up for whatever cause they are fighting for.
Website: www.antsonalogmusic.com

Kindred

Kindred. Performed by Renee & Friends. CD. Approx. 30 min. Label: One Melody Records. 2019. Price: CD or download: $13.98.

Grades K and up

Soaring and heartfelt vocals, with beautiful harmonies, are the hallmark of these 11 outstanding songs, nine originals written by Renee Stahl and two covers. The songs are performed in several musical styles: rock folk, pop, soft shoe, and rap. Renee is joined by several guest vocalists, including Ziggy Marley, Lisa Loeb, Elizabeth Mitchell, Christ Stills, Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, Jeremy Toback, and Jennifer Paskow. Several songs also feature children’s voices. Tom Rossi performs most of the background instruments, with assistance from other musicians on guitar, bass, upright bass, violin, cello, horns, drums, cymbals, and glockenspiel. Sung in a round, “Kindness” is cool. Those who want to change the “Super Fragile World” should also think about changing themselves. Ziggy Marley performs a wonderful cover of a Cat Stevens classic--“Where Do the Children Play?” The future “Leaders of the World” stand up for what they believe in. “Home” is the place I love. “Kindred” is family that makes one laugh when they’re feeling blue, and with whom one’s heart is free. “Nothing and No One” can  ever take away my love. An ant can’t move a rubber tree plant, but he has “High Hopes” in this cover of a classic Sammy Cahn tune. “Be Curious” about the big wide world. You can “Rely” on me. “How Did You Get So?” sweet, big, strong, smart, and beautiful, asks a mother of her child. This smooth and thoughtful album, so easy on the ears, will appeal as much to adults as to children.
Website: www.reneeandfriends.com 

Shake It and Break It

Shake It and Break It. Performed by Randy Kaplan. CD. Approx. 55 min. Label: Yellow Thing Records &

Books. 2019. CD: $11.99; Digital: $9.99.

K – Gr 7

Multiple award-winning Randy Kaplan has borrowed songs from classic blues men of yore and reworked their lyrics to be appropriate for children. These men include John Hurt, Charlie Patton, John Lee Hooker, Tampa Red, Blind Blake, Robert Johnson, Skip James, Dave Van Ronk, and Mance Lipscomb. The musical styles feature country blues, ragtime, and Delta blues. The result is that Kaplan presents 12 story songs in which he both sings and speaks. “Candy Man Blues” warns those who eat candy all the time that they will end up with bad teeth and bad health. “Shake It and Break It” is the story of an indestructible jelly roll. In “Boogie Chillen,” Kaplan looks for places to boogie, such as schools and libraries. In “It Hurts Me Too (Sitting on Top of the World)” parents empathize with their injured children at the playground. “Doing a Stretch” is not about spending time in prison but is about one man’s stretching routine in the morning (complete with rubber band SFX). In “Chicken Chump Blues” a child who doesn’t want to jump into murky, slimy lake at camp is called a “chicken chump.” A stray dog that is rescued by a child and becomes a family dog, sings “Been Your Dog.”  Kaplan also sings a verse in Canine, with barks and growls. The “Roll and Tumble Blues” is a silly story/song about a pet monkey who loves to eat muffins, but since there is also a pet cat in the home whose name is “Muffin,” he freaks out whenever the monkey asks to “eat muffins.” Baby “Crow Jane” (whose crying can be heard in the background) has insomnia and will not nap despite her daddy’s best efforts. “From Four Until Late” tells about a boy who, while his parents are away, stays with his Granny, who does things much differently than his parents. “Swinging on a Star” includes spoken comments from a mule, pig, fish, and monkey. After singing the chorus of “Little Brown Jug,” Kaplan begins rambling about how one should be concise and germane, and other silly ramblings about juice, aliases, tangents, etc. This outstanding album not only will have children laughing but also introduce them to blues music.  

Website: https://randykaplan.hearnow.com/

Quiet Night

Quiet Night. CD. Performed by Angela James. Approx. 25 min. Prod. by Queen Anne Music. 2019. CD and Digital: $10.00. ISBN unavail.

Infant-toddler and parents

            Angela James creates eight lovely, dreamy lullabies, not only to help babies sleep, but also to calm weary and emotional parents. “Hummingbird” and “Hattie’s Dream,” both instrumental pieces, open and close the album; which is performed in gentle, soothing tones. The backup musicians give excellent performances on  melodic instruments including guitar, bass clarinet, bassoon, and vibraphone. The songs depict the onset of night time, with everything in the city slowing down; a baby being the center of a parent's universe; parental promises to stay near their baby; holding the baby close until the birds sing, and the sun rises; and sleep likened to sailing as the parent rocks the baby to sleep. Song titles include "Goodnight, My Honey;" "Sun and Moon;" "You're Always at Home;" "Sweetest Bird;" "Quiet Night;" and "Sailing." Angela’s deep rich alto voice will soothe and lull young ones to sleep as well as help de-stress parents.
Website: www.angelajamesmusic.com 

           

Thunder In My Arms

Thunder in My Arms. Performed by Lissa Schneckenburger. CD. Approx. 38 min. Label: Footprint Records. 2019. Price: CD: $15; DL: $10.

