Music Review « Kelly's Lucky You

Children’s Music Review and Giveaway: Big Bully (The Best Foot Forward Series from Recess Music) – US and Canada

By Kelly, on November 14th, 2011%

“Recess Music is a music production company.

We entertain, encourage, and educate children

and families about the adventure of being human

through music that presents positive ideas for living

a life full of possibilites.

We embrace the ideals of global peace, social-justice,

harmony and understanding.

We believe that all human beings, regardless of age,

can be equipped to appreciate a world that is wise and fair, and generous hearted.

We dream of a world where music can help and heal.

Music for the Dance of Life!”

I got goosebumps when I read this on the inside cover of the CD, Big Bully. Isn’t that what we all want for our children? Then the first song “Bully Bubba” started and goosebumps changed to laughter. It’s a funny, country song about a bully named Bubba who just doesn’t know that bullies aren’t cool. “Bully Bubba belts out big bully banter.” How can you not smile? But there are great messages, as well, “So what should you do when you meet bullies like Bubba?” … “You need to tell someone because telling isn’t tattling.”

Each song on the CD, Big Bully, is by a different artist. I had never thought about it before, but that probably helps keep children interested – to hear different voices from song to song. The artists include: The Uncle Brothers, Nancy Tucker, The Hipwaders, Mary Kaye, The Happy Crowd, Janet’s Planet, J.P. Taylor and The Academics, The Hill Brothers, Susan Salidor, Lyle Cogen, Leslie Bixler, Glenn Colton, Renee & Jeremy and Lou Del Biaco. In styles ranging from folk to rap, there is a song or seven for everyone on this album.

My favorite thing about this CD is that each song tells a story. It’s not just platitudes or catchy phrases, there are real stories that engage and are fun to listen to.

For more information about Recess Music, go to their website, www.recessmusic.com

One lucky KLY reader will win a copy of the CD, Big Bully! Enter in the easy, Rafflecopter form below.
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Children’s Review and Giveaway: The Tuneables “I Love Music!” 2-Disk Set DVD/CD

By Kelly, on November 2nd, 2011%

The Tuneables “I Love Music!” DVD is “smart” music! It teaches children the fundamentals of music while they have fun singing and dancing. A story is woven between the songs that grabbed Rosie’s attention and held her through the entire 30 minute DVD. Sorry I’m so excited about this one that I’m jumping ahead.

The Tuneables DVD is sponsored by the Music Intelligence Project, which is dedicated to understanding that music learning is beneficial to young children and is most effective when begun at an early age. The Music Intelligence Project brought together musicians, educators, researchers and creative professionals to create products to educate children in music. I think from reading their website that The Tuneables is their first product development effort and I look forward to seeing more!

Also included in the set is a CD, “The Music Box”, a companion CD that reinforces the curriculum in the DVD.

The Tuneables “I Love Music!” DVD is:

engaging – the use of animated characters and real children engages the viewer
interactive – this is definitely not a “sit on the couch” and watch DVD. Children will be up and moving!
entertaining – the story and short songs kept Rose laughing and singing
educational – it teaches the fundamentals of music like rhythm, beat, tonal patterns, voice flexibility
fun!

My Take

The animation on The Tuneables DVD is high quality with beautiful colors and detailed scenes. The characters are drawn quite well with many shades giving dimension. Real children are mixed in along with the animation which Rosie loved. It gives a feel of playing with other kids for my only child :)

I’ve found there are “sweet spots” in children’s entertainment – a balance of educational value and entertainment. Things that teach but are still entertaining. Also a balance of adult tone and children’s tone. Things that children like but that don’t drive adults crazy. The Tuneables, I Love Music! hits both “sweet spots” – it is educational AND entertaining; can be enjoyed by children without driving mom crazy.

The Tuneables DVD is a high quality product from start to finish. Even the case of the DVD/CD is attractive, interesting, and full of information. I highly recommend The Tuneables! The material gives a recommended age range of 3 to 8. Rosie is almost 6 and she loved it. Her favorite part was “The Funny Song” – a song that used glasses partly filled with water to make different notes when tapped. We got glasses and water out and did it together with the DVD and it was fun for both of us! Fun!

One lucky reader is going to win a Tuneables DVD/CD of their own! Yay! Enter in the Rafflecopter form below.

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Music Review and #Giveaway of New CD, “Get In, I’m Driving” by Ginny Owens

By Kelly, on September 13th, 2011%

“I hope you will be able to hear the heart, soul, prayer, and effort that went into creating this new project.” - from the cover letter written by Ginny Owens in the CD mailed to me for review.

I couldn’t have described the new CD by Ginny Owens, “Get In, I’m Driving” any better – it has the heart, soul, prayer and effort of a beautiful spirit. Ginny Owens shares her immense talent with us in this music. You can hear her strong, deep feelings in every note and every lyric.

Ginny Owen’s voice and style, other than in the first track, remind me of a combination of Diana Krall and Norah Jones. She succeeds equally in blues and folk songs. Heartbreak comes through in, “Rain” but hope comes through just as strongly in “Before You Fly”. A three time Dove Award winner, including the Gospel Music Association’s 2000 New Artist of the Year recipient, and multiple ASCAP Award winner, Ginny Owens has sold nearly one million albums. A top performer on the Christian radio charts with hits like, “If You Want Me To,” “Free” and “I Wanna Be Moved, ” among others.

Owens’ music has impacted mainstream audiences at Lilith Fair, the Sundance Film Festival and the White House. Her music has also been part of the popular TV series’, “Roswell” and “Felicity”. Her music is appealing to not only Christian music fans.

Ginny Owens was born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi where she was discovering melodies on the piano almost before she could complete a sentence. Songs began to emerge from her fingers as the vision began to leave her eyes – by the age of three she was completely blinded from a degenerative eye condition. “Songs provide a window into a world Owens can’t see and an outlet for her to express her thoughts and dreams.”

This is one of my favorite CDs of the year – it is truly beautiful. Ginny Owens voice and the simple musical accompaniments on piano and guitar are not only inspirational and entertaining.

To learn more about Ginny Owens and her music:

Website – http://ginnyowensmusic.com

Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/GinnyOwensMusic

Twitter – http://twitter.com/GinnyOwens

iTunes – http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/before-you-fly-single/id442050145

One lucky KLY winner is going to receive their own copy of the Ginny Owens CD, “Get In I’m Driving”. Enter below using the Rafflecopter form!
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Music Giveaway: Beautiful Design by Jason Bare

By Kelly, on April 12th, 2011%

I love the music on the CD, Beautiful Design, by Jason Bare but it is only enhanced by the stories behind it. First, the story of the Bonus Track, “For the First Time”. This song has gained major radio airplay and achieved #1 position on Christian Music Weekly’s nationwide Worship chart. Additionally, it has been . . . → Read More: Music Giveaway: Beautiful Design by Jason Bare