While watching TV recently, my ear was caught by a phrase that was almost entirely bleeped out. Interestingly, I could fill in the missing words with my mind based on context. This got me thinking about setting limits. From birth to old-age, limiting behavior is a crucial part of living happily in a family and a society as a whole.
We set limits for our children to keep them safe physically, but also to protect them from emotional harm. I am a big supporter of creative expression, and I find value in all forms. As an adult, I enjoy some pretty wild humor. I find that laughing at certain polarizing and charged issues takes some of the sting out of the reality. Laughing at prejudices can prove how silly they ultimately are.
However, even with the words bleeped out, a child shouldn't be exposed to this kind of expression. As I had done, it's easy for a bright child to fill in the gaps and work out the context. The trouble is that, without a mature point of view, the subtleties of sarcasm and satyr are lost. (Sometimes when this type of humor is on the cover of the New Yorker, even the adults don't get the message).
I feel a similar responsibility in the world of Kids' Music. When you've had a 4 year old sing all the words of Avril Lavigne's "Skater Boy," or reenact certain graphic scenes from "High School Musical 2," during a preschool class it makes you think. Obviously parental filtering is the most important part of the process, but I think the industry has a responsibility in how it markets media to kids.
I can understand and barely tolerate the Jonas Brothers fanaticism from my 'tween, afterschool students. I see all sorts of Miley Cyrus notebooks and High School Musical backpacks piled up in the locker area daily. It's nothing new, I've got grown friends who have NKOTB tickets. There's always a pop fad. It's when it seeps into the preschool culture, that my alarm bells go off.
As the "pop" market gets younger, the messages of image consciousness, materialism and sexuality are foisted on an audience that is too young to understand, and too impressionable to come away without confusion and emotional damage. The messages that the media sends to us are powerful, but parents and educators are not powerless. Save the mature content (Music, TV, Video Games and Movies) for the grown-ups and search out the quality content for the wee ones. Let's keep 'em young and full of wonder! Keep 'em Singing in the Bathtub!
The creation of this blog has been an amazing thing. As a mostly solo act, self-promoting, producing, and publicizing, I've often longed for a stronger community of children's performers. I've made some good friends who are also navigating the industry over the years, but not until I started Singing in the Bathtub did I feel like I was really connected to a community of fans, musicians and bloggers.
The Hipwaders take the early bird prize for having a CD in the mail to me within a week or two. In addition to their music, I was excited to receive the latest releases from #2 on my top ten album list, Bill Harley. His live CD and DVD, "Yes to Running!" came in the mail along with some flashy, promotional shoe laces (they're on my hiking boots).
You can get a little taste of Bill's live show on the Round River Production YouTube page. Here's the opening cut, "I Like To Sing."
I'm excited to be able to play them both in my classrooms.
In the spirit of community and reaching out, I am putting out these calls:
A Call to Parents and Educators:
I'm reaching the bottom of my bag of Kid Quotes. I've heard thousands of gems, but alas haven't written many down. I'm always listening for new material, but it's tough. Please, send my any humorous quotations you may have, you just may see them close one of my postings.
A Call to the Young Fans:
I am looking for some sort of a logo that would accompany the title of my blog. I'd love some submissions of kids' art work with a "bathtub singing" theme. I'm hoping to get a lot of creative submissions, that way I can alternate between several the way that Google does.
There we go. The address is listed on the left of this page, or you can email submissions to nick@inthenickoftimemusic.com. Have at it!
Kid Quote of the day: "When I'm done with Kindergarten, I'm going to find me a wife." ~ Tom (age 5)
Seven years ago, I was several weeks into my first year as a lead teacher at the LEAP school in Lexington MA. My students had all recently turned three, and this was their first experience in a classroom. There may still have been a few tearful goodbyes at that point in the year, but for the most part, I had established a happy, safe and nurturing classroom environment.
On that, now infamous, Tuesday morning my curriculum director and class-roommate Sarae came into the room during free play time with an unusually serious expression on her face. "There's been an accident. A plane crashed into the World Trade Center," she whispered sideways into my ear. That instant sent my mind in a million directions. "I need to make a phone call," I said and left through the back stairway.
I couldn't remember where in Manhattan the Trade Center was. I couldn't remember where Tracey's hotel was in correlation. Was she at work already? After three failed calls to her phone my own phone rang, startling me.
