Laurie Berkner presents 20 original songs and two classic children's song in her beautiful and distinctive voice on Buzz Buzz. Berkner's songs are a unique blend of modern and traditional folk, rock, indie-rock, and her own distinctive style. The primary instruments heard include guitar, piano, and bass, while the violin, trumpet, alto saxophone, banjo, and kazzo appear in select songs as well. The upbeat songs are made for singing and dancing along, so get ready for some entertainment.

Laurie Berkner's songs are wildly imaginative, sure to keep young listeners entertained and encourage them to let their own imagination fly. How about, The Cookie Bakers of the Night, a song about something (elves?) who quietly bake cookies all night, and then the cookies dance, jump, roll and fly around. The tasty treats in the Pretzel Store sprout wings and fly away, turn into rainbow fish and swim away, and turn into horses and galloped away. Your child will be inspired by the Magic Box that can sprout wings and fly you away. Berkner is just as creative and varied in the genre and song styles she uses; Telephone is a call-and-response song, Popcorn Calling Me is one of a few songs where sound effect words prevail, I'm a Mess is a fun rap, and Berkner even puts the nursery rhyme of "Three Little Pigs" to music in Lot's of Little Pigs. Berkner adds descriptive words to a South African traditional playsong in Rum Sum Sum, to make it even more fun to sing; she speaks directly to the listeners on this track and explains some of the hand motions that can accompany the words.

Many of the songs tell stories and have catchy rhythms, making them fun to dance to or act out. The strong guitar beat, violin, and tempo changes make I Really Love to Dance ideal for grooving to, whether spinning or walking backward. There's a Little Wheel a-Turning in my Heart also has two hands clapping, two feet stomping, little dogs barking, two eyes blinking, some kids sleeping, and a big truck honking in her heart - all with sound effects! The songs can also encourage activities and games. For instance, in Pig on Her Head each line has a new family member with an animal on their head; dad has a cow, mom has a sheep, sister has an alligator, and brother has an elephant on his head! What does your little one have on their head? (Be prepared for just about anything for an answer.) Berkner's song notes for In The Clouds say, "Kids love to tell me what they see in the clouds, even when there aren't any to look at." It would be fun to take a trip to the backyard with your child and find out what they see in the clouds.

My three-year-old friend, Sam, and I listened to this album together one day while I was toddler-sitting. After playing all afternoon, we had toys and books spread across the living room. I asked Sam if he wanted to play a new game, called "Clean it up!" All he heard was 'new game' and enthusiastically agreed. I put on the Clean it Up song and started picking up his toys (with gusto, of course). "C'mon Sam, you have to help. That's how you play the game," I encouraged smiling. He looked at me for a moment, thought about it, and said, "My mom plays this game. I don't like it."

--Audra

After graduating college, Berkner worked for several years as a children's music specialist at New York preschools and day care centers. The parents of the children she worked with encouraged her to record the songs she wrote and sang for the class. By 1998, Berkner former her own record label, Two Tomatoes Records, LLC to release her second album, "Buzz Buzz". Berkner was joined by Susie Lampert on the key board, and Berkner's husband, Brian Mueller, on the bass in 1999 to form The Laurie Berkner Band. Their success grew rapidly, and they even played a live show on The Today Show in 2001.

Berkner's fourth CD, "Under a Shady Tree" was released in 2002 and won multiple awards, including an N.A.P.P.A Gold Award and a Parent's Choice Silver Award. Two years later, Berkner's first picture book with CD, "Victor Vito and Freddi Vasco" came out, based on the lyrics of her hit song, "Victor Vito". After an appearance on the NOGGIN TV Channel (Nickelodeon's education, commercial-free preschool sister station), Berkner's record sales superseded the million mark, and hit Billboard's "Top Album Sales" and "Top Kid Audio" charts. Berkner then appeared in nearly every episode of NOGGIN's original half-hour series "Jack's Big Music Show."