Lucky Diaz and The Family Jam Band

We have a new kids CD here at our house.  It's only 5 songs long, but I'll gladly listen to it on repeat for over an hour.

Even when the kids aren't around.

WHAT?!?  Yeah, I was totally stunned when I caught myself doing that for the first time.  I mean, I forgot I was listening to a children's CD, how often does that happen?

With kid friendly lyrics and fun upbeat music you should definitely check out Lucky Diaz and The Family Jam Band.  Once you hear them you'll totally understand.

Here's my sum up of how great this CD is: This Old Man.  Even though the lyrics are the same ones you learned in kindergarten the fantastically updated beat made it feel like a new song. This is the best remake version of a traditional kids song that I have ever heard and I'm glad to introduce my girls to this version first.  (Maybe we could start a petition for Lucky Diaz and The Family Jam Band to work their magic with "Wheels on the Bus" too?)

My favorite song though is Explorer.  Every time it comes on I find myself tapping my toes and singing along.  In fact, I've added it to my grown up playlists making Explorer the first, and only, children's song to enter into my 'mommy time.'

Need some more convincing just how great the Luckiest Adventure album by Lucky Diaz and The Family Jam Band is?  Check out the Customer Reviews left for them on iTunes.  I have a strong suspicion that I'm not the only one expectantly waiting for another album to be released... (hint hint)

GET YOUR OWN: You can buy the entire Luckiest Adventure album by Lucky Diaz and The Family Jam Band for only $4.95 from iTunes.  How great of a deal is that?

 *I was provided with the Luckiest Adventure album in order to conduct this review. The opinions provided really are my own.

Light up your hearts with Luminate!

They had me from the opening track!

"We are, we are, innocent! You make us, innocent!"

Tyler, Texas-based pop/rock band Luminate releases its first full-length national debut, Come Home, TODAY. Already receiving widespread acclaim, the band may best be described as passionate, stirring and worshipful as Luminate’s songs express hope and encourage listeners to seek the redemptive purpose of God in their lives.

As I was writing the review, my husband says in the background... "I love this song!" You may have heard this song already too on your radio. This music is just fantastic! I seriously think every track is great. I don't skip any and rock right on through the whole album! :) Here is a little on the making of "Come Home" (the song is playing in the background):

“We were writing the song ‘Come Home’ about a relationship I was in,” says Luminate frontman Sam Hancock, “but the further we went with the song, the more I realized the song was not about her, but about me! I was the one that needed to ‘come home.’ I realized I was avoiding my destiny and the call on my life. I lost the original vision and was pursuing fame. A little bit of recognition and I started building my own empire under the guise that God was using me, when in actuality my light was growing dim. It was then I realized that I had to exchange my broken empire for my part in the Kingdom of God, the kingdom that will never fail.”

The album continues with a set of worshipful, emotion-filled songs that draw from personal journeys of overcoming fear (“Hope Is Rising”), fighting apathy (“Innocent”) and finding hope, peace and purpose in Christ (“New Beginnings”).

GET YOUR OWN!! You can purchase your own copy of this album HERE (entire album or individual songs), or you can find the whole album on Amazon.

WIN YOUR OWN!! TWO lucky SIMPLE readers will each win a copy of their own of the Luminate Album! To enter, click on THIS LINK, come back here and tell me which song you are most excited to hear! (this entry required)

Extra Entries (leave a separate comment for each):

• "Like" Luminate on Facebook (while you are there "like" us too!)
  
• Follow @LuminateBand on Twitter (our name is @simplereviews)
  
• Tweet this giveaway (daily tweets allowed): Enter to win 1 of 2 copies of the newest release from @LuminateBand over at @simplereviews: http://tinyurl.com/4cjh4ow #giveaway Pls RT
  

Winner will be randomly selected and announced February 4, 2011. Good Luck!

*I was provided with the Luminate Album featured above free of charge. The opinions expressed in this review are mine.*

Yeah, We Like Waffles!

I don't think it is any secret that we really like music around here.  I am constantly looking for fun new CDs for my girls and Parry Gripp's, Do You Like Waffles? is definitely that.

At just over 17 minutes long, Do You Like Waffles? is made up of 24 very short, very catchy,  food-themed tracks.  "The Ballad of Melvin The Magical Hotdog" is the epic story of Melvin The Magical Hotdog and is the longest track on the CD at barely over 1 minute.

I have caught myself singing the title track "Do You Like Waffles?" every time I make waffles lately (and that's pretty often since we just got a new waffle maker).  My three year old made me play "Midnight Snack" over and over until she had it memorized. 

Every time the first song on this CD starts, my three year old starts dancing around and asks "Mom!  Wanna have a dance party?!?"  Of course! :) 

I think this CD is a keeper and if you want a fun, silly CD to enjoy with your kids at home or in the car I highly recommend Parry Gripp's, Do You Like Waffles?

GET YOUR OWN!!! For $10 you can pick up Parry Gripp's, Do You Like Waffles? CD from Oglio Records' online store, iTunes,  and Amazon.  For some extra fun, visit Parry Gripp's webpage to get the "Parry Gripp Song of The Week"!

