You'll note the part in the Dan Zanes interview where DZ recommends you don't invite a stranger into your house to perform for your kids' birthdays, but have friends work on three songs and perform them at the party as a birthday present. In general, that's good advice. Specifically, though, that might put me out of a job, so please, take his words with a grain of salt (or a savory spice). In other words, "Pay no attention to that man
We've seen a real revival in children's music, and music that appeals to children. While there is still a lot of drek out there for children and grownups, the time has come to stop qualifying our children's music lists as "songs adults won't hate" or "music that won't make grownups sick." These days, you don't have to look hard for good children's music beyond Pete Seeger, Ella Jenkins, and Woody Guthrie. Cool Tunes for Kids, Children's Music That Rocks, and Zooglobble are three reputable children's music resources on the internet. Want more? Check out their blogrolls.
5 comments:
Those are exactly the qualifiers I put in your mix notes! But you're right. So right about the need to stop. Finally. Whew. Thanks to people like Ms. Mitchell and such.
Jules: Ha ha! I've put them in my notes, too. But truly, I was not directing my comments at you, but in response to all the interviews with musicians these days in which the reviewers reassure the potential listeners that the music won't drive them crazy. Eric Herman has a good point about the idea that children' music is stuff that the grownups must also like:http://cooltunesforkids.blogspot.com/2006/07/my-rules-for-good-kids-music.html
I'm still not going to play Raffi for Lucia! But I get his point anyway.
Aw - I like Raffi. And he has a song with your name in it.
Hey I just finished a book that I only realized in the middle was written by one of your commentors - Robin Brande. Really good book. The LSG is reading it now.
LSM: I actually got that book with the song used because of my name! I feel the way about Raffi the way I feel about Bob Dylan: good songs, but I can't really deal with his voice.
This is one of the many reasons I love your blog. I've been introduced (or reintroduced) to so many musicians that are just simply good musicians that everyone in the family can enjoy.
I am (at this very moment) listening to my daughter sing "It's Only Little Charlie Just Off the Pickle Boat" while playing with her stuffed animals, courtesy of one of the Ella Jenkins CDs.
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