New Orleans Playground

All Ages

Birth - 12 months

by Various Artists

This album features the many different sounds that have come out of one of the most musical cities in the world and birthplace of jazz: New Orleans, Louisiana. This eleven track album features amazing piano pounding, trumpet tooting, and saxophone solos, all against a unique percussion beat. Listeners should be ready to groove New Orleans style all day long and well into the night.

Age: 4 Year-olds | Title: New Orleans Playground | Artist: Various Artists | Label: Putumayo

Why we chose this music

This album features the styles of music that resulted when different cultures collided in New Orleans. The cover booklet explains the history of each song so that you and our little one can learn while listening. For example, who knew that When the Saints Go Marchin' In -- one of the most famous songs to ever come out of New Orleans -- is used as a celebration song in Louisiana, and even played at funerals to help families overcome their grief. Ya Ya, a fun rhythm and blues song with prominent piano, drums, and saxophone, is based on a popular New Orleans playground rhyme. Choo Choo Ch'Boogie is presented in the musical style of zydeco, a unique blend of French, African, Caribbean and rhythm and blues. With a choo choo train-like beat, and tooting accordion, it's guaranteed to get your little one moving! Buckwheat Zydeco, one of the most famous zydeco musicians from Louisiana, sings new life into Skip To My Blues. It's a unique presentation of an old classic.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner will be a fun, first favorite for little ones, as is features children singing about all the junk food they want to eat, while performer Kermit Ruffins reminds them to do responsible things such as clean their rooms, eat their meals, and wash their hands. Your little one will probably relate all to well to this back-and-forth with adults. They All Ask'd For You is a fun song about animals at the zoo who can talk! You can play a game with your little one to find out what they might ask talking animals. Would they ask them to play or what their favorite colors are? Because the song also mentions some traditional New Orleans foods, so don't be surprised if your child suggests asking the animals what their favorite treat is. Ain't Got No Home, sung in a number of funny voices, is a song that kids will love to imitate. Add to the fun by trying out some of your own silly voices.

My four-year-old niece Emily and I had fun dancing to this album in the living room one afternoon. Emily was particularly fond of the song Whole Lotta Lovin' performed by Fats Domino, one of the most famous musicians to ever come out of New Orleans. Domino adds clapping and kissing noises into the arrangement, and Emily would suck in her cheeks and make a fish face each time there was a kissy noise, eventually recruiting me to do that same.

--Audra

About the music

Putumayo Kids is the children's and educational division of Putumayo World Music. As one of the leading children's record labels, Putumayo Kids is committed to introducing children to other cultures through music from around the world.

With its growing collection of CDs featuring multilingual liner notes, Putumayo Kids produces music that entertains, educates and inspires cultural curiosity. More than three million Putumayo Kids CDs have been sold around the world. At least one percent of the CD sales benefit non-profit groups that support children, families, schools and other charities.

The Putumayo Kids music team chooses songs with child-friendly lyrics and rhythms by both renowned and undiscovered international artists. The collection of songs are tested in schools and with families. An international music selection contributes to the education of future global citizens while holding true to Putumayo's mission of sharing music that is "guaranteed to make you feel good".

Putumayo Kids has won numerous awards and is parent and teacher approved. Some organizations that have awarded honors to Putumayo Kids include Parents' Choice, National Parenting Publication Awards, Teachers' Choice and the American Library Association.

Song list

1. Clifton Chenier, Choo Choo Ch'Boogie - 3:15

2. The Meters, They All Ask'd For You - 4:08

3. Kermit Ruffins, Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner - 3:13

4. Charmaine Neville, Second Line - 2:57

5. Buckwheat Zydeco, Skip to My Blues - 2:49

6. Lee Dorsey, Ya Ya - 2:25

7. Chris Kenner, I Like it Like That - 1:54

8. Fats Domino, Whole Lotta Lovin - 1:37

9. Clarence "Frogman" Henry, Ain't Got No Home - 2:17

10. Dr. John, Row Row Your Boat - 2:16

11. Hack Bartholomew, When the Saints Go Marchin' In - 3:05