Parent-Friendly Music

Little for a Little While

by Stacy on March 15, 2010

It’s a Big World, baby, and you’re little for a little while ….

We keep coming back to this song on Jitterbug.tv, and all three of my youngsters will watch it mesmerized at least two or three times. I love the message, the melody and most of all the imagery in the video. It just helps everyone in my house calm down for a minute and appreciate each other. We climb onto my little sette, cuddle up close to each other and rock back and forth as we watch the story unfold and sing in unison with the woman’s wooing voice.

It’s been my 5 little minutes of heaven the last few days and I thought I’d let you in on my little secret. Do you have a similar trick that gets you through the tough part of the day with your kids? If so, please share!

BONUS: You can get download the song for FREE on ReneeAndJeremy.com

If you want to know more about Jitterbug.tv, read all about them here

From the Album, It’s a Big World by Renee & Jeremy
Hardcopy CD
MP3 Version

I have a feeling this won’t be the last you’ll be hearing from us about Renee & Jeremy …

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Rock A Bye Dreams

by Stacy on May 20, 2009

For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to be a Mom. Not just any mom ~ but a GREAT mom. The kind of mother who always knows just what to say, just what to do, and just how to make each of her children feel special and loved in their own unique way. My unique version of myself as Super Mom, always included an image of me rocking my children in my arms and singing sweet lullabies they would grow to remember always. My version of a family heirloom, they would hopefully remember these songs and pass them along to their own children someday. In reality, when the time in my life came for lullabyes – I found I was seriously lacking in this department. Unable to come up with any sweet melodies on my own, and not knowing where to find any great recorded versions – I reverted to classics like Twinkle, Twinkle and Rock a Bye Baby – sometimes even soft versions of songs playing on the radio. Not quite the motherly image I had imagined.

Fast forward three years and three children later, and I am proud to announce I have finally found the album I’ve been looking for. Better yet, this album found me. Nancy Falkow of Sunflow, first contacted me in February of this year and asked if I would like to review her album, Under the Stars, here on Kids Stuff World. Thrilled with the prospect, I listened to the disc many times, it melodies capturing me a little more each time. Still, it wasn’t until a few weeks ago, when I brought my newborn home from the hospital that I could truly appreciate the absolute treasure I’d received.

sunflow

You see, Nancy’s songs are my lullabies come to life. It’s as if she has found a way to take all of my thoughts and feelings, and put them into words ~ words that became music. Beautiful music. Still, the album is only part Nancy. Sunflow is actually a duo – one part Nancy, one part Fran King. Not only have I found a compilation of treasured lullabies with Sunflow, but Fran also sings hauntingly beautiful songs reminiscent of classics such as the Beatles. It’s almost like getting two albums in one.

I highly suggest you take a listen to the entire album, Under the Stars, and find a few family classics of your own. Here’s a few of my favorites, that I’m sure will be in my family for years to come:

A huge Thank You to Nancy Falkow for capturing what it is to be a Mother so beautifully and for sharing that feeling with all of us.

Now that you’ve had a chance to hear these soon to be classics, I’m anxious to know which ones you love? Can you see yourself singing these to your little ones anytime soon?

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KSW Loves Jitterbug

by Stacy on April 16, 2009

Looking for a great way to entertain your kids when you’re fresh out of ideas? Wishing you had something kid-friendly to put on for your kids to dance or something mellow you could all listen to during craft time? Wishing that all the children’s music you’ve found didn’t make you want to bury your head in a pillow? Problem Solved! All of them … with one simple website, Jitterbug.tv

Jitterbug.tv is the brainchild of two amazing dads, Dan Gellert & Randall Green. An online video/radio interface dedicated to finding great Kindie (independent music for kids) both children and parents can enjoy. How great is that? This pair of dad’s of music loving three year olds, have done an amazing job hand selecting artists & songs and creating a super friendly website for parents and children alike. I was lucky enough to grab a few minutes of their time for a quick interview. Here’s what Dan & Randall had to say about Jitterbug:

KSW: What influence have your children had on the site’s layout and music choices?

Dan: Our 3 year old girls are the testers for sure. Having lots of thumbnail pictures was something I noticed Emily (my daughter) pointing to constantly. Also, the jitterbug logo was blessed by Emily as she gave the thumbs down to some other versions. Concerning music choices, It seems variety is embraced as well as consistency – Emily likes to know the same video will be there for her to come back to until she looses interest eventually.

Randall: Truth be told the catalyst for Jitterbug was probably Jacks Big Music Show and the fantastic musical guest appearances, including Laurie Berkner. The show and the musical guests made me realize that kids music could cross over as I really enjoyed the music almost as much as my daughter.

KSW: What has been your favorite music find so far? What about your children’s?

Dan: I like the Dog On Fleas band, and Emily is constantly changing her favorites, but some of her favorites have been Gustafer YellowGold and The Jimmies.

