So I’m driving around yesterday listening to the local public radio broadcast, and they have some lady on giving her “expert” recommendations for children’s music. (She’s an expert because she has a two and a half year old daughter. Or so they kept saying.)
Her recommendations consisted entirely of songs like “The Itsy Bitsy Spider,” and “This Old Man,” and so on. Complete waste of radio bandwidth. "("Here’s a song she just loves, and I can wholeheartedly recommend to just about all parents- “The wheels on the bus go round and round! Round and round!”)
So, those of you with young kids- what are they listening to? And more to the point, what are they listening to that doesn’t drive you out of your gourd yet?
My pics are:
Jessica Harper- Rhythm in My Shoes. The whole thing is pretty good, but especially “A Crazy Machine.”
Heywood Banks- Eighteen Wheels on a Big Rig. That song is great.
Silly Songs With Larry- “Oh wheeeeeere is my . . . .HAIRBRUSH?!”
My kids aren’t as young as that (they are 6 and 9), but we usually listen to our own music around them. On long car rides, they have tape players that they can listen to kids songs (or more often books on tape), but otherwise they listen to what we listen to. Their favorites are now the Beatles and Rolling Stones, simply because they know the words. We listen to a huge variety of music, so I hope they can get an appreciation of more than just the teeny bop music that most teens and pre-teens listen to.
When they were younger, we did occasionally listen to Arthur (from the kid’s TV show), Raffi and Barney songs on CD, but I could only handle it once in a while. I think Raffi was my favorite. Baby Beluga and Down by the Bay are great songs!
Silly Songs With Larry- “Oh wheeeeeere is my . . . .HAIRBRUSH?!”
I’m a fan of “The Cheeseburger Song” and “The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything” myself.
If you can “Kids Corner” online from xpn.org (Sun-Thu 7PM ET) it’s really worth a listen … My daughter has even been able to call in and sing live on the radio. Kathy O’Connell plays old favorites from Dr. Demento ("FishHeads by Barnes & Barnes, “Star Trekkin’” by the Firm - not the Jimmy Page version, BTW) as well as new artists like John Lithgow, Jessica Harper and Sarah Hickman. She also has guests in, like her good friends Trout Fishing in America and They Might Be Giants (hey!!! They’re on tonight - 7/25!!!)
Laurie Berkner is the standard for our three year-old daughter. We have three of Laurie’s CDs and a VHS video too. She sings some rehashed favorites, but mostly does her own original songs. Many of the songs have actions associated with the lyrics, which gets the kids moving and learning. If your kids watch Noggin on Nick Jr., they have already seen her music videos for Victor Vito, Laurie Has a Pig on Her Head (and She Keeps it There all Day), We Are the Dinosaurs, and Buzz Buzz.
Mom and Dad tolerate it pretty well, but need some breaks occasionally. I find myself singing Laurie songs in my head as I swim and bike, and really don’t mind it all that much.
A month or so ago, there was a piece on NPR that talked about children’s music. One of the musicians they spoke about was a gentleman who used toy pianos to make his music. I cannot remember his name so if any of you are aware of this musician please post. The clip of his music they played was actually Metallica’s Enter Sandman… it was great.
I do not have children, but being a Christian I have found that there is some great music out there in the Contemporary Christian land. I’m not talking about Billy Graham or some deep Southern Baptist Soul Music, but artists like Caedmon’s Call who play some incredible acoustic music with a positive message.
Also on my list of music that is rated “G” is Bluegrass! I love Alison Krauss and Union Station…
Out of the mainstream, I know, but I also sing in a barbershop quartet, so go figure! (no joke!)
If you like Allison Krause, check out Nickel Creek.
Nickel Creek is a good call. Actually a pretty kid-friendly concert for those old enough to sit though a show. THere’s never any smopking at their shows and a really well-behaved audience.
