Andrew Bird on Jack's Big Music Show

Andrew Bird performs a little music and magic with the puppets in this clip from Jack's Big Music Show.   

Andrew has a great new record out. File this one under: "music for parents that kids will like too." Noble Beast has lots of whistling and looping violins. And it will do wonders for your child's vocabulary. Nomenclature! As a chorus!

Also, you should check out the earlier records if you haven't already. Armchair Apocrypha and The Mysterious Production of Eggs are both shiny gems and good places to start.

Foot (featuring Thurston Moore, Don Fleming, Jim Dunbar)

This was a weird and amazing rock show that I just had to post about. FOOT performed some crazy psychedelic noise jams for the tots at the Windsor Terrace Library Toy Sale Saturday, Nov 22nd.

FOOT is Thurston Moore on guitar and effects, Don Fleming on guitar and synth, and Jim Dunbar on synth and electronics. Children read excerpts from picture books over the squall and eventually joined in bashing away on the instruments. Here's some photos and a little sample of the sounds created that day.  My son JoJo is the one in the white shirt.  

Listen to some FOOT at the library!

Feist on Sesame Street

This clip proves that the super-talented Leslie Feist can move iPods and muppets!   The album is definitely one you can enjoy with the kids. 

Check it out:


And just a "reminder" that the Deluxe edition of The Reminder releases Nov. 25.  Sadly, the Sesame Street mix is not included on the bonus disc.  

Songs In the Key of New York

With Songs In the Key of New York, Jeremy Zmuda, Clare Muldaur (Clare & the Reasons) and crew deliver a thoughtful - and tuneful - children's primer celebrating the five boroughs from its famous subway lines to its friendly neighborhood restaurants.  The songs are considerably more wordy and knotty than many children's records, studiously avoiding easy rhymes, and gliding along slantwise with cool, jazzy poise.  But these are bright little pop gems at their core that you and your child will love to hear again and again.  "Taxi," with quintessential New York impatience as its catchy chorus, is a particular charmer. 

Check it out here: http://songsinthekeyofnewyork.com/

And if you love this record, you might want to check out Clare & The Reasons "The Movie" (with guest appearances from Van Dykes Park and Sufjan Stevens).  Clare & the Reasons are on tour now with My Brightest Diamond. 

 

And if you are more in the mood for some jazz, check out Jeremy's tunes here:

Fleet Foxes

With beautiful choral harmonies, impressive arrangements, and Grimm nature themes, the Fleet Foxes debut full-length is a perfect album to spin for your little one for some quality - or quiet - time.   For parents, this may remind you of The Band or The Byrds (also wholesome for the kiddies).       

Check them out:   Fleet Foxes

Emperor Tomato Ketchup

Your kid loves ketchup! Your kid acts like despotic emperor! This super-groovy record will get that kid dancing. And they just might learn a little French and leftist theory while they are at it.

Buy this album: Emperor Tomato Ketchup

Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga

Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga. The sounds a baby makes, right? This perfect pop record has lots of cool cuts for the kids: The Underdog! You Got Yr Cherry Bomb! Don't You Evah! Rhthm and Soul!

Buy this album: Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga