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If you're looking for a unique sound in the world of children's music, Brooklyn has an embarrassing wealth of riches. If your search is for truly eclectic music for kids and their families, two of the best examples are Daniel Schorr and Randy Kaplan. Their albums Every Word I Say is True and Five Cent Piece, respectively, present tunes with which one would be hard pressed to make comparisons.


Let's take a look and listen to some songs from Brooklynites Randy Kaplan and Daniel Schorr.

Randy Kaplan - 'Five Cent Piece'

Straight outta Park Slope, Brooklyn, Randy Kaplan presents an eclectic collection of covers and originals on one of his newest CDs, Five Cent Piece. Released on his own Yellow Thing Records & Books label, Five Cent Piece runs the musical gamut from Judy Garland to The Rolling Stones, from Woody Guthrie to Jonathan Richman. Now, remember, kids' albums aren't meant to be the only source of musical history, so the fact that Kaplan includes a song made famous by the Rev. Gary Davis, two songs by legendary lyricist Yip Harburg, and another from the Bye Bye Birdie soundtrack doesn't mean he meant for you to ONLY listen to his version. It's an invitation to explore, to find out more about music and its history and sources.

Kaplan's performance and style could most easily be compared to Arlo Guthrie; and, coincidentally or no, he covers songs by Woody and by Arlo, plus his 10-minute "You Can't Always Get What You Want" resembles Arlo's album side-long "Alice's Restaurant." The bohemian bluegrass slash dixieland played by Kaplan and his extremely cohesive and talented band tie together the varying song sources into a unified package, so that Jonathan Richman's "I'm a Little Dinosaur," Elizabeth Cotten's "Freight Train," and "We're In the Same Boat, Brother" (made popular by Lead Belly), all sound like they were performed at the same sitting.

Plus, his rendition of "Over the Rainbow" has to be THE sweetest you'll ever hear.

More Music from 'Five Cent Piece'

His originals are wildly original, showcasing Kaplan's love of the narrated song: a shark interrupts bathtime with a request to "Shampoo Me," the "Mosquito Song" details a conversation with a certain bloodsucker, and the "Roaches" that occupy Kaplan's apartment are into Franz Kafka's "The Metamorphosis." And kids'll get a big laff out of his original lyrics to "Donut Song."

Dig the packaging and layout: Kaplan's profile graces the giant nickel design on the CD itself, while several street signs and storefronts in the foldout will be recognizable to Brooklynites. Lots of time and effort by Kaplan and fellow musician Tom Johnson went into the cover, which almost always means great music waits inside.

The Verdict

A sort of East Coast companion piece to Mr. David's The Great Adventures of Mr. David, Kaplan's first kids' CD (hopefully not his last) after releasing five for grownups will no doubt be equally loved by tots and their adults. Take the F Train over to the Perch Cafe in Brooklyn and check out a performance by this unique artist. And tell him to keep up the good work.

Released 2006; Yellow Thing Records & Books

Daniel Schorr - 'Every Word I Say is True'

What do you get when you cross Bob Dylan's vocals from Nashville Skyline with Ballad of Easy Rider-era Byrds music, and illustrate the whole thing with funky fresh Doug Allen drawings? Daniel Schorr's latest album, Every Word I Say is True, of course!

Brooklyn-based educator Schorr's second kids' CD on his Tee-Tot Records label is chock full of words, a veritable feast of lyrics, backed with one of the best rootsy country rock soundtracks you'll ever hear on a children's album. Songs about a kid who never forgets anything, about the twelfth dimension, about dog-devoured homework, about brain appreciation; unbelieving adults, nagging parents (those durn grownups!), and snowball fights; tear-jerkers about bad luck and anthemic rockers detailing Santa's stab at musical superstardom.

More Music from 'Every Word I Say is True'

This Buck Owens, Merle Haggard, Dwight Yoakum-influenced album brings the Bakersfield Sound hardcore, especially on "Elephant's Memory," "The Homework-Eating Dog Named Rover," and "If I Didn't Have a Teddy Bear," but two songs that break from the guitar twang are "I Was Lost, But Now I'm Found" and "The Emperor's Castle." The former, sung by Brian Dewan, is one of the best "oughta be on Broadway" tunes ever, and the latter, a synthesizer-driven socio-political statement, is reminiscent of The Monkees' "Zor and Zam."

The Verdict

So if'n yer littl'uns dig a weeping pedal steel and thick-string Strat solos, pick up Every Word I Say is True. Heck, go see Schorr play live if you're near Brooklyn and give him a big "yeehaw"!

Released 2006; Tee-Tot Records

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