A little holiday withdrawal got you down? Valentine’s Day is still a couple weeks off but have no fear my friends, this Wednesday, January 28, 2009 is National Kazoo Day. The kazoo, that most egalitarian of all instruments, where no experience is necessary to become a maestro. This step-by-step kazoo how-to (or kazutorial) illustrates my point.

While similar instruments have been used in Africa for hundreds of years, the modern day kazoo was invented by an African American man named Alabama Vest in Macon, Georgia who partnered with local German emigrant clockmaker Thaddeus von Clegg to manufacture it. Alabama Vent - possibly the best inventor name ever. The kazoo was first introduced to the public at the Georgia State Fair in 1852. And ta-dah! - history was made.

Little did Mr. Vent know that more than 150 years later his instrument would continue to be celebrated by soloists and kazoo bands alike The photograph above shows the National Youth Administration Rhythm Band in 1936 playing their kazoos in Sandwich, Illinois. In recognition of National Kazoo Day you may want to consider forming a band of your own. Plastic kazoos cost on average less than two bucks a piece - an instrument price rivaled only by the whistle. But free is even better - I was tickled to find the following ad placed on the San Francisco Bay Area Craigslist:

CAPTAIN KAZOO and The KAZOOMOBILE will be parked somewhere on CASTRO ST.in MT. VIEW between El Camino Real and the RR TRACKS from NOON till 8:00 PM on WED. JAN. 28, 2009…GIVING AWAY FREE KAZOOS TO EVERYONE !

Kazoobie Kazoos is a great online resource for all manner of kazoos including an electric kazoo or the fantastic examples below resembling the trumpet, french horn and trombone. Apparently, these kazoos masquerading as other instruments have been around for awhile as seen in this YouTube video by a kazoo musician and collector (who plays a mean kazoo and ukulele).

But lest you think of the kazoo as old-fashioned, I give you the following inspired kazoo rendition of Metallica’s Enter Sandman. If your browser doesn’t support YouTube videos you can also view it here.

A heads-up for Junior Society readers in the NYC area, one of my favorite ‘kindie rock’ bands, The Jimmies, will be giving a FREE (the magic word) concert this Saturday, June 21st at Washington Irving High School.  These guys (and one gal) are so talented and funny and thoughtful.  If you’re geographically impaired, like myself, and too far away to attend check out their website and give a listen to their most recent album Make Your Own Someday.  I’ve also embedded two of their videos below the concert poster which can aslo be viewed here.

In her most recent JrSoc post our lovely guest blogger and musicology badge guru Amy Trulock introduced us to the phenomenal site Kiddie Records Weekly. Recently I’ve spent a little more time browsing this online audio archive devoted to preserving the golden age of children’s records at at the risk of being redundant I’m compelled to feature it again. The archive was compiled between 2005 and 2007 and showcases 200+ recordings from the mid forties through the early fifties, each of which can be listened to via download or audio stream. Ranging from Bozo at the Circus to Billy on a Bike, there is a wide range of storytelling, music and instructionals (Manners Can Be Fun!) all with the charming patina of age.

“Over the years, these forgotten treasures slipped off the radar and it became our mission to give them a new lease on life by sharing them with today’s generation of online listeners. Each week throughout the year we added a new recording and before we knew it, our one year project turned into three! Although we will not be continuing beyond 2007, Kiddie Records Weekly will remain online and we will update the Bonus Records section every now and then. So whether you are hearing these records for the first time or reuniting with a childhood favorite from long ago, we hope you take great pleasure in your trip down memory lane!”

Honestly though, the reason I wanted to revisit KRW is because they have not only beautifully preserved these audio recordings, they also restored the brilliant album covers. Now for those of you that share my love of vintage children’s illustration, the graphic design and artwork on these covers will make your heart beat just a little bit faster. I have shelves of old storybooks that I glean inspiration from on a regular basis but I’ve never laid eyes these lovelies before. See a selection below and then go grab your kiddo, a couple of juice boxes and visit the site for some retro story-time.

Among the many notables recognized by the recent The Kids and Family Music Awards I am particularly smitten with Renee & Jeremy’s It’s a Big World. See my previous post on the awards here. This bedtime compendium of original lullabies is so compelling, I’ve found myself listening to it with no kids present. And the appeal is only reinforced by their lovely website, the gorgeous cover art by artist Hsinping Pan and the music videos shown below.

The title track It’s a Big World has been animated by artist Hsping Pan and can be viewed here if your browser doesn’t support YouTube videos.

