CD Review - John Hadfield
How important is music in your child's life? For us, it's a vital part of each day. We're always listening to something... In the car, during breakfast, after dinner. I make sure my kids are exposed to almost all kinds of artists and styles (no death metal just yet).
When they were babies I played Mozart, Chopin, Sesame Street, and lullaby versions of Beatles songs. When they were toddlers we danced around the house to The Wiggles. My 8-year-old son has outgrown most of that music, while my daughter tends to follow his lead. They've become interested in grown-up groups like The Beatles, UB40, and Split Enz. But I don't want them to grow up too fast. Which is why I appreciate the recent explosion of children's musicians who write their songs for an older elementary school crowd.
And we just found one of them - an incredibly funny and talented singer named John Hadfield. He's easy to describe. I call him a "Weird Al For Kids" because he has that same goofy and unexpected sense of humor in his lyrics.
Hadfield's most recent CD came out last year. Robot Monkey Head is a collection of zany songs about school, beans, duct tape and a mouse-wacking bunny. Yeah, that's what I thought too... "Who writes a song about duct tape?" He pulls it all off brilliantly, switching from new wave to bluegrass to jazz in a mix that flows easily from one song to the next. The clever lyrics are perfect for road trip sing-alongs.
Listen: "Rhyming Song"
Hadfield is a multi-talented guy. He's an award-winning clown, juggler, science teacher, black belt, singer, and actor. In other words, he lives to entertain. And that's exactly what he does with his music.
My kids and I highly recommend both of his CDs. The first one, Monkeys In The House, won three Children's Music Web Awards in 2002, as well as high praise from best-selling humorist David Sedaris. Click on either of the CD titles to buy them through Hadfield's website.
You have to love a guy who not only makes you laugh, but can teach your kids about the history of safety glass!
Listen: "Safety Glass"
When they were babies I played Mozart, Chopin, Sesame Street, and lullaby versions of Beatles songs. When they were toddlers we danced around the house to The Wiggles. My 8-year-old son has outgrown most of that music, while my daughter tends to follow his lead. They've become interested in grown-up groups like The Beatles, UB40, and Split Enz. But I don't want them to grow up too fast. Which is why I appreciate the recent explosion of children's musicians who write their songs for an older elementary school crowd.
And we just found one of them - an incredibly funny and talented singer named John Hadfield. He's easy to describe. I call him a "Weird Al For Kids" because he has that same goofy and unexpected sense of humor in his lyrics.Hadfield's most recent CD came out last year. Robot Monkey Head is a collection of zany songs about school, beans, duct tape and a mouse-wacking bunny. Yeah, that's what I thought too... "Who writes a song about duct tape?" He pulls it all off brilliantly, switching from new wave to bluegrass to jazz in a mix that flows easily from one song to the next. The clever lyrics are perfect for road trip sing-alongs.
Listen: "Rhyming Song"
Hadfield is a multi-talented guy. He's an award-winning clown, juggler, science teacher, black belt, singer, and actor. In other words, he lives to entertain. And that's exactly what he does with his music.
My kids and I highly recommend both of his CDs. The first one, Monkeys In The House, won three Children's Music Web Awards in 2002, as well as high praise from best-selling humorist David Sedaris. Click on either of the CD titles to buy them through Hadfield's website.
You have to love a guy who not only makes you laugh, but can teach your kids about the history of safety glass!
Listen: "Safety Glass"
Permalink posted by Phil at 10:25 PM
3 Comments:
This Cd has quickly become a favorite around here. We love the duct tape song !
Thank you for the great advice, it is awesome! I think it will work if I continue to use your tactics, it will be beneficial to both of us in the long run. Can't wait to check out John Hadfield. Thanks again, I needed to hear what you said.
Ah nuts, I was thinking of using "the Weird Al of kids' music". Too late now! :o) Actually, it's not that good of a fit for me, anyway. Gotta check out this CD, though. Sounds like something I'd like a lot.
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