They Set the Standard

by Kathy O’Connell

The roots of modern children’s music lie deep in Canadian soil. The revolution in music for kids started when Toronto-based Raffi applied the same quality to kids’ music that went into his folk music for adults.

Close on his heels were television-based Canadian artists such as Fred Penner and Sharon, Lois & Bram. In this summertime of discovery as warm weather encourages young people to explore their world, some old favorites encourage us to rediscover their pioneering sounds for children.

Set the Standard
Long ago, on TV’s “Fred Penner’s Place,” Penner set the standard for bearded guys with guitars by delivering fun, uplifting music for the youngest set.

Penner’s engaging style shines through Sing with Fred, a delightful mix of vocals and karaoke tracks aimed at kids under seven. Penner introduces classics such as “Puff the Magic Dragon” and “You Are My Sunshine” to the youngest kids without getting as syrupy as Barney or as repetitive as Dora.

Sing with Fred is simple fun. Introducing Fred Penner to your toddlers creates a nice base for their developing musical tastes. There are no bells and whistles here. Just a friendly-voiced man with a guitar and a devotion to music for families. Sing with Fred is easy on long car rides, and the karaoke tracks encourage your own family singalong. From Casablanca Kids at www.casablancakids.com

Kids’ Vaudeville
If you have kids, you know the lineup on TV’s Nickelodeon better than I do. Do you also know about the enormous debt that channel owes to Sharon, Lois & Bram?

Before there was Amanda or SpongeBob, Nickelodeon introduced this Canadian trio and their Elephant show to American TV viewers. The trio became the most successful children’s artists in Canadian history, and that’s saying a lot. Sharon, Lois & Bram’s shows combined skit comedy with live concert footage in a manner that reminded me of the old “Ed Sullivan Show.” This was vaudeville for kids.

If you are from the first generations of “Sharon, Lois & Bram” fans, it’s time to replace your worn-out vinyl with some sturdier Sharon, Lois & Bram CDs. Great Big Hits and Great Big Hits 2 are a fine stroll down memory lane for grown-ups, and new generations of children should take advantage of this chance to discover what kids learned to love 20 years ago.

From the first notes of their theme “One Elephant” on Great Big Hits, I was taken back to the sweet simple coziness of a Sharon, Lois & Bram show. Great Big Hits and Great Big Hits 2 cover all the bases of this legendary trio. They’re at www.casablancakids.com

Stories for the Road
A couple of storytelling CDs finish our first summer road trip. While I’m sure the younger kids will enjoy Love You Forever: the Best of Robert Munsch, the author’s overly effusive performance didn’t appeal to me. In fact, his voice made my teeth hurt. Save this story CD for home listening. He’s at www.childrensgroup.com

For car rides, check out anything by storyteller Odds Bodkin, including his latest, The Harper and the King: The Story of Young David. Find him at www.oddsbodkin.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.