A live performance by Renee Jeremy of the track Night Mantra which can be viewed here if your browser doesn’t support YouTube videos.

If the current tabloids, magazine programs, newspaper inserts, red carpet interviews and fashion faux pas have miraculously eluded you, it is my sad duty to lift up the rock you’ve been living under and point out that it is once again award season. And while Grammy and his cousin Oscar tend to hog the limelight there are many other members of the Award family. The Kids and Family Music Awards are an annual nod to the best of the kids music genre coordinated by the Fids and Kamily blog. 19 writers, radio programmers, and others involved in the music industry have come to a consensus on the top 15 albums of 2007, and they are:

1. Gustafer Yellowgold - Have You Never Been Yellow?
2. Asylum Street Spankers - Mommy Says No!
3. Terrible Twos - If You Ever See An Owl
4. Peter Himmelman - My Green Kite
5. Hipwaders - Educated Kid
6. Renee & Jeremy - It’s a Big World!
7. Jimmies - Make Your Own Someday
8. Various Artists - Play (DeSoto Compilation)
9. Father Goose - It’s a Bam Bam Diddly!
10. Recess Monkey - Wonderstuff
11. Sugar Free Allstars - Dos Ninos
12. Various Artists - For the Kids! 3
13. Roger Day - Dream Big!
14. Joe McDermott - Everybody Plays Air Guitar
15. Deedle Deedle Dees - Freedom in a Box

Never heard of the Sugar Free Allstars? Think the Hipwaders are simply those goofy rubber pants grandpa wears fly fishing? Allow the Pokey Pup to fetch you some learnin’. The Pokey Pup is your soon to be favorite father-run, independent source for kids music and dvds and they have all of the Fids and Kamily award winners conveniently located in one place.

Creator and owner Bryan Townsend describes the site this way, “The Pokey Pup was born to right the injustice of all of the annoying kid’s music and media that has flooded the market for too many years. Let’s face it, parents end up listening to this music and watching the DVDs as much as their kids do, and after a while, that can be downright excruciating on everyone’s ears. In our humble opinion, we think the best children’s music can also be music that parents enjoy as much as their little ones. The best DVDs can be enjoyed by all ages. So put down that sticky old cassette of imaginary animals and guys dressed in matching clothes and join the revolution–the revolution of hip music the whole family can enjoy.” Rock on!

A new post from our guest blogger
and musicology badge guru Amy Trulock!

Though I am one of the biggest proponents of modern day tunes for tykes, my first musical loves were on vinyl. There is something romantically soothing about that crackling static!

The Grand Poobah and I both agree that the auditory stylings of Twink are completely magical. Twink (a.k.a. Mike Langlie) combined retro and modern most fabulously in his CD, “Broken Record”. This disc is a delightfully fun mash-up of hundreds of vintage children’s records with contemporary beats. One of my favorites is “Alphabent”, a twisted, interactive educational experience where dozens of incorrect attempts finally emerge triumphant in singing the 26 letters in proper order.

However, if you want a truly authentic experience, there are no better places to start than original 78’s. Even though I was raised on contemporary 45’s and LPs of the pre-CD 70’s & 80’s, I was more enthralled by my parents’ collection from the 40’s and 50’s. From the big band era to the early days of children’s television, an incredible array of artists performed tunes for children. And, I dare anyone to find better recordings of children’s theater than that from the golden age of radio. Since I understand that not everyone is as fortunate as I am to own an antique console stereo with a 78 capable turntable (thanks Mom & Dad!), here are some online resource for authentic sounds that come in mp3 and CD formats:

Kiddie Records Weekly (http://www.kiddierecords.com/) digitized one children’s 78 album every week from 2005-2007, with all tracks available to download as torrent zip files. In 2008 they promise to continue on this mission by adding bonus materials throughout the year. For one of the most enjoyable family-friendly listening experience, I recommend starting with “Gerald Mc Boing-Boing” (January 2005, Week 5). Aren’t tech savvy, or want to save time? You can order all three years on an mp3 disc for just $35!

If you are looking to delve even further, turn to the Kiddie Record King, Peter Muldaven (http://www.kiddierekordking.com/). Author of the book, “The Complete Guide to Vintage Children’s Records”, he is the authority on g-rated retro sounds. In addition to having a great selection of sample audio files, Peter also posts a gallery of the amazing art of this era: record sleeves and covers, picture records & children’s phonographs. The Kiddie Record King is the answer if you’re trying to find a favorite from the past.

