Products and Pointers
MUSICAL SUGGESTIONS FOR CHILDREN
By David Menconi
So let's say purple dinosaur burnout is in full effect. You've
already written out of your will the person who gave your kids a copy
of "Barney's Favorites," and you're going to scream if you have to hear
that I-Love-You song one more time.
What to do? Short of
hiding Barney in the attic, a better strategy is distraction. Start
exposing your young 'uns to adult music you can stand to listen to
yourself, maybe via mixtapes, and get them started on the notion that
there's a wider musical universe out there beyond what they hear on
"Teletubbies" or "Sesame Street."
Eventually, of course, the
music your children listen to will drive you crazy in entirely
different ways. But until they discover Limp Bizkit, there's room for
agreeable compromise in the form of a band like the B-52's. "Rock
Lobster" and "Planet Claire," both available on the B-52's "Time
Capsule" Best-of (Reprise Records), exude a cartoonish sci-fi vibe
that's perfect for kids, knowingly cheesy for parents. Speaking of
cartoonish, the Squirrel Nut Zippers play music that sounds like it
should be a soundtrack for one of those old black-and-white cartoons
where all the toys in a store come to life late at night. "Hot"
(Mammoth Records) hits a good balance between uptempo jump tunes for
the mornings, and quieter ballads for evening.
It's never too
early to start delving into musical history. To that end, try the
Coasters' "Very Best" (Rhino Records) and Cab Calloway's "Are You Hep
to the Jive?" (Columbia Records). The Coasters were the quirkiest of
the 1950s R&B vocal groups, specializing in goofy novelties like
"Yakety Yak" and "Charlie Brown." A giant of the '30s big-band era,
Calloway was the original rapper. "Minnie the Moocher," "Everybody Eats
When They Come to My House," and his other hits remain drolly
hilarious.. Finally, there's jazz vocalist Bobby McFerrin, a one-mouth
orchestra who produces some of the most astonishing a capella sounds
you've ever heard. "Simple Pleasures" (EMI Records) does include his
dippy signature hit "Don't Worry Be Happy," but also a genuinely
amazing how'd-he-do-that cover of Cream's "Sunshine of Your Love" that
has to be heard to be believed.
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About The Author
David Menconi is a regular contributor to Your Baby Today.
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