ABC online – Mummy To Twins Plus One

Mummy to Twins was lucky to be sent a copy of the latest CD from Catherine Britt and Jay Laga’aia, “Big Rock Candy Mountain” to review.

So what type of songs is on the new CD I hear you ask? Well, the songs are the greatest American folk songs. Some tracks are ones that you don’t hear often, like “Home on the range”, “Don’t fence me in”, and “Little Liza Jane”.

The music is pleasant, upbeat and just a joy to listen to. Catherine Britt in “This land is your land” is reminiscent of Dolly Parton; well I think she sounds similar. I quite like folk songs especially when they are done well, and the vocals and music is just so tight.

Jay and Catherine work well on a cd together, there is not one song that they share vocals however they do their own songs. The listener does not notice as each song blends seamlessly into the other. It all just works so well.

My girls were very active today so thought a dance to some music might help them get some energy out. It was a good idea, as they danced like mad little things to “Skip to My Lou”, and “Campdown Races” and have sung and invented lyrics to “Yankee Doodle”. With the banjo playing in Campdown Races the girls did some interpretive dance and just jumped around laughing.

If you wish to have a CD that you can listen to as well as the kids this is it. It is great to have something that is not just for kids, could be for both. I also like the fact that it introduces kids to these songs.

Below is the breakdown of the tracks on the CD and who sings them:

1. Don’t Fence Me In – Catherine Britt
2. On Top Of Old Smokey – Jay Laga’aia
3. Skip to My Lou – Catherine Britt
4. Camptown Races – Jay Laga’aia
5. This Is Your Land – Cathering Britt
6. Deep In The Heart of Texas – Jay Laga’aia
7. Big Rock Candy Mountain – Catherine Britt
8. Home On The Range – Jay Laga’aia
9. Little Liza Jane – Catherine Britt
10. Oh! Susanna – Jay Laga’aia
11. Red River Valley – Catherine Britt
12. Yankee Doodle – Jay Laga’aia
13. You Are My Sunshine – Catherine Britt
14. Clementine – Jay Laga’aia
15. Casey Jones – Catherine Britt
16. Down In The Valley – Jay Laga’aia
17. Cotton Eye Joe – Catherine Britt
18. I’ve Been Working On The Railroad – Jay Laga’aia
19. John Henry – Catherine Britt
20. Polly Wolly doodle – Jay Laga’aia
21. She’ll Be Coming ‘Round The Mountain – Catherine Britt
22. Buffalo Gals – Jay Laga’aia
23. Swing Low, Sweet Chariot – Catherine Britt

So as Molly Meldrum always says, “Do yourself a favour” and check out the CD, get it, play it and enjoy. You can pick up a copy of Big Rock Candy Mountain at the ABC Online Shop; they deliver it so no need to leave the house.

What is your favourite song on this CD? Do your kids love dancing to your songs? Send in your comments.

Surfer Jeff for a Wiggly Good Time

Surfer Jeff - The Wiggles — Surfer Jeff – The Wiggles

Do your little ones like to dance and sing along to music? Well mine do, sometimes it is nice to just have some music on in the background to encourage creative play. Listening to music is a nice change to television and a much needed break. Bring on the music I say!

I have the perfect CD for your kids; Mummy to Twins has been sent the new CD from the Wiggles to review, “Surfer Jeff”. This new release welcomes back Greg Page, who is one of the original members of the group.

So what is the CD like? Well the music is all different, there are upbeat songs to dance to, and slower songs to just rest or listen to. My girls really liked “Up, Down, Turn Around” (my girls liked doing the dance with this song, giggles and laughter was the outcome of this one) and “Ooey, Ooey, Ooey Allergies” (This one might be due to the fact it sounds funny to say – my girls sang along to the ooey ooey bits and laughed and laughed).

It is nice to see that the Wiggles have included “Waltzing Matilda” it is a wonderful song, giving the children an appreciation for this great Australian song. Many of the songs have different languages in them; this is another positive as it helps young ears get used to other sounds and ways of speaking. They say that if you expose your child to other languages it is easier for them to pick up a second language.

The title of the CD “Surfer Jeff” is a very 1950 or 1960 sounding song, a bit like the Beach Boys sound. “Who is the man, the groovy surfer man? Everyone knows it is surfer Jeff!” just one of the lines in the song, this song is fun and allows kids to sing along and to have fun pretending to be a surfer along with Jeff (actually all their songs are fun).

The song breakdown is as follows:

1. Here Come Our Friends
2. Surfer Jeff
3. Up, Down, Turn Around
4. The Mini Foxie Puppy Dance
5. Ooey, Ooey, Ooey Allergies!
6. Look Before You Go
7. It’s Peanut Butter!
8. What’s The Weather Today?
9. I Love Oranges
10. Mango Walk
11. Banananana
12. Waltzing Matilda
13. An Irish Dinosaur Tale
14. Olive Oil Is My Secret Ingredient
15. C’est Wags, C’est Bon
16. Dorothy The Dinosaur’s Beach Party
17. Rolling Down The Sandhills
18. Running Up The Sandhills
19. Would You Like To Go To Scotland?
20. Balla Balla Bambina
21. London Barcarolle

I recommend this CD, my kids and I really like it and the girls danced, jumped, sang and just had good times listening to it. We even managed to have some quiet time with them playing and looking at books as well. Mummy to Twins is working on a giveaway to win a copy of “Surfer Jeff” so stay tuned for the announcement! Hope you have a wiggly good time like we have had today.