By Kathie Zaccaria
San Diego’s own kid-folk duo Hullabaloo has produced yet another stellar set of songs with their 10th studio CD, Raise a Ruckus. With imaginative lyrics, top-notch guest artists, and grooves galore, Raise a Ruckus is sure to please this next generation of toe-tappin’ toddlers, while keeping the seasoned kiddos happily singing and dancing along.
For eight years Hullabaloo has been changing the face of kid’s music. And with ten major national awards under their musical belt, Steve Denyes (guitar/vocals) and Brendan Kremer (percussion) have made listening to kid’s music cool again.
The title track is a prime example of musical prowess mixed with foot stomping fun. It’s a modern hoe-down accompanied by the talented Dennis Caplinger on fiddle and the lyrics: “Get on board little children, get on board. While the moon is shining bright. Get on the boat, down that river float. We’re gonna raise a ruckus tonight.”
The hearty and memorable “Favorite Day,” features a wealth of talent including Molly Ledford on vocals and xylophone, Gunnar Biggs on bass, and Dennis Caplinger on ukulele and dobro. Molly’s breathy vocals and the slide of the dobro bring a wonderful folk flavor to a song about a child who paints his favorite day. And if you love the sounds of a slappin’ bass, Gunnar is your guy.
Grammy® winner Buck Howdy lends his voice to a “Song About Nothing,” a humorous ditty which deftly illustrates that sometimes lyrics don’t really matter as long as there’s magic in the music.
Other favorites include the pop-driven beats on “Trash in My Treasure,” about a seagull who doesn’t like to waste food, the melodic “My Eyes,” and, if you have ever told your child to ‘use their words,’ “Say Yes” will surely bring a smile to your face.
Produced by GRAMMY® nominee Tor Hyams, Hullabaloo has created a raise-the-roof CD of songs that will make kids jump, sing, and clap along. Raise a Ruckus is for all ages but kids up to age 6 (and their parents!) will dig it the most.
Official release date is September 4, 2012. Buy it now before the Hullabaloo Family Arts Festival on September 22 so that your kids can raise a ruckus with Hullabaloo. Read more about the Hullabaloo Family Arts Festival!
Kathie Zaccaria is founder of SoCal Kids San Diego. She works from home in East County, has a toddler of her own, and is married to a musician. She loves music, photography, and San Diego.
Images courtesy of Hullabaloo.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free in order to facilitate a review on my website. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and/or believe will be a good fit for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