While the two options above provide unadulterated audio transfers (copyright permitting), if you’re looking for some CD re-issues and higher-quality downloads, stay tuned for my next Musicology merit badge lesson for my picks available from eMusic.com, as well as your local music store.

About our guest blogger:

Junior Society member, godmother, honorary big sister and self-described ‘young Auntie Mame’ Amy Trulock is the long lost love child of Katherine Hepburn and Mister Rogers. “Ever since I was old enough to baby sit, I have helped raise some amazing kids with my whimsical and empathetic view of childhood.”

Holding fast to her principles of ‘No Barney, No Britney,’ Amy launched Hip Young Parents Radio in 2005. “There’s an overabundance of children’s music, and not all of it’s good. Because I don’t have my own kids, I have the freedom of time, and I hope I can help by wading through it.” HYP Radio streams kid-friendly music 24/7 from all generations and genres via Live365 – the world’s largest Internet radio network.

No box lid to trigger the music, no twirling ballerina on top, the Mechanical Music Box Kit is really the bare bone innards of your typical music box. It arrives with a long punched strip of paper, reminiscent of player piano rolls, that plays ‘happy birthday’ when fed into the mechanism and cranked through with a turn handle. Think that’s cool? - just wait! This is actually a kit that arrived with blank sheet music and detailed instructions on how to punch out your favorite songs or your own original tunes. At $16.00 this is a brilliant and affordable gift for the budding Mozart in your life.

This is just one of the many amazingly odd (and I mean that in the best possible way!) items you’ll find at the Curiosity Shoppe. Zippered pouches created from measuring tapes, dishware decals and old fashioned front desk bells and oh so much more.

Note from the Grand Poobah:
As promised I’m going to be introducing a number of guest bloggers in the coming weeks, each with a specific area of expertise in the realms of kiddie culture and design. Today I’m excited to welcome Amy Trulock, creator of my favorite online kids music station HYP Radio, champion of independent tunes for the short set and now Junior Society resident music guru. (HYP, HYP Hurray!)

I’m insanely delighted to be a part of the Junior Society. I love to share my passion for the whimsical and quirky with not only the children in my life, but fellow adults as well. My inspiration for HYP Radio at hipyoungparent.com was to create a multi-generational freeform music experience. It is in this vein that I hope to assist you all in your quest for that coveted Musicology merit badge!

I was recently asked how I would start the perfect children’s music library. The quickest way is the modern day equivalent of by beloved mixed tape - the compilation CD. Nowadays, it’s exciting to see that a number of indie labels are using their roster of bands to produce albums that get as much play on college radio as they do in a minivan.

Of these, my current favorite is:
Play.
(DeSoto Records, 2007)

However, as much as I have a personal affinity for indie pop/rock, there are other genres that have been beautifully served by the various artist platform

A few of my favorites:

The Bottle Let Me Down: Songs for Bumpy Wagon Rides
(Bloodshot, 2002)

The quintessential kiddie primer to alt-country. TBLMD is the predicessor to two great albums by contributors: Asylum Street Spankers and Wee Hairy Beasties (a collective comprised of Kelly Hogan, Devil in a Woodpile et al.) In fact, the Spanker’s version of “I’m My Own Grandpa” and Hogan’s “Senor El Gato” are my favorite tracks on this fun album. A great bonus: this Bloodshot Records release is available on eMusic my favorite source for DRM free downloads.

Jazz for Kids: Sing, Clap, Wiggle and Shake
(Verve, 2004)

Since the genre’s inception jazz has provided some of the most exuberant kid-friendly tunes, and Verve masterfully gathers some of the best. There is no skippier tune than Ella Fitzgerald’s rendition of “The Muffin Man” and no ode to snack food as delicious as Slim Gaillard’s “Potato Chips”. When you’ve done your fair share of singing, clapping, wiggling and shaking the disc ends with Louis Armstrong’s daydream lullaby, “What a Wonderful World” – the perfect transition from playtime to naptime.

Dr. Demento Gooses Mother
(Kid Rhino, 1995)

Sadly, out of print, this album was released the year I hosted my first children’s radio show at my college training station, and quickly became my old standby. In tackling the theme of Mother Goose, Dr. Demento collected some of the best novelty songs throughout the years. From the bubbly enthusiasm of the 1910 Fruitgum Company’s “Simon Says” to the toe-tapping brilliance of Count Basie’s “London Bridge is Falling Down” we’re treated to some great gems interspersed with classic Demento banter. This is well worth a hunt on eBay to track this down.

