Wednesday, November 30, 2005

There Really is Tolerable Children's Music Out There

Ever since the Kid was dropped off by that stork we have been very lucky to receive all sorts of great gifts for her. Clothes, toys, books, furniture; all kinds of neat things that she will probably have to work most of her formative years at a Kathy Lee Gifford sweat shop to earn enough to repay the favors. One of her favorite gifts arrived very early on and is still one of the favorites: a compact disc of children's songs.

This single compact disc has been in circulation in my wonderful wife's car for over a year. This single compact disc has made many a long car ride bearable. It has the power to bring her out of a crying fit so quickly, you would think it was laced with Benadryl. It has songs so catchy that you don't mind that they get stuck in your head all day (the wonderful wife might disagree with me on that one, but she' s pregnant and cannot be trusted). Let me tell you, I have heard a lot of children's music recently and it's not all good. I am certain I will hear a lot more children's music in the future and I hope it gets better. (please, let it get better)

But this set of songs are different. They are actually good. They have great structure. The melodies are interesting and challenging -- not too simple that they become boring, not too difficult that the Kid doesn't get it. The have good themes to them. They aren't mindless nursery rhymes put to music sung by a chorus of kids (gag). But most of all, they're fun. I love singing these songs along with the CD while we are driving to the store together. The Kid is starting to learn the words, and she has already learned the hand movements we made up to go along with a few of them.

Now, this is no ordinary CD. This is a Laurie Berkner CD. Don't know who Laurie is? You must not have a kid under the age of four. Allow me to (as Ad-Rock, Mike D and MCA would say) "drop some science": Laurie is a singer/songwriter who will soon out sell even the venerable Raffi. How is this possible, you ask? Check out some of her music on the Noggin Channel's website -- she has a few songs on the "Jack's Big Music Show" program. You'll probably like them even if you don't have a kid.

We were given the CD by my wife's friend, Shannon, who grew up in the Deep South with my wonderful wife, but now lives in New York. She, along with their friend Melissa, had the good sense to suggest that we ought to name the Kid "Shalissa" after them. Or "Melannon", but no one is named "Melannon" nowadays so that just didn't seem right. Shannon, as it turns out, happens to work for Laurie. (cue the "revelation" music)

When Shannon gave the CD to us, it was before the kid even showed up and I remember thinking, "boy, that's a wierd name for a children's CD: Bumblebees and Googleheads." Well, you can't judge a CD by it's jewel case. I am so thankful for this CD that when Shannon visited our house on Monday, I gushed about how great Laurie is, and how much the Kid loves her music, and how we don't travel anywhere without it. I must have blabbed about it for what probably felt to her to be a long time. So long that Shannon called a day later to tell us that she is sending the Kid some more Laurie in the mail.

Thanks Shannon! The Kid and her doting parents appreciate it.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Send us a copy. We are weary of the Top Gun and Jurassic Park soundtracks and of the lullaby CD that came free with Enfamil.