I'm a Rock Star

Today I've got some rockin' good music for my fellow bathtub singers. I recently received a copy of I'm a Rock Star by Joanie Leeds and the Nightlights. In this small world of Kids' Music, it turns out that Joanie was roommates with a close friend who studied Musical Theatre with Joanie at Syracuse.

This is Joanie's second album for kids. Like many artists who wind up in the kids' music genre, Joanie did her time in NYC club scene. She is still performing and recording music for adults, but she seems to have been bitten by the kids' music bug (possibly while working for Gymboree in Manhattan).

I'm a Rock Star lives up to it's name. It's rockin' and current sounding. The songs have a young, fresh perspective that, to me, conjures thoughts of American Idol. Not because the singing is amateur, Joanie has a powerful, well-trained voice, but because it has that unmistakable pop sound that makes A.I. so popular. You can hear hints of country, blues, jazz and latin music blended with a hearty dose of pop/rock. Joanie even riffs on the classic Christopher Walken catch phrase with her tune "More Cowbell."

Lyrically, I think Joanie has done a good job tapping into the minds of school aged kids. There is humor and imagination is songs like "It Was the Elf" and "Popcorn." There is a sweet side to this album as well. "Give Me a Hug" and "Put a Little Smile on Your Face," can tug at your heart strings.

The Mike Brady Wrap-up: The one thing that writing this blog has shown me is that the world of kids' music is vast and full of great albums waiting to be discovered. I'm a Rock Star is my first introduction to Joanie Leeds and the Nightlights. This "City Kid" is making a name for herself in the Big Apple rockin' out with the kids by day and moonlighting as a Singer/Songwriter by night. You can hear this in the songs on I'm a Rock Star she knows what parents want and delivers it in a way that it exciting for kids. It was fun listening to I'm a Rock Star, and I'm sure you'll enjoy it too!

Kid Quote of the Day: "I didn't mean to stick the bean in my nose, it just kinda went up there." ~Will (age: 3)

Why Does Gray Matter?

Today's album review is for Why Does Gray Matter by Roger Day. The sub-title on the cover reads "... and other brainy songs for kids!" and I think that sets the stage for this clever and pop-y CD. From start to finish, this album is full of songs that celebrate that wrinkly gray organ that we all have upstairs.

This is my first introduction to Roger Day, so I can only speak about his most current CD release. Day has an impressive history both in kids' music and in the wider folk/rock music scene. Like many performers in kids' music, Roger Day had a successful career playing for the grown-up crowd and shared the stage with my greats in the world of folk/rock music (The Indigo Girls, The Crickets and Nanci Griffith just to name a few). After starting a family, he focused his musical mind on the smaller set and has four albums of kids' music for his fans to enjoy.

Musically, this album is upbeat, exciting and well produced. The musicians who accompany Roger Day's acoustic guitar work help drive the songs and provide that, all too crucial, beat that gets the kids up and dancing. His website lists The Beatles, U2 and The Clash as influences, but if I were to play the "sounds like" game, I'd say that I hear a bit of Tom Petty (minus the nasally voice) and Elvis Costello (minus the gravely voice).

As I stated before, this is a very clever "concept" album. The brainy theme places the target audience on the mature side. Gray matter, right brain/left brain and "Sara Bellum" might fly over the head of your average preschooler (pun intended), but careful elementary school listeners would have a lot to learn and enjoy.

The Mike Brady Wrap-Up: I am always encouraged hear kids' music that doesn't pull punches and dumb down the content just because the audience is young. As a teacher, I am constantly blown away by the brilliance of young minds. I think people too often mistake naivete for a lack of intelligence. Roger Day certainly doesn't. Why Does Gray Matter is not your average sing-along, nursery rhyme album. I am sure younger listeners would enjoy the peppy music and catchy tunes, but some of the concepts might be too heady (there I go again). Cheers to Roger Day for this great album, and here's to future success in the world of kids' music.

Kid Quote of the Day: "Hi, Me Oh Ni!" (translation: Hi Mr. Nick) ~Hallie (age: 2)

Wake Up!

Today, for your consideration I have a review of Junior Jam's latest kids' music offering, Wake Up. My most recent attempts to review music in my classroom have been unsuccessful. It's been hard to get this younger group of students to focus in on the music and offer constructive criticism, so for now I'm back to flying solo.

This is the forth album from Junior Jam, though this is my first introduction to this trio. Before putting the CD in to listen to Wake Up, I was curious, is this Grateful Dead/Phish style jam-band music for kids? The style of music is actually quite different. Junior Jam has a theatrical, light-hearted sound. With expressive vocal performances by composer Jeff Eisenberg and Adrienne Asterita and Elayne Kessler, Wake Up creates a mood of excitement and joy. In addition to the trio of Jeff, Adrienne and Elayne there are some spectacular "junior" performers on this album (check out the song Going to the Beach). These talented young voices conjure up thoughts of Broadway musicals like Annie.

