Product Review: Hootenanny CD by Jambo (Ages 4-9)

Real American Roots Music for Kids! Out February 12, 2013!

In many ways I feel fortunate to grow up in SE Ohio where blues, folk, country, rock and a huge mixture of many eclectic mixes of all walks of music seem to intertwine. I remember going to a Rusted Roots concert before I could legally drive and saw everything from Fugazi and Metallica to Indigo Girls and many bluegrass legends that the masses probably haven’t heard about. I sometimes think music is just in my blood. Everything I mentioned and more is ALL American music and I am proud to say I enjoy aspects of all of it. Live music, to me, is the ultimate pastime. It isn’t the crowds (hey, I could give or take them), it’s the feeling of music encompassing your body like a warm blanket that makes you feel powerful. One thing I’d love and plan to do in the New Year is start focusing on my songwriting again as a new creative endeavor for the year so I can seriously start to hone this craft. Listening to all walks of music inspires me and Jambo’s music is a great way to incorporate ‘rootsy’ music to your kids.

The Hootenanny CD by Jambo is said to be a mixture of bluegrass, blues and some rock according to Parents Choice Awards from their first album, Lucy’s Parade. Lucy is named after, what else, Steve’s own daughter Lucy born in 2002! Jambo is bringing that same kind of energy from Lucy’s Parade to Hootenanny from front man and lead guitarist, Steve Pierson. What doesn’t hurt is that Steve’s wife is also the famous actress, Melinda McGraw (Mad Men, Men of a Certain Age, The Dark Knight, and more), who joined Jambo as a back-up singer for Lucy’s Parade. How is that for a creative talented family? Plus, this is not just a kid’s album as you will find this to be a great adult album if you enjoy talented musicians since Steve’s albums include Gary Mallaber (Steve Miller Band, Van Morrison) on drums, Philip Bynoe (Steve Via) on bass, and Michael Murphy (Joe Walsh) on keyboards. Wow! Exciting stuff for our kids!

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