Little Creatures: An Introduction to Classical Music

Little Creatures: An Introduction to Classical Music by Ana Gerhard. Performed by various musicians. Book and CD. The Secret Mountain. 2019. $16.95. Book: 72 pp. CD: 35 min.  

2^nd – 5^th grades

20 bright and lively classical music pieces feature small creatures including insects, spiders, amphibians, and snakes. Each double-page spread contains a stunning illustration of the creature by Mauricio Gómez Morin, who uses a variety of painting styles, from comic, to stylized, to dreamy and Victorian retro. Each spread also includes a text box with the title of the composition, the name of the composer, and a short description of the creature and the musical piece. The contents include “Flight of the Bumblebee” from The Tale of Tsar Saltan (Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov), “He Spake the Word…” from Israel in Egypt (George Frideric Handel), “From the Diary of a Fly” from Mikrokosmos, Volume 6 and “The Night’s Music” from Out of Doors (Béla Bartók), “Overture” from  The Wasps, Aristophanic Suite (Ralph Vaughan Williams), The Child and the Spells (Maurice Ravel), Violin Concerto (Georg Philipp Telemann), The Wandering Tadpole and Sensemayá (Silvestre Revueltas), “The Frog,” aka String Quartet opus 50, no.6 (Franz Joseph Haydn), The Cricket (Josquin des Prez), “March of the Grasshoppers” from Music for Children (Sergei Prokofiev), “The Grasshopper” from Two Insect Pieces (Benjamin Britten), “Song of the Flea” from Faust (Ludwig van Beethoven), The Flea (Joseph Bodin de Boismortier), “Tarantella” from Bardic Sounds (Johann Kaspar Mertz), “The Spider In Its Web” and “Entrance of the Ants” from The Spider’s Feast (Albert Roussel), The Butterflies (François Couperin), and Seven Butterflies (Kaija Saariaho). A number of musical groups give superb performances, including Bratislava Symphony Orchestra, Aradia Ensemble, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Nashville Symphony, Ensemble Baroque, Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra, Kodály Quartet, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Capilla Flamenca, and Mexico Festival Orchestra. Additionally, various individual musicians give outstanding performances on piano, oboe, harpsichord, guitar, and cello. A couple of pieces feature professional vocalists. Several appendixes appear at the back of the book, including Listening Guide to each piece; a brief biography of each composer; a glossary of musical terms; and a timeline with a chart of each composer in his/her musical period: Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and 20^th Century. This ambitious picture book, first published in Spain, is a must for every child’s musical education.

Website: www.thesecretmountain.com

Beneath the Cherry Tree

Beneath the Cherry Tree. Performed by Kare Strong and Josh Goforth. CD. Approx. 48 min. Humming Bear Music. 2019. CD: $14.99; Digital: $9.99.

Gr 1 and up

Gorgeous vocals and harmonies are the hallmarks of this fine album. Featuring folk, bluegrass, and Celtic musical styles, Kare’s voice soars in rich and melodious tones on these 11 original compositions. Instrumental accompaniments by Josh Goforth and others on guitar, fiddle, banjo, mandolin, mountain dulcimer, piano, bass, tuba and percussion are stellar. The narrator looks for faeries beneath “The Cherry Tree.”

The whistle pig, or “The Happy Groundhog,” could dance a jig. “The Little Tree” is unhappy with her plain appearance. “Little Bluebird” brings joy when she sings. Violet, Bluebell, Primrose, and Poppy are just a few of “The Flower Faeries.” A family builds a chicken coop for five chickens “Down on Blackberry Lane.” In “The Daffodil & the Faery Child,” a faery rescues a daffodil by holding it up through a blustery storm. “The Merry Band” are squirrels who found gold faery dust in their acorns. Picking apples and swinging on the porch swing are only two of the fun activities “On Our Carolina Farm.” In “The Bluebell & the Boy,” a young lad is amazed to hear a bluebell speaking to him. The “Autumn Jewels” the faeries gather end up as freckles on the faces of sleeping children. Mole and several other animals plan “A Party for Pig” to welcome him to the neighborhood. “To the Country We Will Go” tells of a family planning a move. “Song of the Wind” expresses the wind’s many moods. One of Goforth’s main career goals is to get young people interested in traditional music. This excellent album will go a long way in helping accomplish that goal.

