Even more new favorite songs from favorite artists like Mista Cookie Jar, Alina Celeste, and Dan Zanes!
The Love Bubble
(Mista Cookie Jar)
This was one of Mista Cookie Jar's earliest hits, as it was put out way back in 2009. The message of this song was very much relevant and timely right now. It's a very good reminder of how powerful love can be and how much it can protect us from all these negative things and criticisms and make us motivated to do more and break the stereotypes. He blends this message in with some hip-hop and upbeat rhythms and a fun songwriting style, which he would incorporate into all his later compositions.
Like this song? I recommend that you check out his newest album "Don't Gotta be Cool", with Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, Little Miss Ann, and Father Goose!
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El Mejor Regalo
(123 Andres)
Photo from Facebook page of artist mentioned above
123 Andres have been known for honoring their Latin-American heritage making bilingual children's songs and have even won a Latin Grammy award! This is thier latest offering, making the most of this unusual holiday season.
One of my favorite songs from this album is their take on the holiday classic "Feliz Navidad" along with Mista Cookie Jar, who was mentioned earlier. It is very upbeat and is a very good jam, especially this bleak time. It's pretty much a toe-tapping holiday track. Another favorite of mine is the bilingual take on "Jingle Bells" as it makes holiday carols break the long-overused language barrier. It is a testament to how the band reaches out to both English and Spanish speaking populations, which is a very welcoming thing for me.
My personal favorite song from this new album is called "Zoom Holiday Party", and it describes how fun the holidays can be even remotely. It made me realize that yes, it feels less fun, but you still get to send a little holiday cheer, from your house to thiers.
Hands down, it's the best album I ever heard all season! It's really a good holiday mood booster we need right now.
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WEBSITE: https://123andres.com/
Love is Te Quiro
(Alina Celeste)
Photo from Facebook page of artist mentioned above
Another example of a very good multi-lingual artist is Alina Hevia, aka Alina Celeste. This album shows how universal values like love and kindness can be read in any language.
All the songs here on this album are very heartfelt and you can feel the message inside each and every song.
One of my favorite songs here is called "Love Is" and it tackles what love feels for her. I can really feel whatever she wants to say and it really gives a sense of reassurance and a signal that as long as we have love, we will all be ok. Another favorite is a Spanish tune folk tune called Vaca Lechera and it's quite catchy, by the way. It makes you learn Spanish better than Dora does! I also like the song "Stardust" as it is a reminder that even if we are far apart, we can find ways and reminders that we are still loved and someone will always look up to and remember you.
I can promise you, it's reassuring and it really is an audio equivalent to a warm hug, especially now in the age of social distancing. It feels like Alina Celeste is singing these songs just for you and wants to tell you that things will be alright, just like a very close friend.
If you ever need a heartwarming uplifting kindie album, this is it.
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New York City
(Dan Zanes feat. Claudia Elizalda)
Before Dan Zanes became one of kindie's leading figures, he used to be in a band called the "Del Fuegos" and he would turn to making children's music.
And there have been many, many songs about New York City, from Frank Sinatra to Billy Joel and from Alicia Keys to Taylor Swift. That alone makes New York one of the most sing able cities of the world, next to Paris and Rome.
This song however, infuses the spirit of NYC with some folk and country inspired kindie flair
This song is a collaboration with his wife, Claudia Eliaza, and it beautifully describes the city in a very rural, jazzy, folk-style musical composition. That motif also gives off a POV of New York from a someone who has loved NY as much as he has enjoyed his countryside life. The way New York is musically described will never ever be the same again.
This comes from the Smithsonian Folkways album "Lead Belly, Baby!" featuring a diverse range of artists and even more folk-inspired kid's beats.
More information about how the album came to be in the video below:
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SPECIAL ANNONCEMENT:
Earlier in this blog, I had made a review of the Wow in the World podcast from NPR. It was not available on Spotify internationally at the time I wrote that article.
Now, thanks to a landmark agreement between NPR and Spotify, Wow in the World is joining dozens of popular NPR podcasts being available worldwide on the biggest music and podcast streaming network! Now you can hear Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz, and all the amazing discoveries in science and beyond, wherever you are in the world!
COMING SOON: My top 10 podcast episodes for 2020!
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