Label: Funky Mama Music

Producer: Krista Eyler

Release Date: 2005

©2005 Funky Mama Music

I've never reviewed 'kid's music' before and so when I received Krista 'Funky Mama' Eyler's press kit, complete with stickers and pics and a lovely CD complete with baby pic... my first reaction was aaaaaahhhhh that's cute!!! Then, before I ever got the CD near the CD tray, I did a little research. I could see that Krista had taken a long hard look at where kids music is today and where it might be going, particularly for pre-school and early elementary kids. Her view is that music should be fun and entertaining, rather than ear-splitting wendy- house-shaking tunes for these little iPod owners of the future. She's also in a very strong position to make some sound judgements is Krista.. as you'll discover.. this 'funky mama' is a terribly accomplished songwriter and composer and the CD that's just begun it's first round in my CD player is testimony to the girl's innovative insight, musical approach and first class musicianship.

Giggle Jiggle opens up the album with it's perceptive rock and roll piano chord phrases and superbly expressed vocals that remind me in some ways of the kind of thing kid's TV shows might include complete with giant pink and green sofas and yellow window frames of all shapes and sizes. It's a nice opening for this album and a real treat for kids under 5 (including big kids like me!). Vocals are very like Kate Bush for the song 'Violin' from the Never For Ever album and every bit as expressive to aid the song's intent. I love football is a very clever example of well thought out imaginative lyrics spliced over the top of some wonderful banjo and percussion bits. Krista's expressive vocals come to the fore with meaningful tones and emphasis that would aid learning. The song is great fun and with an equally expressive kids dance routine has the potential to be a much appreciated song for parents and teachers as well as for the little ones.

Great Big Truck is another excellent fun n learn while-you-sing song that I can imagine keeps children captivated with the nice vocal sounds and repetatives that keep the ears engaged and the thoughts meandering. Angels Are Bowling meanwhile has some lovely harmonies and expertly expressed lead vocals accompanied by some fine fretted musicanship that holds your attention whether your five or fifty! The Gospelesque 'Bugs' is a monumental song if ever there was one. The excellent arrangements and vocals work like a dream in this highly engaging and nature-positive 'bug appreciation' song. It's a real work of art Krista.. well done!

With a touch of the Latino comes Mariposa (Butterfly) which is beatifully sung and produced and which I can see being quite regularly requested. The bayou banjos return accompanied by bright rainbows for Rick Oh Butterwich that's another real treat for those expectant and enchanted little ears. It's a fine almost traditional styled kids song that quite likely introduces kids to finger tapping for the vefry first time. Makes me wonder if the ones that turned finger tapping into desk slamming were the ones that missed this kind of thing when they were little!

Man In The Moon is a truly lovely song that had me imagining a stage set complete with a guy-in-the-moon costume and little Appollo moon modules sticking up out of it! With nice little bluegrass touches and the kind of emphasised adult-to-child bonding going on in the vocals, this is quite probably my favourite track so far. For some reason or other.. the moon and the sun hold a kind of serial fascination for all of us but perhaps even more for kids that wish they were tall enough to touch them.

Tomboy has a cool raunchyness about it that works very well for the subject matter - the girl happening to like boys stuff more than girls stuff! It's a unique view for children's music that's well thought out without being offensive to the parents sensitivities. Excavator meanwhile has some really cool banjo and universally cool vocals to help the story along. Krista has a very well-equipped 'eighth sense' for children's music and that's an indisputable fact. You can see the evidence in every chord, vocal expression, and lyric and I really have to try hard to think about how often we come across such excellence... hmmmm Sesame Street touches upon it occasionally but it would be nice to see this kind of approach alot more.

Change My Pants, Please is a little more 'contemporary blues kids' than your average kids song... still with the magic touches seen throughout the rest of the album but with a little something more from the kids point of view than we might see in story-songs. All I keep thinking is... What a Mamma!!! (There ya go Krista... free song title for the next album ;o)

Wishin' For Fishin' is another little epic amongst epics for this album. I love the lyrics and the almost music hall delivery that this song comes armed with. It's refreshing to look at Krista's songwriting and I think really... that's what sets her apart in so many ways... the songstress/mother/composer emerging like a genie from an unusually shaped genie bottle!

Lullaby had to be an 'easy-listenin' stroll to complete this magnificent little album but it's a bit more than that. Again, lovely vocals, crafted lyrics, and nicely arranged instrument work make for a fine ending to a fine album for kids and parents alike.

Overall, I loved this album with it's blue grass/gospel/blues/country meanderings and it's intelligent approach to children's music. Krista 'Funky Mama' Eyler has produced a singularly important album for kids... we were all kids once and those very early magical years of musical exploration and wonder are the ones that turn some of us into writers and composers and others into absolute maestros!

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