Archives for August 9, 2015

Just as some people dig and look for pirate treasure, some scientists dig and look for treasures, too. These treasures may not be gold or jewels but fossils. Following in the footsteps of Dino Tracks, this sequel takes young readers into the field with paleontologists as they uncover treasured clues left by dinosaurs. Readers will follow what and how scientists have learned about dinosaurs: what they ate; how they slept, fought, or even if they ever got sick. True to fashion, the tale is told through a rhythmic, fun read-aloud that can even be sung to the tune of Itsy Bitsy Spider.

First of all, I love how this one can be sung to the tune of Itsy Bitsy Spider. It is really fun for young children! As usual, with all the books that can be found at Arbordale Publishing- it is very educational and will make learning about fossils that dinosaurs left behind,  a lot of fun! For Creative Minds teaches about Biologists and Paleontologists and perfect for Science in K-3.

Find this one at Arbordale Publishing.

Self Disclosure: I received a free book to facilitate this post.

Kids and families nationwide know and love the music of L.A.-based composer/performers Andrew & Polly from hearing the duo’s songs on Nickelodeon’s Wallykazam!, as well as the score to the Nick digital series Welcome To The Wayne.  Soon they will get to hear more with the September 25th release of Andrew & Polly’ssecond album of playful pop tunes for kids, appropriately titled Odds & Ends.

Andrew Barkan and Polly Hall are in demand for their sparkling music for films, TV, and commercials, but their true love is creating and performing music for children.  The married couple makes no bones about where their priorities lie.  According to Andrew, “The commercial accolades are nice, but much more meaningful to us was winning the prestigious ASCAP Foundation Joe Raposo Children’s Music Awardfor the song ‘When You’re A Dog’ from our debut children’s album, Up and At ‘Em!”

Polly Hall agrees, “We make genuine connections with children and families through our songs, shows, and podcast.  Rather than aspiring to be rock stars, we prefer sitting on the carpet in the corner of our favorite independent bookstore and singing on Saturday mornings.  In that way, we can see kids light up when a song really works.  We sing directly to them and with them, on their developmental level, stretching their imaginations and their experience of music.”

Adds Andrew Barkan, “It’s been five years since our first album, and it’s about time for a second one!  We’ve been writing songs and playing shows for kids all the while but haven’t been able to take time away from our TV and film scoring work to put a whole record together until now. Odds & Ends is a little bit like our lives after having our first kid — haphazard, hair-brained, and absolutely full of love.”

Odds & Ends is, indeed, quirky and eclectic, just like Andrew & Polly!  The album kicks off with “Little Bitta You,” a soft, sweet tune that gets big and happy, and, like childhood, is a bit nonsensical at times.  The song also provides a great showcase for trombonist Gabe Feenberg (Terraplane Sun).  “Ghostbusters,” the song that deftly set the silly/scary ambience of the eponymous 1984 film, completely lives up to its reputation in Andrew & Polly’s version, which features theramin, marimba, accordion, kazoos, whistles, synthesizers, and the voices of a collection of their youthful fans bellowing, “Who you gonna call?” into the iPhones of their amazed parents.

What’s next for this dynamic duo?  Andrew & Polly are busy developing EAR SNACKS, a new kind of podcast — for kids, featuring kids — and they can’t wait for fans to hear it!

This really is sweet music for young children! It’a also..different! I really think it stands out among young children’s music today! I highly reccomend for ages 4-8. 

Odds & Ends will be available at CDbaby, iTunes, and at Andrew & Polly’s shows.

Visit Andrew & Polly’s website HERE.
Andrew & Polly on Facebook.

Andrew & Polly on Instagram.

Andrew & Polly on YouTube.

Self Disclosure: I received a free sample to facilitate this music feature post.

They’re back!  The interactive/ultra-powered/wildly eclectic musical explosion known as Josh and the Jamtones is set to bust out of the chute with the August 21 release of their third kids’/family album,ROCKSTEADY.

Chock full of frenetic, danceable reggae/ska jams, ROCKSTEADY features special guests Jesse Peter Wagner (lead singer with legendary reggae/punk/ska band The Aggrolites), Grammy-nominated Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, and Father Goose (featured on the Grammy-winningDan Zanes family albums).

A mashup of ska with punk rock, hip-hop and doo-wop — often played at lunatic speeds — is the foundation of the Josh & the Jamtones sound. ROCKSTEADY (a word that historically describes an early type of ska) is easily the most ambitious album the band has ever recorded, with 19 songs and skits performed by 18 musicians on over 40 instruments.

ROCKSTEADY is produced with a focused conceptual element that could be thought of as “Jamtones FM,” with its mock DJs and radio-static “channel surfing” transitions between songs that display the Jamtones signature blend of reggae, ska, doo-wop harmonies, ’90s hip-hop, and Weezer-like guitar solos.  Themes of love, friendship, and dance parties prevail, and all the songs on the album are seriously danceable.  The “Rocksteady,” the “Tailfeather,” and the “Katmandu” are specific dances, hearkening back to the old radio singles days, while other songs, like “I <3 Ur Face,” have their own kinds of moves.

Josh & the Jamtones have been making music and lots of laughs for kids and families since early 2012, when singer/songwriter Josh Shriberstarted buying fancy lattes from producer/drummer Pat Hanlin at a café near his house.  Since then, the titanic twosome and their intrepid band have crisscrossed the country, playing hundreds of shows and sharing the stage with massive bands like The Wiggles, Yo Gabba Gabba, and The Fresh Beat Band.  The Jamtones have performed at loads of major festivals with mega-acts like the Dave Matthews Band, Hall & Oates, and The Roots.

Previous Josh & the Jamtones releases include Bear Hunt: The Movie! (2014) and the albums Bear Hunt! (2013) and JUMP UP! (2012).

I received a sample of this one and really quite impressed! This one is a lot of fun! Kids will love the original sound of this band! They are simply “cool” and have an unique sounds of their own! Be on the look out for this one!

ROCKSTEADY will be available on the Josh & the Jamtones website, CDBaby, Amazon, Spotify, iTunes, and other online retailers.
Self Disclosure: I received a free sample of this CD to facilitate this music media post.