"Nick, it's Ginna (Tracey's mother and my, now, Mother-in-Law). Tracey's okay. I spoke with her and she's in Queens at home watching the television." My heart settled a bit, but again my mind spun off into millions of thoughts and concerns.
I cautiously came back down the stairs and into my classroom. Everything stood out in vivd reality. I felt the warmth and care that went into the creation of that space, and I wanted to feel comforted but didn't.
By the time I had reach the main play rug, I was surrounded by a vocal and energetic group hug. They had missed my reassuring presence. I was there to keep them safe, and I could feel the trust and love in their collective embrace. My only thought was, "Who's hugging the grownups?"
On a lighter note, here's a video of Sousa's great "Stars and Stripes Forever!"
Kid Quote of the day: "Love is the most important thing in the world, but Baseball is pretty good too!" ~ Greg (age 8)
Greetings from Singing in the Bathtub! This edition marks the first of many album reviews that will grace the pages (or screens) of my blog. It is with great pleasure that I kick the reviews off with The Hipwaders most recent release Educated Kid.
Let me start by explaining the title of this posting. I had one gem of a plan for reviewing albums in my classrooms. It was so simple and thought out, it could only fail in historic proportion. As a veteran teacher I can tell when a CD is a hit in my classroom. I recall many kids requesting their favorites and singing along or sitting with their ears literally pressed to the radio when a special CD was played. I can also recall when a certain CD was not making the grade, and the little critics would be vocal in their distaste.
What I failed to take into account is the "broccoli factor." They say that a child might need to be offered a certain food 10-20 times before deciding to try it (think broccoli), but then they grow to love it. Music can be the same way, especially in a classroom where chatting with friends wins out over a listening activity. There were some focused participants and I managed to get a pretty decent review.
Despite a luke-warm response to the process of critical listening, I presented the Hipwaders music to both my preschool and K-5 afterschool groups. Any parent who has asked their children, "What did you do today in school?" only to hear a one word answer, "nuthin'," can imagine the types of single word responses that I got when it was time to take down our thoughts. The K-5 kids did start to get excited when I told them about the blog and their part in the review. As for the little ones, they were happy just to dance and there's a tacet, but striking endorsement in itself.
Cover Art
We listened to both Educated Kid and the Hipwader's self-titled album, but for the sake of time we focused on the former. I asked everyone to look at the album art before listening to the music. The preschoolers were giggly and enjoyed the silliness of the image of the "Educated Kid" eating a book. Surprisingly, some kids in the older crowd took a strange offense to the idea. "I really have to tell you the truth," wrote one concerned 9 year old, "If you want to make the cover for kids, you should not put a person eating a book." I tried to explain the humor, but it was lost on her. Several other kids noticed references from the song titles (like the "Cat in a Bathysphere"), and one 11 year old reported that "There are a lot of details. When you first see it, it attracts your attention."
Music
Once the CD was playing, both the older and the younger crews enjoyed the music. The Mix of little kids and disco usually elicits spontaneous dancing. Thusly the first cut, "Turn up the Radio" was well received (and the one hook that some of the kids left humming). I asked the older group to comment on the music as a whole. One 9 year old girl said, "I love how the beachy rhythms and the lyrics are just like my life. You rock!"
Lyrics
I also asked them to report on the lyrics. "It is so good, I feel like I am in the audience looking at you sing!" wrote one 8 year old. "The words are chosen very well. Children can understand. It Makes Sense," a 5th grader told me.
Influences?
I was curious to know if the kids had any thoughts on who the Hipwaders reminded them of. I got a lot of Beatles references (though, I think that for some of them, that is their stock answers... it could be worse). One 5th grader wrote down "Dr. Seuss." Another 9 year old student thought of other kids' acts like, "The Imagination Movers on Playhouse Disney and Mr. Nick (that's me) when he is playing his guitar."
Age Range
The general impression from the older group was that anyone from 4-10 years old might enjoy these albums. My impression from listening to it with the younger ones (2-4+ years old) is that they loved the beat and the music, but the lyrics, for the most part, didn't capture their young imaginations.
The Mike Brady Wrap-Up:
Here's where I chime in with my 2 cents. I enjoyed both albums from the Hipwaders, but Educated Kid is by far my favorite. Both albums have a surf-rock foundation that I found fitting coming from Cali. From a production standpoint I liked the denser textures on Educated Kid (cool synths and sound FX). I also found that E.K. had more "hookey," singable tunes (picture me singing "This is the History of Decalan Rae").
