Fids and Kamily 2008 Awards - My Ballot

Congrats to Justin Roberts for taking top prize in this year's Fids and Kamily Awards. His latest album "Pop Fly" is more than deserving of the honor of being considered 2008's best kids and family record. I called "Pop Fly" the best kid's music album ever, so the fact that it won best of the year doesn't surprise at all.

For the 2nd year in a row I was pleased and humbled to be a part of the F&K process as an official judge. Like last year, I was asked to write the Fids and Kamily review for one of the top 10 CDs. In 2007 I was privileged enough to pen the short review of the #1 album, Gustafer Yellowgold's "Have You Never Been Yellow". This time around I chipped in for the #10 disc Danielle Sansone's gorgeous "Two Flowers".

Here is how my personal ballot looked this year:

1) "Pop Fly" Justin Roberts
2) "Yes to Running" Bill Harley
3) "Family Tree" Frances England
4) "Dragonfly Races" Ellis Paul
5) "Music for a Green Planet" Hayes Greenfield
6) "Here Comes Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could" Brady Rymer
7) "Two Flowers" Danielle Sansone
8) "Tabby Road" Recess Monkey
9) "I Count to Ten and Other Very Helpful Songs" David Tobocman
10) "Little Songs" Brian Vogan

A little disappointed that Ellis Paul didn't get more love from my fellow judges. "Dragonfly Races" is a terrific album that has held up all year long. Also a little surprised I only matched on 4 of the top ten this year. Guess that proves just how much quality kiddie music is being released year after year.

Next week I will post my top ten kids and family songs of 2008.

Readeez Volume One DVD Review

If you are wondering just what, exactly, is a Readee you're not alone. While the accompanying-words-on-a-screen concept during a kid's movie is hardly new, what The Readeez Company is doing, starting here on Volume One, is, as far as I know, completely original.

Volume One runs about 40 minutes but is relatively devoid of a cohesive narrative. What strings the 30 roughly-one-minute Readeez together is the idea behind them. Through a trademarked process called Simulsynchrotaneous creator Michael Rachap has crafted a new media tool that serves an interactive aid for young readers and pre-readers alike. The short films are set against a crisp white backdrop and have the characters, namely Julian ("played" by Rachap) and his daughter Isabel, literally popping in and out of the frame - which is fun in and of itself - whilst taking and singing to you and your kids. The topics discussed and put to song range from cold weather to cows and as the images appear so do the words in a large, stylishly simple black font (looks like Goudy Old Style, one of my faves) in perfect syllable synchronization. Instead of just scrolling along the button and certainly without the bouncing ball, the Readeez script flashes in unpredictable places all about the screen.

The stylishly minimalist Readeez DVD art and on screen presentation is instantly appealing. The interaction between the characters is sharp and witty and the general concept here is a winner. The Readeez tagline is "giggle and grin while the knowledge sneaks in" and that is appropriate. The short films are cute and clever but nothing hysterically funny. Giggle is a perfect word to describe the general reaction you'll likely have to Readeez Volume One.

OWTK is certainly looking forward to future volumes but in he meantime we've subscribed to the Readeez channel on You Tube. Check out over a dozen Readeez on You Tube right now then buy the DVD for high quality viewing.

Randy Kaplan "Loquat Rooftop" CD Review

Some of the best music ever composed is often thought of as such because of it's ability to, either with it's rich lyrical content (i.e., "Bob Dylan") or passionate instrumentation (i.e., Miles Davis), conjure up vivid images in the listener's mind. While a kiddie rock songwriter may trade visions of Johanna for those of a cinnamon gum ladybug, this same measuring stick of quality is true of music written for the single digit crowd.

Much like the greats who can be referred to simply by one name (Woody, Seeger, Dylan, Cher - ha!) Randy Kaplan is a dude who knows how to use words as brushstrokes. The picturesque songs of "Loquat Rooftop" radiate warmth, thanks in large part to his uniquely familiar voice and his front porch style of music. His is the musical equivalent of comfort food. Kaplan's tunes are humorous yet sincere with characters who dance happily in your imagination. He is the John Prine of the children's music scene with lyrics as sharp as an aged cheddar, wit to spare and a delivery that's the perfect marriage of singing and speaking.

"Loquat Rooftop" is his second (not just for) kid's record, and is filled with an eclectic mix of traditional tunes, famous covers ("Charlie Brown", "Tomorrow" from Broadway's Annie, Hank Williams' "Move it on Over"), and fabulous folky-jazzy-bluesy originals yet remains centered around the terrific, sentimental title track. With it's gentle, finger-picked acoustic guitar, breezy harmonica and hot summer's day imagery, "Loquat Rooftop" is one of the best kid's songs released this year (I would've sworn Kaplan was singing about a fictitious fruit but it turns out that loquats are real!).

Mike West, Kaplan's producer, penned the 2nd best cut on the record in "Clothes Dryer". The track features street festival horns that pop and includes the best sing along chorus on the disc in "...Clothes Dryer, ain't we got a line, ain't we got a yard full of sunshine". Spot OWTK on the road this month and you'll likely see us all silently screaming out those words.

Kaplan is only two records into his kid's music career, yet I already feel comfortable placing him on the top shelf alongside Justin Roberts and Frances England. I'm stoked to hear what he has in store on future (not just for) kid's releases.

Kaplan has a few live shows coming up this month - check him out at Symphony Space in Manhattan on November 22nd or join OWTK at World Cafe Live in Philly a week later on the 29th.

Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of Loquat Rooftop, either physically or digitally, right now. You can sample most all the "Loquat Rooftop" songs mentioned here...right here.

Extreme Makeover OWTK edition

The site will be transformed over the next couple days. What you see now may change...don't be alarmed!

My United States - Brady Rymer

Celebrate Election Day 2008 with this rockin' number from Brady Rymer.

Download "My United States" for free today.

VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE

Get out and be heard.

No Excuses!

Vote today!

Our Moustaches Can Change the World

It's Movember!

Check out this funny, yet at the same time serious, charity that encourages the growth of upper lip facial hair as a way to raise awareness of prostate cancer and other men's health issues. Movember is an international movement that has raised more than 29 million dollars globally since it's inception 4 years ago. The Prostate Cancer Foundation is the primary beneficiary of U.S. based Movember fundraising.

The idea is to start November clean shaven (so you missed 1 day if you're just learning about Movember today) then grow it and style your moustache as you see fit. Talk about your lovely young stache throughout the month and encourage others to donate to this cool cause.

You can register as an individual or as a team. Get started and become a Mo Bro or Mo Sista today.

Bill Harley Live in Philly

One week from tonight, Saturday November 8th, the great Bill Harley will be live in Philadelphia, PA (now also known as The City of Champions!!!)

He is bringing his songs and stories to the Arch Street Friends Meeting House. The venue is located at 4th and Arch in Olde City Philly. The show is scheduled from 7:00-8:45pm and costs a mere $10! Seriously, that is a much better investment than whatever movie is showing at the multiplex on Delaware Avenue.

Sample some Bill Harley here:

a Song - "I Like to Sing"



and a Story - "The Ballad of Dirty Joe"




then buy tickets to see Bill's only area performance.

Still not sure? Go back and read OWTK's review of Bill Harley Live! This is sure to be the kiddie event of the rest-of-the-year in Philly. OWTK will be there and you won't want to miss it either!