Best Children's Music of 2007
Okay, we know that "best children's music" might sound like a bit of an oxymoron. But children's music is undergoing a renovation these days, and it's time we celebrated it! Things started changing when former Del Fuego Dan Zanes made a pact with the devil, erm, that is, Disney and brought his literate, inter-generational folk to a wider audience. The process of kids music-hippification was furthered along by the wonderful For the Kids compilation series, which has brought the music of Jolie Holland, Tom Waits and Robyn Hitchcock to the pint-sized set. And we can't leave out They Might Be Giants, whose Here Come the ABC marked the band's tacit acknowledgement of their natural fan demographic.
But what about the best albums of 2007, you ask. Well, for starters, did you know that Andre 3000, the wild child of hip-hop duo Outkast, released a children's album?
We're not messing with you. Spinning off from his Cartoon Network show Class of 3000, the man released an album that probably most accurately reflects what kids actually want to hear these days. It's weird and smart, and best of all, it's fun to listen to.
Here, in no particular order, are a few more new and noteworthy albums for the discerning parent -- and adventurous kids
Father Goose, It's a Bam Bam Diddly
This former dancehall emcee is a Dan Zanes protégé and has collaborated on some of Zanes' most memorable tracks. Goose, aka Rankin Don, describes his role on this album as the spice that ties the songs together. He doesn't take center stage, but instead invites in everybody from Sheryl Crow (yawn) to reggae's Sister Carol and Screechy Dan to explore classic Caribbean kids songs. The most beautiful moments are the least commercial ones: when he invites Haitian artist Gaston Jean-Baptiste to sing a Creole song, you'll probably find yourself near tears after Goose's introduction. Also, the kids like it. One downside -- no train songs, though "Flying Machine" nearly suffices.
Universally lauded, this is kind of a bizarre release -- moving beyond granola and into rainbows, moonbeams and soy nuggets territory. But just because it's good for you doesn't mean it has to taste bad, and despite a few mis-steps (it's not fun to learn about a country's exports) Experience 101 has enough transcendent moments to warrant putting it in heavy rotation.
Rumor has it that Renee and Jeremy's album was on the short list for a Grammy nomination. They didn't make the cut, and it's too bad. This kind of delicate music can help kids calm down and center -- and help parents slow down and remember why they got into the parenting gig in the first place.
"Papa's Dream" takes a bit more concentration than a younger kid can offer, given the amount of narration between the songs. Nonetheless it's a strange, enjoyable and intriguing ride that sends a bunch of fictional kids to Mexico in a hot air balloon and features very folksy renditions of classic kids songs like "De Colores."
Recess Monkey, Wonderstuff
The band's double-entendre name was enough to make us fans, but their dreamy, jangly pop pushed us over the edge. Is this really for kids? It sounds like Marc Bolan was reborn as a devoted parent. My husband says it's "wimpy" but I say it's neo-British Invasion. You'll love it, trust us.
Buck Howdy. Chickens
We're still lamenting the lack of fart jokes (a mainstay of previous albums) but Buck Howdy did so well with this album of chicken-fried kiddie country that we're prepared to forgive him. Howdy teamed up with BB, his longtime collaborator, and the male-female vocal mix is very engaging.
Ella Jenkins Catalogue
Smithsonian Folkways pushed all of this classic children's singer's albums to digital last year. Jenkins' diction is impeccable, her politics unassailable, and her heart so generous it comes through in even a rendition of "Baa Baa Black Sheep." Ella Jenkins is the rock of Gibraltar in this genre; if you haven't heard her, you must. Such clear-eyed moral vision rarely emanates from children's music.
Not Necessarily New, But New To Us
My favorite discovery of 2007 (and I'm a bit behind the times) was Elizabeth Mitchell, of Ida fame. Her three children's albums (also on Smithsonian Folkways) are revelations -- delicate acoustic folk introductions to the American songbook that make for great quiet time music. We also have to commend the Asylum Street Spankers for their funny name and good album -- and give a shout-out to San Francisco kids-edelic rockers the Sippy Cups.
And of course I have to end with my kid's current favorite dance song, an oldie but a goodie: the Dubliner's "Mountain Dew." Yes, it's about moonshine. Yes, it features Shane MacGowan's slurred vocals. But we have a post-bath dance party to this song every night (or an Irish cultural indoctrination moment, take your pick) and we're not tired of it yet. Give it a spin.
Looking for more cool children's music? Check out the definitive blog on children's music, Zooglobble.
Further Listening
Father Goose It's A Bam Bam Diddly
Andre 3000 Class of 3000
Ella Jenkins Growing Up With Ella Jenkins
Sweet Honey in the Rock Experience 101
Recess Monkey Wonderstuff
Renee and Jeremy It's a Big World
Interesting in knowing how CDs are considered for this list. Great selections by the way. Also, there is no contact info on the blog.
Posted by: Kami Huyse | 24 July 2008 at 02:36 PM