When Chucky and I received Recess Monkey's new CD "The Final Funktier" to review, we were literally blown away! I was cooking dinner and unfortunately wasn't able to sit down with my son and listen to the songs with him. Yet am kinda glad that I wasn't because I could hear him upstairs in his room singing and when I went up to check on him I peeked through the crack in the door and saw him not only singing, but dancing! To me that says a lot about Recess Monkey and their music!
{Sorry about the quality of the pic, he was dancing!}
I didn't think I was listening to children's songs, the music is hip, fresh, fun, very catchy and suited for children and family alike. I am utterly impressed by their talent.
Here is a little Bio on the talented trio of teachers from Seattle that is Recess Monkey.
Full Name: Jack Forman
Occupation: Teacher
Disposition: Excitable
Instruments: Bass, Voice & Piano
Pets: Tabbycat- Fred, Chickens- May & Bob
Favorite Things: Morning Star Farms
Favorite Color: Plaid
Last Seen: Mixing "Field Trip"
Favorite Song: "Something Happens in the Teens"
Full Name: Daron Henry
Occupation: Teacher
Disposition: Funny
Instruments: Drums, Percussion
Favorite Things: World Peace, Fashion, Holidays in Vancover
Pets: Dog- Sugar{Shuug}
Favorite Color: Lime Green
Last Seen: Doing yoga with the Dalai Lama
Favorite Song: "Booster Seat"
Full Name: Andrew Holloway
Occupation: Teacher
Disposition: Charming
Instruments: Voice, Guitar & Keys
Favorite Things: Tamari Almonds
Pets: Rabbits- Yerba & Dagney
Favorite Color: ORANGE
Last Seen: Writin song for "The Final Funktier"
Favorite Song: "Constellation Conga"
Songs on the album are:
1. Lift Off
2. Moon Boots
3. Jet Pack
4. Science Fair
5. Ukalalien
6. My Brother is a Satellite
7. Beat-Box-a-Robot
8. Sunglasses
9. Space Elevator Music
10. The Galax Sea
11. Booster Seat
12. How Do You Build a Robot?
13. Constellation Conga
14. Black Hole in My Room
15. One Tiny Light
You don't have to take my word about Recess Monkey being out of this world, just check out these reviews:
"2009in Review: These kid' songs are...awesome!... There are bands you can't go wrong with, and this is one of them."- USA Today
"BEST KIDS' CDs OF THE DECADE: With five great albums released in the past four years, this trio of Seattle teachers(who have even garnered Beatles comparisons) has become a force to be reckoned with in chidren's music."- Christopher Healy, AOL ParentDish
"Recess Monkey has slowly staked it's claim to being the best kids' music band in the business."- Stefan Shepherd, Zooglobble
You can learn more about Recess Monkey on Facebook & also on their website. The Final Funktier is set to be released on June 15th.
We were also able to review Flute Sweet & Tickletoon in Green Golly & her Golden Flute by Keith Torgan & Barbara Siesel. It is an amazing mix of classical music, story telling and comedy.
A little about Green Golly & Her Golden Flute: {taken from the website}
Green Golly & Her Golden Flute
Rapunzel may have been horrified to spend her days trapped in that big old tower but not Green Golly – she was delighted! So inspired by all that whizzed past her window she couldn’t help but make music. Herein lies the charm of “Green Golly & Her Golden Flute” – this funny and extraordinarily musical event, featuring the music of Mozart, Mendelssohn, Schubert, Gossec, Elgar, Bizet, Chopin and Copland, introduces children to the art of flute and the magic of classical music.“Green Golly” is also available in a version for flute, narrator and full orchestra.
Chucky and I found Green Golly & Her Golden Flute to be fun, funny and very entertaining. I don't know where or how my son became a lover of classical and opera music, but it is just fine with me!
Not only is the story of Green Golly & Her Golden Flute fun, funny and entertaining, so is the story of the creators Barbara Siesel and Keith Torgan. It's a little bit of a fairytale if you will.
Once Upon A Time....
It would be a while before the two would meet and fall in love. They both grew up to be lovers of music, theatre and instruments.
Keith went on from working as a composer at the very much-acclaimed Williamstown Theatre Festival to composing the score fora show starring Blythe Danner{Gwenyth Paltrow's mom} to founding Sneakers, The Music Company for Kids. He then took a 6 year break.
Barbara was playing her flute in concert halls all accross the world such as Alice Tully Hall and Avery Fisher Hall, The Great Hall, and many other halls accross China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea and Spain. She had such a passion for new music that she created a festical called The Storm King Music Festival where new works by composers could be introduced to the world for the first time. Barbara later realized that she had a natural gift for teaching.
Keith while on his hiatus from music worked at a car lot singing hingles about the cars he was selling and even more clever songs about the customers. Yet the car lot serenades weren't enough to keep him awake at night. One evening he went on a computer dating site and found a women who who had traveled the world making music with her flute. He was so enamered that he requested a meeting.
As they say, it was love at first sight!
They shared their music with eachother and thus is how the performing duo of Flute Swee & Tickletoon came to life.
And They Live Happily Ever After!
If you enjoy reading books with your child, you will absolutely love listening to Green Golly & Her Golden Flute with them. If you would like more information about Keith Torgan & Barbara Siesel's music you can visit their website here: http: http://tugboatmusic.com/
I have one copy of Recess Monkey's The Final Funktier to giveaway to one Ma21cuteboy reader!
MANDATORY ENTRY:
Visit the Recess Monkey Website and let me know which song is your favorite.
**{Under the menu bar}**
Bonus Entries: Leave Seperate Comment For Each Entry
(1) "Like" Recess Monkey on Facebook
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Please leave your email address so I can contact you if you are the winner!
That is 26 chances to win!!
Since the CD comes out on the 15th of June, this giveaway will close on June 11th at 11:59 MT
I will contact the winner via email, as well as post it on my blog, the winner will then have 48 hours to contact me or I will have to choose another winner:(
GOOD LUCK!
*I was not compensated for this review, I was provided with the items above from PR for/with the company to formulate my review. The opinions expressed are my honest opinion and others' experiences may differ*
