[twitter]My sister in law is proud how she has successfully navigated some parenting pitfalls over her 3 year career, notably she discovered the music you play your kids does not have to suck.
I totally agree. While we regularly spin some french children’s cds, complete with Frere Jacques lullabies and the like, and I did do up a mixed disc of Sesame Street classics
Le Grand Monsieur to something other than a steady diet of Raffi
and Fred Penner
, mostly for our own sanity.
Here are some child friendly favourites you can drop into the mix, feel free to add your own in the comments.
The Beatles – 1
: Yellow Submarine, Penny Lane, She Loves You, 8 Days a Week .. they’re all upbeat, simple to sing, full of rhymes and easy to dance to (for both of you).
Jack Johnson – Curious George Soundtrack
: If I didnt tell you it was a kid friendly cd, you would never know. Jack’s laidback flip flop friendly music fits right in for a long Sunday drive.
They Might Be Giants – Here Come The 123s
: These guys are legendary for bringing cool music to the kids, they’ve already served up 3 albums, and a DVD of the stuff. (A new disc, Here Comes Science, is due in a few weeks)
French Playground
: Despite its kid-centric vibe, the disc is fun since every track stands out as great world muisc.
Barenaked Ladies – Snack Time
:Their last album proclaimed Barenaked Ladies Are Men, and they’re dads too.
3 Tenors – In Concert
: Yup, Opera. We put it on at first as a lullaby, now Zacharie loves to pretend he’s conducting the orchestra or singing along with Pavarotti to Nessun Dorma. It’s our daily before daycare ritual that he asks to do!
While we’re on the topic of kid friendly stuff that’s easily digestable for adults, you should check out Working Dad‘s ongoing series of posts about Children’s Books That Won’t Make Your Hurl.
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Another album I thought was cool when Noah was little was the Rockabye Baby! Lullaby Renditions of Radiohead. Ya maybe a bit alt-dad but what the hell. It really is for when they are very little. My guy used to have the worst time going to sleep and I would sit with him till he finally went to sleep. I have a few others that I will dig up to post here.
I’ve got the NIN & Metallica Lullaby Renditions, theyre awesome. Jack johnson’s his favorite
Check also Putumayo Kids. You and your kid both will love it. http://www.putumayo.com/en/putumayo_kids_cd.php.
I own all this music, so can’t help but add the “For the Kids” series. We have the 1st and 3rd. We love the 3rd especially, and proceeds are for charity. Also, anyone who hasn’t played Ray Charles “Hit the Road Jack” is missing on an awesome sing-a-long!
There’s actually a great compilation series you can also buy called “For the Kids Too” which features modern artists doing covers of kids favourites as well as artist such as They Might be Giants doing original tunes. Worth a listen.
I’d agree that For The Kids is awesome. I actually like listening to that CD. I have not heard 2 or 3.
Here it is on amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/Kids-Various-Artists/dp/B00006L7QX
Thanks for the good info…very good blog site.
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