Posts Tagged ‘Music’

Chances are, you’ve just about had it with the constant dinging of holiday music that seems to come from every conceivable speaker this time of year. Your kids, however, are probably bouncing right along with Rudolph and Bing, loving the familiar tunes. Children seem to have that internal music gene where they are naturally drawn to it.

Start a new family tradition in the New Year by bringing more music into your home. If you’re not exactly musical, All Together Singing in the Kitchen: Creative Ways to Make and Listen to Music as a Family is a great place to start. The authors, Katryna and Nerissa Nields, are sisters and folk singers who provide a CD of 30 songs, popular lyrics, games, and much more in their new book.

As Dan Zanes points out in the foreward, “The music that we make with our young people will have a positive impact on their lives and shape their world forever. Music making is proven to be a tremendous help in the socialization process; it provides a way for people of different cultural vantage points to find common ground; it stimulates the brain and helps establish the pathways that are crucial for learning during all stages of life; and, let’s not forget, music is wildly enjoyable.”

Works for us, pass the tamborine.

Available at Amazon.com and Independent Booksellers

Forget the baby stuff: Your kids like real music, but it’s a challenge to find something the whole brood can enjoy.

Ziggy Marley’s new album, Family Time, will be released tomorrow with a rainbow of kid-friendly tunes that adults will want to jam to as well. Themes of family, from those at home to the worldwide community, are echoed through the voices of Marley and friends like Paul Simon, Jack Johnson, Willie Nelson, Elizabeth Mitchell and Laurie Berkner, who collaborate on various serene songs. Inspired by Marley’s two young children, this feel-good music inspires peace, creativity, open minds and open hearts.

Play it during family time.

Available at ziggymarley.com.

Summer weekend getaways mean bumper-to-bumper traffic and cloying kids’ music in the car. Your only option is to spice things up with a little variety. Check out these new releases to get you and your brood through the dog days of summer.

Jerzy the Giant by the Terrible Twos: This collection of upbeat “playground pop songs” is the second album from the Terrible Twos. Matt Pryor (also of the New Amsterdams) gives parents and kids alike a true gift: a pleasant and inviting voice that is easy on the ears. Shades of Weezer pop up throughout, and the feel-good music and snappy tempo make it impossible to be in a bad mood. Can’t-miss numbers include Jerzy the Giant, The Plan, Elliott Oooh, Jump, Jump, Jump and Watch Out for the Lions.

Rocketship Run by the Laurie Berkner Band: Laurie Berkner is the closest thing children’s music has to a rock legend. And she doesn’t disappoint with Rocketship Run, her first new album in six years. With quirky lyrics and an indie-folk style, it’s hallmark Berkner. This time she introduces us to Candy Cane Jane, who owns a horse with a candy cane mane, and Gumdrop Joe, who likes to play in that snow. Berkner closes by paying homage to Frank Sinatra, with a captivating rendition of Fly Me to the Moon.

Alphabet Rockers: Get rid of the kiddie lyrics, and this music might actually make it onto your iPod. The standouts? The Seven Days of the Week, which has a sort of Dido/Sheryl Crow thing going on, and the happy soul-infused The Rainbow Song, which sounds very India Arie. Listeners will also detect hints of Salt ‘n’ Pepa and The Beastie Boys from these two San Fran musicians.

Ladybug One by the Harmonica Pocket: Don’t be turned off by the insect soliloquies peppered throughout the album. With their soothing voices, Harmonica Pocket, an indie-pop-folk group that hails from the land of Starbucks and grunge rockers, can be quite Simon & Garfunkel at times. Particularly ear-worthy are the two instrumental songs at the end of the album, which are so mesmerizing you’ll swear you’re back in college chilling out to George Winston.

When the offspring outnumber the band members, maybe it’s time for a change of genre.

Barenaked Ladies just released Snacktime, a collection of original children’s songs. Now that the “Ladies” are dads, they wanted to make music for kids who love all tunes, from The Beatles to Black Eyed Peas. Be sure to check out the single “7 8 9,” about a much-neglected number.

It’s the kind of music you can count on.

Available at bnlmusic.com.