Amazon.com: Just as adult authors from Isabel Allende to Clive Barker are writing kids' books these days, rock & roll artists (remember Jerry Garcia and David Grisman's 1993 recording Not for Kids Only?) are reaching out to the younger set. Thank goodness, we say... and scoot over, Barney. Festival Five Records is the children's music label founded by Dan Zanes, former lead singer of the Del Fuegos, where he hopes to capture "the sound of a neighborhood band on the front stoop playing tunes after dinner for a family dance." His third CD release, Night Time! ("a musical cool-down disc for all ages underground"), comes on the heels of Rocket Ship Beach and Family Dance. Here, traditional tunes such as the West Indian sea shanty "Pay Me My Money Down" and the African American folk song "Down by the Riverside" take their place next to folksy, hypnotic Zanes originals, including "Night Owl," "Firefly," and "Linger for Awhile," a song aimed to reflect Brooklyn stoop life. Mandolins, harmonicas, trombones, fiddles, electric guitars (and more!) add to the contagious buoyancy of this eclectic 16-track CD. Our favorite is "Rattlin' Bog," a delightfully nonsensical cumulative song, led by Father Goose and featuring the kids in the Dandelion Chorus. As in his other CDs, Zanes invites friends and family to join the fun, along with heavy-hitters such as Aimee Mann, Lou Reed, and Dar Williams. This irresistible collection, appealing to toddlers and easy on their parents, is packaged in a colorful board book illustrated by Donald Saaf with starry scenes of moonlit music making. An excellent addition to any children's music library. --Karin Snelson
Disc 1:
Night Owl - Dan Zanes, Zanes, Dan
Pay Me My Money Down - Dan Zanes, Traditional
Side By Side - Dan Zanes, Woods, Harry
Guysborough Railway - Dan Zanes, McGrath, Art
¡Qué Fortunidad! - Dan Zanes, Brousal, Barbera
Evening Time - Dan Zanes, Traditional
Smile Smile Smile - Dan Zanes, Zanes, Dan
Siyahamba - Dan Zanes, Traditional
Down by the Riverside - Dan Zanes, Traditional
Rattlin' Bog - Dan Zanes, Traditional
Firefly - Dan Zanes, Zanes, Dan
So Long (It's Been Good to Know Yuh) - Dan Zanes, Guthrie, Woody
What a Wonderful World - Dan Zanes, Thiele, Robert
Not a fan Wow, I guess we had quite a different experience from all the raves! We gave this cd a play several times, hoping to have it "grow on us" but all of us disliked it. The rambling speaking parts are annoying, the singing voices not entirely pleasant. We all loved the recording of Firefly, but that's it.
Great all around album I got this album for listening in the car. I wanted music that I could appreciate, without worrying about content with my two year old in the back seat. The songs are mellow, fun, and *musical*... NOT your normal squeaky/irritating 'kids' music!! He appeals to me a bit like Tom Petty does, although the mild similarity is mostly in their voices. The tunes have a lived in, folk sound, like songs passed down from one generation to the next. My son loves this album and asks for it regularly, and while out shopping bursts into "Hi-ho the Valley-O" or "Down by the riverside". We plan on getting more Dan Zanes in the future.
great and prompt It had the song on it that we wanted and it is a very nice cd. and we got it very fast. thank-you. Lynn hoblitzel
BUY IT NOW! Parents, prepare to have your lives changed. This is GREAT music that you and your kids will enjoy together. DZAF has created something that goes far beyond music that the kids will beg to hear and grown-ups can stand to play AGAIN in the mini-van. This is music that inspires music-making.
Since we "discovered" DZAF, my four year old spends her days singing, dancing, pretending she "is" Dan Zanes, pretending she's playing with Dan Zanes, and learning to play the piano and ukulele (yes, the DZ Flea edition!). She asked Santa for a harmonica. Just that. Is she learning catchy (ANNOYING) jingles about how to tie her shoes? No. Is she learning anything? Yes. Music is math, art, reading, writing, peace, love and happiness! She is learning that making music is bigger than the song; collaboration to create something good gives children a sense of inclusion, unity, curiosity, and goodwill that they carry with them when the song/dance party is over.
On a barely related note, if you have the chance, see DZAF in concert. The only thing better than hearing the music is experiencing the wild, all-ages folk show in person. Our recent concert experience was so incredible, we're driving 376 miles in March to see the band again!
This might be my favorite release from DZAF. Hard to say..... Our faves from this CD are "Night Owl (fun for ukesters)," "Linger for a While," "Pay Me My Money Down," "Down By the Riverside," and "Leadbelly Songs (also fun to play on the uke)." I hope your family will be as inspired by the work of this amazing band as mine has been.
Wonderful music for the whole family! We listen to this CD everywhere--in the car, in the kitchen while making dinner, during dinnertime, just before bed. It is truly wonderful, and our 1-year old daughter LOVES it! (In particular, she likes "Down by the Riverside" and "Wild Mountain Thyme" and ANYTHING with Father Goose...) Not annoying, but sweet and great music. It's great to have a CD that we all enjoy listening to together!
Anything Goes Trivia
Megaton Man
Trevor
