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Music Views
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Marla Lewis Loves to Talk to Plants!
Posted by: PKelly on Oct 02, 2007
Music Views
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Marla Lewis
I Love to Talk to Plants
When I reviewed Marla Lewis’ first CD, “We All Laugh in the Same Language,” in April of 2005 for Walking Oliver I said the following,
“It has all the necessary elements to make a great children’s music album: lyrics that speak eloquently and entertainingly combined with melodies that are memorable and singable.”
This more than holds true for I Love to Talk to Plants, Marla’s terrific new CD release on PlumJuice Records.
Beginning with the wonderfully infectious In My Pocket, Marla’s pop sensibilities are in fine form and kids would have to be pretty jaded indeed not to find themselves moving their bodies and singing along. I might even say the same for their parents!
Following the winning formula of her first CD, Marla mixes the styles with Billy Joel-esque pop sitting very comfortably next to–––
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Great new CD from "Jeanie B. and The Jelly Beans"
Posted by: PKelly on Nov 12, 2006
Music Views
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Reviewed by Paul Austin Kelly
Jeanie B. and the Jelly Beans latest CD, “Mommy Knows Best,” is a wonderful blend of countrified songs featuring the truly beautiful and expressive voice of Jeanie B., as well as the very capable band that backs her.
When I say that these songs are countrified I mean that in the contemporary sense––this is country music in the way Lucinda Williams, for instance, is country music. It’s a mix of styles from traditional country and country swing to blues and pop and even a gentle go at some rap. Never heavy, never crude, though. And always very musical. Not a condescending moment, musically speaking, on this CD––if you didn’t listen to the lyrics you wouldn’t know it was aimed at kids. That’s rule number 1 here at. . . (more)
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Check out Operakids website!
Posted by: PKelly on May 25, 2006
Music Views
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For the last 15 years, thousands of students along the eastern seaboard have enjoyed an innovative musical program, SO THIS IS OPERA. Lyric soprano and music educator Yvette Lewis has developed this unique, multifaceted program to introduce young audiences to the world of opera. Each component of SO THIS IS OPERA has been carefully crafted to enhance the operatic learning experience of your students.
OperaKids
The program features operatic arias, storytelling and audience participation. It is accompanied by a teacher guide that includes interdisciplinary and interrelated teaching strategies designed to enhance your student's appreciation and understanding of opera. Students learn the technical and artistic elements of opera.
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Songwriting Tip No.2
Posted by: PKelly on Jun 03, 2005
Music Views
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Songwriting Tip No.2
Colourful text phrases––Here’s a second songwriting tip also involving the creation of memorable text phrases, and as long as it’s used for a reason and not overused, it can be a particularly useful tool.
Alliteration, the putting together of words that begin with the same letter or consonant sound, can be another one of those ear catching devices that can hook your listener and make your song more memorable. For instance, “ in the cool, cool, cool of the evening,” or “strawberry fields forever,” are more memorable in the way that they linger in the ear than if they were “in the cool soft breeze of the evening” or “strawberry fields eternally.”
Neither of those lines is bad but they’re not the ear candy that the former lines are, and that can make the difference between a line that is memorable and one that is quickly forgotten.
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Let me start out by stating very bluntly that I love this CD! It has all the necessary elements to make a great children’s music album: lyrics that speak eloquently and entertainingly combined with melodies that are memorable and singable. All the songs are originals, by the way, written either solely by Marla or with a collaborator. The performances are professional and classy throughout, not always a given with even the finest folk albums. To top it all off Marla’s voice . . . . .