Adult

I am not especially interested in reviewing music for adults, but I made an exception for this album, as it also involves children. Lissa Schneckenburger wrote these 10 songs especially for adoptive and foster parents who care for children with developmental trauma. She wanted to communicate the emotion of these parents and children through music. Lissa’s clear, strong vocals are perfect for these pop rock tunes. The instrumental musicians back her up with professional expertise on guitar, violin, viola, cello, upright bass, saxophone and unspecified woodwinds, trumpet, trombone, organ, and drums. “Look Away” exposes the raw emotions of a child who is either in a foster home or an orphanage. In “On My Own,” a child reminisces about his original family (but not in a good way). The love of a parent for her adopted child begins “Since the Day We Met,” and she promises she will always be there. Although “The 11^th Labor of Hercules” is billed as using the Greek myth as a metaphor, it reminded me of the story of “Tam Lin;” in this case, the child turns into various vicious beasts, but the mother hangs on to him anyway. In “I Need Us Together,” it’s unclear whether the parent is keeping the child calm, or vice versa. The narrator uses various methods to deal with stressful situations in “Feel Better.” A biological parent mourns for the child she/he gave up when “They Sent Me a Picture.” A parent promises that “I’ll Stick Around.” A parent and child alternate their reminiscences, including the anniversary of the adoption as they “Blow Out the Candles.” Finally, “When My Baby Cries” describes how the different moods of the baby—crying, smiling, laughing—affect the parent. Schneckenburger’s music will be of great comfort to these parents, as well as bring them hope.
Website: https://lissafiddle.bandcamp.com

Buenos Diaz

Buenos Diaz. Performed by The Lucky Band . CD. Approx. 30 min. Label: Rainy Day Dime Music. 2019. Price: CD: $13.99; DL: $9.49.

Pre-S—Gr 5

     Latin Grammy winners Lucky Diaz and Alisha Gaddis are the heart of The Lucky Band, and here perform ten energetic original songs and 1 cover in rock and various Latin styles including Tropicalia and bossa nova. The band members give excellent instrumental performances on guitar, bass, piano, organ, Moog, drums, percussion, kazoo, harmonica, and even toy piano. Most of the songs are bilingual, with Spanish being the dominant language. “Buenos Días” introduces greetings and the hours of the day. “Nacho Song” tells about a man and how he created nachos. “Pan Dulce” is dynamite! “Cómo Se Dice” translates several English words and phrases into Spanish, such as “heart,” “cheese,” and “star.” It is time to learn the taco dance on “Taco Tuesday.” To make hot cocoa and chocolate cake, one must “Mix It Up.” A dance song, “El Corazon” encourages listeners to follow the dance movements. “El Sol Te Siga” is a cover of “Sun Will Follow” by Pianosaurus. “Wake Up,” “Zapatitos,” and “Estrellita” are all in Spanish. In addition to being fun to listen to, this album could help those learning Spanish or English. 
Website: luckydiazmusic.com

Thumb Wrestling Champions

Thumb Wrestling Champions. Performed by The Green Orbs. CD. Approx. 40 min. Label: Mama Bird Music. 2018. CD and Download: $10.

K-Gr 5—

            Eddie Rosenberg III and his sister Heather Hirshfield make up The Green Orbs (an anagram of Rosenberg). Influenced by the Beatles, oldies radio and 80s songs, they perform 14 original songs in various styles of rock, jazz, pop, country, and a piano waltz. They are assisted by excellent backup musicians on guitar, bass, keyboards, ukulele, saxophone, trumpet, accordion, drums, washboard, and toy frog. “Thumb Wrestling Champions” include tournaments featuring ninja vs. wizard; teddy bear vs. pirate, Sasquatch vs. Abe Lincoln, and other unlikely pairings. “The Suction Cup Shuffle” is a 60s rock dance encouraging listeners to move along with the music. “Doug the Bug” claims that he will clean the rug. “Outside” celebrates the fun of playing outdoors. “Ruby the Tooth Fairy” helps Sally find her tooth when she loses it at the beach. A struggling student and other children seek “Tips from Toby the Turtle.” In “Flower in My Shower,” the narrator finds beauty in ordinary places, such as the shower, the grocery store, and the office. A man called “Robert Broccoli” sits on a bench and feeds the birds broccoli florets. Monty, the only “Duck of Whistleburg” is upset when a new duck shows up in town, because he thinks he will be replaced. The “Twelve Steps to Eating Your Veggies” include don’t freak out, close your eyes, hold your nose, and more. “Soup” is the best thing in the world. Scattered throughout the album are three silly advertisements for “Monster Spray,” partly spoken and partly jingle. This humorous album will tickle the funny bones of all its listeners.

Website: https://www.thegreenorbs.net