Rock and Roll Preschool

ROCK AND ROLL PRESCHOOL
AMP-UP YOUR CHILDREN'S MUSIC LIBRARY WITH THESE CDS
CREATED FOR KIDS BY YOUR FAVORITE ARTISTS

Who says kids' music has to be all fluffy banjos, xylophones and lyrics
about small furry animals and chewing gum on the bedpost? When you’re
ready to throw Raffi out the window, try popping in one of these rocking
CDs—all of which were recorded or inspired by artists who first made a
name for themselves as adult musicians before crossing over into tot tunes
territory. Not only will you actually enjoy your children’s music, but you’ll also
be exposing them to some of the all-time greatest musicians of the twentieth
century — it’s a silent, well, not-so-silent, education contained in stellar entertainment. Consider
it an investment in the future: ten years from now, when your son or daughter is telling their friends,
“My parents rocked me to sleep to Nirvana as a baby,” and “Johnny Cash was my favorite CD as a
four-year-old,” you’ll instantly become the coolest parent on the block.

	*Rockabye Baby!* Series Imagine if Zeppelin's Houses of the Holy or the Beatles' Abbey Road had been a nursery album rather than two of the most iconic rock and roll albums of all time. “Rockabye Baby!” takes the hits from your favorite musicians and creatively convert them into melodic instrumental lullabies. The series' seriously impressive catalog includes classics like the Rolling Stones and the Ramones, modern artists like Bjork and Green Day, and even hard rockers like Metallica and Nirvana. Go ahead, put your baby to sleep with a little “Brown Sugar.” ($11.95 and up—though most are $16.95— www.rockabyebabymusic.com)
	*Here Come the ABCs,* They Might Be Giants Turns out these quirky rockers can do a mean children's tune—and they’re songs that you'll actually enjoy listening to, as well. With upbeat tempos and ethereal sound effects, the 20 tracks on this album—the group’s second children's record—sound like they could fit in on any conventional TMBG record. But once you start to pay attention to the lyrics, you realize they’re actually educational—and fun. ($18.98, www.amazon.com)
	*Mary Had a Little Amp,* Various Artists Bonnie Rait, Lou Reed and Moby? This hardly sounds like a children's album, right? But that's exactly what it is—and a very unique one, too. Combining kid-classics like “When you Wish Upon a Star” and “The Rainbow Connection” with child-friendly lyrics, if somewhat sentimental, rock-classics like Graham Nash's “Teach Your Children”, your kids will never know you're playing this album for your benefit just as much as theirs. ($13.98, www.landofnod.com)
	**The Johnny Cash Children's Album, Johnny Cash** Whether or not you sang along to the original release of this album in 1975, if you're a Cash fan, this album is a must-have for your children. Johnny, with a little help from wife June, brings back all your favorites, like “Why is a Fire Engine Red?” and “Nasty Dan” for the next generation. ($11.98, www.amazon.com)
	**Capitol Sings Kids' Songs for Grown Ups, Various Artists** While Nat King Cole, June Christy and Johnny Mercer may not be known as children's recording artists, this album bridges multiple generations with a collection of timeless kids' tunes from the 1940s, '50s and '60s. The original versions of favorites like “Jeepers Creepers” and “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah” will have your parents and your children boppin' around together. ($13.98, www.landofnod.com)
	*Smithsonian Folkways Children's Music Collection,* Various Artists You can never go wrong with the classics, especially when they're performed by classic musicians. Expose your children to some of the 20th century's most influential artists like Woody Guthrie, Langston Hughes and Ella Jenkins, just to name a few—while having some musical fun with classic old favorites, like “Mary Mack” and “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.” There are even some game songs on the CD, making this album sure to keep boredom at bay. ($11.98, www.amazon.com)
	*Hey Mr. Spaceman,* Various Artists Another repurposed collection, this album takes previously recorded, kid-friendly sci-fi-themed songs and puts them on one album featuring the talents of Ella Fitzgerald, The Byrds and The B-52s. This one is sure to make your little space-enthusiast appreciative of some of mom or dad's favorite artists. ($13.98, www.landofnod.com)
	*For The Kids,* Various Artists This CD is a collection of traditional-meets-popular and old-meets-new kids’ tunes, which features greats like, Guster, Tom Waits, Barenaked Ladies and Wilco. To make it even more palatable, proceeds from this album go to the VH1’s Save The Music foundation, an organization that works to restore music education in public schools around the nation. This is one album that you won't mind keeping in heavy rotation in your MP3 playlist. ($12.98, www.amazon.com)
	**Shake Sugaree, Taj Mahal** Now here's a kid's album the whole family can groove on. In 1998, jazz and blues legend, Taj Mahal recorded this collection of tunes—the second children’s recording he undertook specifically for the kiddies. The album, which features the voices of his children, invites kids into the world of blues music and encourages them to sing sing sing sing-along. We'd be surprised if you don't find yourself joining in, too. ($13.98, www.landofnod.com)

—Erin Scottberg