Playin' in a Rock and Roll Band

A couple photos of the Daddy A Go Go Band, straight from the Daddy himself. What I wouldn't give to play rock and roll with my kid ... does anyone know of a drumset suitable for an 18-month-old?

{Max Boydston, 13; Jonathan Paz, 16; John Boydston "age redacted"; Jake Boydston, 16}

In action at The Melting Point, Athens, Georgia.

Friday Free-for-All # 2

Music is just flying out of the mailbox:

Steven Zelin, Magical Boxes

The "Singing CPA" presents his first CD for kids, a collection of Toddler classics and original tunes. This native New Yorker's style is a little too precious for my taste, but if you need to supplement your preschool music stash, go for it.



Wendy Gelsanliter, I'm Hungry, I Need a Bandaid

The third kids' CD from this educator and current New Yorker. Lower-Elementary children would dig Wendy's original songs of kids' everyday highs and woes, expertly performed by her low-key rock band. Also includes covers of Guthrie's "Pick It Up" and Drake, Hoffman, & Livingston's "Mairzy Doats", with illustrations by G. Brian Karas.


Gunnar Madsen, I'm Growing

An amAAAAAzingly inventive bunch of songs from this Berkeley-based composer, performer, and filmmaker, and his third CD for kids. The stacks of vocals are what make this album shine brighter than most children's CDs, sounding at times like the Beach Boys on uberBroadway steroids. Brilliant songwriting and performances!


Key Wilde, It's So Good

If this EP's ska title song and punky "Favorite Names" are any indication of what to expect from a full-length release, you should keep your eye on these Brooklynites. Songwriting team Key Wilde and Richard Clarke (aka Mr. Clarke) have been in the music biz for a while, but have only just now recorded songs for kids. Tongue-in-cheek fun.

***Doug Beavers Rovira Jazz Orchestra***

Imagine a Toddler Las Vegas, a Rat Pack of sippy cup totin' hipsters ... I'm pretty sure this would be the music they would be digging! Now, I've said before that if a kids' performer decides to record nursery rhymes or folk tunes, they'd better bring something different to the table. And much like Josh Levine's salsa-fest Josh Levine for Kids or Rockosaurus Rex's metalhead heaven The Big Bang, the Doug Beavers Rovira Jazz Orchestra does just that: Classic kiddie tunes are given a super swingin' treatment that'll have your junior Chairman of the Board's fingers a-poppin'.

Jazz, Baby! is an amazingly solid collection of songs, performed by a crack team of musicians, and sung by Matt Catingub and Linda Harmon. No low points or draaagging tracks here: From the opening horns of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" to the subdued 4/4 - 3/4 arrangement of "Brahms Lullaby", play this one from beginning to end without reserve. Highlights include the Steely Dan / Manhattan Transfer-style vocals of "Itsy Bitsy Spider"; the Louis Prima / Keely Smith samba of "She'll Be Comin' Round the Mountain"; and the big, wide-open organic production of the whole project - very tight but very real (sounds like you're in the same room with the whole band!).

Kids who already know these songs will get the biggest kick out of listening to Jazz, Baby! ... I can just see 'em, cranking this album up and singing along as loudly as they can! Also highly recommended for parents who are sick of listening to the same damned CD of classic kids' tunes ... This fresh but familiar bunch of preschool hits will make a great addition to classrooms, libraries, and homes.

***Daddy A Go Go***

Amps to eleven, Fenders to the fore ... Daddy A Go Go is back in town! Everybody's favorite guitar dude returns with his sixth album for kids, Rock of All Ages, a CD full of puns, parental pop music winks, and headbanging riffs. There are allusions to "Roll Over Beethoven", "Be-Bop-A-Lula", "She Caught the Katy", Dark Side of the Moon, and American Bandstand ... and that's just in the first song! (Hey, the album title is a Badfinger tune!) From the rave-up "School Bus Driver" to the anthemic travelogue "Idaho!" to the absolutely ridiculous "Root Beer", John Boydston lets the jokes fly and the rock and roll thunder.

A lot's happened since the release of 2006's Eat Every Bean and Pea on Your Plate: Boydston and his two sons played gigs as the Daddy A Go Go Band at both the Austin Kiddie Limits Music Festival and the SXSW Music Festival, and guitar slinger Rick Derringer recorded one of Boydston's songs for his latest album Rockin' American. Not bad for a dad from Atlanta, huh?

"Rock of Ages" kicks off the album with a buzzing six-string and a karate kick, followed by two singalongs, "Nana-Nana Boo-Boo" and "School Bus Driver", that are perfectly crafted for live show audience participation. And if KISS made kids' music, I think it would sound kinda like "Idaho!", featuring drum/cowbell breakdown.

Then comes a pummeling version of "What a Wonderful World", via Joey Ramone; and the deliciously corny campfire tune "The Root Beer Song", in which Boydston stops the kids' accompaniment due to their overzealous emphasis on the wrong word in the chorus, and making him think twice about teaching the kids songs about Helsinki and Amsterdam.

