Dadnabbit

A Conversation with Lloyd Miller of the Deedle Deedle Dees

Even by the relaxed standards of kindie rock, the Deedle Deedle Dees are wild, woolly, and wonderfully eclectic, a hard-rocking crew of roots musicians who just so happen to record music that makes sense for a family audience. Once I saw them leading a crowd through a rousing singalong of “Tub-Tub-Ma-Ma-Ga-Ga,” I was hooked forever. Here, listen: [kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/odnQv8OcDRM" width="725" height="344" allowfullscreen="true"... Read More

CD Review: Dog on Fleas, “The Bestest of the Best”

Dadnabbit’s love of all things Dog on Fleas and/or Dean Jones has been well-documented ’round these parts, so I’m not going to even pretend to be objective about the band’s first best-of collection, the aptly titled The Bestest of the Best. Basically, what I’m about to say boils down to two things: 1. I love it; and 2. You should buy it now. That’s really it. If you trust my judgment at all when it comes to family... Read More

CD Review: Various Artists, “Many Hands: Family Music for Haiti”

You wouldn’t be visiting Dadnabbit if you weren’t looking for quality entertainment that your whole family can enjoy. What if you could have it — lots of it — and support a worthy cause in the bargain? That’s the idea behind Many Hands: Family Music for Haiti, the debut offering from Bill Childs‘ Spare the Rock Records, and it works splendidly. The track listing boasts a virtual Who’s Who of the best and brightest... Read More

CD Review: Uncle Rock, “The Big Picture”

Now here’s an album that lives up to its title. The latest effort from Robert Burke Warren, a.k.a. Uncle Rock, further illustrates his gift for music that plays to kids without playing down to them — and addresses important topics in the bargain. Which isn’t to say The Big Picture is all serious: These 14 tracks touch on suitably kid-sized stuff like animals (“Leave the Bees Be,” “Sneaky Snake”), feelings... Read More

CD Review: Dean Jones, “Rock Paper Scissors”

Man oh man oh man. Why can’t they all be this good? Not only my favorite kids’ album of the year but one of my favorite releases period, Dean Jones’ stellar Rock Paper Scissors is everything children’s music should be: A wonderfully easy-to-listen-to collection of songs that, while childlike in their lyrical simplicity and musical exuberance, still hum with a wild and woolly grown-up rock ‘n’ roll spirit. It’s... Read More