Kindiefest 2010: Rhythm Child

Watching Norman Jones, the force behind Rhythm Child, can be a bit hypnotic. Those hands of his are constantly in motion; his body doesn't necessarily move a lot, but it's definitely moving in rhythm. At his Kindiefest set on Saturday night, he and his guitarist gradually got the crowd grooving and clapping hands to classic kids music standards. He apologized for not having the musical instruments he'd normally bring for the kids, but I'm pretty sure if he'd had them, the mostly adult audience dancing in the back would've taken them (as would have the kids dancing up front). By the end of his set of positive vibes, when he asked the audience for an "Amen," the audience gladly complied.

Rhythm Child - "Oh Susanna" (Live @ Kindiefest 2010) [YouTube]

Video: "Bowl of Cherries" (Live) - Rhythm Child

Putumayo Kids' Picnic Playground tour wasn't much of a tour -- just four or five cities, I think. They seemed to draw a nice crowd, though, if this video from Rhythm Child's performance in LA was any indication. This video features Norman Jones going all quadruple-time on his "Bowl of Cherries" (which will sound familiar to those of you who have "Pick A Bale of Cotton" imprinted on your brain thanks to Raffi or Leadbelly).

The song's on the Picnic Playground, as well as on their upcoming album of the same name. (By the way, you can download a free mp3 of "The Shaker Song," which isn't necessarily a favorite of mine -- "Cherries" is a lot better -- at Rhythm Child's website.)

Rhythm Child - "Bowl of Cherries" (Live)