Wow. Sklar and I had the treat of seeing REM live in the 5th row at Merriweather last night. It was unbelieveable, and the band started off with noneother than Finest Worksong which rocked. Needless to say, it was a classic REM night to remember.
This is big. Although painfully corporate, the Disney Music Block Party Tour is coming to Merriweather (and a town near you) this summer. And yes, it's the Lolla of tours for kids - Dan Zanes, Ralph's World and TMBG all on one bill! And my friend Mike will be happy to hear that Choo Choo Soul is on ticket as well.
Of course its a Tuesday and a Wednesday during the week - so insanely, you'd have to take off to see this show, or see them in Philly that weekend but miss TMBG. Tough calls. Of course at $36 a pop for all but your 2 year olds, it's a bit steep. But I think I'd have more fun here than at this year's sweat and dirt covered V-Festival.
But it's pretty clear that their inclusion this year's birthday mix fits the kid-friendly / family friendly bill. enjoy and let me know what you think of it.
Happy Memorial Day! At the club today, I learned I had fans, or at least, a fan - that's you David R. - if you forgot, get Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots by The Flaming Lips, it's their best work IMHO, and if you and Dad are feeling adventurous, try Skylarking and Oranges & Lemons by XTC.
Now for the rest of you - what's been going on in kindie rock land? Well the giant of all kids artists Ralph's World just released his lastest "The Rhyming Circus." I have not heard it, but I trust Zooglobble's review http://www.zooglobble.com/archives/2008/05/review_the_rhyming_circus_ralphs_wo.html and know it's on my short list.
I've also posted about them before, but The Jimmies continue to grow on me. It's such a great meld of power pop, kindie rock, and a touch of someone I cannot recall from the 80s that I love it. More importantly, the kids love it too. A & S each love different tracks proving (a) they are a band that appeals to all and (b) my twins are two different people. Hear more here: http://www.gimmejimmies.com/
As for you adults out there (and you David R.), I just got wind of the Foxboro Hottubs (the pseudonym of Green Day) which is one fun hot LP. I think I love it because it moves fast and dirty, just like Accelerate by R.E.M. Both are must have CDs or downloads for your summer roadtrips. And if you are downloading, spend the extra $1.98 and get the R.E.M. b-sides (or really splurge another $3.96 and get the live versions of 4 songs) from Accelerate which harken back to the days of Reckoning and Chronic Town. Redhead Walking and Airline are vintage R.E.M. which could have fallen through a worm hole in 1982 and ended up here and brand new. The whole CD is solid work, and those 2 tracks are icing on the cake. It's been well worth the wait. From there, I expect to shortly get into early dbs, X, Stooges, Television, and the Minutemen - all of which inspired these 2 fine releases.
If the late ska / reggae influenced music is more your thing, get Vampire Weekend. It had a huge deal of hype (i guess because they are Columbia grads with an indie-EP) but I think it lives up to it. It reminds me (and every other reviewer) of early Talking Heads, Police, Clash, and English Beat. Their self titled debute major release is worth the $9.99 to hear it all summer long.
Lastly, yes, I voted for David Cook. I'm thrilled he won. I downloaded Dream Big. It's a great cheesy driving song. Enjoy.
it was a great time. music wise was a bit unimpressive. i had high hopes for the beale street scene, but most was just more lousy bar bands. we did listen to an impressive about of elvis (aloha from hawaii), johnny cash (essential cash), and of course early R.E.M. Dueling Banjos was played several times as well.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
-----Original Message----- From: David Rosenberg <djrphilly@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 16 May 2008 13:37:03 To:Adam Rosenberg <adamcrosenberg@gmail.com> Subject: Elvis
Well friends, this is the annual CD that started it all and led to the blog. The annual mix cd that we give out at the twins' birthday party. It's a hot item and people long to collect them. It's whole premise has always been to provide music that isn't the same old tripe that's been put out for kids for years, nor is it music that is older than them.
This is true "kindie rock".
The songs have been vetted by my kids and they give them the thumbs up or down of approval. This year has expecially been put together by A&S - so yes some of the songs may be a bit naseating for some adults, but all in all, they represent the great movement that has exploded in kids music, fortunately around the same time our kids were born.
This year has a bare theme of pirates - we have 3 songs about pirates on the cd. The girls wanted a pirate party and for about 6 months we were geared up to something ridiculous at home. Fortunately, the pirate ship at Ultimate Play Zone did the trick.
So, without further ado (and a hearty welcome to you first time readers - explore the blog, you'll get some great music tips for you and your kids) - behind the CD 2008. Post your comments, tell me what you liked!
1. Pirates - Milkshake(from the album Play!) Milkshake also coincided with our own discovery of Kindie Rock. Lisa & Michael from Milkshake have been putting together great kids music for years now and I make it point to include their work on my cd. We're all big fans and whatever we can do to promote them is great. Go to milkshakemusic.com to hear and see more video.
2. My Green Kite – Peter Himmelman(from the album My Green Kite). As I previously wrote, in December 2007, the other son of Bob has put together a wonderful album full of funny songs that you can easily sing along to and that are smarter than the average bear. My Green Kite was even nominated for a grammy this year. It's solid. Check out www.peterhimmelman.com/kids.html for more as well as a link to free podcast of Peter playing some songs for the Land of Nod.
3. That’s How You Know – Amy Adams(from Enchanted OST). This song comes on from Disney's very funny Enchanted movie and the whole family starts singing. The steel drum and calypso sounds make this a perfect Disney song, even if the movie has its tounge firmly planted in cheek. Read my review from December 2007 as well, and go rent the movie.
