The Zinghoppers

Sing Your Way Through the Day!

© 2009 Wonderiffic Records

When I first heard about The Zinghoppers (fronted by a guy named Conductor Jack, and featuring a singing opossum, kangaroo and donkey), I’ll have to admit I was expecting the worst—a cheesy, goofy attempt at kids’ music. But while Conductor Jack and The Zinghoppers do cater to the preschool set, they do it in a country-folk style that will keep anyone’s toes tapping. Each song on the album serves to walks kids through a day at school, from getting ready in them morning to heading back home after a day of learning. The title track gets kids up and going, and the next tracks—“Getting Dressed to Feel Your Best” and “Brush Your Teeth”—get them ready to head out the door. The bulk of the songs, which hit on topics like walking quietly, lining up, lunchtime and story time, would be a great tool for educators to help kids better understand the dynamics of the school day. In fact, Sing Your Way Through the Day! is a great way to teach the tikes about school—no matter what day it is.

Dan Zanes & Friends

76 Trombones

© 2009 Festival Five Records

If your family has been a fan of Dan Zanes’ music for any length of time, you already know that it’s perfect for the entire family to enjoy. Musically, Zanes doesn’t hold back simply because he’s playing mostly for kids. On his latest venture, he taps into a collection of show tunes. The album kicks off with The Music Man classic, “76 Trombones,” which, like many of the songs, employs many special guests. Carol Channing joins in on “Hello Dolly!”, and Matthew Broderick on “Before the Parade Passes By”, both songs from Hello Dolly! In “I Won’t Grow Up,” the Peter Pan tune gets a kick of rock and roll. My favorite song on the CD is “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile,” a nice blend of bluesy country and a tinge of Cajun as an accordion plays softly in the background. Dan Zanes continues to explore new areas of music for each of his albums, and 76 Trombones proves, once again, why he should be a vital part of your family’s music collection.

Caspar Babypants

More Please!

© 2009 Aurora Elephant Music, ASCAP

Less than a year after his debut release, Caspar Babypants (Chris Ballew) is back with another batch of tunes for the tots. His latest disc, More Please!, is another collection of delightful songs that will (once again) have you and your kids dancing and singing together. The album kicks off with “Take the Sun,” a fun little ditty about the sun and moon’s trek across the sky. Another great tune is “$9.99,” the story of a torn and discarded toy rescued from the trash and given a second life. Be sure and check Ballew’s reworking of some children’s classics like “Itsy Bitsy Spider,” “Fuzzy Wuzzy,” and “I’m a Nut.” These songs, in particular, have a great Presidents of the United States of America vibe to them. Chris Ballew still rocks with the aforementioned band, but Caspar Babypants has solidified his own place in the genre of family music.