Randall: Hard question to ask us as we like so many, but Piper (my daughter) was initially a Laurie Berkner groupie but has recently turned her attention to Randy Kaplan.

KSW: Since starting Jitterbug, would you say you & your family have been brought closer together through the process?

Dan: Yes, I often hear “Let’s watch jitterbug” from Emily. I’ve noticed you cannot really be cranky or moody when watching stuff on Jitterbug, it always lightens the mood.

Randall: Yes, Jitterbug has been a “family project” with everyone involved. The first thing my daughter asks for in the morning is to see Jitterbug. The interesting thing is we all usually agree on the music.

KSW: Recommend three of your favorite (or your children’s favorite) videos?

Dan: I never tire of Ugly Fruit by Dog On Fleas and Emily often requests Malti by Dan Zanes and this Greek Lullaby

Randall: Guastafer Yellowgood, The Jimmies and Eric Herman

KSW: Have you added any music lately that relates to Earth Day, recycling, or any other nature/outdoor activity?

Dan: Well, the one that comes to mind for outdoor activity is Tricycle and Diggin in the Dirt by Frances England

Why We Love Them: Let me count the ways- No really, For starters, it’s FREE! Sure I tried finding kids music on You Tube once or twice but the quality was poor and the good stuff tended to get lost in the mix. Jitterbug.tv puts the best Kindie music at your fingertips and even offers a FREE streaming radio service. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve turned to Jitterbug to calm my children since our move in Feb. My little ones know many of the songs by heart and ask to see the site AT LEAST once a day.

KSW’s Top Picks:

Rainy, Rainy Day by Milkshake

Everything is Alright by Big Bang Boom

The Elephant Song by Eric Herman

3 Year Old Faves:

Willy was a Whale by Justin Roberts

Polar Bear over There by Uncle Rock

I Found It by Brady Rymer

2 Year Old Faves:

Spider Monkey & The Rhino Song from Big Green Rabbit

Animal Alphabet Song by The Hollow Trees

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Gimme My Jimmies Giveaway

by Stacy on March 7, 2009

If you’ve got young kids in the house, then most days you probably feel as if you’d do just about anything to listen to some real music for a while. You know the kind that you actually don’t mind being stuck in your head all day long. While KSW may not be able to solve this dilemma completely, but we do feel there should be some sort of middle ground. You know, a place where music is entertaining for children and well, not so grating to us … enter the new KSW Presents Parent-Friendly Music series. We’ll try out many of the new tunes so you don’t have to and then let you know all about them right here. To get this series started, we’ve chosen an up and coming, hip NYC-based rock band for kids known as: The Jimmies you certainly won’t want to miss.

The Jimmies
http://GimmeJimmies.com
-An Oppenheim “Best Toy of 2009″ & Parents Choice Award Winner
-#1 on Sirius/XM Radio’s KidsPlace
See The Jimmies live at: Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits, The Target Book Fair, World Cafe Live & The Bushnell

This five-man group (um,I mean four guys and one amazing girl) has managed to find a way to tap into their inner child and produce some of the most creative kiddie music I’ve heard in a long, long time. Since the moment I downloaded the CD, it’s playful lyrics and up tempo beats have had my toes tapping and my head bobbing (just as promised). It’s as if suddenly, someone made children’s music fun again and I get that “I’m a big kid again” feeling. Love that feeling, don’t you?

Why We Love It: Something about the Jimmie’s enthusiasm to entertain children speaks to us. We love the way they have taken ordinary topics and turned them into something truly extraordinary and educational at the same time.

KSW’s Recommended Tracks:

Hupsha – silly children’s reggae – perfect for getting the kiddies awake in the AM without going crazy in the process

PB & J- a zany take at a boring staple (not to mention some great new lunch ideas for parents)

Birthday Song – finally a great alternative to a tired old classic – you’ll want everyone singing this at your next birthday party

Toddler Recommended Tracks:

What’s on Your Shirt – my three year old REALLY enjoyed this song and was singing along mid-way through the first time I played it

And now for the really fun part … The Jimmies are graciously GIVING AWAY a CD to one lucky KSW reader!

Three Ways to Enter:

1. Leave a comment here to be automatically entered to win

2. Visit The Jimmies website, watch the videos and leave a new comment here saying which one was your favorite and why

3. Twitter a link to this giveaway - come back and leave another new comment with your Twitter name (I’m @steet if you want to follow me.)

Feel free to do all three to gain several entries to win! You have until 10pm EST on Sunday, March 15, 2009, to enter.

This Giveaway has officially ended. A huge CONGRATULATIONS to Comment #11 - Wendy G {aka @MyGreenSide on twitter} for winning this fabulous giveaway. We’ll contact you soon to make arrangements for you to receive your CD.

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