My introduction to Educated Kid was through the YouTube video for "Paleo Pirate" in the last edition of Singing in the Bathtub. The song stands as a nice contrast to the rest of the guitar rockin' tracks on the album (with it's waltz tempo and mandolins a la Peter Buck). I did enjoy the video and don't want to overstate the Dino/Person issue mentioned before. I applaud songs that explore creativity and fun juxtapositions, and once you start holding up scientific standards to kids' music we're all in trouble (Sorry folks I've never been on a spaceship ride to the planets!). My real pet peeve is with cave men fighting dinosaurs and such. I enjoyed the use of Playmobil (a beloved childhood toy... I had the pirate ship), and the young stars of the video.
Nice work Hipwaders! If you're ever in the South Florida area, we'll have to light up the town until nap-time. That's it for now from Singing in the Bathtub. Stay tuned...
Concert Updates!
Nick and/or the full In The Nick of Time line-up will be appearing at a number of up coming Hollywood FL area family events:
I enjoy watching a good football game, but I have never been into creating fantasy teams. I'm not knocking it, but it's not my cup of ginger ale (I'm not a tea drinker). Instead I've been thinking of creating a Fantasy Kids' Music League!
I'm thinking of two separate categories. 1) Fantasy Backup Group, and 2) Fantasy Kids' Albums. The first boils down to this; my first album was titled One Man Band, and that pretty much summed it up. I played and sang on every track. Since then, I have had support from many great musicians in Boston and Miami. My family and good friends, but I have never truly had a band that could tour and put up with the strange hours that a children's musician works.
It's in this sense that I envy The Wiggles, not because I enjoy their music (to be honest I don't), but because they are (were?) four guys who shared a vision and supported each other. I think it was Paul McCartney who said "I can't imagine what it would be like to be Elvis. We've got the four of us going through this together, but he's all alone in this world." (I paraphrase).
Who would my ultimate backup group include? It's tricky. I wanted to shoot for the moon, but I also had to consider who would be appropriate in front of my typical audience. I also had to decide if I would include only contemporary musicians or all-time greats. Here's my list:
Fantasy Backup Group
Piano and Keys: Ben Folds
He's a dad which is a good start. He's an energetic performer and a great singer with a good ear for harmony.
Bass: Chris Wood
Chris is the "Wood" that keep Medeski, Martin and Wood afloat. He's got one kids' music album under his belt which is good. He can rock the upright bass and his "Paul McCartney" Hoefner bass as well.
Lead Guitar: Eric Clapton
This decision was a tough one. Clapton is not by any means my favorite guitarist, but to be successful in In The Nick of Time he'd need to be a chameleon, and Clapton's done it all.
Saxophone: Joshua Redman
Joshua Redman is smart and talented (choosing music over law school). He's got great style and has been a vocal supporter of arts education. I wonder if he'd pick up a baritone sax for me every now and then?
Trumpet: Arturo Sandoval
Arturo is a legend in South Florida. His club on South Beach is the place for live Jazz. Many UM students cut their teeth at Arturo's. I figure since I play a lot of Caribbean and Latin music, he'd be the best choice.
Drums: Brian Blade
Brian Blade is another amazing chameleon. The last thing I am is a luminary on the subject of the drum set, but I know when I see someone who plays it unlike anyone else. He's the session player of session players and has played with everyone from Norah Jones to Herbie Hancock (as when I first saw him at Lehigh University with my Brother Seth).
The second half of my list tonight was inspired by the many non-kids' acts who have been dipping their toe in our kiddie pool (including They Might Be Giants, The Barenaked Ladies and Medeski, Martin and Wood). Here are some folks that haven't yet tried this crossover, but I wish would:
I really think he is the missing ingredient in the kids' music scene. I saw him perform live on a TV show called "Notes From The Road: Live from the Bonefish Grill." During an interview he mentioned that his daughter Gracie is a budding composer. I can imagine a great duet.
She captures a wistful nostalgia of childhood in songs like "Burgundy Shoes." She can tug at your heartstrings, but she can also wail! As long as there were some nice, impromptu snippets of her adorable laugh, this album would be kids' music gold!
