This album features the styles of music that resulted when different cultures collided in New Orleans. The cover booklet explains the history of each song so that you and our little one can learn while listening. For example, who knew that When the Saints Go Marchin' In -- one of the most famous songs to ever come out of New Orleans -- is used as a celebration song in Louisiana, and even played at funerals to help families overcome their grief. Ya Ya, a fun rhythm and blues song with prominent piano, drums, and saxophone, is based on a popular New Orleans playground rhyme. Choo Choo Ch'Boogie is presented in the musical style of zydeco, a unique blend of French, African, Caribbean and rhythm and blues. With a choo choo train-like beat, and tooting accordion, it's guaranteed to get your little one moving! Buckwheat Zydeco, one of the most famous zydeco musicians from Louisiana, sings new life into Skip To My Blues. It's a unique presentation of an old classic.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner will be a fun, first favorite for little ones, as is features children singing about all the junk food they want to eat, while performer Kermit Ruffins reminds them to do responsible things such as clean their rooms, eat their meals, and wash their hands. Your little one will probably relate all to well to this back-and-forth with adults. They All Ask'd For You is a fun song about animals at the zoo who can talk! You can play a game with your little one to find out what they might ask talking animals. Would they ask them to play or what their favorite colors are? Because the song also mentions some traditional New Orleans foods, so don't be surprised if your child suggests asking the animals what their favorite treat is. Ain't Got No Home, sung in a number of funny voices, is a song that kids will love to imitate. Add to the fun by trying out some of your own silly voices.
My four-year-old niece Emily and I had fun dancing to this album in the living room one afternoon. Emily was particularly fond of the song Whole Lotta Lovin' performed by Fats Domino, one of the most famous musicians to ever come out of New Orleans. Domino adds clapping and kissing noises into the arrangement, and Emily would suck in her cheeks and make a fish face each time there was a kissy noise, eventually recruiting me to do that same.
--Audra