Randy Kaplan in town!

Randy Kaplan is one of the top children's recording artists today.  Our whole family are big fans.  And he came all the way to Portland to perform at a "Many Hands:  Family Music for Haiti" cd release party.  So you know we were there!  

The cd itself proves to be pretty good.  Most recording artists don't seem to put their best original work on  compilation cds,  as a rule, but this one is a gem. And, of course, it's for a good cause!  Whole foods is selling it nationwide, and it's on Amazon and iTunes. More information about the CD and the cause are here:  http://sparetherock.com/wordpress/?page_id=403

Local favorite Eric Herman, and Seattle-based Recess Monkey, were there as well.  Seeing them in person was a bit of a revelation.  They both have many cds, but not everything translates to recordings.  With an audience of children there to participate, Eric Herman's silly songs were way more fun.  And a cd just can't to justice to Recess Monkey's wild energy, like any good rock'n'roll band.  They both put on a great show!

Both Eric Herman and Recess Monkey have simple lyrics and catchy tunes.  Randy Kaplan is something else entirely.  He strode onto the stage, picked up a guitar, and started singing.  "We are all reactors; we react to stimuli..." He was singing "My Little Laugh", a song about laughing when you could be crying. Complex, intelligent, with a great sense of humor... just like your kid and mine.  Bravo!  

Randy's contribution to the Many Hands cd is a wonderful version of the old favorite, "Mama Don't Allow".  He kindly autographed our already well-worn copy of his latest CD, "The Kids Are All Id", for Jasper.  (My review is  here.)   He rocks!