Next up is "John Barleycorn Must Dye", Boydston's slap-back rockabilly nod to Traffic, which presents the tale of a kid who's a little too enthusiastic with his tie dyeing; then a rockin' cover of the Royal Guardsmen's "Snoopy vs The Red Baron"; and "Get Yer Yo-Yo's Out", Boydston's shout out to the Stones' 1970 live album (arguably their best official concert recording).

Boydston rounds off the album with "Money Doesn't Grow on Trees", a song that questions Grandad's words of wisdom, and bears a more than passing resemblance to the Stones' "Dead Flowers"; "I Lost My Teddy Bear", a tune about letting go of childhood toys; and a solid cover of Chuck Berry's "Around and Around", featuring Max and Jake Boydston (13 and 16 respectively) on guitar and bass, and their buddy Jonathan Paz on drums.

Remember, kids' music shouldn't be the beginning or end of your child's exploration of the world of music. If they dig guitars, make 'em an mp3 compilation of tunes by, say, Chuck Berry, the Rolling Stones, Boston, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and the Ramones, see what sticks. Throw in some Daddy A Go Go, and if they're tickled by the goofy asides and silly lyrics, turn them on to Dr. Demento, Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band, Weird Al, or They Might Be Giants.

Most importantly: Take your kids to see a live show! Daddy A Go Go has played some impressive festivals and venues lately, so check his schedule to see if he's coming to a town near you. Next stop: Cobo Hall!

Friday Free-for-All # 1

Here are the kids' music CDs I've received over the past week. I've included links to the artists' home pages and sites where the CDs can be sampled and purchased. Have fun!


Suzi Shelton, No Ordinary Day

Her second solo CD for children includes covers of Dylan and Bowie. Well-produced pop songs about real-life kid issues. Several of these songs would fit right in on a tween soundtrack.

Thaddeus Rex, Shakin' in Chicago

The third CD from T. Rex. This Windy City-themed album features Pinetop Perkins and Koko Taylor on one track, and includes a cover of "25 or 6 to 4"! Kinda like a mix of The Violent Femmes, Natalie Merchant, and PBS Kids.




Rebecca Frezza, Special Kind of Day

Rebecca's fourth kids' CD, in keeping with the "day" theme that seems to be forming here. I guess you can't have just a plain old day... Similar to Suzi's CD, but with more electric guitars.




Daddy A Go Go, Rock of All Ages

The sixth CD from John Boydston includes homages to Joey Ramone, Chuck Berry, and the Royal Guardsmen. And his teenage sons help with the rockin'! Guitars and jokes galore.

Cello challenge

I saw this on another Kindermusik educator's blog. If you click here, you will be able to use your mouse to play the cello. See if you have what it takes to stay in tune with the orchestra! I just *squeaked* through.

Friday Free-for-All!

Each Friday I will feature every CD that comes across my desk. There's a TON of kids' music out there, so while I continue to post full reviews of what I consider to be the best of the best, everyone who sends music will get a shout out. I'll include links to artists' websites so you and your kids can check out a few samples, see if you dig 'em.

See you this Friday, February 22, 2008!

Reading is Fundamental!...no, wait, the Miasma of War is Fundamental!

Not surprising news from the White House:

President Bush Eliminates Funding for Reading Is Fundamental’s Historic Book Distribution Program Serving 4.6 Million Children

Statement from Carol H. Rasco, president and CEO, of Reading Is Fundamental

"President Bush’s proposed budget calling for the elimination of Reading Is Fundamental’s (RIF) Inexpensive Book Distribution program would be devastating to the 4.6 million children and their families who receive free books and reading encouragement from RIF programs at nearly 20,000 locations throughout the U.S.

“Unless Congress reinstates $25.5 million in funding for this program, RIF would not be able to distribute 16 million books annually to the nation’s youngest and most at-risk children. RIF programs in schools, childcare centers, migrant programs, military bases, and other locations serve children from low-income families, children with disabilities, foster and homeless children, and children without access to libraries. The Inexpensive Book Distribution program is authorized under the Elementary & Secondary Education Act (SEC.5451 Inexpensive Book Distribution Program for Reading Motivation) and is not funded through earmarks. It has been funded by Congress and six Administrations without interruption since 1975.

“Since its founding in 1966, RIF’s programs have played an important role in improving literacy in this country. The U.S. Department of Education has shown that the number of books in a child’s home is a significant predictor of academic achievement. In addition, RIF programs also support academic achievement by involving hundreds of thousands of volunteers and other caring adults in encouraging children to read for fun. We urge all Americans to contact their Congressional representatives and ask them to reinstate funding for this important program.”

If you want to get involved, follow this link. But really, people, attack stuff like this from the bottom up: Contact your Mayors, your County Representatives, your District Representatives, your School Principals, your local Librarians, your children's School Media Specialists ... I have very little faith that sending an email to the office of George or Dick will accomplish anything. A grassroots movement beginning with you, dear reader, now that I have faith in.