The Kids Are Alright

We have two boys - 5 & 3 - Noel & Lennon (can you guess what kind of music we dig?).  They are being raised in a very musical household - drums in the basement, Beatles usually playing, books and books and books about music, etc.  We're not music nazis with them, but we just don't play crap in our house.  My kids don't even know who The Wiggles are.  Seriously.  It just so happens that The Beatles and The Beach Boys make music that kids seem to instantly love (thank you, God).  I actually had the privilege of speaking with Brian Wilson on the phone before Noel was born.  I asked him what should be the first song we play for our new baby.  He said, without hesitation, "God Only Knows."  

Beyond the bands we love, we discovered some people making quality "kids" music.  Dan Zanes, formerly of The Del Fuegos, is a superb choice.  He plays, essentially, folk music that the whole family can enjoy.  His lyrics are not "dumbed-down" and he delves into different folk traditions - sea shanties, music in Spanish, waltzes, lullabies, etc. 

I'll leave you with one other recommendation - Gustafer Yellowgold - that is the creation of artist/musician Morgan Taylor.  I enjoy this music, thoroughly, with or without the kids.  Each song is accompanied by an animated video, so all of the cds are released with dvds.  Gustafer is infused with a sense of humor and the absurd/surreal that is missing from most music for children, but is perfect for young (and older) minds.  The tunes are melodic, sometimes melancholy, and have that light and breezy feel that Harry Nilsson brought to The Point. 

We can give our kids the gift of good music.  We can make the world a whole lot brighter.  We can fight the good fight.  We can save rock and roll.  We can avoid crap music.