Website: www.karestrongmusic.com

Finding Friends Far from Home: A Journey with Clara Net

Finding Friends Far from Home. Performed by Oran Etkin. CD. Approx. 34 min. Timbalooloo. 2019. CD: $14.00; Digital: $9.00.

K – Gr 5

Subtitled “A Journey with Clara Net,” this multi-cultural album takes listeners on a fun and wonderful musical journey to six countries: Czech Republic, Zimbabwe, China, Turkey, Russia, and Japan. These international songs were recorded in Prague, Czech Republic; Harare, Zimbabwe; Beijing, China; and Bodrum, Turkey. The journey begins with children chanting “We Want a Story.” In each country, Grammy Award-winning Etkin is joined by a native citizen/musician and together they perform music in a style traditional to that country and in the country’s native language. A variety of instruments accompany these songs, including some familiar to Americans: piano, bass, clarinet (aka Clara Net), bass clarinet, trombone and drums. In addition, the following accompanying instruments are traditional in the various countries: cimbalom, hosho, mbira, erhu (Chinese violin), guzheng (Chinese harp), kopuz, balalaika, djembe, and shamisen (Japanese guitar). Etkin introduces each song with a short narration and joins in on each with clarinet and vocals.  Pavlina Matjova represents the Czech Republic, singing “Chaye Shukariye (Sweet Girl).” In Zimbabwe, Irene Chigamba introduces listeners to “Kariga Mombe” and “Kutapira (Sweet).” China’s Min Xiao-Fen teaches Etkin “Mo Li Hua (Jasmine Flower).” Jehan Barbur of Turkey sings a lullaby, “Dandini Dandini.” Kirill Yacovlev of Russia plays the balalaika while singing “Tumbalalaika.” Finally, in Japan, Sumie Kaneko teaches listeners “Sakura (Cherry Blossom).” Delightful, informative, and musically appealing, this creative album is an excellent addition to every child’s musical education.  

Website: www.oranetkin.com 

Growing Up

Growing Up. Performed by Josh Lovelace. CD. Approx.37 min. Stonecroft Records. 2019. CD: $9.99.

K – Gr 5

Parents’ Choice and NAPPA award winner for his previous album, Josh Lovelace performs 11 original, appealing songs on his 2^nd children’s album in pop, rock, country (with touches of bluegrass), and calypso musical styles. With this album, Lovelace wanted to capture some of the nostalgia of his childhood. The backup musicians give outstanding performances on pedal steel, banjo, dobro, electric guitar, and bass. Background vocalists blend in with gorgeous harmonies. Guest kindie musician Frances England lends her lovely voice to “Butterfly,” in which Lovelace likens his children to butterflies following their dreams. An excellent children’s chorus also joins in on several songs. “You’ve Got Me and I’ve Got You” assures children of their parents’ love. In this energetic song, a narrator expresses his intention to be in a “Traveling Band” with a guitar in his hand. When one hears the beats of “Calypso,” he knows there is a party going on. In “This Is a New Song,” Lovelace encourages his listeners to dance along. After school, children beg their parents, “Let’s Go Drive.” As a stressed-out adult hurries to work, he calms himself by assuring himself that “Hey, It’s a Good Day.” Together, we can turn the whole world “Upside Down” (which showcases the vocal stylings of the children’s chorus). “Annie Beth” celebrates this heaven-sent child. “Forever My Friend” is a brief homage to friendship. When friends move away from each other, “Goodbyes Are the Hardest Thing to Do.” In the finale, once again a parent assures a child that “You Are Loved.” This wonderful and appealing album is sophisticated enough to keep parents engaged, but also simple enough for elementary children to understand and appreciate.

Website: www.joshlovelacemusic.com

Backstroke Raptor

Backstroke Raptor. Performed by The Story Pirates. CD. Approx. 41 min. Gimlet Media. 2019. CD: $15.00; Digital: $9.99.

