Life on a Trampoline

Life on a Trampoline. CD. Performed by Randy Sharp and Dave Kinnoin. Approx. 39 min. Prod. by Song Wizard Records. 2017. $14.98. 

Grades K – 4

            Award-winning Randy & Dave present 12 original wacky songs in several musical styles including polka, folk, country, jazz, rock, blues, and pop on this second album. Randy and a couple of guest musicians handle the excellent performances on guitar, bass, electric sitar, banjo, mandolin, Dobro, saxophone, harmonica, keys, electric piano and drums. “Enjoy It While You Can” details the shenanigans at the fish cannery. A kid hopes that no one remembers the disasters he caused the “Last Time I Was Here.” “Squadoosh” is an imaginary monster. One song is “Not About” anything, anyone, or any place. “Betty Mumbles” so that her words have a mashed potatoes sound. One person is “Happy to Help” as long as it doesn’t put him out too much. A couple of siblings declare that “We Don’t Share.” The title song tells of the short kid who loves flying high in “Life on a Trampoline.” The other songs include “Semolina,” “That Thing,” “A Weird Thing Happened,” and “So What If I Do?” This funny album will keep all its listeners amused and entertained. 

Mr. Pancake Man

Mr. Pancake Man. CD. Performed by Music Man Dave. 28 min. Prod. by David Rodgers. 2016. $12.99. 

Grades PS – 3

            David Rodgers, aka Music Man Dave, presents 13 original songs in an upbeat, pop rock musical style. His vocal style is very similar to that of Joe McDermott. “To the Beat” encourages listeners to participate in the movements. “Numbers in My Bath” extols the value of mathematics. “Like an Elephant” encourages listeners to imitate animal movements. The other songs include “Song to Say Hello,” “If I Could Fly,” “Mr. Pancake Man,” “I’ve Got Two Legs,” “Good at Things (with a guest female singer),” “Months of the Year,” “Toast and Omelettes,” “Meet Peter Pan,” “Out on the Town,” and “Goodbye Now.” A happy, bouncy album.

Songs About Us

Songs About Us. Performed by Kerry Fenster. CD. Approx. 15 min. Produced by Muzic School. 2016. $9.98.

This award-winning album is designed to teach children of all ages and developmental abilities to learn vital social skills, especially those with special needs, such as Down syndrome, and autism. The album includes four original songs, and one adapted cover song, all in pop/rock musical styles. The vocal and instrumental (guitar, bass guitar, drums and percussion) performances are excellent. "Quiet Hands" encourages listeners to keep their hands to themselves, and not hurt others. "Use Your Words" asks listeners to repectfully speak to others. Listeners are reminded to brush their teeth, bathe, and wear clean clothing in "Hygiene." And for those who feel crowded, they are allowed to step away and create more "Personal Space." Fenster also does an excellent cover of "Pinball Wizard," for which he has adapted some of the lyrics; for example, he replaced "deaf, dumb, and blind kid" with "cute, cool, kind kid." I grew up with a sister with Down syndrome, and I believe my parents would have really appreciated an album like this when she was younger.

Julie Frost Kids

Julie Frost Kids. CD. Approx. 41 min. Produced by Julie Frost Kids. 2017. $15.99. Grades K-4.

Julie Frost presents 12 bouncy, energetic tunes in rock, R&B, jazz, and pop musical styles. Her lovely vocals are light and clear. Her excellent backup musicians perform on piano, guitar, bass, drums, trombone, trumpet, saxophone, violin, viola, cello, and double bass. In "Rhythm and Blues," Julie discovers different musical styles, such as R & B, pop, boy bands, and Beyonce. "Homework" encourages listeners to do their homework every day. "Pump It Up" is an energetic dance song that also encourages listeners to make friends using the four "S's": smile, say hello, say your name, and shake hands. The "Lean Green Eating Machine" encourages listeners to pursue a healthy diet. The other songs include "I'm Julie Frost," "Colors in My Crayon Box," "How Lucky I Am," "We Get One," "My Words," "Choose Happy," "My Beautiful World," and "Dare to Dream." This fun album will get listeners up and dancing around. Check out her website at http://www.juliefrostkids.com.

Live in Colour

Live in Colour. Performed by Marlowe and the Mix. Approx. 34 min. Prod. Marlowe and the Mix. $8.00. 2016.

Grades 1-5

Award-winning Marlowe Stone presents 10 high-energy pop songs which encourage kids to move and sing along. She is joined by Rj, Mr. Starr, and the MiX KiDS, all of whom contribute to this blending of Top 40 pop sounds with family-friendly lyrics. “Live in Colour” extols the virtues of dancing and living fully. “Picture Me in NYC” celebrates all the sights and sites of New York City. Sleepover fun is the subject of “Lights Out.” A shy girl dances by herself in the basement in “Music & the Mirror.” “Gemini” is all about astrology signs. The hip hop number “Hi 5” describes life as a roller coaster with ups and downs. “Change is Good,” with the example of a caterpillar morphing into a butterfly. A kid is addicted to video games in “Video Game Insane.” The other two songs are “Show Your Glow” and “Allstars Shine On.” Young listeners will groove to these lively songs.

Homespun

Homespun. Performed by The Battersby Duo. Approx. 38 min. Prod. by BatDuo Music Publishing. $10.00. 2016.

Grade 1 and up

Laura and Tim Battersby, aka The Battersby Duo, present 12 original songs in folk, bluegrass, country, rock jug band jazz, and pop musical styles. Special guest musicians Laura Sullivan and Terry a la Berry played piano and drums; other great musicians performed on guitar, fiddle, dobro bass, banjo, clarinet, trumpet, tuba, and cello. A hodgepodge tribute to the Battersby’s family members, this album includes “Homespun,” “Marathon Man,” “Otherwise I Feel Alright,” “Walk Away,” “You Can’t Judge a Book” (don’t judge others by appearance and be kind to one another), “Nobody Like You and Me,” “Apostrophe and the Marks,” “Pearl,” “Freedom,” “Rhymes,” “My Guitar Speaks for Me,” and “For Evermore.” This down-home album will appeal to the whole family.

Post Folk Absurdist

Music CD Review

Post Folk Absurdist. Performed by Funkinships. 2016. Approx. 42 min. $13.99

          Led by Derek McGee and Charlie Chamberlain, this album was partly created aboard the Mystic Whaler on the Hudson River. This silly and humorous album includes hip hop/rap, bluegrass, reggae and blues musical styles. The musicians perform primarily on stringed instruments such as guitar, mandolin, banjo, ukulele, and violin. “Sea Legs” encourages listeners to get up and dance along. “The Platypus and Steve Buscemi” describes the unique characteristics of platypuses, eels, penguins and bats. “Kid Van Winkle” will not stop playing his video game, having to beat one more level, as he grows older and older. In “Chicken Flap Fly,” Duke the rooster wants to be the first rooster to fly. In this partly spoken, partly sung story, the chickens eventually receive a postcard from Duke in Mexico who states that flying is the greatest thing in the world, but the walk to the airport was a pain in the tail feathers. “The Great Whale Ball” includes puns and double entendres. The other songs include “A Dragon Tale,” “If You Can’t Sing Well, Sing Loud,” “The Shad and the Eel,” “Nightmare on the Kid’s Menu,” and “Left Foot, Right Foot” which extols the benefits of walking. Both children and parents will enjoy singing along to these fun and lively tunes.