Holiday Gift Guide 2009: Funky Kidz Review

Finding children’s music that parents can enjoy is not always an easy task. That’s why I’m pleased to introduce you to “Funky Kidz”, a compilation featuring 12 of New Orleans’ finest musicians playing hip versions of well-loved children’s music. The outstanding album features artists like George Porter Jr., The Radiators, Ivan Neville, and many more. Executive producer Lauren Busch Singer was disappointed with the children’s CDs that she heard, and was inspired to start this project to make the kind of kid’s tunes that she wanted to listen to.

“Funky Kidz” is an excellent album, with its rich sound and fun-loving approach. Nothing about this record has been “Dumbed down”, and I think parents will love it just as much as their kids do. And it’s good music for a good cause: A portion of the proceeds will go to fostering music education in classrooms in New Orleans and throughout the country.

Click here to listen to an MP3 of “Zip a Dee Doo Dah”. Funky Kidz is available on Amazon for $16.98.

Track Listing:

1. “You’ve Got A Friend In Me” – Bonerama (2006 Comic Relief house band)
2. “Hokey Pokey” – Big Sam’s Funky Nation (toured with Elvis Costello)
3. “Zip A Dee Doo Dah” – Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk
4. “Yellow Submarine” – Papa Grows Funk
5. “If I Only Had a Brain” – Paul Sanchez, formerly of Cowboy Mouth
6. “He’s Got the Whole World In His Hands” – George Porter Jr. of The Meters
7. “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” – Theresa Andersson
8. “Froggy Went a Courtin” – The Radiators
9. “This Land is Your Land” – Walter Wolfman Washington
10.“When I See an Elephant Fly” – Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes
11. “This Little Light of Mine” – Ingrid Lucia
12. “The Garden Song” – Amanda Shaw