*I was provided with the Do You Like Waffles? CD free of charge to conduct this review. The opinions provided are my own.

DidiPop Goes To Hawaii

It is cold and snowy here in Michigan and I can think of nothing better than a trip to Maui.  All this cold makes me want warm sand, umbrella drinks, fresh pineapple and Hawaiian music.  Ahhh... relaxation. :)

Unfortunately Fortunately, I will not be taking my two small children on a 20 hour plane ride to Hawaii anytime soon and there will be no warm sand or umbrella drinks in our near future.  Thankfully, we can enjoy the sounds of Hawaiian music with DidiPop Goes to Hawaii and have our own virtual vacation in the car or at home.

The songs on the album were inspired by Deborah Poppink's (aka DidiPop) actual visits to Hawaii with her family.  The songs are kid friendly, and very catchy.  Every time "Wowie Gazowie" plays, I can't help but sing along and Michaela is learning how to say humuhumunukunukuapua'a from listening to "The Hawaiian Alphabet Song."

Check out the "Mango" video of an actual mango picker on Maui and get a peek into the recording session for DidiPop Goes to Hawaii:

GET YOUR OWN:  DidiPop Goes to Hawaii releases on December 14 and can be ordered with free shipping through 1-1-11 from her website!!!  Just visit the DidiPop shop to order your copy today!

WIN YOUR OWN!!! One lucky SIMPLE reader is going to win a copy of DidiPop Goes to Hawaii!  To enter please visit the DidiPop website and come back to tell us which DidiPop Goes to Hawaii song makes you feel most like you're going on a Hawaiian vacation.

Extra Entries: (leave a separate comment for each)

• Follow DidiPop on Facebook
• Tweet this giveaway: Enter to win a DidiPop Goes to Hawaii CD from @didipop over at @simplereviews: http://tiny.cc/nqi6r#giveaway 

WINNER will be randomly selected and announced on December 18, 2010.  Good luck!!!

*I was provided with the DidiPop Goes to Hawaii, CD free of charge to conduct this review. The opinions provided are my own.
 

Mind of My Own with Frances England

I will freely admit that I enjoy listening to children's music with my kids.  There is nothing quite like hearing their little voices singing along with a favorite song, or watching them dance with complete abandon because of some silliness they are hearing in the lyrics.

Sometimes though I want something that isn't quite so much the screeching of "Wheels On The Bus" and more like the music I enjoy when there are no kids around.  That's why I like Frances England's Mind of My Own.  She has managed to combine a relaxing folksy sound with kid-approved lyrics.

Every time her song "Jacques Cousteau" comes on I find myself singing along and my daughter loves the title song "Mind of My Own".  After listening to her Family Tree and Fascinating Creatures albums online we have officially become Frances England fans. 
 
GET YOUR OWN: Head on over to Frances England's website to take a listen and purchase the physical CD or download from iTunes.

WIN YOUR OWN! One lucky SIMPLE reader will get their own copy of Frances England's Mind of My Own. To enter just tell us what kid (big or little) in your life that you think would get the most enjoyment from this CD.

Extra Entries: (leave a separate comment for each)

• Follow Frances England on Facebook
• Tweet this giveaway: Enter to win a Mind of My Own CD from @francesengland over at @simplereviews: http://tiny.cc/bsttt#giveaway

WINNER will be randomly selected and announced on December 11, 2010.

*I was provided with the Frances England, Mind of My Own  free of charge to conduct this review.*
 

Keller Wiliams' First Children's CD!

The best way I can describe the Keller Williams CD Kids would be... Funny, quirky and childish.  And quite frankly, what better combination for a children's CD? Keller Williams sounds like he managed to grow up, but not quite all the way, allowing his songs to connect with kids on their level.

For instance, I think you'd be hard pressed to find a seven year old boy who didn't appreciate a little potty humor (and let's all be honest here, there are lots of 37 year old boys who still appreciate that too). The giggle inducing "Mama Tooted" is perfect for them.

Now, a show of hands please from all the grown up mamas who were once little girls who worked hard to master all the hand-jive, hopscotch, and jump rope chants of their childhood. Your little girls will probably appreciate listening to "Horse Back Rider" over and over until they too have mastered the increasing tempo of this track and are able to keep up.

Oh, and everyone can use the good advice provided in the aptly named "Good Advice."  Because you should "never pick your toes and then pick your nose, cause then your nose smells like your toes."

GET YOUR OWN: Head on over to his website to purchase the physical CD or digital download of Keller Williams Kids.

WIN YOUR OWN! One lucky SIMPLE reader will get their own copy of Keller Williams' Kids CD!  To enter just tell us what kid (big or little) in your life that you think would get the most enjoyment from this CD.

Extra Entries: (leave a separate comment for each)

• Follow Keller Williams KIDS on Facebook
• Tweet this giveaway: Enter to win a Keller Williams Kids CD over at @simplereviews: http://tinyurl.com/mkulsd 

 
WINNER will be randomly selected and announced on November 20, 2010.

*I was provided with the Keller Williams Kids CD  free of charge to conduct this review.*