Recess! Media

If you’re tired, truly tired, of most of what’s marketed as children’s music, that’s usually “dumbed down”and hyper-actively sillied up to fit a very limited idea of what kinds of music children can and will listen to, you might try this, from Laurie Anderson and Lou Reed: n

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It’s from a new CD compilation called Mary Had a Little Amp, the proceeds from which go to two organizations working with preschool children: Project Kid Smart and Start Smart America. The CD features songs like these from singers not usually thought of as belonging to the familiar band of childhood performers. Moby appears, with a song called “Anchovie” Bonnie Raitt offers her version of that moving lullaby from Dumbo, “Baby Mine”. Dave Matthews is here, with the Blue Man Group, to do “Sing Along,” the Indigo Girls are having a “Party in the Louquat Tree,” R.E.M. has a tune about walking, and the Dixie Chicks are looking for “The Rainbow Connection.” It’s an unusual mix of songs that stretches some ideas of what children’s music can be. Of course, the best thing to do is put it on your cd player and let your kids decide.

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