KidTunes: Putumayo Kids Presents Kids World Party
With Western North Carolina’s International Festival, Folkmoot, right around the corner (July 21-31), could there be a better time to introduce kids to world music? What—your kids already love world music? Well, then, what better time to pick up the latest release from Putumayo Kids, Kids World Party?
Kids World Party celebrates the 50th anniversary of Amnesty International, with a portion of sales being donated to AI. Amnesty International may have a serious mission, but Kids World Party is all fun. This is music with which kids can sing-along as well as get up and dance or just jump around and act like…merciful heavens…kids. Performers from around the world are represented: Pakita (France), Solanna (Hawaii) with a unique “Oompa Loompa Song” that will bring a smile, Famara (Switzerland), Palo (Cuba), Asheba (Trinidad), Sharon Katz and the Peace Train (South Africa), Tom Freund and Friends (USA), Lucky Ali (India), Will Stroet (Canada), Monedita de Oro (Mexico), Blaentes (Italy), and Eric Bibb (USA) surprising us with Jackie Wilson’s “Higher and Higher.”
One of the things that older kids will appreciate is the commonality of music—how songs from very different places share musical similarities. All songs on Kids World Party are bright, cheery, and inviting. Not knowing a particular language does not preclude enjoying the rhythms and the joy they communicate. Grown-ups will find themselves swaying to foreign rhythms, and grooving to their native sounds—which they can enjoy with or without children present.
As I listen to Kids World Party, I am struck by what a great soundtrack it would make for a summer barbecue. Its energy and exuberance are certain to get your guests dancing in the street (or on the driveway or lawn).
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