About our guest blogger:

Junior Society member, godmother, honorary big sister and self-described ‘young Auntie Mame’ Amy Trulock is the long lost love child of Katherine Hepburn and Mister Rogers. “Ever since I was old enough to baby sit, I have helped raise some amazing kids with my whimsical and empathetic view of childhood.”

Holding fast to her principles of ‘No Barney, No Britney,’ Amy launched Hip Young Parents Radio in 2005. “There’s an overabundance of children’s music, and not all of it’s good. Because I don’t have my own kids, I have the freedom of time, and I hope I can help by wading through it.” HYP Radio streams kid-friendly music 24/7 from all generations and genres via Live365 – the world’s largest Internet radio network.

Every now and then I come across an idea so smart it makes me go “Doh!” (think Homer Simpson) “I wish I had thought of that!” Such is the case with Thing of the Month, a site packed with subscription based clubs in an excellent (and ever growing) selection of interest areas. Take for example the 12 month Flying Objects Club - once a month for an entire year a package arrives at your doorstep containing some freekin’ fantastic flying toy, be it a bird glider, a frisbee, a kite, a rocket, an airplane - all of which can take to the air and fly. Most of the clubs are kid-focused, although I tell you there are several I would love to subscribe to. Whether your passion is crafting, science, board games, robots, paper automata models or great toys for your toddlers there is a club for you. Come on, what kid (big or little) wouldn’t love receiving mail like this every month!

Depending on the interests of the recipient and the size of your pocketbook, you can select from 4, 6 and 12 month clubs or buy the items individually. OR if you’re a little impatient and want, say, all of the kits in the 6 month Origami Club right now - there’s an express option just for you. Below is just a partial sampling of the available clubs:

I had the great pleasure of meeting balloon twister Addi Somekh a few years back at a preschool event where he was creating balloon hats for all of the students. We had such fun watching him work that I picked up one of his cards and decided to check out his web site. What I discovered was more than just info on a party performer, this was a guy passionate about his craft, someone who sees colors and shapes coming out of your head, and brings his visions to life in the form of elaborate sculptural balloon hats.

It was Addi’s friend Charlie Eckert, a photographer, who offhandedly suggested bringing balloon hats to random people around the world. Captivated by the idea, Addi and Charlie set out on a journey to create a photo art book drawn from their adventures and to prove their thesis: people everywhere need joy to survive, whether it be the Balkan States in the aftermath of war, the strife-ridden Middle East, or the forgotten jungles of the developing world. A sampling of images from their travels can be found below and many more can be found on Addi’s site which also includes stories and interviews with people they met along the way. I don’t use the word ‘inspirational’ often, but the manner in which Addi and Charlie executed their simple concept fits the bill in a beautiful way.

Photographic prints of several of the above images can be be purchased here.

In the midst of their world travels, Addi and Charlie met A.G. Vermouth, a documentary film maker and well, you can imagine where that might lead. Flash forward several years to June of 2005 and Balloon Hat, the documentary premieres. Learn more here.

Working with balloons on a daily basis, it only makes sense that Addi would become familiar with most every aspect of the inflatables, including the sounds they can produce. In the spring of 2004, he made 50 different balloon drums and then invited two of his favorite drummers to record a set of improvised duets. The results were more captivating than anyone could have imagined and culminated in the creation of the Balloon Drum Album. A visit to balloondrums.com also includes a tutorial on how to create your own set of drums, a great family activity.

Inspired to try your hand at a little balloon twisting? A good place to start is with The Inflatable Crown: Balloon Hat Kit. The kit comes with a 152-page book, a piston-action pump and 30 Qualatex balloons and teaches you how to make balloon hats with simple, full-color, step-by-step instructions, from simple but cool looking hats, to more complex ones.

“The main purpose of any balloon hat is to uplift a person’s spirits.
Here are some common situations where balloon twisting can make a big (and fast) impact.”

1) Showing Gratitude
2) Celebrating Birthdays
3) Making Friends on the Road
4) Cheering up a Sick Friend
5) Procrastinating
6) Break into the Fashion Model Business
7) Earning Money
Rockin’ the Party
9) Becoming a Few Feet Taller
10) Spicing Up the Family Portrait

Join Addi’s mailing list to receive the Balloon Hat photo of the week. Or subscribe to Addi’s Inflatable Minute - weekly YouTube videos featuring his balloon hat adventures.