No Ordinary Day

No Ordinary Day

by Suzi Shelton

This upbeat album full of original songs - and one David Bowie cover - is perfect for car rides or playtime. The music is a mix of funk, pop, and ballads with electronic flourishes. Suzi Shelton is accompanied by her young son on a number of songs, as well as an array of fun instruments ranging from bass, electric and acoustic guitar, drums, piano, cello, and tambourine, to violin, dumbec, mandolin, chord-o-dot, synths, and a wurlitzer.

Suzi's songs tell stories that parents and children can relate to, and the catchy choruses repeat often so listeners can sing along. There are songs about living at Mom and Dad's house separately, waiting for dad to get home from work, the wishes a parent has for a child, naming animals, and so much more. Suzi's son, Sebastian, provides back-up vocals in five songs, as he and his sister is the inspiration for them. Lift Me Up, Star and Makes Me So Happy are filled with sweet lyrics about the feelings a parent has for a child; "Seeing your smiling faces, Makes me want to say, Our friendship is forever" (Makes Me So Happy). Star also offers sounds from unique instruments your little one may not have experienced yet, such as dumbec (a middle eastern drum) and chord-o-dot (a type of organ). No Ordinary Day is a poppy song with a steady loud beat and has synthetized sounds supporting lyrics all about a fun day with mom.

The songs lend themselves to fast learning and singing along by children and parents alike. Mama's and Daddy's House includes children's voices joining in the "do, do, dos", and Man Gave Names to All The Animals has the fun repeating chorus of, "Aaaaaaa, I think I'll call it cow" (or bear, or sheep). The lyrics may inspire stories, questions, or conversation from your child. The melodic My Favorite Mood features the piano, cello, and violins for a beautiful song about friends and feelings. Do your little ones have friends they feel strongly about? Do they have a best friend? If your child is excited and would rather be moving around than sitting and talking, there are plenty of songs to dance to and clap along with. The funky-pop song, Jump, will definitely get listeners excited and dancing!

My niece received this CD for her third birthday, and it has been a popular choice for the past year. She said she likes it when her mom sings along to the Star song when they are snuggling. She likes the line, "It brightens my day, when I hear from you. You are my star, no matter how far, apart you are."

--Audra

Suzi Shelton's CDs have won awards from Parents' Choice, the Children's Music Web, iParenting Media and a 2007 Gold Award from the National Parenting Publications.

Shelton got her professional start in New York as part of children's music band, called The Imagination Workshop. She left the band to pursue her solo career, and gleans song ideas and inspiration from her husband and two children. On her albums, Shelton is often accompanied by Steve Elliot on the guitar, Matt Clohesy on the bass, and Rob Heath on the drums. Shelton's backup singers include her 11-year-old son, Sebastian, and/or the enthusiastic group of child singers, "The Gumdrops".

Suzi and her accompanying musicians have performed at impressive venues such as The Lincoln Center Tree Lighting Ceremony, Cain Park, Symphony Space, 92Y Tribeca, The Knitting Factory, The White House, Madison Square Park, Battery Park City, Tribeca Film Festival, Bethlehem Musikfest, The Jewish Museum, The Brooklyn Children's Museum, The Portland Children's Museum, The Bell House and Southpaw.