Folks, Summer’s for Festivals (and New CDs)
by Kathy O’Connell
Summer is the time to explore live music venues catering to the entire family. In other words, folks, head for the folk festivals. The definition of “folk music” varies broadly, beyond your grandparents’ folk music of twang and protest.
While twang and protest are alive and well, they’ve expanded the tent to include world music, singer-songwriters, family music, and more. If family travels take you away from our neck of the woods this summer, check out the music offerings on your vacation. And if you’re staying close to home, discover the music in your backyard.
Outdoor music venues such as the Philadelphia Folk Festival and Concerts Under the Stars cater to every generation in the belief that folk music should be passed around.
Delightful Sampler
Several of the names you’ve read in this column appear on the latest release from the Putumayo Kids label. Folk Playground is a delightful sampler of songs from Dan Zanes (“Hop Up Ladies”), Laurie Berkner (“Froggie Went a-Courtin’”), Trout Fishing in America (“Fill It Up”), Brady Rymer (“It’s All How You Look at It”), Justin Roberts (“Roller in the Coaster”) and others.
In hot weather days, the family car can turn into a battle zone without wise and varied music choices. Folk Playground may be one of the wisest musical choices you can make. There’s never enough of any one artist to burn out the listener, and the sampler format lets you avoid purchasing an entire album for a couple of worthy songs.
For example, Michelle Shocked’s title cut on her “Got No Strings” CD happens to be the best song on that CD. The song stands out in its classic Disney glory, sandwiched here between songs from Jon Gailmor (“Just Kidding”) and Brady Rymer.
I can’t find fault with any album that introduces Leon Redbone’s oddly wonderful voice to a new audience, as happens here with “Polly Wolly Doodle.” Folk Playground differs from past collections of folk music for kids by lightening up on the twang factor. The CD samples the world of folk music at its diverse best. Putumayo Kids is at www.putumayokids.com
Monty Harper’s Best Yet
Family music is full of regional favorites who make the rounds of schools. One such performer is Monty Harper, from Stillwater, Oklahoma. This singer/songwriter emphasizes reading in his music. Paws Claws Scales & Tales is his latest family-friendly CD, and despite its Magical Mystery Tour cover, this is Harper’s Sgt. Pepper; it’s his best work.
The title track celebrates some of fiction’s favorite animals with the point that “it’s all about a bond of love.” “A Pet Like That” speculates, “Wouldn’t it be cool to own a pet like…” Mr. Popper’s penguins or Dr. Seuss’ cat.
The standout for grownups is the Beatles’ parody “Eleanor Gerbil” (“Oooh, look at all that chewed-up cardboard”). In the world of kids’ music, there are lots of guys with guitars, but Monty Harper is one worth finding at www.montyharper. com or www.ReadingSongs.com
Karaoke and Learning
When I played High School Musical for a group of third graders, they knew every song. So, I think Disney’s addition of a karaoke disc to their two-disc “special edition” soundtrack of the musical phenomenon is a great idea. If you can’t find High School Musical, you need to get out more.
My wait has ended for a combination of hard rock and educational substance that will grab young ears. On their CD, World, Teacher and the Rockbots mix information about “Continents,” “How to Read a Map,” “Supply & Demand” and other scholastic topics with a hard rock beat worthy of Van Halen. It’s a CD that begs to be played loud.
The World CD will please the little Shaun White (snowboarder dude) in the family so much that he won’t realize he’s learning something from this outstanding recording, which is based on the premise that “kids remember stuff when it’s in a song.”
Along with their music, Teacher and the Rockbots offer free “Smart-Kid” worksheets at www.teacherandtherockbots.com
Kathy O’Connell is a contributing writer to MetroKids and host of
the Peabody-award-winning Kid’s Corner, weekdays 7-8pm on WXPN
88.5 FM.