Tag Archives: kids musicians

In the Nick of Time is Nick Deysher, aka: “The Toddler Whisperer” and he has compiled an album of music geared toward little listeners that will have them rocking, hopping, swaying, and bopping to the music.  Nick does a great job combining an array of different genres in his fifth and newest release, “Making Silly Faces”.

I can dig this album because I grew up listening to music from the ’60s right on up to today’s current hits.  I’m an underground music lover at heart, but I can still appreciate what artists in all the different genres are doing.  It’s all a form of art, and I like art.  I like Nick’s style and his approach to kid’s music.  He’s got the right idea.  The idea is, you don’t have to dumb-down music for kids.  He’s exploratory with different styles of music and I like that about him.  I personally really like his “Punk Rocks” song.

Making Silly Faces can be found and purchased at Amazon, CD Baby, iTunes and here on the In the Nick of Time Music website.

We’ve been listening to the above two albums all summer.  Kids World Party sort of became our album of the summer.  Whenever we’d fill up the baby pool in the backyard, we would play it and pretend we were having a summer beach party (which, we pretty much were).  The music on this compilation is eclectic, performed by artists from across the ponds.  It’s super upbeat and the kids really enjoy it.

The artists appearing on Kids World Party are:

• Pakita (France)
• Solana (Hawaii)
• Famara (Switzerland)
• PALO! (Cuba/USA)
• Asheba (Trinidad)
• Sharon Katz & The Peace Train (South Africa)
• Tom Freund and Friends (USA)
• Lucky Ali (India)
• Will Stroet (Canada)
• Monedita de Oro (Mexico)
• Balentes (Italy)
• Eric Bibb (USA)

Then there is Acoustic Dreamland.  This lullaby album may be marketed toward kids but I’ll have you know, this adult can’t get enough of it.  A couple of my favorite artists who appear on this compilation album are, Liz Mitchell and Frances England.  Then there is the awesome cover of Wilco’s, My Darling, by Mark Erelli.  A very pleasant album, perfect for downtime.  A highly recommended purchase.  Don’t pass this one up.

The artists appearing on Acoustic Dreamland are:

• Lucy Kaplansky
• Victor Johnson
• Elizabeth Mitchell
• William Fitzsimmons
• Kesang Marstrand
• Frances England
• Mark Erelli
• Rosie Thomas
• Daniel Martin Moore
• Hem
• Rick Scott

Putumayo puts out lots of great kid’s music compilation albums.  Check out their catalog and see for yourself.

I should start out by telling you that I’m a bit biased about this band.  I met Drew, Daron and Jack (Recess Monkey) last year at Kidzapalooza, where I fell in love with their animated personalities, charm, and above all, their music.

The Recess Monkey guys pound out album after great album.  Their music and lyrics don’t sound forced, as in, catchy songs just seem to come naturally to these three friends. Their musical chemistry is undeniable and as someone with children who often listens to family-friendly music, I fully appreciate that.

Flying is Recess Monkey’s follow-up to their 2010 hit album, The Final Funktier.  From pop to funk, there is something for everyone on Flying.  Tor Hyams (producer of the album) lends his kick-ass musical talents on multiple songs.  When asked if he used a real drill for the sound effect in “Toolbox”, Hyams’ reply was “Yup.” (a man of many words).  Kindie rockers Molly Ledford (Lunch Money), Chris Wiser (Sugar Free Allstars), Chris Ballew (Caspar Babypants), Justin Lansing (Okee Dokee Brothers) among others also make guest appearances throughout the new album.

Here’s the track listing:

1. Flying (I had a sneak peek of this one during a recording session.  You can listen/view that HERE.)
2. Day Job
3. Covered in Band Aids (Accident prone children for the win!)
4. Sidekick
5. My Valentine (I say, why wait for V-day?  You should profess your love for your pet fish 365 days a year!)
6. Bravest Kid in the World
7. Your Favorite Book
8. Toolbox
9. Grandmom’s house (We personally love the kid doing background vocals who screams “Grandma!” in a very high-pitched shrieking voice.)
10. Invisible friend (Guest vocalist: Molly Ledford of Lunch Money)
11. Flapjacks
12. Bunk Bed (Do wop!)
13. Super Stuffies (Anyone hear of Ted Leo? This song kinda reminds me of his music.)
14. Flying (Reprise)

The new album is totally worthy of owning.  You can trust me on that one.

Hope Harris‘ newest album, Cousins Jamboree has a nice mix of upbeat songs and relaxing songs that quickly whisk you away to a simpler time.  It’s got a bit of swing and sway mixed with a bit of twang.  It’s an album that blends in perfectly with sitting around a campfire on a cool summer night, roasting marshmallows and making s’mores.  As a matter of fact, that doesn’t sound like a half-bad idea at all right now.

Many of the songs on the album remind me of my small town in the middle of the Allegheny Mountains and being a kid again.  It also reminds me of our family camping trips with dozens of cousins and tents lined up along the river bank.  I’m from north-central PA and as I always say, “You can take the girl out of Pennsylvania but you can’t take Pennsylvania out of the girl.”  A few of my favorite tunes from the album are Gelbart Dufrain, Holcomb Rock Road and I am an Alien (because, who wouldn’t want to have an alien for a mom?).

When I play Cousins Jamboree for my girls, they’re content to just listen to Hope Harris’ soothing vocals while going about their business and most of the time, I catch them humming right along with the songs.  We’ve been known to dance around the living room a little bit, too.  Just sayin’.

Hope Harris’ Cousins Jamboree gets a big thumbs up from the ParentSphere family!