Beanstalk Jack performed by Paper Canoe Company
The fairy tale of “Jack and the Beanstalk” has been around for centuries, but this is the first time that it has been presented in such a unique, innovative way. The all-original 16 songs on Beanstalk Jack feature vocals by Paper Canoe co-founders Tami Stronach and Greg Steinbruner, backed by top-notch musicians, and tell the story of a young man bearing a guitar who climbs a beanstalk, meets the Giant, and the Giant’s daughter Harmony. Harmony joins Jack and they run away to follow their musical dreams.
The first half of the album relies heavily on a folk/folk-rock sound, paying homage to the sounds of folk greats like Simon and Garfunkel and Woody Guthrie. Once Jack reaches the summit of the beanstalk, the music takes on an almost musical theater quality to its arrangements, with hints of jazz, 50’s rock, pop and more emerging. Familiar elements such as the cow and Jack’s mother are included as well as a very dark and ominous version of “Fee Fi Fo Fum.” Each song can be enjoyed on its own, but when put all together, they tell a beautiful, thrilling tale that is perfect for family listening.
Check out this adorable video for “Hey Wow” from the second half of the album, Beanstalk Jack.
When you think of children’s music in the United States, you don’t automatically think of Indian music. And when you think of children’s music in other languages, you don’t often think of music sung in Hindi or Gujarati. Well, that is all about to change. Falu’s Bazaar, the debut children’s album from established adult music performer Falu, has arrived and it is so much fun.
Twenty years after the release of her first kids album, Holiday Songs and Lullabies, GRAMMY-winning adult artist Shawn Colvin returns to children’s music with her new album The Starlighter. As she did in 1998, Colvin once again looked to the 1965 children’s songbook, Lullabies and Night Songs for inspiration. Filled with 48 poems by authors such as Lewis Carroll and Robert Louis Stevenson, set to music arranged by Alec Wilder, and illustrated by Maurice Sendak, this book is solid source material for young listeners.
Newly adapted by Colvin, the tracks on this Amazon Original album have a soothing, peaceful air to them. While the 14 songs in this collection are more non-traditional lullabies that lack the warm fuzzy quality of many contemporary lullabies, some of the songs such as “Sleep Baby Sleep,” “Go Tell Aunt Rhody” and “Hush, Little Baby” will be familiar to many adults. All of the songs feature lush arrangements that support Colvin’s lovely solo voice making them a nice addition to playlists for winding down at the end of the day.
The Dilly Dallies, the California based duo of Steve Slater and Jenn Ekman return with a second album filled with songs that parents and children can relate to and the whole family can enjoy. New moms (or all moms and dads really) will be touched by the song “Little Tiny Toes” which talks about a parents’ love for a baby from head to toe. This song would make a nice intro or exit song to a Baby and Me type program. With repeating lyrics and easy to follow melody, caregivers will be able to sing-a-long in no time.
The first time I listen to a new album (I generally listen to each album at least 3 times), I like to go in “blind.” I don’t read the liner notes or any of the accompanying PR. I just listen. This was true of the first time that I listened to Backyards & Home Fronts. With barely a glance at the packaging, I popped the CD in, pressed play and bopped along while I sorted the mail and straightened the kitchen. At the end, I thought, that was nice. Kids will like the song about using your imagination while drawing on the car window with your finger. They’ll be able to relate to the song about playing with a refrigerator box. Many of them will understand the song about the child who is growing older along with a pet.
The first of the two children’s music concerts that I was able to attend over the weekend was held Friday morning at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan. Sponsored by Kids Rhythm and Rock, Chicago’s own Wendy & DB performed two concerts to benefit the museum, VH1 Save the Music and Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots. These engaging, interactive performances had children up and dancing as they heard songs including, “Pink Flamingo,” “Watersong,” “Girl Superhero,” and the blissfully exhausting “HopScotch.” I don’t know about the little ones, but after those high energy performances, I was just about ready for a nap.
Mickey’s Found Sounds – A Musical Exploration Storybook
Hello 2018! I have to say, after the hustle, bustle and general stressfulness that comes with the holidays or as the song says, “the most wonderful time of the year,” I was really looking forward to the calm and quiet of January. I don’t generally do new year’s resolutions, but I did make a promise to myself that I would be kinder in thought and reaction toward those around me. Unfortunately, Mother Nature has made keeping that promise a wee bit difficult. Much of the country has been dealing with weird weather the last few days and in Chicagoland, it has been no different. We’ve been in an extreme deep freeze since before Christmas, there was snow, wind and today, ice. With each day like this that passes, I’m finding it more and more difficult to keep my promise of kindness. And that’s what makes Dolly Parton’s latest album so timely.
I don’t know about you, but I can’t believe that Christmas is only two weeks away. It feels like we were just getting ready for Halloween and now 2018 is just around the corner. So, with the holiday season quickly approaching, the final children’s album that I would like to shine a spotlight on is Revvin’ Up the Reindeer from Brady Rymer and The Little Band That Could.