On the production side, it is clear that a lot of thought and effort went in to the creation of this album. Jeff Eisenberg is a talented song-writer and arranger and his effort have been recognized by the good folks at ASCAP who gave Junior Jam an award for children's music. Ranging from up-tempo numbers like Clap, Tap, Snap to soothing tunes like Lullaby, Wake Up covers a lot of musical territory.

The Mike Brady Wrap-up: Listening to Wake Up by Junior Jam was enjoyable and refreshing. It's nice to hear kids' music that so prominently features kids' voices, but not in the typical sing-songy style that quickly gets on grown-ups nerves. Edgy or Rock and Roll Junior Jam is certainly not. With so many younger kids' artists channeling classic rock and pop stars, Junior Jam is set apart. I could imagine a script tying these songs together and seeing Wake Up as a hit on Broadway. If you and your family enjoy great singing, easy listening and catchy music, Wake up should be in your music collection.

Kid Quote of the Day: Here's a greeting that I hear three times a week at the start of each music lesson, "Mr. Nick you have your shoes, and your hair, and your glasses, and your shirt, and your guitar." ~Ian (age: 3)

Happy Presidents Day

Kid Quote of the Day: "Oops, I farted," Jazmine (age: 4) admitted. "That's okay. You can say, "Excuse me." Do you need to go to the bathroom?" I asked. "No, I told you it just came out!"

Choo Choo, Chugga Chugga Chugga

Conducting a typical 20-30 minute music lesson for a preschool class requires more stamina, mental focus and creativity than many people could ever understand. You've got to be accepting of a moderate amount of chaos and be willing to roll with the whims of the crowd or loose their attention.

I try to be accommodating when a child wants to regale me with an anecdote about last night's bedtime or their halloween costume from two years past, but on days like today (when I have a bang up lesson planned) sometimes I just barrel through and don't stop to entertain comments from the peanut gallery. Sometimes this breaks my heart as a child sits dejected because I couldn't put my class on hold to give them the floor for another rambling tale of a new toy or a video game. Sometimes a simple thing like a child's obsession with everything locomotive stick with me and though I am outwardly leading a song, my brain can't help but ponder the eternal questions of youth.

For several weeks now I've been issued the command by a particular 3 year old to sing "Down By The Station" at each of our 3 weekly music classes. It's not a song I grew up singing, and it's not my particular favorite when it comes to songs about trains. Today I ignored the "request" and continued with my plans. While playing the djembe drum and leading the wee ones in a movement song, my mind was someplace else. This young man, who is so obsessed with this song, had a little embroidered train on the breast of his polo shirt which got me pondering, "Why are certain boys so enamored of trains?"

In my experience, there is a certain type that gravitates towards trains. I think there is an element of thrill seeking for those youngsters who love trains, fire engines, racecars and jets. The sirens and blaring engines both frighten and enthrall. There is power in learning about those things which startle and scare us at first, but trains are unique. I've seen children spend prolonged periods of time pushing a toy train around a circular track again and again. The rigid predictability, the steadfast adherence to a prescribed path echoes the desire of these certain students to control the chaos they sometimes see all around them. Perhaps we as adults just need sit down and play with trains every now and then when the world seems out of our control.

Kid Quote of The Day: "Nick I have a tummy ache!" ~Ava (age: 4) "I have a tummy ache too." ~Jazmine (age: 4) "Hey, I have a tummy ache too!" ~Kayla (age: 4) "I guess there's something going around," I replied, it's called a need for attention.

Preschoolers wearing berets and black turtlenecks

For your consideration, I have a long overdue review of King Pajama and their recent release Something Sweet.

King Pajama is a duo from the Big Apple who offer their listeners a unique and jazzy brand of imaginative songs. Something Sweet has the unmistakable air of a New York cabaret act. I can imagine a crowd of preschoolers wearing berets and black turtlenecks sipping juice from martini glasses as they listen to songs like "Outer Space Boogie," or "Trip Around The World."

Lead singer, Nina Zeitlin, has a smokey, soulful voice and her harmonies conjure up hints of Manhattan Transfer especially on the title track. Jason Blechman, the man at the keys and composer/lyricist of all the songs on the album definitely stretches the concept of what kids' music can be. As a trained jazz arranger I found Something Sweet to be surprising and unexpected at times which is rare for the typical 3-chord sing-along fare of most kids music. The lyrics that compliment this progressive music are imaginative and sometimes silly. On songs like "Some Pieces" and "Time Goes" King Pajama dives into some common but puzzling questions that kids often dream up.

