Happy Earth Day!
Happy Earth Day! While Earth Day is officially celebrated once a year, every day should be Earth Day. Whether you are recycling, growing plants in a garden, or taking a walk to enjoy all the beauty that nature has to offer, we can all do our part to honor this planet we call home.
To kick things off, here is “Greener Plan,” the latest single from Esther Crow. This rocking 1960s style protest song is a call to action for decision makers and those in positions of power to, “Give us a greener plan/We know that you can/For our children and for us/All of us.” Esther doesn’t just sing the song, she walks the walk as a climate crisis activist and staunch defender of the Earth and ALL of its inhabitants. “Greener Plan” is a family affair with Esther’s husband on guitar and her 11-year-old son Vincent on drums.
From defending the Earth to celebrating the Earth, next up is the third album from St. Louis’s own Marko Polo, aka Mark Pagano. Mark’s love and respect for nature is evident in Tree Sounds, this new collection of 13 original songs that are rooted in the outdoors and inspired by the healing power of biophilia, or connecting to nature. Funded by a grant from The Regional Arts Commission, Tree Sounds is filled with a fun retro vibe that takes listeners on a walk through the woods, celebrating the wonder of the surrounding trees like the “Magnolia Bloom” and the “Golden Gingko.” Mark is joined on this journey by children’s performers Andrew & Polly on “Leaves” and “Plant a Tree” and Molly Ledford on “Evergreen.” This is an album that the whole family can enjoy.
Finally, here is a playlist from the Children’s Music Network that was created for Earth Day, but can be used all year through. Featuring over 70 songs by nearly that many children’s music artists, this is a list that is not to be missed!
Out just in time for Earth Day program planning, HomeEarth by Chicago duo Wendy & DB, is a real treat. The album opens with the title song “HomeEarth,” a fun introduction to the planets and the galaxy, then takes listeners to ground level where the importance of living things is explored. “Olly the Orca,” “Bugs That Give Hugs” and the joy of growing a garden and giving to others in “Plant a Seed” are all given their moment to shine in the sun.