My daughter is two and insists that we listen to “Cameron’s La Las” in the car when we drive.
We did have a range of nursery rhymes and kids albums that almost became like injecting faeces directly into the eardrum, but have more recently settled on a play list of songs that she enjoys and that we tolerate (or in some cases, enjoy ourselves).
I also have a soft spot for Laurie Berkner. I think that one entered the rotation 'cause Daddy had the hots for her, but it’s fun, infectious and largely not annoying.
Free To Be…You and Me is a childhood favorite of mine I gave my daughter, but she was largely confused by it. She just can’t grok why anyone would write songs and skits about why boys and girls can do the same things. Which, y’know, is a good thing.
Otherwise, we pretty much listened to regular music and let them listen along. I’m not sure why people feel the need to play their kid special music. I’d rather let them hear *good *music, and learn to appreciate that.
I would also recommend Joanie Bartels. She recently did some “easy listening” kind of stuff, but she has a whole series of albums with the word “Magic” in them. I particularly recommend Lullaby Magic. You can listen to several of her albums in their entirety on her myspace page. (There is an annoying audio ad that plays when you go to her page. Mute it, it has nothing to do with her music.)
Have a look at 'Til Their Eyes Shine. It is a collection of original songs by several well-known singer songwriters. There is some dispute about whether this will appeal more to the parents than the kids, but it is a marvelous collection of songs. Take the time to check it out.
Brave Combo, nuclear polka band, has a great kid’s album.
Or you can hope for the same result that my friend had, when she could not take any more toddler music. She retreated to the other room and put on some Ramones. Two minutes later, the kid was in the room and rockin’ out. That was the end of the toddler music - she’s a rock & roll girl.
I have been told that I am crazy and completely off my rocker for loving the show, but I find just about all of the music done by the guests on Yo Gabba Gabba to be very good.
I also find the short little songs done by the main cast to be quite catchy. I’m pretty sure there’s some cds out there too.
Oh and +1 for Laurie Berkner Love her
Jay Laga’aia has some decent enough songs. Justine Clarke has several albums. I’ve seen The Wiggles live in concert. Twice.
I always put on a classical radio station when I drive. My kids like it. It’s just music to them. Piano pieces are usually popular - try Mozart for something familiar.
My now-3-year-old has loved the Wiggleworms Love You CD since he was a baby. It’s from Chicago’s Old Town School of Folk, so the songs are sung and performed in a folk-style and by really good musicians.
Also, my son once heard a radio station playing lots of Frank Sinatra’s greatest hits while we were driving home from a pediatrician. As we got out of the car, he said, “I love Mommy, Daddy, and Frank Sinatra.”
We had this album, A Child’s Celebration of Song, for Ledzepkid when he was a tot and it was great. But mostly he listened to our music with us, and at 14 mostly still does.
Love her