Kid music that doesn’t suck (and some that might suck)
I love music. I love to sing. I love to dance. I love to listen to music. I adore music. It’s in my blood. It’s also in Tom’s blood and hence, it’s in Abby’s blood. So, there’s a whole lot of music in our world around here.
When I envisioned parenting, I thought I’d avoid the whole genre of children’s music. I thought I’d get away without a single album produced specifically for kids. I was wrong. I’ve heard some awful, AWFUL music for kids which was banished from my home faster than poop on a stick. I’ve heard some stuff I could take or leave. I’ve heard some music aimed at children that I find myself listening to even when Abby’s not around. This, fair readers, is the kind of music I’m linking to today.
Behold! A list of music for kids that does not suck (in my humble opinion, though, you are welcome to think whatever you want!).
Anything by Elizabeth Mitchell is awesome. Folky, chill and awesome.
Ditto with Frances England
Not so chill, but equally awesome is the Jellydots
Bands that I already liked and then they went and made an album for kids, so they’re even cooler now:
They Might Be Giants has done 3 or 4 albums in the children’s genre. They are my heroes.
Barenaked Ladies is another “grown up” band who’s chosen to do some children’s music.
Jerry Garcia and David Grisman make me happy.
Compilations that don’t make me want to poke my eyes out:
Albums benefiting good causes that also don’t make me want to poke my eyes out (both have several volumes):
So, there you have it. Go forth and rock.
Carrie,
Thank you so much for this list!!! I currently have some music I love (E. Mitchell) and some that makes me want to rip my hair out. I’ve been looking for more tunes, and will definitely check these out! Thanks! Also, I’m enjoying the blog-a-day thing…:) Hope you all are well.
This is so strange. I’ve been listening to Elizabeth Mitchell in my car for the last several days, whether the kids are with me or not! I have two of her cd’s (are there more?) and I wound up just burning them both to one 80min disc (minus the anomalous ‘jingle bells’ so that everything else would fit) and I love it. We also have an old cd i picked up somewhere where Arlo and his fam are singing over a bunch of old Woody Guthrie tunes. There are some real gems there!
http://www.amazon.com/Woodys-20-Grow-Big-Songs/dp/B000002MFB/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1257546232&sr=8-4
Elizabeth Mitchell has 3 solo albums and sings on Lisa Loeb’s kid’s album (Catch the Moon). I like Lisa Loeb’s album too, but it’s just “kiddie” enough that I don’t listen to it without Abby around. But, it doesn’t make me want to shoot myself, so it *could* have been included here.