Doc Watson - Songs for Little Pickers
I recently saw a performance by the Not-Its, who play children’s songs that rock as well as many adult pop/rock songs. The lead singer, Sarah Shannon, was lead singer of Velocity Girl about 15 years ago. An Amazon review says the Not-Its are good for kids who like The Presidents of the United States of America, so I guess they’re recommended too.
Oh! Yeah, and she also has a jukebox 50’s style album out. The One-Shoe Blues and the Uninvited Marching Band are my favorites. Oh and Hippo Can Dance…
Back in the day, Bruce Haack and Miss Nelson put out a series of albums of electronic music for children. I’m not sure it’s really aimed at “sing-along”, but it was intended to be “dance-along”.
It may not be to everyone’s taste, but it’d be worth checking out if for no other reason than as historical examples of very early electronica.
Cars and Trucks by Sugar Free Allstars. My grandkids love these guys.
Their new CD is Funky Fresh and Sugar Free.
This CD- Jazz for Kids is great, too. We got it at a museum on a family trip and the kids loved it. It’s original recording by the original artists- but simply songs that appeal to kids.
Seconding Justin Roberts. Most of the music geared toward kids is so irritating, but JR’s stuff is quality, adult-level music with lyrics that are kid-centric. Some of them are really (intentionally) funny, some are sad, but they all are written to address things that are important from a kid’s point of view. I find myself humming them sometimes like I do ‘adult’ music.
My kids loved the Beach Boys, **Chuck Berry **and **The Ramones **(okay, Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue and 53rd and 3rd didn’t get a lot of airplay, but they thought Beat on the Brat was hilarious.)
What, no love for Trout Fishing in America? I think they’re really clever and their musical accompaniment is first-rate.
Stay Awake: Various Interpretations of Music from Vintage Disney Films is a real keeper. It’s time for Volume 2 of this one.
Saddle Pals and Woody’s Roundup by Riders in the Sky, instantly recognizable from the Toy Story soundtracks.
Puff the Magic Dragon by Peter, Paul, & Mary.
The Bare Naked Ladies album for kids is awesome. We adults loved it to, particularly the reggae song about the tadpole.
ETA: It’s called Snacktime! and Stephen Paige re-joined them for a couple of songs. The tadpole song is" Pollywog in a Bog". Oh! Video!
Really? I’m really going to be the first person to bring up the excellent Schoolhouse Rock box set, pricey though it is?
Or how 'bout Schoolhouse Rock Rocks?
Or Tom T. Hall’s pretty-great Country Songs for Children?
Or Toon Tunes and The Carl Stalling Project, volumes I and II?
And lastly, in my experience, one can never go wrong with Disney music (all five volumes of it).
growing up I listened to anything by Sharon Lois and Bram the elephant show.
“It’s the Uninvited Loud Precision Band! It’s the Best Intruding Band in all the Land!!!”
We’re big Sandra Boynton fans. Philadelphia Chickens and BLue Moo are both great.
John Lithgow - Singin’ in the Bathtub
*The Bottle Let Me Down
*
Alt-country label Bloodshot put out this compilation a few years ago. Just as much fun for adults as for kids
You and your kids will dig it.
David
The Wombles, by Mike Batt!
Second the Sandra Boynton recommendation: Philadelphia Chickens is pretty dang funny and smart.
There’s a local guy who does what he calls kid-hop: Secret Agent 23 Skidoo. It’s pretty fun stuff; give it a listen on his website.