2019 Children’s Music Roundup

Welcome to the second annual Kids Rhythm and Rock Children’s Music Roundup! Oh what a year 2019 was for children’s music with a cornucopia of sounds, fantastic messages and moments of fun combining for a true wealth of musical riches, Whether you check the CDs out from the library or listen to them on your favorite streaming service, all of the albums below are definitely worth a listen (or two, or three…). 

 

Best Animal Album Covers
Come for the covers, stay for the amazing music!
Swamp Romp Performed by Johnette Downing with Scott Billington   
Winterland Performed by The Okee Dokee Brothers

 

 

Be Mindful, Be Kind     

   

 

 

 

The Love Performed by Alphabet Rockers
Kindred Performed by Renee & Friends
Under the Big Umbrella Performed by Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could
Ageless: Songs for the Child Archetype Performed by Jon Samson

 

Unique Musical Stylings

    

 

 

 

Finding Friends Far From Home: A Journey with Clara Net Performed by Oran Etkin
Shake It and Break It Performed by Randy Kaplan
Earworm Performed by Sean McCollough

 

Based on a Podcast

 

Backstroke Raptor Performed by The Story Pirates

 

 

 Regional Superstars You Should Know

                                                                         

 

 

 

Put Your Arms in the Air Performed by Cowboy Andy (based in Montana) 
Kith & Kin Performed by Duke Otherwise (based in Wisconsin)   

 

Bilingual/Spanish Albums

          

 

 

 

Canta las Letras Performed by 123 Andrés
Love is Te Quiero Performed by Alina Celeste
Buenos Diaz Performed by The Lucky Band
En la Radio Performed by Nathalia

 

We Only Have One Earth
These albums each contain several songs that celebrate the flora and fauna on this rock we call home. 

     

 

 

 

Can You Feel It? Performed by Jessa Campbell & the Saplings
It Takes a Village Performed by Ginalina
Positronic Performed by Marsha and the Positrons

 

Rock ‘n’ Roll Dads

      

 

 

 

Which One Am I? Performed by Howie D
Growing Up Performed by Josh Lovelace

 

The Long and the Short of It

      

 

 

 

All I Do is Hop Performed by Grin Brigade (29 tracks)
The Robot Performed by Ants Ants Ants (4 tracks)

 

Thank You, and Goodnight!

Album cover for Now That We're Home

 

Now That We’re Home: Lullabies & Love Songs Performed by KB Whirly

Kindred performed by Renee & Friends

I don’t know about you, but I’ve reached my limit for the negativity and self-righteous snarkiness that I encounter online. So, this past weekend, I took a break from the internet. I decided no social media, no email, no surfing the web. I was going to dedicate myself to the beautiful weather and those people around me. And you know what? The weekend was lovely, peaceful and restorative. Just what I needed.

I discovered something else that I needed. While looking for something this evening, I knocked over a stack of new music on my desk and before straightening it, I reached in and blindly grabbed a CD. And the album I pulled out was Kindred. This was just what I needed. What a beautiful collection of music! It is the perfect antidote to all of the things in the world that bring you down.

Those familiar with Renee Stahl’s first Renee & Friends album, Simpatico, will not be disappointed with these new collaborations. Kindred is filled with gentle, soothing songs that can be enjoyed by the entire family. The opening track “Kindness is Cool” sets the tone for the album. Performed by Renee & Jeremy, this reminder of the importance of being kind to one another is wrapped in catchy lyrics highlighted by the refrain, “I’ll be for you. You’ll be for me. Kindness. Kindness.” This is followed by the dynamite performance by Renee’s 12-year-old-daughter, Amelia, on “Super Fragile World” as well as a lovely cover of the Cat Stevens tune, “Where do the Children Play” with vocals by Renee and Ziggy Marley.

It’s hard to imagine a rap by Secret Agent 23 Skidoo being overshadowed by anyone, but that’s exactly what happens on “Leaders of the World.” While Skidoo’s words are powerful and strong, it’s the beauty of the vocals of Addi Rose, Amelia Dektor and the Cold Spring School Chorus that truly capture the essence of this song.

Additional friends on this album include Lisa Loeb and Elizabeth Mitchell who join Renee in their rendition of the classic, “High Hopes.” Finally, there are two tracks that allow Renee’s crystal clear voice to shine.  “Nothing and No One” focuses on the fact that there is nothing in the world that could take away a mother’s love for her children and could easily be used as a lullaby. The last track on the album, “How Did You Get So?” is a gorgeous song that asks a child – how did you get so sweet/smart/beautiful? It is the perfect ending to a much needed album. Every family would benefit from taking a few minutes, unplugging from the outside world and taking in the messages of Kindred.