Artist: Wayne Potash
Album: Yes!
Age Range: 3 through 6
Description: Boston-area musician Potash has always been a little retro in his approach -- no revved-up post-ironic alterna-pop for him, nosiree. When I reviewed his 2005 album Don't Forget the Donut, I praised his goofy lack of pretense, and time has not changed Potash's approach much. Get past the lo-fi album cover and song titles like "I Like Trucks," which make it sound like the accompanying songs would be bereft of any creativity or production values, and you'll find some great preschooler tracks. "I Like Trucks," for example, is a slow-moving country-folk song that is so ear-wormy and familiar that I could've sworn I'd heard it on a previous record. I hadn't. It is an instant transportation song classic, and "Allis Chalmers," a love song to a tractor with a great singalong chorus, is almost one as well. Listen to clips from the 46-minute album here. Rootsy originals and traditionals with a dash of classic rock, gentle and empathetic, Yes! is a sweet album for the wee ones. Recommended.
