Holiday Gift Guide - Day 39 - Neil Brewer and Friends Are Back In School by Neil Brewer

Songwriter/singer/musician Neil Brewer travels back to school carrying a lunchbox packed with fun, school life memories, and lyrical spontaneity.  For the next half hour or so, pack up your troubles and take a musical stroll down Memory Lane with Neil Brewer and friends.

Reach for your old year book and dust off that old trunk of school memorabilia - Neil Brewer and friends will brighten your day with songs of innocence and nostalgia. Brewer's amusing original compositions merge engaging melodies with lyrical wit and humor. Songs on the "Neil Brewer and Friends Are Back in School" CD compliment Brewer's new book, The 8 O'clock Bell.

The CD covers an array of musical styles and youth oriented topics - themes include sibling rivalry, football, cleaning chalkboard erasers, waiting on the bus, and more. Author, educator, composer, musician, Neil Brewer teaches graduate and undergraduate education courses at Indiana University Southeast. Brewer's one man traveling production of The 8 O'clock Bell is a neat performance that combines music, spoken word, and song. The 8 O'clock Bell has been performed in over 200 schools around the country - now, you can enjoy these songs at home.

The 8 O'Clock Bell
An introduction to school? Certainly, no one beyond the age of six really needs such a thing, but the verses within may well stand as a re-introduction to a world of experiences and their associated feelings which may not be tucked quite as far away as we might think. And no matter where, or when we attended school, many of these experiences and feelings bring us together.

For from its most harrowing bullified nightmares to its most passionate after-the-ballgame dances, from the depths of its most disappointing report cards to its peaks of hilarity, school has been these things, or at least some storied piece of these things, to all of us at one time or another.

Several of the photographs included in this book were taken in schools nearly a hundred years ago, yet they clearly point out to us that, in many ways, school hasn’t dramatically changed since the pencil. Perhaps the styles of the clothes were a little different, or the desks had inkwells - but look to the eyes!

The excitement, wonder, anger, anticipation, worry, humor, love and frustration associated with school is seen on the faces of schoolkids (and teachers) from any era. Thus, this collection of verses rings true for virtually anyone who ever had a lunch money envelope pinned to his or her chest.

Part One: Of Teachers and Teaching, came into existence through my own teaching for the past quarter century, and any- one who has ever taught kids of any grade level will have lived out many a line in these sometimes humorous, sometimes rather reflective verses.

But, no matter what your occupation, you will no doubt find yourself (or someone you knew) within Part Two: Of Classmates and Class. From the class clowns, to those who took the idea of a schoolhouse education a bit more seriously, they’re all here. Of course, their names may be different, but that doesn’t matter.

You know who they really were.

You can hear samples of the CD here.

My Thoughts~!!

I thought the book was a great read, I loved reading about memories of schools and how things once were.  It was a wonderful trip down memory lane and many, I am sure, will find the trip thought-provoking as each of you remembers things.  Some of these memories may not always be good ones, but the situations of our yesteryear helped to shape the people we are today.

I enjoyed the poetic writing style of each of the verses and the accompanying pictures added a wonderful nostalgic flavour to the whole experience.  Many of the pictures shared are reminiscent of yester-year and you find yourself using them as eye-candy after you read each of the verses.

The CD is rich with songs of school and memories as you are taken to the dreaded Dodge Ball games that were infamous of schools past.  Watching that red ball being launched while your gym teacher smiled sadistically from the sidelines is one memory you will be drawn to.

The music is in a folk, country retro mix that is sure to keep everyone amused as they tap their toes to the tunes.  My youngest daughter has taken a real shine to the CD and I often hear it playing from her bedroom.  She likes the references to school being made and finds it entertaining.  She has shared the CD with her friends and not a one of them was disinterested in the writing style and equally agreed that it pleasurable to their ears.

Now, Neil and we here at One Day At A Time would love to give one of our readers the chance to win a copy of the CD, "Neil Brewer and Friends Are Back In School" for their very own~!!

Please enter using the Rafflecopter entry form below...

I received a product to review from the above company or their PR Agency. Opinions expressed in this post are strictly my own - I was not influenced in any way. I received no monetary compensation for this post. By entering this giveaway you agree to my giveaway/disclosure guidelines

BOOK REVIEW: Chicken Joe Forgets Something Important by Trout Fishing In America

Chicken Joe is back in the delightful new storybook-music CD, Chicken Joe Forgets Something Important.

Chicken Joe, is caught up in a new adventure. This time, Chicken Joe awakens to realize that he's forgotten something kind of important. But, what could it be? Chicken Joe sets off to solve this mystery. Along the way he meets up with various friends who are planning something memorable, but are keeping this inside secret from their good friend—it's a big happy birthday to Chicken Joe! What he doesn't know is that his friends have planned a big surprise birthday party in his honor.

