By Katy Killilea
The CDs in Putumayo displays always look so quirky and appealing–and that’s a problem. They all look so right that it’s hard to choose one, so I’ve always chosen nothing, until this: European Playground. Putumayo Kids promotes this collection as “a fun-filled musical tour of Europe,” and with fifteen countries represented, it’s quite a trip.
This is not a collection of saccharine kiddie music nor is it the traditional folk music I was expecting with a cringe. Instead, it’s as if each nation’s Dan Zanes had stepped up to perform. Since the collection includes artists from Hungary to Finland to Ireland, it’s a diverse lot of songs, all of them fun. On the rainy day that I first put the CD on, children immediately started to dance. It really brightened up the day! And listening to my kids try to rap in French or sing along in any language they don’t speak is now one of my favorite pastimes.
The details:
Putumayo Kids Presents: European Playground
$14.98 May 2009
Putumayo Kids
The French Playground is also excellent, with songs from French-speaking African countries as well. Even if you don’t speak the language you can sing along. We also really like World Playground, which has a little bit of everything.
We’re always looking for new music, thanks Katy!
georgia’s right–you can’t not dance.
All the playground CDs are great. My kids absolutely love to put them on when their friends come over. On this CD, the favorite is Locomondo. Try not to tap along or dance to this beat!
We’ve listened to the “Caribbean Playground” from day one! A very excellent, non-saccharine collection of groovy beats. I highly recommended any and all!
thanks katy! sounds like something we would love too!!!