Beat on the Blog

“The Squalb moves so quickly that, like most things that are really important in life, you cannot see it.” - Track 10, “The Squalb”

Parents, I am happy to announce that the days of mind-numbing Raffi and Lambchop sing-a-longs are officially over. The cultural gap between parent and child just got a little narrower.  Thanks to John Medeski, Billy Martin, and Chris Wood, you too can enjoy your kids’ music.  Their latest release, Let’s Go Everywhere, is a funky, rollicking jaunt that appeals to children without insulting their intelligence, or yours.

When I first learned that Medeski, Martin, & Wood (MMW) were releasing a children’s album, I lit up with the exuberance of a 5 year-old on a serious Pixy-Stix bender.  Without hearing a note, I knew that the whole concept made perfect sense, and that MMW would do it right.  Purists and aficionados will immediately recognize MMW’s signature groove, but the content resounds with the ecstatic romp and frolic of a child’s fantastic voyage.

The theme of the record is that of a journey; a journey into music, into the imagination of a child, and, as the title suggests, everywhere.  The intrepid music takes the listener from dusty juke joints along the Mississippi to the mystical Orient to madcap adventures on the high seas.  Trains, planes, and pirate ships are the specific modes of travel, but the beloved MMW groove is the vehicle that moves this album.

The album opens appropriately with “Waking Up,” a sleepy, dream-like introduction.  This instrumental track conjures images of an entire generation slowly coming to consciousness from their television-induced slumber.  They rub their eyes and open their ears and the light comes flooding in.

The adventure begins with the second, titular track, and it is the initial departure for MMW.  Unlike previous albums and improvisations, this track, and several others throughout the album, contains lyrics.  The song seems to be a nod to Johnny Cash’s “I’ve Been Everywhere” with vocalist Tim Ingham prattling off hundreds of earth-bound and fictional destinations.  Ingham’s storyteller baritone has the warmth of Berle Ives and the humor of Jean Shepherd.

A children’s album wouldn’t be complete without some audience participation, and there is plenty of room for interaction on this album.  “Where’s the Music?” begs kids to scream the title when MMW’s beat falls silent for a few seconds, perfect for a funky game of “Musical Chairs.” Billy Martin finally brings the classics into the 21st century with his jungle beat arrangement of a Pat a Cake/Peas Porridge medley.  This sing-a-long is lead by Martin’s son rapping in his best 50 cent impersonation, making this the hardest kids’ song ever laid down.

Forget the diaper disposal and the bottle warmer and the over-priced teddy bear that purports to make your child sleep through the night.  If there is one thing you put on your baby registry, make it this album.  It will be the one thing you’ll appreciate over and over again.

Howdy, Info Junkies and Blogophiles,

This is the first of many insightful posts regarding culture (both pop- and sub-), technology and humor. In this blog, I plan to explore various products and entertainment, and report back to you with my unbiased and objective opinion.  But be forewarned, bias is completely negotiable, and mine can be won for the price of a Happy Meal (that shameless plug for McDonald’s ought to add a few ducets to my coffers).

It seems that much of the “blogosphere” is fueled by waves of cash heaped onto greedy bloggers by chincy advertisers hoping to cultivate a buzz about their products and/or services for a pittance of the cost of mainstream advertising.  There’s a freaking money-making party going on out there, and we weren’t invited!

Well, friends, that stops right now.  Either I get my paycheck, or I’m taking the whole system down with me.  So ride along with me as I hop on the midnight train to Capitalism, and attempt to bear my soul for the equivalent of a few doggie treats and a can of Mr. Pibb (ca-ching!).