Come and celebrate with Chicken Joe and some of his good friends. This entertaining title is packed with twelve new songs on the supplemental CD, sung by Trout Fishing in America. Dance to fun tracks like, "16 or 17 Hours of Sleep" and "C-A-T in the H-E-N House". Also, check out our earlier title, My Name is Chicken Joe, also written and performed by Trout Fishing in America.

Chicken Joe Forgets Something Important

There is nothing I can say that is wrong with this book/CD combo, it is an excellent addition to any library.  The music is wonderful, the story is delightful and the illustrations by Stephanie Jorisch are just a perfect blend of colour and magic.

I loved how all of Chicken Joe's worked to make a memorable day for Chicken Joe.  The thought of a cat named Chicken Joe who lives in a hen house is hilarious and then there's the dog named, "Miss Kitty".  The whole premise of the characters are charming, the story has purpose with wondrous results and a happy ending is to be found by all.

I loved the music on the CD, it's kind of a rock'n'roll folk sound that keeps your toes a'tappin' and your fingers a'snappin'.  My kids and I boogied around the room on a few of the more happening tunes, like "Rock'n'Roll Roosters" and "You've Got A Funny Name", which has a country twang to the tune.  My kids said to tell everyone to go and get this for their collection, it is a great book with awesome music.

I would give Chicken Joe Forgets Something Important a five out of five stars.  It is original in content and has many hilarious antics and songs.  My children love it and it has been played numerous times over!  With six thumbs up, how can you go wrong??

SYNOPSIS:
Chicken Joe, oddly enough a cat who sleeps in the hen house, is abruptly awoken one morning by roosters playing rock ‘n’ roll. Somehow he’s forgotten that it’s not just a day like any other; it’s his birthday! Making his way to the farmhouse for breakfast, Chicken Joe meets up with his friends, all of whom would rather joke around than remind the cat that today’s his birthday. After all, they've planned a surprise party for their buddy. The chickens Helen and Hilda have baked a cake; Miss Kitty, the little dog from the city, has made a fish piñata; and the mule, Mister, has gathered up some funny hats and noisy kazoos. Will Chicken Joe finally remember that today’s a very special day, or will his friends have to tell him? In addition to narrating their story, the internationally renowned Trout Fishing in America performs 11 songs on the accompanying CD. Their witty, engaging lyrics—demonstrated on “Rock and Roll Roosters,” “Me to Know and You to Find Out,” “C-A-T in the H-E-N House,” and “You’ve Got a Funny Name”—and splendid musicianship combine several musical styles including rock, country, folk, pop, and blues.

I received a product to review from the above company or their PR Agency. Opinions expressed in this post are strictly my own - I was not influenced in any way. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

BOOK REVIEW: Songs From The Baobab by Chantal Grosléziat

Songs from the Baobab: African Lullabies & Nursery Rhymes is a storybook-music CD compiled by Chantal Grosléziat, arranged by Paul Mindy and Illustrated by Elodie Nouhen.

This delightful book shares eleven languages of Central and West Africa via a collection of rhyme's and lullabies.

These soothing tales soothe babies to sleep as the songs travel from one country to another sharing their customs and languages.

The accompanying CD features 29 songs from 10 countries.  The lyrics are reproduced in their original language and translated into English.  The instruments heard in each of the songs are indigenous to the country and played with passion.

This enchanting production captures the staccato rhythm of the children's rhymes and the poetry of the language, as well as, a sense of the heritage and tradition from each culture.

Songs From The Baobab

I absolutely love the music that is found on the CD, the songs are a wonderful blend of life and tradition.  The percussion is remarkable as you find yourself tapping your toes to some of the more catchier tunes.

I was more impressed with the CD than the storybook, I found some of the illustrations to be dark and there were a few times where I couldn't see the words upon the pages.  To read the book as a story doesn't make much sense but when its shared with the CD, it allows a whole new plethora of emotions to ensue.

I would give Songs From The Baobab a four out of five stars.  The songs are enriching and shared wonderfully with the listener and the break down of all the songs at the back of the book make for a wonderful addition, especially if you are unaware of the Lullabies and Rhymes of Africa.

SYNOPSIS:
Representing 11 languages originating from Central and West Africa and brought to life with lavish illustrations, this collection's rhymes and lullabies soothe babies to sleep as the songs travel from one country and one language to another. Lyrics are reproduced in the original language and translated into English, followed by notes on the origin and cultural context of each song. The accompanying CD features 29 songs from 10 countries—including Rwanda, the Ivory Coast, and Senegal—each one unique in language and sound, recorded with indigenous instruments and exquisitely performed by women, men, and children. This delightful, enchanting production captures the staccato rhythm of the children's rhymes and the poetry of the language as well as a sense of the heritage and tradition of each culture.

I received a product to review from the above company or their PR Agency. Opinions expressed in this post are strictly my own - I was not influenced in any way. I received no monetary compensation for this post.