One of the goals I have for the year is try to expand the reach of family music (at least my sliver of it) into the broader world. I know that everyone is trying to do the same, but I really believe that we can let our freak flags fly a little bit louder, right? As part of that effort, I'm geeked to announced that I've been asked to participate in the country's pre-eminent conference on the study of pop music, the 2011 EMP Pop Conference at UCLA. This year's conference theme is called Cash Rules Everything Around Me: Music and Money, and, as you can probably guess, centers (loosely) on the intersection of the music and cash. The conference is in its tenth year, but this year they've moved it from Seattle (the Experience Music Project's home base) and are hosting it in Los Angeles). And the participants include David Lowery (on derivatives -- the financial kind, really), Holly George-Warren, Ann Powers, Chuck Klostermann, and more. Including me. That's right, I'll be presenting a paper called Pay Me My Money Down: Dan Zanes, They Might Be Giants, and the (Un)Surprising Resurgence of Family Music as part of a panel called "My Music Business," which'll feature a jazz musician, a Cajun-country folklorist, a music journalist, and me. Should be fun. I'm just waiting for my invite to TED.
Dan Zanes Teaches You "Jamaica Farewell"
Sure, he just calls it "The Basics - Part I," but Dan Zanes eventually tells you how to use those nice G, C, and D major chords to play "Jamaica Farewell," which Zanes recorded with Angelique Kidjo on his 2003 disk House Party. Now for those of you who have noted that his lessons have not been geared at beginners, this is totally geared at beginners. Perhaps my previous comments worked in some vague Old Spice guy-like way. Or maybe not: "Winter 2010" could mean it was recorded nearly 12 months ago. But if it was, then I repeat the call, Dan: ukulele lessons for everyone!
Dan Zanes - "Jamaica Farewell" (excerpt) [YouTube]
Oh, and how about a bonus Zanes-related video?
Christmas 2010 Family Music, Part 2
You know, I was going to just update my original Christmas music post, but it's clear that too much stuff is being released as singles or on YouTube -- it'd make that post unwieldy. So here's the second post. (It won't be the last, either -- more stuff is on its way.)
The Hipwaders' Kindie Christmas was one of last year's crop of excellent Christmas CDs. They've made the jangly "Wake Up" a free download for a limited time -- pick it up here. (Remember the video? Good stuff.)
This video from DidiPop is almost ridiculously cute. It's lo-fi animation but in all the right ways.
DidiPop - "Let's Make Santa Happy Tonight" [YouTube]
It's not a Christmas song, but as soon as I saw that Charity and JAMband was giving a song called "Loving Kindness" away as a free download this month, I thought it'd be perfect. It's based on a Buddhist practice, but I think it's totally appropriate for the season. Go here for the song and activities, or just grab the song below.
Putumayo Kids is offering a free download of "Jolly Old St. Nick" from the always interesting Brave Combo for the price of an e-mail address (here). It's from last year's A Family Christmas.
Finally, last week Brooklyn represented for Hanukkah -- this week, they turn their attention to Christmas. Dan Zanes turns in a very peaceful rendition of what he says is his favorite song of the season, "Silent Night." It's a very simple version (and video), but I like how Zanes retains my favorite part of the song when sung at a church service, and that's how the instrumental accompaniment virtually disappears on the last verse.
Dan Zanes - "Silent Night" [YouTube]
The Deedle Deedle Dees' Lloyd Miller also has put up some Christmas-related songs up on YouTube, including "Silent Night" (a little bit faster than Dan's) and "Jingle Bells". But I thought his version of "We Three Kings" on a very fuzzed-out bass was most unique. "Awesome," indeed.
Lloyd Miller - "We Three Kings of Orient Are" [YouTube]
The Hipwaders' Kindie Christmas was one of last year's crop of excellent Christmas CDs. They've made the jangly "Wake Up" a free download for a limited time -- pick it up here. (Remember the video? Good stuff.)
This video from DidiPop is almost ridiculously cute. It's lo-fi animation but in all the right ways.
DidiPop - "Let's Make Santa Happy Tonight" [YouTube]
It's not a Christmas song, but as soon as I saw that Charity and JAMband was giving a song called "Loving Kindness" away as a free download this month, I thought it'd be perfect. It's based on a Buddhist practice, but I think it's totally appropriate for the season. Go here for the song and activities, or just grab the song below.
Putumayo Kids is offering a free download of "Jolly Old St. Nick" from the always interesting Brave Combo for the price of an e-mail address (here). It's from last year's A Family Christmas.
Finally, last week Brooklyn represented for Hanukkah -- this week, they turn their attention to Christmas. Dan Zanes turns in a very peaceful rendition of what he says is his favorite song of the season, "Silent Night." It's a very simple version (and video), but I like how Zanes retains my favorite part of the song when sung at a church service, and that's how the instrumental accompaniment virtually disappears on the last verse.
Dan Zanes - "Silent Night" [YouTube]
The Deedle Deedle Dees' Lloyd Miller also has put up some Christmas-related songs up on YouTube, including "Silent Night" (a little bit faster than Dan's) and "Jingle Bells". But I thought his version of "We Three Kings" on a very fuzzed-out bass was most unique. "Awesome," indeed.
Lloyd Miller - "We Three Kings of Orient Are" [YouTube]
A Very Brooklyn Hanukkah
No sooner than I suggest that there wasn't much in the way of new Hanukkah music than I'm reminded of a couple YouTube videos and another song is released. Both releases, as it happens, come from Brooklyn and from folks who are, I'm pretty sure, not Jewish. But I think you'll like 'em regardless of whether you (or they) are lighting the menorah the week.
First up is Dan Zanes, who recorded a new track, "Ner Li" with collaborators Rob Friedman and Sonia De Los Santos. It's a Hanukkah song that Wikipedia reports as being popular in Israel. Zanes' version is characteristically lovely. Download it here.
Second up is Lloyd Miller from the Deedle Deedle Dees. He offers up another couple traditional tunes on his YouTube channel. Simple, but fun.
Lloyd Miller - "Oh Hanukkah!" [YouTube]
Lloyd's other video after the jump...
Video: "Pay Me My Money Down" (Instructional Video) - Dan Zanes
Another entry in Dan Zanes' ongoing series of instructional videos. I like the bluesy take Zanes takes to "Pay Me My Money Down," even though it's way behind my skill level.
In fact, next summer, when Zanes (hopefully) does more of these, I'd like to see him spread the instrumental love. What about those of us who own a DZ Flea? Or a mandolin? We (unreasonably) demand even more free instrumental lessons from Dan Zanes!
Dan Zanes - "Pay Me My Money Down" (instructional video) [YouTube]
After the jump, a family band takes Zanes' advice seriously...
Share: Elizabeth Mitchell "Sunny Day" Mask (and more!)
Oh, that Smithsonian Folkways label. Folk music from around the world, but they've totally gone 21st century. Yep, that's right, they have a Tumblr account, which today features the first of five days of posts related to Sunny Day, Elizabeth Mitchell's latest album for the label. Today's post gives you the chance to listen to one of the tracks from the album, "Green Green Rocky Road," which features a relaxed duet between Mitchell and Dan Zanes. And Mitchell's daughter Storey. So perhaps it's a trio.
But we're about the free stuff here with "Share," and so, here it is, the Sunny Day mask. That's right, you can make yourself a mask much like that on the album cover. You can even enter the design-your-mask contest (rules at that link up there). Photos will be posted on, yes, Folkways' Flickr page for the contest. They're so web-savvy...
PS: teachers of older preschoolers and early elementary school students may also enjoy the lesson plan for "John the Rabbit".
