Music Reviews & Giveaway: What Are the Odds?

What Are the Odds

“Meredith LeVande is a children’s performer with a deep commitment to putting “the child” back into children’s music.”

Meredith LeVande’s new full length children’s’ CD “What Are the Odds” by Monkey Monkey Music, $14.99, run time 46 minutes for children 2-7) comes out on August 31st of this year.  The CD is a rocking, stomping CD that presents a fun filled version of rock, bop, jazz, and funk rhythms with words that tap tap like a tap dancer!  Rousing and creative, Meredith’s selections are also creative and teach kids concepts without even trying!  The title song, “What Are the Odds?” celebrates the odd numbers in mathematics – 1, 3, 5, 7, etc.  With a catchy beat, and simple lyrics, “she entrances youngsters while creating something remarkable, finding the middle road between baby songs and pop band songs where kids’ lyrics are simply added to music…played for adult”.

When I heard “What Are the Odds,” listening was the ONLY option!  It was like watching “UP” from Disney – a kid’s movie that kids relate to and love, with a whammy extra – adults found it heartfelt and moving also.  Meredith has this quality imbued into her tunes!  I learned about numbers at the antiquated age of 60! 

“Shake It Loud” had me throwing up my arms and, like Simon Says, had me jumping up and down like a frog (OK, but I REALLY love GOOD kid’s music!  Aren’t we all kids inside?).  The blues beat introduces children to a sophisticated type of music that fills the room with KID-COOL lyrics!  Danceable?  Even my dachshund loved it!

Considered the “Renaissance Woman of Children’s Music, Meredith presents a clear delivery filled with expression and charm.”

And charming it is!  Also, fun, entertaining and different.  I so liked her approach, treating children to the different forms of musical beat, while entertaining them with short, simple lyrics that remain floating in the air after the CD has finished.

The 46 minute CD has 16 songs:

• Hello
• What Are the Odds
• Shake It Loud
• This Way, That Way
• In The Garden (my very favorite, silly and fun with orange tangerines in the garden!)
• Wheels
• Air Guitar
• Frogs Eat Butterflies
• Circle
• Turn Your Body Around (great aerobic tune for Mom AND the kids!)
• Bubbles
• Who’s A Knockin’
• Silly Animal Friends
• Guess What I Am
• Willow Tree in the Wind
• Goodbye

Meredith’s first album, “Monkey, Monkey Music with Meredith LeVande”, was a Parenting Magazine “PICK”, securing her reputation as a children’s musician and performer in her home base, New York City.

Meredith’s recordings pop and crackle and you just can’t help but have fun!

In Meredith’s own words:

Q:  What are some of your thoughts regarding mass media and consumerism for children?”

A:  I find it fascinating and somewhat disturbing that many parents are so conscious of their kids’ nutritional diets, but pay very little attention to their children’s’ media intake.  I think there’s a definite corporate movement to force kids to grow up quicker in order to turn them into earlier consumers.”

So come on parents!  With all the cuts in educational budgets in school systems across the country, this blogger agrees with Ms. LeVande.  We HAVE to present our children with songs and music that give them more than silliness, but that are willing to present in a manner that they love and enjoy. 

Check out Meredith and her diverse background at www.monkeymonkeymusic.com!  I did!

What Are the Odds?  is available for pre-order from Amazon.com.

Ratings are based on a 5-star scale

This blogger gives “What Are the Odds” a 4.5 for a thoughtful, highly creative and JUST PLAIN GOOD FUN CD short enough to hold their attention span. 

Review by Broad “A” – Ava

Product was provided for this CD Review. We were in no way compensated and all opinions are strictly our own.

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* This giveaway is open to US residents, 18 and over and ends on August 10, 2010 11:59 EST.
* Good Luck