While I think that the Asylum Street Spankers' Mommy Says No! was definitely one of the best dozen or so CDs from last year, there's no doubt that it was definitely on the edge as kids' CDs go -- it's not for everyone, and some families won't like it at all.
On top of that, one song -- "You Only Love Me For My Lunchbox" -- has achieved what I believe to be a singular achievement in the kids' music genre. It is, to my knowledge, the only kids' song -- recorded specifically for kids -- to be edited for language. That's right, XM Radio is playing the song, but without the last part of the tongue-twister breakdown.
Why? Well, you'll have to watch this video from a Spankers' show in Dallas back in March.
So, anyway, to answer my own question - from about 4:00 to 4:30 or so, most definitely not, unless you want to have a lengthy and probably unproductive discussion with your impressionable child. (Note: the actual cursing is not part of the CD, just to make that clear.)
Asylum Street Spankers - "You Only Love Me For My Lunchbox"
The National Mall Has The World's Largest Kiddie Pool...
... so why wouldn't you host a kids' music concert there?
OK, that probably wasn't the thinking of XMKids when they set up a concert for Saturday, May 24, but, hey, why not? The XMKids' Traveling Roadshow will broadcast from 11 Children's Miracle Network hospitals across the country starting May 12 as part of an effort to raise $10 million for the non-profit group.
And at the end of the trip they'll host a live, free show from noon to 4 PM at the Sylvan Theatre on the National Mall. Musicians playing at the show include Lisa Loeb, Meredith Brooks, and the ubiquitous Jimmies, who are well on their way to becoming the Jack Johnson of this year's summer concert circuit, appearing seemingly everywhere.
Nice lineup for a good cause.
Austin Kiddie Limits 2008 Lineup Announced. Along With Some Other People.
Well, they've announced the Austin City Limits Festival lineup for the 2008 edition, and it's a doozy. Foo Fighters, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, and Beck appear to be the 3 headliners based on the fact they're listed first, and there are a lot of bands on the undercard worth seeing (David Byrne, Neko Case, Gillian Welch, Mates of State are just some of the intriguing names on the list).
But this is Zooglobble, and so here I am with the Austin Kiddie Limits lineup:
Jambo
Q Brothers
Buck Howdy with BB
Uncle Rock
Big Don
Mr. Ray
The Jimmies
School of Rock
With the exception of Jambo, Q Brothers and School of Rock, all are new to the AKL stage. The lineup is a little more country (Buck Howdy), a little more hip-hop (Big Don, who was there last year passing out CDs, so that seemed to work out well for him), with perhaps the Jimmies trying to fit the large showmanship shoes of the Sippy Cups.
Austin City Limits Festival this year is Sept. 26 - 28.
Recess Monkey Plays For World Dignitary, Screaming 6-Year-Olds
You know, when Recess Monkey recorded "I Went to the Zoo (w/the Dalai Lama)" on their debut CD, Welcome to Monkey Town, I don't think they were engaging in wish fulfillment.
But the Dalai Lama is visiting Seattle in April as part of the Seeds of Compassion event and on April 12, the band is essentially going to be the Dalai Lama's opening act, a sweet gig if there ever was one. (Because, hey, nobody going to see the Dalai Lama is going to boo them for not playing "Stairway to Heaven.")
And for those of you going to Recess Monkey's shows this weekend and a couple weeks from now as part of the recording for their upcoming July album Tabby Road or if you're just curious about the new album, click ahead, why don't you, and see the tracklisting...If Spring is Too Early and Summer Too Late for Your Kids Music Festival Needs...
Kansas City kids musician Funky Mama (aka Krista Eyler) pointed out yesterday that Kansas City, Missouri will host its host its own kids music festival, the first Kansas City Jiggle Jam Family Fest, Memorial Day weekend (Saturday and Sunday, May 24 and 25).
"Don't forget the Midwest family music," asks Eyler, and with a lineup including They Might Be Giants, Justin Roberts, Trout Fishing in America, Tom Chapin, John McCutcheon, not to mention KC-area favorites Jim Cosgrove and Funky Mama, it would be hard to. Especially when the cost per day is $10/kid ($8 in advance, kids under 2 free) and $5/adult. Heck, at those ticket prices, you're losing money if you don't pack those kids of yours into the car/minivan/refurbished school bus and head out.
(Hey, I spent a number of years in the Midwest -- can't ever forget the Midwest family music.)
Anybody else have some sweet tours or multi-multi-artist festivals they know of? Let me know...
For Those Who Can't Wait For Summer Music Festivals
Perhaps you're thinking you don't want to wait until August or September to see a whole bunch of kids' music artists. Perhaps you're also thinking, hey, I'd like to see the Judds reunite! (Coachella's got Portishead, you decide which you'd prefer.) Well, then, Coachella's countryfied cousin, Stagecoach has come to rescue. In addition to booking the Eagles for the festival's second, Stagecoach also is doing its Half-Pint Hootenanny once more and announced its lineup today, with some familiar names on the list:
Brady Rymer
Buck Howdy with BB
The Bummkinn Band
Tom Freund and Friends
Uncle Ron and Aunt Sandii
Kid Fiddlers
The Bon Family and California All-Star Cloggers
Croakers Youth/Family Square Dancers Club
That's a decent lineup there. Stagecoach is May 2 through 4 in Indio, California.
And what if you prefer Austin in springtime?
