Sesame Street Goes Global, Musically

Yes, Putumayo Kids has a very full release schedule, with African Dreamland the next CD scheduled for release in March.

But it's their next CD that really has me jazzed.

In a recent interview Putumayo Kids director Mona Kayhan reveals what's to come:

"It's our first collaboration with Sesame Street — we're calling it Sesame Street Playground, and it has all their songs from all around the world. For example, you've got the "Rubber Ducky" song in Chinese or the opening song in Dutch."

Sound unheard, I wonder whether this is a better idea in concept than as an actual album, but if done properly, I think it'd be a pretty great global introduction for a lot of families.

Update: Apparently the Sesame Street CD's been pushed back to September. Just so you know...

Y'know, the obvious YouTube clip here is the Sesame Street theme song (seeing as Sesame Workshop's new video player doesn't have a clip available), but given the international flavor of this post, I thought I'd post Ozomatli's energetic reworking of the melody and the 2007 South by Southwest Festival.

Ozomatli - "Sesame Street Theme Song"

Yo Gabba Gabba Yo Gabba Gabba

The weeks of Christmas and New Year's are typically slow, news-wise, but a couple weeks ago, Nick Jr. announced that it was picking up Yo Gabba Gabba! for a second season. Production on 20 more shows starts in spring 2008.

I've been kinda torn about the show. On one hand, the collection of musical acts and guest stars has been pretty diverse. On the other hand, I can't help but think that without those guests and Mark Mothersbaugh's doodles, some people would be slamming the show for being super-obvious stuff for toddlers. I mean, really, "Party in my Tummy?" If it was anybody besides members of the Aquabats singing that, it'd probably be run out of cool town on a rail. Even though it's probably pretty age-appropriate.

So are you happy that, say, Low recorded a song and did a music video for them?

[Note: decent song, but that "Family Tree" is awfully undiverse for the 21st century, no? Doesn't look quite like mine...]

Or do you say, man, the Pointer Sisters recorded a song for Sesame Street 30 years ago and it was way cool.

Video: "Once In A Lifetime" - Kermit the Frog

Yes, you read that correctly. I assure you, two minutes that won't be wasted.

Not really the same as it ever was, but in a way, it sorta is.

(Via Pitchfork via The Daily Swarm.)

For Those Of You Celebrating Your Winter Holiday Now...

My major winter holiday isn't for another two weeks and then some (and, yeah, I'll have some goodies in that regard), but for those of you looking for some kid-music-oriented spin on your Festival of Lights, Yosi is hosting "HanuKids" on Saturday from 7-9 Eastern on XM Radio's Radio Hanukkah. Yosi promises "true life stories, music, candle lighting, trivia, nosh and plenty of laughs." Not quite sure how the candle lighting will work on radio, but, hey, I'm not Jewish, so what do I know?. (And if you aren't an XM subscriber but want to check it out, you can get a free trial for XM's online service here.)

New Season of the Biscuit Brothers Starts Tomorrow. For Austin, Anyway

Austin's Biscuit Brothers start their 3rd season of their awesome TV show tomorrow morning (Sept. 8th) at 8 AM on Austin's KLRU. Fans in the rest of the country where the show airs will have to wait until October.

As for fans in the other parts of the country where the show doesn't air, write your PBS station and tell them to get the show on the air, pronto. You can tell them they can have it for free. (Really.)

Oh, and even if you don't live in Austin, check out Tiny Scarecrow's latest blog entry. "Except I did not get to go to Singapore." Dude kills me.