Let's Go!

 

Let’s Go! Performed by The Laurie Berkner Band. CD. Approx. 33 min. Two Tomatoes Records. 2021. CD: $10.98; Digital: $9.99. Ages 0—8

            Best-selling kindie artist Laurie Berkner and her band perform 16 original and lively songs, mostly in pop rock musical style, but with a couple of Latin folk tunes and a cappella pieces included for good measure. Laurie’s soaring vocals are joined by a great children's chorus. Her background musicians perform with expertise on guitar, bass, violin, keyboards, organ, saxophones, trumpet, drums and percussion. Those impatiently waiting for others to get ready cry, “Let’s Go!” With a beautiful minor tune, Laurie explains that a lot of movement helps warm one up “When It’s Cold.” Halloween is the time to wonder “What Am I Gonna Be?” In “The Superhero Handwashing Song,” are instructions for effective hand washing. “I Saw a Butterfly,” so I purchased a hat, a jacket, pants, boots, and a scarf because I’m cold. I’m going to the lake and relax while “I’m On Vacation.” When “It’s Time to Eat,” we will have mac and cheese, vegetables, tacos, guacamole, apples, bananas, and strawberries. It is time to quieten down and “Listen to the Sounds,” such as breathing, heartbeat, children playing, traffic, etc. “It’s Hard to Be 3” because everyone says the opposite of what I say. “The Superhero Mask Song” tells children the reasons to wear a mask (although it is not quite true that germs, especially viruses, cannot get in or out of the paper or fabric masks most people wear). The other songs include “Jumping Jack,” “Take a Look at My Face (emotions),” “Tied My Shoes,” “One Step (with whistling),” “Happy New Year,” and “Beautiful Light.” Another terrific winning album from this seasoned performer.

Website: www.laurieberkner.com

That's My Piano, Sir!

 

That’s My Piano, Sir! Written by Ana Gerhard. Illustrated by Marie Lafrance. Book with CD (approx. 11 minutes). The Secret Mountain. 2020. 32 p. $16.95. Ages 7 – 9.

            Based on a real event in the life of 6-year-old Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, this story is told by Minim, a little orange-brown mouse wearing a charcoal overcoat, who loves cheese and music. The Mozart family arrives by ship to Vienna, and as they are disembarking, a couple of dock workers drop the crate/piano belonging to the Mozarts. Fortunately, it is not damaged, and when set up, Wolfgang takes out his violin, his sister Nannerl sits at the piano, and together they play Sonata for Piano and Violin KV.8, 1^st Movement. Everyone is cheered up, including Minim, whose image appears on most of the pages of the book. After actor/narrator Colm Feore (The Sum of All Fears, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, House of Cards) finishes his expressive reading, the chamber orchestra I Musici de Montréal performs Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (The Little Night Music) K.525, 4^th Movement. (I Musici de Montréal gives outstanding performances on both pieces of music). The back matter includes a few more details about Mozart. Inserted into the CD pocket is a flyer with a unique code for the digital download of the recordings. The first in a planned series, “Little Stories of Great Composers,” this book and CD are an excellent introduction to Mozart for young elementary students. 

Website: https://www.thesecretmountain.com/

Sing Out!

 

Sing Out! Six Classic Folk Songs for Tomorrow. Performed by Sin and Swoon. Illustrated by Sophie Casson. Book with CD (approx.. 17 minutes). The Secret Mountain, 2020. 156 p. $16.95. 978-2-924774-85-4. Preschool-Kindergarten

    This picture book presents six traditional songs, three of which were published as individual picture books in 2018. I reviewed those three books in this blog on November 18, 2018: “Pop Goes the Weasel,” “She’ll Be Coming ‘Round the Mountain,” and “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.” The other three songs in this volume are “Little Bingo,” “This Old Man,” and “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad.”

The book is illustrated with brightly colored, stylized, and folksy illustrations. Each page contains a verse or a phrase from the song. The print is large, so that beginning readers would be able to read the words while listening to the music. On the CD, excellent background musicians perform on acoustic and electric guitars, bass, banjo, mandolin, lapsteel, kora, trombone, trumpet, accordion, and drums and percussion. The vocalists sing beautifully, clearly enunciating the words. Each of the songs is in a musical style suited to the song; i.e., “She’ll Be Coming ‘Round the Mountain” is a toe-tapping bluegrass song featuring tight harmonies. “Little Bingo,” with dog howls, is a bouncy rock song with rhyming words: bing-o, ring-o, king-o, etc. “This Old Man,” in folk rock style, counts up to ten. “Pop Goes the Weasel,” is an upbeat, fast accordion folk piece. “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad” is a fun country tune. “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” is a soft folk song accompanied by a quiet acoustic guitar, and light, clear female vocals.

Inserted into the CD pocket is a flyer with a unique code for the digital download of all recordings and a printable file of the illustrated lyrics. This book and the songs are great resources for passing along traditional songs to the next generation.  

Website: https://www.thesecretmountain.com/

A Mind of Your Own

 

A Mind of Your Own. Performed by The Bright Siders. CD. Approx. 39 min. Smithsonian Folk Ways Recordings. 2021. CD: $20.00. Ages 5—10.