For anyone who's seen the treadmill video, you can understand where I'm coming from. These guys are an indie-rock outfit that isn't afraid to look a bit ridiculous while they rock your world. I can only imagine what YouTube gems would come out of this venture.
These budding Philly rockers already have the right name. I was blown away by how much their lead singer sounds like Chris Cerf a la "The Opposite Song." They've got the energy and vocal harmonies that kids respond to.
Beck can definitely take his listeners to the far reaches of musical experimentation, but I think if he used his wild creativity to delight the smaller set it would be great. I have often admired and emulated his production styles (can anyone hear it in "Hang With Me?"). I bet the lyrics would be hard to decipher, but have you ever thought about the words to "Hey Diddle, Diddle"?
So that's the list and that's my challenge to these five! Go at it and make me proud. If you need a hand, I know a producer/song-writer who'll knock your socks off! You'll find me here at Singing in the Bathtub
UPDATE!
Today I received my first (two) album(s) in the mail for review. Wow, the blog-o-sphere moves fast! The Hipwaders, a trio from the left coast, sent me Educated Kid and their self-titled release for my students' and my consideration. Here's a video I came across on YouTube to wet your appetites:
There is something to be said for knowing your audience. A Paleo Pirate blends two powerful kid subjects (though I cringe at any implication that people and dinosaurs coexisted from a science perspective). Stay tuned for more on the Hipwaders.
Kid quote of the day: "I'm Jack in the box!" ~ Jack, while in a dishwasher box (age 3)
In these tough economic times, I'm pleased to have a job that I love to do. I get to play the guitar, piano and drum all day long. I get to smile and interact with bright young children. I am constantly challenged physically, mentally and emotionally, but I'm inspired and continue to grow as I teach.
I have often said that I went into preschool for the play dough, but recently I've been thinking that comment belies a deeper truth. As much as my job involves play, a day in the life of a music man can be pretty tough. I am prepared to sing and smile over wailing and inconsolable toddlers. I know that at any moment I can be upstaged by a worm digging up from the ground during a concert. I've taught classes where I saw more of the children than their parents did (awake at least) It's all in a day's work.
In this political season, we hear a lot about economics, energy independence, national security and government reform. I think without discussing education and how we can support, encourage and improve our teachers everything else is for not. It's the next generation that will be picking up the pieces we'll leave behind. We need to prepare them for, what could be, a bright and amazing future. No matter what your political leanings are, I think that we can all agree that teachers and schools are the most direct path to a prosperous future for our country and the world. More information about education reform can be found on the Center for Education Reform website.
Well, that's all from Singing in the Bathtub for now. I guess I can climb down from my soapbox for the night. I think I'll close with a quote from one of my hero's Mister Rogers:
"When I was very young, most of my childhood heros wore capes, flew through the air, or picked up buildings with one arm. They were spectacular and got a lot of attention. But as I grew, my heroes changed, so that now I can honestly say that anyone who does anything to help a child is a hero to me."
Kid quote of the day: "Home is where the house is." Andres (age 6)
There is a legend about a single evening of friendly jamming that changed music history. It was sometime around 1969 in Laurel Canyon (just outside LA) at a house where Crosby, Stills and Nash were staying. A casual party and jam session sprung up and before the night was over Joni Mitchell had debuted "Both Sides Now," CSN played "Suite Judy: Blue Eyes" for the first time, and Johnny Cash, the man in black, tried out a brand new song which he would play for the first time in front of an audience at San Quentin state prison, "A Boy Named Sue."
What is only slightly less well known is that the beloved children's poet Shel Silverstein penned the words to "A Boy Named Sue." It's not such a stretch when you think about it, but neither is the idea of Johnny Cash writing a children's album. This week my wife Tracey discovered that very thing on iTunes!
One cut from the album, "Nasty Dan," was performed by Johnny with Oscar the Grouch on Sesame Street. The album is what one might expect from Johnny Cash, straight forward, dripping with swagger, and a light-hearted bounce. Johnny even has his own "Dinosaur Song," though I'm pretty partial to my own Dinosaur Song (even if Joaquin Phoenix isn't jumping to play me in the movie!).
The Johnny Cash Children's Album delivers 15 tracks of good ole country blues. Any Johnny Cash fan should have this one in their collection. That's it from Singing in the Bathtub for now.
Kid quote of the day: (after being told by her mother to behave) "I am being have!" ~ Kate (age 2)
