A Mother's Day Post (On The Heels of Father's Day)

Faithful readers of Singing in the Bathtub might begin to notice that I have one fan who out shines them all with her faithful devotion and thoughtful comments. An album review or a random musing is not complete until it is christened by my dear mother, Anne.


My singing voice, my love of music, my career in the field of early childhood education and many of my lesson plans can be attributed to her influence (also, some may say, my good looks!).

When I was just knee-high to a grasshopper, I attended the Congregational Church Nursery School in Westborough, MA. At the time my mother worked as an assistant teacher to defray the tuition, but by the time my younger sister and I were in elementary school she went on to be the director of the school.

(Here is the class of '83, can you pick me out?)

Sadly, this year the church decided to close the school down, and my Mother, for the first time in almost 30 years, will no longer be passing her wisdom and love onto a new crop of preschoolers come the fall. Though all good things must come to an end, I feel grateful that I can pick up this mantel and continue the work that we both feel so passionate about. And with each new post that I add to this blog, I will keep watching and waiting to see my comment counter read "1 comment."

Kid Quote of the Day: "Nicholas, do you want to say the Pledge of Allegiance?" Anne asked her two year old son. As they came to the end of her prompting him to recite each line she said, "One nation under God..." "No, Jesus!" ~The Wee Nick (age: 2 transcribed from an audio cassette)

What does it take to make YOU shake?

Every now and then I come across a kids' song that is so simple, so elegant, so perfect that I have to say, "Why didn't I think of that?" This happened when I popped in The Flannery Brothers latest CD, Love Songs for Silly Things:

This album kicks off with "Let's Start Dancing" which asks the seminal question, "What does it take to make you shake?" A bit like the classic Sly and Family Stone song, "Dance to the Music," each of the instruments is introduced and as the beat grows so did my smile.

This album features the classic keyboard sounds of Dan Flannery, the acoustic guitar strumming of his brother Mike, and the sweet harmonies that come when family members band together. They capture the child-like humor and point of view on songs like "Broccoli Yet," "Best Pillow In The World," and "One Wasn't Enough." The music is light-hearted and funky, simple and unadorned and features some great Doo-Wop-esque vocals (one of the brothers has a nice deep bass voice). The liner is full of funny images, like the band paddling a canoe with their instruments. I'm glad to see them encouraging safety with their life jackets on, but those poor instruments will never be the same. Somewhere there is a picture of me and my brother flying like superman just like Mike and Dan on the cover!

The Mike Brady Wrap-up: Funny, funky and full of vegetable references, Love Songs for Silly Things is a great collection of songs. There is an effortless quality to both the song writing and the production of this album that makes it feel like you're hanging out with Mike and Dan while they jam in the living room. If you're ready to "Jump Up and Down," while you eat your veggies, I highly recommend Love Songs for Silly Things!

Kid Quote of the Day: "Nicolas was my boyfriend, but now we broke up," Alanna said with a small pout. "What does that mean?" I asked. "When I asked if he wanted to play Sleeping Beauty, he stuck out his tongue and ran away." ~Alanna (age: 4)

I'm bwasting off into psace!

Let me start off by explaining the title of this post. My second year teaching I met a boy with a most unusual speech impediment. The "W" substitution for an "L" is pretty common at 4 years old, but he also inverted "S" and "P" whenever they were put together. I'd be playing on the rug with several students when I would hear a gravely little voice shout, "I'm bwasting off into psace!" and see him dart across the room. I think about it to this day when I see/hear/read anything about space. Tracey and I affect this impediment every now and then. It's fun. You should try it!

What does this have to do with kids' music you might ask? Well, today for your consideration I have a review of Recess Monkey's latest album: The Final Funktier

It's a bit hard to tell online, but this album has a snazzy foil embossing for the disco ball and title. Pretty cool! Recess Monkey is a Seattle based trio of elementary school teachers. Those who read my review of their last album Field Trip, will know that these guys love a concept album. This CD takes that concept into the stratosphere (puns intended). Funky beats and spacey references abound on this CD.

Like every good rocket ship ride, this album starts with a countdown in the song Liftoff which leads into the funkiest track on the album, Moon Boots. There are lots of sound effects and scratchy radio voices to get those little imaginations going. Recess Monkey has a knack for coming up with great hooks with easy words (lots of ba ba ba's, do do do's and sha na na's). Be prepared to get some of the songs stuck in your head and find yourself humming them in the grocery store (maybe that's just me).

When I played The Final Funktier in my classroom there was a whole lot of shakin' goin' on. The kids really liked Ukulalien since they are familiar with my Ukulele. I really liked the humuhumunukunukuapua'a reference (look it up). Jet Pack was also a big hit. The radio drama-esque Space Elevator Music is a funny intermission featuring effortlessly funny Jack Foreman conversing with the "band manager" Mayor Monkey, or MayMo for short.

I am fortunate to have some footage of RM playing Moon Boots featuring kids' music guru Tor Hyams:


The Mike Brady Wrap-up: It's no secret that I love Recess Monkey. Their music is great, the fact that they are teachers shows that they have their thumb on the pulse of what's going on in your average elementary school kid's mind, and they are genuinely nice guys who put on a great show. I'm sure if you give The Final Funktier a listen, you'll agree. RM really outdid themselves on the production, concept and design of this album. A lot of care went into this one and it shows.

Kid Quote of the Day: You guessed it: "I'm bwasting off into psace!" ~Alexander (age: 4)

Razoo! is Candian for Dance Party

School is winding down, the "armpit" weather has settled in over SoFlo and it's about time I started tackling the pile of CD's that followed me home from Kindiefest. I'm going to kick things off with a review of Splash n' Boots' new CD, Razoo!

I met this husband and wife team on my first day at Kindiefest. From the great white north, these two are making a splash (pun intended) as "Canada's Children's Music Group of the Year!"

Razoo! is a fun and tuneful collection of songs. Nick and Taes harmonize well together, and Nick's acoustic guitar lays the foundation for the rich arrangements on the CD (including everything from accordion to vibroslap).

I popped the CD in on the ride home from the airport and Tracey's first comment while listening to the song "Nature Sings" was, "This sounds like Rent." There is a theatrical quality to Splash n' Boots' music, and a beautiful choir backing them up. I am partial to some of their more rollicking songs like "Morning," "Razoo!" and "Barnyard Hardcore." This is music that puts a bounce in your step and makes you want to dance.

Okay... now for my obligatory Canadian jokes. Nick and Taes prove the old addage that Canadians are like Americans but more polite. It's fitting that in their "Superhero" song he is "generous and polite." It also made me smile to read in their liner notes, "We can't thank you enough... well one more wouldn't hurt- Thank You!!!!!!"

The Mike Brady Wrap-up: I played Razoo! for my after school class and it was a big hit. Sadly with this young crowd, it's hard to illicit comments beyond "I like it," or "It is good." I miss the elementary aged reviewers from the Arts Academy. I did however manage to have the kids sit down and draw some pictures based on the music they heard. This particular drawing was from a 5 year old girl who loved the song "Nature Sings." She took the time to learn how to write both Nick and Taes's names which is high praise from a 5 year old!


It was nice to meet Splash n' Boots and to listen to Razoo! On a rainy summer day, when it's too wet to play outside you and your family might wanna join the Razoo, which I think is Canadian for "Dance Party."

Kid Quote of the Day: "Here you go Henry. This is the sound we're after," I said as I played through Henry's piano piece. "You mean you are chasing a sound?" ~Henry (age: 5)

Trust me, Kids do say "The Darndest Things"

We here in the Bathtub are saddened to learn of the passing of Art Linkletter. His iconic television program, "Kids Say the Darndest Things," pioneered the concept that children have a unique and humorous point of view at a time when children were expected to be seen and not heard. Faithful readers will recall the Ernie Ford video I posted a month ago. His nose-pinching disapproval of his young, scene-stealing friend is in stark contrast to Art's genuine interest in what "Art's Kids" had to say (I'll even forgive him for the backwards "S" which, as a teacher, makes my spine tingle). There would be no "Kid Quote of the Day" without Art. He will be missed!

Kid Quotes of the Day:

I Don't Think Einstein Was That Great of a Musician

I have never really been a fan of the name "Baby Einstein." Shouldn't it be something more like "Baby Beethoven?" I guess the Einstein reference is a veiled suggestion that it will make your baby smart. Recent research showing the negative effects of TV on infants also sort of negates the "Baby" part as well. What I do like about Baby Einstein is that it exposes young children (of appropriate age) to classical music. I've had many surprising moments in lessons where a child will pull out a bit of musical knowledge cited from Baby Einstein.

Classical music is fading from our culture. It is challenging, and often expensive to stage, but sadly misunderstood by many and not valued as it should be. That is why I am happy to review a new CD from the guitar and flute duo Keith Torgan and Barbara Siesel.