The brain child of Kristin Andreassen, songwriter, and Kari Groff, MD, child psychiatrist, and ten years in the making, this album’s goal is to help children connect to their emotions. An excellent line up of vocalists  perform the 11 original songs, some featuring lovely harmonies: The War & Treaty, Kristin Andreassen, Ed Helms, Kaia Kater, Oh Pep!, Gaby Moreno, Joey Ryan, Gabe Witcher, Zara Bode, Aaron Jonah Lewis, and Punch Brothers. In addition several children add their enthusiastic voices to the songs. The instrumentalists perform with excellence on various guitars, bass, mellotron, fiddle, banjo, violin, mandolin, organ, piano, drums and percussion. Bluegrass, pop, classic rock, and hard rock are only a few of the musical styles performed. Eight brief spoken skits introduce some of the songs. “The Song About Songs” explains that what makes a song a song is that you sing it and feel good. When children are having “The Mad Day,” they learn to calm down by taking deep breaths, letting them out slow, and letting the anger go. “Sad Is Not Forever” advises children to do something they think is fun to chase away the lonely blues. Make new friends while keeping the old “Forever Friends.” When you feel left out and excluded, “You Do You,” because you are cool anyway. “Vamos a Jugar” features a Spanish speaker and an English speaker sharing with each other the names of playground equipment in each language. Although life may seem like “Jumping Through Hoops,” you can always come out the other side. “Oops! I Made a Mistake” and can’t get it out of my brain. “The Moon & the Stars & Me” are watching over the world until the sun comes back. “Bully This” explains that bullies are not brave or cool, and that you are not their walking mat. The album ends with a reprise of “The Song About Songs.” The accompanying booklet includes activities that parents can do with their children that relate to each song, making this album an excellent resource for parents; while the appealing, catchy songs and skits will be enjoyed by both generations.

Website: https://www.thebrightsiders.com/

Let's Go, Pistachio

 

Let’s Go, Pistachio. Performed by Kelli Welli. CD. Approx. 38 min. 2021. Kelli Caldwell. Price: CD: $12.00 + $2.80 shipping; Digital: $9.00.  Preschool – Gr 2

Award-winning Kelli Caldwell, (aka Kelli Welli), has been voted one of the top five performers in Portland, Oregon. Here she performs 15 energetic and bouncy original songs in country, bluegrass, pop, and classic rock musical styles. The instrumentalists give jaunty and expressive performances on guitars, mandolin, ukulele, banjo, bass, accordion; drums, kalimba,  percussion, and siren whistle. Kelli’s vocals are wonderfully capable of handling both the silly and the more thoughtful songs. Children and adults lend their enthusiastic voices in the background. In “The Hat Song,” putting on an appropriate hat can make one feel like a pirate, astronaut, cowpoke, or the birthday child. Those who are “The Smilers” shine brighter than the sun and make every day better. When a young girl gets her new wheelchair, “She’s So Bright” because the future’s in her eyes and brightness is her state of mind. One child is “Growing Like a Stringbean,” weed, and tree, and blooming like a flower. Is this nut a “Peanut Pinenut” or some other kind of nut? When Pistachio goes to a party and opens all the presents and eats all the cake, his companion has to say, “Let’s Go, Pistachio.” Nobody jumps like “Jumpin’ Beans” who can hop like a frog, bounce like a bunny, and pounce like a cat. “Tinkle, Tinkle, Toot” may encourage toddlers who are learning to use a potty. “I’m Proud of You”—proud of what you have done and proud of who you are. Because a child lost her tooth, “Tonight I’ll Be Brushing One Less Tooth.” A child waits for his turn patiently in “The Waiting Song.” A child loves “Kickin’ It with My Chicken” as her chicken rocks and bocks (with chicken sound effects). A child “Can’t Find My Appendix,” his tonsils, or his front teeth, although he has looked everywhere for them. A caterpillar muses that “I’ll Be a Butterfly” and fly so high someday. A family is tired, hungry, and their bladders are bursting, but “We’re Almost There.” This entertaining album will have children singing and dancing along.

Website: http://kelliwelli.com/ 

Make It Happen!

 

Make It Happen! Performed by Stacey Peasley. CD. Approx. 29 min. 2021. CD: $9.99; Digital: $7.99. Ages 2--8

Award-winning Stacey Peasley presents her 5^th children’s album, performing 10 bright, breezy, bouncy and energetic songs. Formerly a member of the girl band The Chiclettes, Peasley’s vocals soar in pop musical style, with hints of rock, jazz, and calypso motifs. Vitalijus Lisovskis joins one song with his outstanding tenor sax, while Matthew Girard performs on another with his brilliant trumpet. Peasley wants to change the world, make it a better place, and spread peace around, so she’s determined to “Make It Happen.” A child with skinned knees, stubbed toes, and bumped chin wants to tell someone about their “Boo Boo.” Running for president, playing guitar and soccer, are just some of “What Girls Do.” Chugging down the track is the “Choo Choo” heading out of town. People are marching, cymbals are crashing, and crowds are clapping “At the Parade.” Children put on uniforms and lace their shoes as they get ready to “Play the Game.” At a birthday party with a magic show, games and a bouncy house, party goers are given a “Goodie Bag.” A person may cry “Happy Tears” of joy when someone smiles at them, takes their hand or hugs them. A child goes for their swimming lesson at the “Swimming Pool,” with their favorite towel and bathing suit. In the background, listeners can hear a lifeguard, children’s voices, and splashing water. “Soapy Bubbles” are in a child’s tub, in their hair and make them laugh. This fun album will have children and parents singing along.  

Website: https://staceypeasley.com/

Top 10 Music

This year I reviewed 25 physical CD albums for this blog that had been sent to me by PR professionals and individuals. Since School Library Journal seems to no longer have any interest in reviewing music for children, others like myself have tried to take up the slack. In  the past, School Library Journal's December issue would include a list of "Top 10 Music"--albums selected by the volunteer music reviewers.  I have not listened to every album that was produced this year. But I decided to make a list of the 10 albums that I thought were among the best that I listened to and reviewed this year. Each of these 10 selections were, in my opinion, a little more creative, more musically diverse, and had that little something extra that put them over the top. Here, in order by title of the album, is my list: