Strollerderby : dan zanes

Desert Island Disks – Kid Music Edition

Cole Gamble — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 15:00:00 GMT

Everybody has played the Desert Island Disks Game: if you were stranded on deserted island for the rest of your life, what 5 compact disks would you bring? That’s right; I said compact disks, no IPods. I know my list would at least have OK Computer and Weezer’s Blue Album on there somewhere. But I just concocted a variation on the game: what if the 5 disks you chose had to be kids’ music? Don’t claw you’re face off just yet; there’s some pretty decent kids music out there. I think I’d have to take some Backyardigans and that new Yo Gabba Gabba CD that came out.

What about you? What would you take if it could only be kids’ music? Let’s get a big, fat list going.

Return of the son of stuff YUPPIE parents like

Brett Singer — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 15:00:00 GMT

Because too much is never enough. And besides, didn't you want to see this photo at least one more time?

1. Organic everything: from a commenter. I've succumbed to some of this, partly because, living in Manhattan, the cost difference isn't as great as it used to be, and sometimes the quality is better. I also admit that I feel less guilt giving my kids "organic" pre-packaged crap than I do giving them "chemical-laden" pre-packaged crap. It's still crap, but it's ORGANIC crap.

2. Classes and activities: yes, from the same commenter. She said, "mommy and me classes" but in my experience it's much more than that. Around here, it seems like everyone has their kids doing something all flippin' day. A parent once told me that she didn't understand why Kindergarten went until 3pm; she wished it ended at noon so her kid could take advantage of everything Manhattan had to offer. I replied that I thought Kindergarten should go until 8pm. We don't talk much anymore.

3. Kids' music that parents can enjoy: All parents have benefited from the boom in kiddie rock. While I am of course very glad that children's music has evolved beyond Raffi (who really isn't that bad) and Kidz Bop (which is), sometimes this preciousness can go a little too far. Sure, anything by Dan Zanes or The Dirty Sock Funtime Band is better than Barney's Greatest Hits, but a little James Taylor, Peter Paul and Mary, The Beatles – lots of great "adult" music out there that kids might like.

4. Taking their children to live rock 'n' roll shows: "Alternadad" Neal Pollack brought his little one to see The Hives, a rather loud quasi-punk act. I spotted two sets of parents who had dragged their children to see Yaz at the Beacon theater (I myself was dragged by my wife, but that's another story). When commenters on Gawker are giving good parenting advice ("Neil [sic], seriously--ear plugs"), you know something is out of whack in the universe.

5. Anything that isn't made of granite. At least after we found out about the radiation.

For more, click here.

image: nostalgiacentral.com

More stuff YUPPIE parents like

Baby Penis Album only five bucks

Stuff White Parents Like

When playgrounds attack, the sequel

The Dark Knight -- parents strongly cautioned (to go see it)

Here's to the laddies who lunch

Kid Food Is Mostly Crap, and It's a Little Shocking

Dottie's Magic Pockets: I Want to Love it and You'll Want to Love it, too

Erin White — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 17:49:00 GMT

Let me begin by saying that I am a terrible snob when it comes to children's shows. Dan Zanes is the only children's performer my daughter has seen live and that's only because I have a crush on both Dan and the girls in his band. But normally my intense phobia of audience participation coupled with the nearly crippling embarassment I feel for the performers themselves keeps me away from any show (live or taped) that involves real people.

But I am really trying to love Dottie.

Because the thing is, Dottie's a lesbian mom. A lesbian mom who, when her partner and son head off to the first day of school, creates a magical world from the glitter she finds in the pockets of her hoody. The show is sort of like Pee Wee's Playhouse, except less entertaining. A lot less entertaining.

I want to love Dottie's Magic Pockets. I really, really do. I would love for my daughter to watch a show that reflected her own family life. But I can't subject her (and myself by extension) to a silly show just because it's about gay people. Little Bear's mother and father might dress like they belong in the FLDS compound, but at least they have some clever things to say now and again.

So for now we'll take Dottie and her friends out of the DVD player and put "Angelina Ballerina, Friends Forever," back in. And if that doesn't tell you how insipid Dottie is, than I don't know what will.

BZ (Beyond Zanes): Music my kids like that isn't "kids music"

Brett Singer — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 22:15:00 GMT

You know all the usual players - Dan Zanes. Laurie Berkner. Milkshake. The Dirty Sock Funtime Band. And maybe Raffi if you want to kick it old-school. (Baby Beluga in the hizzouse! OK, I'll stop now.) Nothing wrong with any of it. But there's other tunage out there that will make the kids get up and shake it like a Polaroid picture. Here's some that my offspring have enjoyed:

	Abba: I don't know why but the Swedish quartet used to work wonders on long car trips. ABBA Gold: Greatest Hits was the CD of choice, although the Mamma Mia! London cast recording was a hit as well.
	Peter Paul and Mary: This one may not be a surprise to you, but it's also sort of like Purloined Music - hidden in plain sight unless you know where to look. I picked up a cassette copy of their Greatest Hits in a bargain bin and for a year it was in permanent rotation in Thing 1's mini boom box.
	James Taylor: Perhaps this is also not a surprise entry but it's not quite as obvious a choice as the authors of "Puff the Magic Dragon." JT's Greatest Hits has "Sweet Baby James", "Shower The People" and lots more. The version we have is on cassette (same bargain bin) and was about half as long as the CD version linked here.
	Cubanismo!: (The ! is in the name, like Yahoo!) Thing 2 was way into Mardi Gras Mambo when I put it on. Great beat, lots going on musically. The lyrics to "Mother In Law" aren't something you want them repeating ("She's the worst person that I know...") but there's nothing really bad in there that I could hear.
	Louis Armstrong: "What a Wonderful World" works, but so does "Hello, Dolly!" Again, some might not be thrilled with the lyrics to "Mack the Knife," but as long as they aren't repeated to a teacher you should be okay. The Greatest Hits I bought is sold out for some reason, but you can get the MP3 version for under 10 bucks.

Other music not-technically-for-them that friends' kids were into at a young age include LL Cool J (hearing a three year old sing "Aretha Franklin got a big ole butt - oh yeah!" is something everyone should experience at least once) and Los Lonely Boys. I'm sure some of you have more music that the whole family enjoyed despite the fact that it doesn't say "for the whole family to enjoy" on the label. If so, holla! I mean, leave a comment. (I'm too old to say "holla".)

images: babies in headphones, WashingtonPost.com; others, Amazon.com

Playdate: Sweet, Sweet Music

Amy Kuras — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 19:03:00 GMT

One of my more high-minded ideals that went right the hell out the window when I had a kid was not listening to quote-unquote "children's music" with my kids. Oh no, I was going to be that super-cool parent who makes their kids carefully crafted mixes of all the best stuff I listen to.

But unlike some of those other ideals, this one didn’t go out the window because of a general standards-lowering. It went out the window because there is some amazingly great kid's music out there, some of it made by people I already like (Barenaked Ladies and They Might Be Giants, for starters) and some by people I'd never heard of a few years ago (Dan Zanes, although I did know the Del Fuegos, and Elizabeth Mitchell as well as rockin' local moms the Candy Band).

So I am surprised it took me this long to find the blogger I am asking on today's playdate, since he's clearly meant to be my new music-geek BFF: Zooglobble.com. Writer Stefan Shepherd, a father of two in Phoenix, blogs about the best in high quality kid's music, stays on top of new releases, and generally provides great info for families interested in music they can all share together.

I love this explanation of why kid's music versus just tossing in whatever you're listening to: "To make a literature analogy -- even if you read John Updike to your kids (which I think you'll agree is probably not the wisest of parental choices), don't you think they might appreciate a nice Mo Willems or "Junie B. Jones" book sometimes, too? And besides, there's some fabulous music that's being made in this genre right now -- it'd be a shame if you missed it just because you chose to ignore it."

Okay, Stefan, I'll bring the snacks if you bring the CDs. Sounds like a plan?

Free MP3! From Dan Zanes Pal Father Goose

Gwynne Watkins — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 14:16:00 GMT

Longtime Dan Zanes collaborator Father Goose is being touted as the first Caribbean artist to leave the dancehall for the all-family music scene -- but in truth, he hasn’t gone far. His new album, It’s a Bam Bam Diddly!, is a party in a CD; it’s full of reggae beats, contagious horns and energetic vocals, and while it’s geared toward kids, it stays true to Father Goose’s Jamaican roots. The blend of traditional and original songs (including one sung in Creole) ranges from reggae to calypso to mento; guest appearances include Dan Zanes and Sheryl Crow, although the more exciting guest spots come from less Rolling Stone-ish artists, like Haitian roots musician Gaston “Bonga” Jean-Baptiste on steel drums. Detailed liner notes and lyric sheets help guide kids and parents through this potentially new terrain (though I suspect the kids in my predominantly West Indian neighborhood will do just fine on their own). The album hits stores this week – check it out here.

Download the very danceable song Chi Chi Buddo:

Chi Chi Buddo by Father Goose.mp3

Kids In Clubs With Bands

Kelly Mills — Wed, 09 May 2007 19:36:00 GMT

This one ought to make the anti-hipster-parent faction pee themselves with horror: according to this trend piece, all-ages clubbing is the latest thing. All-ages as in, toddlers. The rise in music for kids that doesn't suck has led to venues opening up for parent and kid shows. Hey, remember when the chill-out lounge was for drugs, not babies?

Whole families can go see live acts like the Sippy Cups, Dan Zanes, and Laurie Berkner (who my husband has a monster crush on, BTW) and experience baby's first stage dive. The article implies that taking kids to shows makes parents feel young and hip, but while I love a good family show, they are more likely to make me feel old. There's something about having your preschooler stand in the same spot in front of stage left where you puked as a teen that really brings home how much life has changed. Plus I have to hear myself moan, "Twenty-five dollars for a concert t-shirt! That's highway robbery!" in a way that does not fill me with youthful spirit. Still, good times.

My daughter and I saw Dan Zanes in San Francisco a couple years ago, and it was pretty wild. At one point some of the kids kinda rushed the stage and I had visions of Altamont. The downsides of the concert were: rowdy five-year-olds (not as annoying as rowdy nineteen-year-olds though); minimal glass-eating and swearing from the band; and pretty pathetic tattoo work on some of those kids--looked like they drew 'em themselves, to be honest. On the plus side: kids can get away with that spin-y, noodly, interpretive dance thing way better than adults can; the sing-alongs were fun, not annoying; and you could actually use the bathroom stalls to pee.

Dan Zanes & Friends: A Fabulous Live Show

Alisyn — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 12:14:00 GMT

If you happen to be a member of one of the unfortunate families who has not yet had a Dan Zanes & Friends experience, then you need to go to his website right now, and buy tickets for the next show anywhere near you. Go now!

Yesterday was my second time seeing Dan & co. at the beautiful, old Herbst Theater in San Francisco, and it was just as good as the first time, if not better. Last time, Hazel was a little freaked out by the crowd of rambunctious kids, and rode the show out in her dad's lap, while 5-month-old Violet dozed in the sling. But this time around, Hazel, Violet and their friends jumped, twisted, clapped, sang, and ring-around-the-rosy'd their way through the whole set, from start to finish. It was a live music-loving parent's dream come true, and it was freaking adorable. It helped that the show itself, from the set list to the setting, was awesome.

Dan & co.'s spring tour is in support of their latest album, the Grammy nominated Catch That Train, but the songs played yesterday were hits from his newest and oldest albums, and included the anthems "All Around The Kitchen", "Sidewalks of New York" and "Wonder Wheel". The dance-friendly "The Fine Friends Are Here" and "Let's Shake," both from Catch That Train, were conspicuously absent, but the little known "Sail Away Ladies" was a fun surprise, and the booty-shaker "House Party" had everyone on their feet. The band's founding members - Dan, the lovely Barbara Brousal, the crowd-pleasing Father Goose, and cute Colin Brooks - were on hand, as well as new members John Futi on accdordian and Saskia Lane on upright bass. They invited San Francisco's Orange Sherbet and Oakland's Westlake Middle School Band to join them on stage for a song, in keeping with their tradition of showcasing local musicians at their shows. Dan kept the crowd engaged with his laid-back, friendly chatter, and he wore the "leader of the band" badge with an easy going pride, but the real star of the show was the music. People of all ages were standing in the aisles clapping, dancing and singing out loud. There were a few embarrassed first-timers, awkwardly clapping and looking around to see if anyone was watching them, but the majority of the crowd, myself included, was rockin' - and didn't care who saw.

If you have the time and the opportunity, don't miss Dan Zanes & Friends when they come to your town. Your kids will thank you for taking them, and you'll be thanking your kids for the opportunity to go. Cockadoodle doodle doo!

Kids Who Rock - Like Mom and Pop

Alisyn — Sat, 16 Dec 2006 14:07:00 GMT

Ever find yourself daydreaming about the day that your kid turns to you and says “Mom (or Dad) – I really respect what you do. I want to be just like you when I grow up”?

Yeah, I don’t expect to hear that either. But then again, I’m not a rock star. I don’t travel the world playing music for millions of people. I huddle in the corner, spending every single spare second of every single day on my computer. My kids think that Mama ignores them for a living.

But I got to thinking about kids who have followed in their parents footsteps – and are well on their ways down their own paths to rock stardom.

Spencer and Sam Tweedy, ages 10 and 8 (pictured at right), are sons of Wilco singer and guitarist Jeff Tweedy, and they have started their own band, The Blisters (no website for these guys - yet). The Blisters played along side Wilco at Lollapalooza 2006 in Chicago. Young Spencer is something of a prodigy, having been an accomplished drummer and songwriter since the age of three.

Eddie Van Halen recently announced that his 15 year old son, Wolfgang, has officially taken the place of longtime Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony. Van Halen is gearing up for a 2007 world tour, and are rumored to be hooking up the band’s original singer, David Lee Roth. Says Van Halen, of his son’s musicianship: "If I excel at the speed of sound, he excels at the speed of light. This kid is just a natural."

I hesitate to refer to Dan Zanes as a “children’s musician” since the term indicates adults dressed as Star Trek weirdos (The Wiggles), adults in freaky-ass wigs and make-up (The Doodlebops), or adults who sing in grating, off-key voices about dinosaurs and bumblebees (I’m lookin’ at you, Laurie Berkner). But Dan Zanes is this generation’s Woody Guthrie – sincere, socially conscious and tremendously talented. His 11-year-old daughter Anna sings backup on all of his albums, and tours with her pop when school permits.

Norah Jones, daughter of Ravi Shankar, the most famous sitar player in the world, sang in church choirs and majored in piano at the University of North Texas before her debut album, “Come Away With Me” won her 8 Grammy Awards in 2003. Her current project is a country band called “The Little Willies.”

Coco Hayley Gordon Moore, is the daughter of indie rock gods Kim Gordon and Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth, and has been encouraged by her parents to dabble in experimental music making. Mike Watt’s 1995 album “Ball-Hog or Tug Boat?” includes a sample of baby Coco crying, and mom and dad recorded Coco screaming a cover of Yoko Ono’s “Piece for Soprano” on album four of Sonic Youth’s “SYR” series. She also appears on the cover of the “Murray Street” album.

Cool parents. Cool kids. Cool music. Just plain cool.