Green Golly & Her Golden Flute

performing as "Flute Sweet and Tickletoon" Green Golly and Her Golden Flute is part fairy tale part classical concert. The first half is the beautifully told/performed tale of Green Golly and her golden flute. The tale is loosely based on Rapunzel, and both Torgan and Siesel have a delightful and dramatic delivery. The various classical melodies that are woven through the story are sweet compliment to the dialog.

As for the second half, the CD also contains ten tracks of wonderfully performed classical selections adding Jessica Krash on the piano. It's a varied and engaging selection of pieces. Siesel's flute playing is sweet, but this is not a CD of lullabies. Tunes like "Flight of the Bumblebee," and "Habanera" add a bit of excitement and showcase some fleet fingering from both Krash and Siesel.

The Mike Brady Wrap-up: Studies may show that infants watching DVD's like "Baby Einstein" has a negative effect on brain development, but it is never too early to expose your children to the joys of classical music. It might be going overboard to put earphones up to a pregnant belly, but playing a lovely album like "Green Golly and Her Golden Flute" for your little ones is a great idea. The selections range from the well known to the more obscure, but they are all enjoyable. Even if you are not knowledgeable about classical music, this CD is an easy choice.

Kid Quote of the Day: "Why do I have to learn cursive when I'll never use it after 5th grade?" ~Luka (age: 8) to be honest I had no good response!

Five Short Articles about Kindiefest

It's taken me a week, but I am finally sitting down to write about Kindiefest. For the uninitiated, Kindiefest is a festival/conference for the Kids' Music industry. Kindiefest kicked off last Friday in Brooklyn NY. I flew in from Florida and stayed with my good friend Jess just a few long blocks away. From the perspective of a review blog author, I was excited to meet many of the people I have reviewed over the past 2 years. Recess Monkey, King Pajama, Bari Koral, Bill Harley were notable attendees who I was able to strike up conversation with. From the perspective of an upstart performer and fan, I was in heaven soaking it all in. I can sum up my impressions of the event in Five Short Articles about Kindiefest:

Not Kindlefest, not even Kidneyfest... it's Kindiefest!
The first time I made mention of going to Kindiefest online (probably on Facebook), someone responded asking "What's Kindle-fest" which conjured up images of people huddled together to read ebooks. I often have to explain the Kid-Indie music origins of the festival's title. Justin Roberts' band had a similarily humorous take:

The general concensus between other artists at Kindiefest was that there is no good term for the type of music we make. Kids' Music, Children's Music, Family Music or heaven forbid, Kiddie Music! None seem to quite fit. Which brings us to article 2...

Adult Music... Bowm Chicka Wow Wow!
As is the case with most kids' music artists, I try to make non kids' music as often as possible. At an event like Kindiefest there were time when the topic shifted to "adult" music which always brought some sort of joke reference to porno music (cue the wah wah guitar). If there is no perfect term for kids' music, there certainly is no good way to talk about the opposite. "Grown-up" music sounds even creepier, or like something on the Windham Hill Sampler. It made for some humorous moments during the conference.

A High School Dance With a Bar
The conferences were a great resource to budding artists, but I was really there to meet people, so the first evening's mixer was great. Dan Zanes encouraged people to butt into conversations and meet everyone. This was a trick as the lobo solo in the crowd. I felt a bit like I was at a high school dance and everyone grouped up like old friends. Thankfully, unlike a high school dance, there was a bar and that was the best place to meet people. Nothing to do but wait and chat. By the end of the night doing the "Dan Zanes Butt-in" was easier to do.

Summer Camp Friends
As a long time camper/counselor, I am familiar with the phenominon of summer camp friends. You show up to camp with a blank slate, you meet new people and make tight bonds and then get packed up and head home for the fall. Thankfully, there is Facebook so I don't have to send them a chain letter, but I met a lot of great friends in the industry. Next time I attend Kindiefest, I'll be hoping to see my good ol' summer camp friends like Splash n' Boots, King Pajama, Stacey Peasley, and Tim (and the Space Cadets)

Kids' Music for Adults
Originally, I had hoped to get In The Nick of Time on the roster for the Saturday showcase. It wasn't in the cards this year, but perhaps in the future. It was a funny sort of thing though. I was excited to see folks like the Hipwaders, Rhythm Child and Justin Roberts, but is was a kids' music show for adults, and not only adults, but industry folks. Nerve racking as it must have been. It was a great show. I was especially fond of Mr. Leebot whom I had not heard of before (from Austin TX). Sunday's festival performances were also great, but I missed some so I could get on a plane and fly back to my dear wife and sweet little dog (plus all the school chidren expecting to see me bright and early the next day).

Kid Quote of the Day: I am as hot as a burned up, rotten green bean ~Henry (age: 4)