07/13/2012

Michael Berick

On Mr. Diddie Wah Diddie, Kaplan has taken classic blues tunes (songs associated with Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, Bessie Smith and others) and shifted the lyrics to make them relevant to kids.

12.98, myKaZoo Music

It’s been more than a few years since Dan Zanes helped shake up the family music scene with his lively renditions of traditional tunes. Randy Kaplan has done his own take on this concept, and the result is just as wonderful. On Mr. Diddie Wah Diddie, Kaplan has taken classic blues tunes (songs associated with Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, Bessie Smith and others) and shifted the lyrics to make them relevant to kids. So Blind Willie Johnson’s “Soul of a Man” is now “Ice Cream Man Rag” and Muddy Water’s “Sugar Sweet” now concerns a pet dog.

Among the most memorable tracks here are “In A Timeout Now” (a humorous version of Jimmie Rodgers’ “In The Jailhouse Now”) and Kaplan’s interpretation of Blind Blake’s “Diddie Wah Diddie.” Strong, too, are Kaplan’s sweet take on Dave Van Ronk’s “Green Green Rocky Road” and the playful “Shake That Thing.” The playful mood continues on the between-song dialogue exchanges that Kaplan has with “old blues man” Lightnin’ Bodkins, who talks about music and tries to come up with a nickname for Kaplan. These humorous bits add another layer of enjoyment to an already wonderful set of rootsy music. Kaplan will be performing at the Getty Center Aug. 11-12 and the Theatricum Botanicum Aug. 26.

Michael also recommends …

• All on a Sunday Afternoon

The Sugar Free Allstars

$12.99

Probably the funkiest band in family music, The Sugar Free Allstars hit the groove again on their latest album. Without a question, “99 Questions” is a great tune, and the duo also shines on their Talking Heads cover “Stay Up Late” and originals like the humorous “Hiccup.”

• Wo!

Bobby Susser Songs

$14, www.bobbysusser.com

“Smiling Face,” “You Ought To Have Fun” and “The Music Gets Us Going” not only are Susser song titles, but also express the upbeat, feel-good messages found on this celebrated children’s music performer’s 25th album.

• Kinderangst

Kinderangst

$12.99, www.kinderangstmusic.com

Punk pop for pint-sized rockers – this disc still is more sunny than surly, although there are songs about subway rats, dressing in black and having ADD. “Music In My Pillow” is a terrific blast of power pop while Blondie’s Debbie Harry shines in the calypso rap tune, “Do It Yourself.”