4. What’s On Your Shirt? - The Jimmies(from Make Your Own Someday). Sounding a lot like early 80s alternapunk on some tracks, and sweet sing-a-long on others, The Jimmies come from NYC and deliver a great CD for the family. This track is the first my kids heard from it and they love it, especially the stains on the shirt. Look up http://www.gimmejimmies.com/ or their myspace page for more. The Jimmies are going to be hot - you heard it hear first.
5. Energy – The Apples In Stereo(from New Magnetic Wonder). Not a kids song, but my kids adore it. Its simple, catchy, Polyphonic Spree meets TMBG meets Schoolhouse Rock. If you like the weird brilliance of The Flaming Lips, then this is my present to you. http://www.applesinstereo.com/
6. High Five! – They Might Be Giants(from Here Come The 123's). Certainly this year's most hyped product, the band that many of us grew up with from the '80s has finally refined its kids product for our kids and manages to put together a canon of songs that fits neatly with much of their work. Sure, some of it is absurd, some of it drives my wife nuts, but the twins adore the cd. It's a new Schoolhouse Rock for a new century. Read my review http://finestworksongs.blogspot.com/2008/02/here-come-123s-they-might-be-giants.html and enjoy this hip disco single. View the video here
7. Let’s Go Everywhere – Medeski, Martin & Wood(from Let's Go Everywhere). Let's just start by saying that I have loved this jazz funk trio for 15 years since I saw them at CBGB's (yes I am dropping names). The fact they came up with a jazz funk disc, for kids, makes them awesomer. This modern update of the Johnny Cash classic (see track 18) is a hoot. Read the review http://finestworksongs.blogspot.com/2008/03/mmws-letmusic-for-kids-and-you-as-well.html and enjoy the music!
8. Smile Smile Smile – Dan Zanes & Friends(from Night Time!). I didn't "get" the Dan Zanes phenomenon when I first started listening 5 years ago. Maybe I wasn't ready for it, maybe it was the hype. Night Time! brought me around - this a great CD for your kids. This lead single, which gets lots of play on Disney, is a treat. It's just right for this age group and its sweet and safe. Musically, its real sharp.
9. Spanimals – The Jimmies. What makes this track standout is the cool latin salsa beat, the smart use of spanish to teach animals, and the excellent video that is way too cool for kids. Available on youtube, at their website http://www.gimmejimmies.com/spanimals.html, or here
10. Don’t Let Us Bug Ya – Andy Partridge(from The Best of The Land of Nod Store Music, Vol. 2). Here's a hard to find track, from the hard to find genius behind the great 80s band XTC. Partridge apparrently put together a proposed soundtrack to a kids movie that got scrapped. The songs however, are fine XTC work aimed at kids, and their parents.
11. Birthday - Milkshake (unreleased). Milkshake did a set of songs for Discovery's Todd's World, Noggin's Jack's Big Music Show, and PBS. This was one of them, and its perfect for the Cd. Thanks Lisa!
12. Feet – Peter Himmelman "Shmendick loves his feet" and so do my kids.
13. Pirate Girls Nine – They Might Be Giants Admittedly, this may be the song that has you question my choices - but its catchy, its quirky, it has twins, and its about pirates, so it had to make the cd.
14. Beadhead – The Jimmies I see all these kids (especially the boys) come into school with beadhead and I thought this was a perfect song for them. Its also a bit more punk like than the other Jimmies tracks.
15. If You Ever See An Owl … - The Terrible Twos (from If You Ever See An Owl). This is a cool cd that came out last year. The band does double time as The New Amsterdams and they have a great accoustic sound. It's really an enjoyable chill out cd for kids that satisfies throughout. Sort of like Ralph's World (absent from this CD but due for new material in May) without the weirdness. if you like it, sample the rest at their myspace page http://www.myspace.com/theterribletwosband
16. Happy Working Song – Amy Adams Proving that this movie had a sense of humor, this track parodies the classic Disney clean up songs. If you've seen the movie, you'll laugh. Listen close to the words.
17. Down By The Riverside – Dan Zanes & Friends 18. I’ve Been Everywhere – Webb Wilder & The Blue Sea (from Lightning McQueen's Fast Tracks). Johnny Cash did it first, and this cover by country music legend Webb Wilder kicks some butt here. Between track 7 and this one, you'll have been everywhere.
19. 7 Days Of The Week (I Never Go To Work) - TMBG 20. The Na Na Song – Dan Nichols & Ei8hteen (from Be Strong). Isaac, the guitar wielding pied piper from the kids school plays this song all the time. What kid doesn't like to go "na na na"? http://www.jewishrock.com/index2.asp
21. Lady Bug – The Terrible Twos
22. Hello Happiness - Milkshake (unreleased). Lisa and Milkshake demoed some songs for Club Med this year. Our local favorites have become their soundtrack. You can download the two chosen for Club Med here http://miniclubmedsong.fullsix.com/. But with apologies to those who voted, and with thanks to Lisa, this track which is included just for you is the best one. Hope it sees the light of day one day.
23. Pay Me My Money Down – Dan Zanes & Friends I wanted to include the longer Springsteen version from Live In Dublin, but it was too long for the disc. The kids love this one anyway.
24. Pirates Don’t Take Baths – Medeski, Martin & Wood A second great fun song from MMW and of course is pirate themed.
The Bonus Track25. Mr. Rabbit - Paul Westerberg(from Stereo). Paul Westerberg is one of the great songwriter singers of the last 25 years. Between his groundbreaking early 80s post punk with The Replacements and his solo accoustic work, I always enjoy Westerberg. I figured since last year's bonus track was Birthday Gal, an unreleased 'Mats song, you all deserve some more Westerberg. This one came from a 2002 solo release and stuck in my head. It's kid friendly enough.