Grades K - 5

            This motley crew presents 11 original and funny songs, created from stories submitted by children ages 5 - 13. A few of the songs also include narration or dialogue. Lin-Manuel Miranda of Hamilton fame joins in on one of the songs. The album features an eclectic mix of musical styles, including surf rock dance, a rap set to the melody of “Pachelbel’s Canon,” folk pop, ska, R&B, calypso, and country western. “Backstroke Raptor” tells the story of a velociraptor who attaches a motor to a rowboat in order to leave the island he lives on. The monster “Samantha” tells her parents that she wants to be a human. Miranda raps about “The Wizard Who Could Just Go Poof,” whose spells always fizzle. Grace is assigned to write a report on a wallaby in “The Great Wallaby Adventure.” Still wet, “Cement Dude” travels to the desert in order to dry out, with narration by a man with a Johnny Cash-like voice. “The Girl with Superpowers” wants to be a superhero but realizes that she needs something to defeat first. “The Person Who Could Not Spin” gets lessons in spinning from others. Fashionista hamster Sally gets ready for work in “A Hamster’s Workday.” Koala Barry in “Barry and the Big Climbing Tree,” wants to climb trees, but keeps falling. “The Giraffe Didn’t Know” how to change the world but persisted in asking various animals if they knew how. In the barn, the “Dreaming Sheep” dream about going to school. The Story Pirates have hit another home run with these fun and lively songs crafted from the ideas of children.  

Website:  www.storypirates.com

Baby on the Subway

Baby on the Subway. Performed by Camille Harris. CD. Approx. 35 min. Camille Harris. 2019. CD: $15.00; Digital: $9.99.

Pre-S – Gr 2

            With experience in musical theater, stand-up comedy, and vocal jazz, Camille Harris presents 14 wonderful songs, most of which are infused with a bright, lively jazz vibe; but she also rounds out the styles with some rock, calypso, bossa-nova, and pop. This 4^th album features excellent musicians performing on

guitar, bass, upright bass, flute, clarinet, saxophone, piano, trumpet, flugelhorn, drums, and percussion.

Listeners are invited to dance along on “Jiggly Wiggly.” Listeners are introduced to a Chinese restaurant in which there is no silverware, only “Chopsticks” (jazzing up the famous traditional piano tune). Following a short, traditional singing of the “Muffin Man Nursery Rhyme” is an extended version of “Muffin Man” with additional lyrics. “Procrastination” is exactly that—she never got around to writing the lyrics or giving the song a title. “The Wheels on the Bus” contains the traditional lyrics, plus a few extra. Camille gives her vocal cords a workout on “Baby on the Subway,” in which she confesses to love the baby. The most sophisticated piece, “The Aegean Sea” is smooth jazz at its best. Young toddlers will love the traditional “Itsy Bitsy Spider,” while older children will appreciate the extended lyrics which encourage one to “Get Up and Try Again.”  On his farm, “Old MacDonald” has not only farm animals, but also a dinosaur and a pigeon. “The Backwards Alphabet” will test young listener’s abilities to recite the alphabet backwards. The “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star/Baa Baa Black Sheep/ABCs Medley” plays off the fact that they all have the same tune. “Lullaby” slows down and quiets down the music to ease babies to sleep.

Website: www.camilleharris.net

Sharon and Bram: Four Singles

Sharon & Bram Singles. Performed by Sharon Hampson and Bram Morrison. CD. Approx. 14 min. Elephant Records, Inc. 2018-2019. Digital only: $1.29 each (available at iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, and other digital retailers).

K – Gr 3

            Sharon and Bram have been releasing four brand new singles written by Sharon’s late husband, Joe Hampson, and with additional lyrics by daughter Randi Hampson. These fun, lively songs feature pop, jazz and music hall musical styles. The vocals are great, the harmonies lovely, and the accompanying children enthusiastic.

            In “The Colour Song” Colin Mochrie (Canadian comedian) tries to teach Sharon and Bram the concept of homonyms, using “red” and “read,” but without success (and he gets more and more frustrated). Young listeners will need to be somewhat familiar with homonyms in order to understand and enjoy the great humor in this song.

            Everyone needs a hug today in “The Hug Song.”

            Jim Cuddy of the country rock band Blue Rodeo joins in on “Talk About Peace,” love, a world full of happiness, friendliness, and doing unto other as you would have others do unto you.  

            Finally, there is nothing wrong with being “Different,” because it would be a shame if everyone looked the same.

            Sharon and Bram have done themselves proud with these four new additions to their musical oeuvre.

Website: www.sharonloisbram.com

(P. S.: Let Colin Mochrie know I am a fan of his funny performances on “Whose Line Is It Anyway?”)