Older Ear, Listen Here!

by Kathy O’Connell

The approach of summer means that many adults will log many hours as captive audiences to their kids’ music. While young people are happy to listen to the same music over and over, older ears need some audio diversity. Recent releases cover all bases and keep domestic harmony a-blooming in the car, at least until the next rest stop.
Be warned that Beethoven’s Wig 2 could change the way you listen to classical music. The Beethoven’s Wig series could be accused of dumbing down classical music by adding lyrics to classical melodies, but such accusations ignore the remarkable popularity and value of this series of “silly symphonies.”
While your kids are singing “Sing Verdi Very Loud” (“La donna e mobile” from Verdi’s Rigoletto), they’re becoming familiar and comfortable with classical music. The beautifully orchestrated instrumental performances round out the second half of the CD to complete the lesson. It’s a singalong album that teaches without being heavy handed, from Rounder Kids at www.rounder.com

Worthy Successor
Sing Along with Putumayo is the sixth release by the label’s kids’ division, and it’s a worthy successor to World Playground. This singalong album of classic folk and blues songs features outstanding artists such as Taj Mahal, Dan Zanes, Rosie Flores, Keb Mo’, and Arlo Guthrie. If your kids have resisted your efforts to Dylan-ize them, sneak in a bit of the Bob through Tim O’Brien’s “Man Gave Names to All the Animals.”
Astound your children when you unleash your singalong abilities on “Love Train” (Keb’ Mo’), “Old MacDonald” (Rufus Thomas), and “Bushel and a Peck” (Dan Zanes). Putumayo Kids releases are outstanding for both musical quality and educational integrity. Their multi-media approach on Sing Along includes outstanding liner/lyric notes and an interactive website that enhances their mission of bringing a world of music to families. Find all the outstanding recordings on this label at www.putumayokids.com
I admit a fondness for kids’ albums with a rock edge. Daddy a Go Go is the performing name of John Boydston. His latest effort, Mojo a Go Go, is a rocking fun collection of original new tunes and new takes on kid-friendly classics such as “Snoopy vs. the Red Baron” and “Linus and Lucy.” The latter gets an excellent electric guitar treatment that transforms it from Christmas piano classic to the stuff of rock legends.
Original songs hit the right kid themes, such as “I Don’t Wanna Go to School Today” and “I’m Too Old for That.” Unlike previous Daddy a Go Go efforts aimed at younger kids, Mojo
a Go Go hits an older target. Find Daddy a Go Go at www.daddyagogo.com

Other Kids’ Voices
Kids like to hear other kids’ voices. While a lot of dreadful albums have run with this idea, one treasure has emerged. Even Kids Get the Blues from Re-bop Records blends kids’ voices with original blues tunes and high quality musical production. Like Mojo a Go Go, this CD touches on the kinds of issues that touch real kids’ lives. You’ll enjoy “Chop an Onion (Cry Your Blues Away),” “Riding with a Sibling,” “Latchkey Lou” and just about everything on this collection.
Even Kids Get the Blues has the Bonnie Raitt stamp of approval, with the legendary songstress lending her talents to the title cut. Most of all, Even Kids Get the Blues features kids’ voices in a way that will grab young ones without grating on the grownups. This Vermont-based label is online at www.reboprecords.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.