Why, Yes, That Was Me You Heard on the Radio

How did I sound?

I had another irregularly-scheduled chat with NPR's Melissa Block on this afternoon's All Things Considered show, so if you're stopping by because you heard me, thanks. I always enjoy talking with Melissa and am glad you found this place.

On the web, the piece is entitled "The Best Kids Music of the Year" "Pat a Cake Has Never Sounded So Good." (That's a reference to the Medeski, Martin & Wood disk.) The albums rank high on my 2007 list of albums -- #s 4, 6 (twice), and, in the case of the excellent Medeski, Martin & Wood disk, not out 'til early January -- it's more the best albums of the last six months... Here is a list of my 20 favorite kids' CDs from the past year.

If you're looking for more than just one person's opinion, I along with Bill Childs of Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child and Amy Davis of the The Lovely Mrs. Davis coordinated the second annual Fids & Kamily Awards, a poll of 19 people who spend 25 hours day doing nothing but listen to kids' music. OK, not really, but they listen to a lot of it, and the results are a great starting point for looking for great kids and family music.

Here are links to more info on...
Dean Jones: Napper's Delight review, Zooglobble archives, artist website
Gustafer Yellowgold: Have You Never Been Yellow? review, Zooglobble archives, artist website, Myspace page
Recess Monkey: Wonderstuff review, Zooglobble archives, artist website, Myspace page
Medeski, Martin & Wood: Zooglobble archives, artist website, Myspace page. (Sorry, the album's not out 'til early January so I haven't posted a review, but it's an excellent CD -- more clips are here and an interview with the record label head is here.)

If you're an artist interested in submitting music or music DVDs for possible review, see my guidelines (and instructions for submission) here. If you just want to read an infrequently updated Frequently Asked Questions page, go here.

Finally, I also write at Offsprung, a top-notch parenting/humor magazine, selected reviews of mine are posted at the Land of Nod's Music Store, and I've also written for Wired magazine, Education.com, and the iTunes Store, among other places. If you're interested in having me write for you, drop me a line: zooglobble AT earthlink DOT net.

Thanks again for stopping by...

Comments

[Cheeky Rapide]

Yo - just found the site after the NPR interview. Although I wasn't enamored with your choices in the intervew initially, on reflection I've realized they weren't for the age group I was imagining (I can't imagine a 3-year old being into the Wonderstuff CD's!). On visiting the site I love the attention to detail; being able to sift posts based on age range is a real plus. My wife is a preschool teacher, and I've told her about this site as soon as I got home; I'm hoping it will provide some respite from the Hap Palmer (as good as he is!)...

[David]

We were happy to se Gustafer Yellowgold in this batch, although we agree that it is head-and-shoulders above the other selections.

[Katy L]

Just listened to it off the website, as we were unable to hear it on the broadcast yesterday. Nice work, as always. Makes me a little heady knowing my girls are on "Wonderstuff" (yeah, I know, with over 100 other little munchkins, too). We're giving it to several cousins for Christmas this year.

[Rebecca Jane]

You sounded great! Love your recommendations! Keep it up!