Category: Music recommendations

Brooklyn or Southville?

Post author By Esther
Post date February 16, 2016

There’s a well-off bohemian neighbourhood of Brooklyn called Park Slope, which fizzles with child-friendly cafes, children’s cultural activities and musicians. I imagine it’s not so different to Southville.

The album I am recommending this month is Park Slope Parents. The Album. Vol 1. It was a 2007 fundraiser for parkslopeparents.com and if I hadn’t been sent this by a friend living in New York I doubt I’d have ever chanced upon it. It’s written by several Brooklyn-based musicians and comprises mostly songs about living in New York but the breadth of styles and quirkiness of many of the lyrics makes it a splendid album.

Folk, Rock and Roll, Country and pop, it’s all there. The only thing that disappoints me is that there was never a Volume 2.

To be listened to in Brooklyn, Bedminster or Birmingham!

Music recommendations

Nostalgia, Canadian style

Post author By Esther
Post date January 19, 2016

For January’s music recommendation I bring you:

Sharon, Lois and Bram, Great Big Hits

This Canadian trio were popular on children’s TV over in Canada in the 80s. Listen to this if you like campfire songs, silly actions and the odd French Canadian ditty. They won’t be to everyone’s taste but I think there’s a retro pleasure in listening to their music.

Listen carefully, and you’ll spot a couple of songs that are firm Rhymetime favourites.

Christmas tunes

Post author By Esther
Post date December 15, 2015

Carols, carols, carols! That’s what we should be singing right now. A couple of years ago I recorded a Christmas CD with Audrey Johnson, Bristol chanteuse and ex-Rhymetimer who hails from the South of France.

She runs Les Petits Zouzous which I would describe as a French Rhymetime, and my music recommendation this month Audrey’s first CD Chansons pour s’amuser. Ranging from traditional tunes to new songs, her music sparkles with fun and you may get the added bonus of learning a little French too. C’est magnifique!

Music recommendations

Is beautiful folk your cup of tea?

Post author By Esther
Post date November 24, 2015

Next in my series of recommendations, it’s …… drumroll……

Elizabeth Mitchell, You are my little bird. When it comes to children’s folk, this woman is the real deal and her music is a huge influence on me. With a soft, gentle voice she sings traditional US folk songs, interspersed with song from Japan, Indonesia and other cultures. She’s collaborated with Lisa Loeb and Dan Zanes, but is most often accompanied by her daughter and husband who play on many of her albums. Watch out if you are sleepy because her mellifuous voice could lull most into sweet dreams.

What have you been listening to in November? Let me know!

Holidays Music recommendations musical culture

I need new music!

Post author By Esther
Post date October 27, 2015

Perhaps you’ve bought all three Rhymetime CDs, and listened to them on loop for weeks on end. You might want some other music for a change. I’ll let you into a secret. A couple of years ago I made some of the music on my blog available to buy or even just to stream. So that’s an option for you.

But ok, I can see that even the most ardent Rhymetime fan might like a break now and then. Most children will listen to your music quite happily but when you want something specifically for them, there is a huge range of music to choose from. Unfortunately there’s a lot of twee rubbish out there and plenty of electronic music that gets old very quickly. Never fear! Every month I will come to your rescue with a recommendation. This month it’s………

Barenaked Ladies, Snacktime

This is a Canadian band who turned their hand to children’s music when they had their own little ones. We first came upon them through a Nodcast podcast which kept us all chortling in the car, journey after journey. From that it was one small step to the Snacktime CD and Barenaked for the Holidays, both albums that entertain a wide age range. Their music is eminently listenable with funny lyrics (with jokes for grown-ups) catchy tunes and energy. Try There’s a word for that and 7,8,9.

Let me know what you think, and what you are listening to these days.

PS. You can get the first Rhymetime CD digitally now. Hurrah!