The Mike Brady Wrap-up: Something Sweet could quite possibly be the most unique album I have review here at Singing in the Bathtub. With that said it's certainly not for everyone. Listeners who enjoy showtunes, vocal jazz and rich harmonies will not be disappointed. Because of the complexity of the music, I didn't find myself singing/humming any of the tunes after the CD had finished. This is definitely not a sing-along kind of album. Equally, some of the lyrics might be on the verge of being too mature for the average pre-K listener. As a fellow musician I can respect and admire the work that went into this album. It's nice to hear a group that has a different slant on the concept of kids' music. A pop/rock, acoustic guitar driven album, Something Sweet is not, but a unique and jazzy album like this certainly deserves a listen!

Kid Quote of The Day: "Oh let me see your new glasses Mr. Nick," Mrs. Trescott, the teacher from room 13 asked, "Very nice!" "It makes you look like a GEEK!" ~Henry (age: 4)... how did he know that was the look I was going for? Though I prefer the term "Hipster-Nerd."

... And We're Back

Well, we're back in the Bathtub after an unexpectedly long hiatus. With the release of People, Places and Things in November, several Christmas concerts, an eventful trip to New England/Pennsylvania/Maryland for the Holidays, the third annual After-Christmas Concert at my mom's preschool (minus my mom who was in Atlanta on baby watch) and coincidentally the birth of a new nephew... needless to say, it's been a busy time.

It's fitting that it has taken me 'til the middle of January to make this New Year's wish, but here's to a 2010 filled with great music! With that said, I am excited to announce the return of a unique feature of Singing in the Bathtub that has been missing since the Arts Academy of Hollywood closed it's doors last year:

Classroom Album Reviews!

With the start of the Live! Kids program, I now have a new group of budding reviewers anxious to lend their views to the Bathtub's readers.To kick things off we'll be reviewing Bari Koral Family Rock Band and their latest release, Rock and Roll Garden.

Art Work:

We passed the CD around so the students could get a good look at the pictures. They were attracted to the bright and cheery images immediately. "That's cute!" one four year old exclaimed as she pointed to the ducks and trees, "I likeded the duckie part," her four year old classmate added. Many people commented about Bari Koral's picture "I like the girl! Why she has flowers?" one of the students asked. We discussed that the "rock and roll garden" title might have something to do with it. One young man had a different observation, "I liked the Grandma!" I guess you can never be sure how they'll respond to the pictures (or how young Grandma's in South Florida can look!). "I like the girl, and inside, and outside, and the CD and the back," two of the girls said to make sure they'd cover all the bases.

Music:

The kids were up and moving soon after we started the CD. "That seems good!' a four year old dancer exclaimed as she bopped back and forth. "Nice," her five year old classmate added as he played the air guitar. "I liked the rock and roll part," another six year old commented. There was a great deal of dancing and moving around, but the lyrics caught their ear too (which is always a challenge!).

Lyrics:

After listening to Rock and Roll Garden only once, the students had already picked their favorite parts. "I like the "hey, hey" part," "I like the firetruck," "I like dinosaurs and firetrucks," there were lots of different ideas. "She said something cute," one four year old girl said in a sing-song tone. "It's musicy and funny," her five year old classmate replied. All in all, it got high marks on the teacher scale because it kept the kids' attention.

Influences:

I always love asking the students what each particular CD reminds them of. The answers usually range from the silly to the outlandish, to the surprisingly astute. Our newest and youngest student remarked that "It sounded like Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star." "It sounded like sweet songs," her sister added. As for the left-field commentary, the one boy in the group said, "It remindes me of Ten Little, We Will Rock You, Legos, Dinosaurs." Which I took to mean it had the sing-along appeal of Ten Little Indians, the rockin' edge of Queen, the fun of Legos and the dinosaur theme. In terms of astute our senior, 6 year old member said, "There was a s song by a lady. She sings for kids." She couldn't quite recall whom sadly.

The Mike Brady Wrap-up:

(as a quick side note... I am so happy that the Mike Brady Wrap-up makes sense again!)

I enjoyed sharing Bari Koral Family Rock Band with my class this week. It's a good listen, and a well produced album. It has a "poppy" appeal and some beautiful singing that make it a sure bet for most people and families. The beat kept the kids moving, and the words kept them tuned in and occasionally laughing.

My review panel was between the age of 3+ to 6 and was mostly girls (just me and my one male student that day). He balked a little at the pictures but was the first to get up and bop around once the music started. The girls sort loved every bit. I felt the age range was ideal (though I could see toddlers enjoying B.K.F.R.B.), 'tweens who grew up listening to her might keep these tunes on their iPod, but they may not tell their friends. I would give Rock and Roll Garden a bit thumbs up, so give it a listen and see for yourself.

Kid Quote of the Day: "Um, Mr. Nick, do you know? Do you know who made God?" ~Joseph (age 4) "You know, that is a great question! Why don't you ask Judy [the youth minister]" I replied!