Classic Folk Songs for Kids (preview) - Various Artists

Classic Folk Songs for Kids cover

Artist: Various Artists (Smithsonian Folkways)

AlbumClassic Folk Songs for Kids

Description: Just a few months ago, I wrote for the Smithsonian that it was about time for Volume 2 of Smithsonian Folkways Children's Music Collection.  Well, they've sort of done that now in this, the 26th entry in Folkways' "Classic Series." The playlist -- artists and songs -- itself is certainly classic.  Go to the link below to hear Pete Seeger, Bess Hawes, and Tom Glazer sing "Polly Wolly Doodle" and Elizabeth Mitchell sing Woody Guthrie's classic "Riding in the Car."

Source: Smithsonian Folkways

Back to School Playlist - Various Artists

Artist: Various Artists

Album: N/A

Description: Six songs from the roster of artists repped by Sugar Mountain PR, an excellent selection, including stuff from Justin Roberts, The Not Its, Bill Harley, Shine and the Moonbeams, Key Wilde and Mr. Clarke, and Brady Rymer.

Source: Soundcloud

Band Together - Chicago Kindie Sampler

Artist: Chicago Kindie Sampler

AlbumBand Together

Description: Eight previously-unreleased tracks for $8 from eight Chicago-area musicians, including Poochamungas, Little Miss Ann, Super Stolie, Human-Tim + Robot-Tim, and more.  Proceeds go to Chicago-area Intonation Music Workshop, which provides music education to area kids.

Source: Bandcamp

Color This Album - Chris Doud, Willy Tea Taylor, and more

Artist: Chris Doud, Willy Tea Taylor, and more (Heckabad Records)

Album: Color This Album

Description: The spiritual sequel to the classic Bloodshot Records kiddie compilation The Bottle Let Me Down, this collection of tracks from eastern Northern California features some of the finest Americana-for-kids you'll hear this year.  If you stream just one song, make it "Take You Into My Arms."  But don't stream just one song.  (Review)

Source:  Bandcamp

 

Rocktober Halloween Party Playlist 2013

Artist: Various

Album: N/A

Description:  This is a solid set of Halloween-ish songs from clients and friends of kids music publicist Beth Blenz-ClucasTrout Fishing in America, Heidi Swedberg, Boxtop Jenkins, The Pop Ups, and more.  Including Justin Roberts' "Trick or Treat," the Halloween kindie anthem par excellence.

Source: Soundcloud 

Neighbor to Neighbor: Family Music for Sandy Relief - Various Artists

Artist​: Various Artists

Album: Neighbor to Neighbor: Family Music for Sandy Relief

Description:​ Produced by Laurie McIntosh AKA Story Laurie, the Neighbor to Neighbor project is a benefit album raising funds for ongoing relief work in the Rockaways & Lindenhurst, Long Island in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.  Ten bucks gets you tracks from a big group of kindie favorites like Dan Zanes, Pete Seeger, Key Wilde & Mr. Clarke, Gustafer Yellowgold, and... oh, just take a listen.

Source:​ Bandcamp

Holiday Music Sampler

Artist: Various

Album: N/A

Description: Christmas is still more than a couple weeks away (as is Kwanzaa), but it's already the second night of Hanukkah, so I think it's officially safe to start with the winter-holiday-related posts.  I'll have a handful of posts throughout the season, but I'll start off simply, with a ten-pack of holiday tunes (Christmas, Hanukkah, and TV-Special) from a variety of artists, including Randy Kaplan, Brady Rymer, the Jimmies, and more, available to download for a limited time.

Source: Soundcloud

European Playground - Various Artists (Putumayo)

Artist: Various Artists (Putumayo)

Album: European Playground (re-release)

Description: An August 28, 2012 re-release of a 2009 collection, with 3 new songs.

Source: Bandcamp