Peter Himmelman - My Green Kite

I just discovered the refreshing release from that other son of Bob, Peter Himmelman, called My Green Kite. If only Jakob Dylan would continue to write and record so well.

My Green Kite is Himmelman's latest kids album and its a gem. Himmelman has a long and prolific eclectice career ranging from the power jangle of Alex Chilton like pop, to new and traditional Jewish music, to some modern folk to the occasional kids collection. Pulling together the tunefulness, playfulness, and best elements of XTC to TMBG (They Might Be Giants) Himmelman puts together a thoroughly enjoyable set of tunes for all to enjoy. If the subject matter wasn't so endearingly simple and funny, he'd have a great release for us adults.

Fortunately for us, and our kids, Himmelman kept it for the kids. The title track, "My Green Kite", its simply great. The catchy chorus and cute air traffic control voice overs from the radio tower observing the kite of the song make it so much fun. Just as much fun on this album is "Feet" which as the title of most kids songs, suggests, is pretty easy to understand what the subject is.

My kids like it too. "A" says that the song about feet makes her laugh. She likes her feet and likes the shmendrick voice. "S" likes the green kite song because she likes green. and blue. and orange. and if the wind blows too hard she'll need bricks to keep her feet down on the ground.

Simple subject matters aside (afterall it is music for kids, not Radiohead) the voices, the tunes, the melody, and mood all make for enjoyable downloading for all. Available on itunes and amazon for download tonight.

New songs for vacation Pt. 1 - kids music

Just in time for winter travel, bountiful new music is available to share with my kids. My philosophy has always been "If I have to listen to it, I might as well enjoy it and create the playlist."

Just downloaded (as seen on my list to the left) are the three great songs from the soundtrack to Enchanted. Written by the great Disney team of Alan Menken (Little Mermaid & Beauty and the Beast) and Steven Schwartz of Wicked, these 3 songs are classic Disney princess songs which my two princesses immediately adored. The movie is pasable, but the songs are a heck of a lot of fun.

That's How You Know recalls the same calypso / reggae feel pioneered in Little Mermaid and True Love's Kiss is classic Beast.

Kudos to itunes as well for making the desireable songs downloadable individually as opposed to album only (which quite often happens with itunes). Three songs for 99 cents each - you cannot go wrong.

Next post - new Peter Himmelman. The son of Bob Dylan pens some great stuff for kids.