Laying Down a Beat, from Doo-Wop to Blue Man Group - Preschool of Rock - "Everything Makes a Sound" - New CD Now Available (Review)

Laying down a beat, from Doo-Wop to Blue Man Group ... PRESCHOOL OF ROCK'S 

 

EVERYTHING MAKES A SOUND 

"Building on the momentum of their 2012 Parents' Choice winning album, Dance Party, Preschool of Rock charts new kids' music territory -- defining life as rhythm -- with the December 4 release of their third studio CD, Everything Makes a Sound (Preschool of Rock Records, $14.99, for ages birth - 8, run time 33 minutes).

Everything Makes a Sound features singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Michael Napolitano who, as a second-generation drummer, lives and breathes rhythm.  Michael, founder of the popular New Jersey-based Preschool of Rock music classes, is well aware that rhythm, an intrinsic aspect of childhood from patty cake to jumping rope, provides the motor for individual development and a framework for social connections with other kids.

Michael Napolitano grew up in a home filled with music making.  His dad, Tony Napolitano, had several Top 10 hits as drummer wtih the '50s doo-wop group, The Ideals.  This band toured with Fabian, Frankie Avalon, and Joey Dee and the Starlighters, opened for Count Basie in Jersey City, and played the Jerry Lewis Telethon.  Tony later joined the sensational doo-wop band Chang Lee & The Zani-Acts, performing alongside a young Joe Pesci, who sang first tenor.

With memories of his earliest musical experiences prominent in his mind, Michael Napolitano wanted to make a Preschool of Rock record for what he calls "the me of 30 years ago," a boy who, even when very young, wanted to hear tunes with a more sophisticated voice, in different styles and genres.  On Everything Makes a Sound, he's included tribal rhythms ("Safari Song"), indie melodic hooks ("Shake It"), and even punk beats ("Cupcake Song").

Another tremendous influence on Michael Napolitano's music was his association with Blue Man Group.  He spent eight years in the organization's creative production department, working closely with its founders in the areas of music, sound, and research & development. Michael's experiences wth Blue Man Group during this period of dramatic growth and creativity -- making records, traveling the world, collaborating with world-renowned artists -- had a major impact on his Preschool of Rock recordings and on the props and instruments he uses in Preschool of Rock music classes.
Preschool of Rock has previously released two albums:  Dance Party (2011) and When I'm Jumpin' (2010)
EVERYTHING MAKES A SOUND TRACK LIST:
Work Song
Shake It
The Family Song
Safari Song
And We Dance
A Little Breath In
Cupcake Song
Everything Makes a Sound
Jump When I Get Up
Song in the Trees Everything Makes a Sound is available at CDbaby.com and iTunes.  ----- My Thoughts: We recently signed the girls up for a Music Together class, and learned on the first day that everything around us could be used to make music.  As the teacher told us this, all I could think about was the new Preschool of Rock album, titled, "Everything Makes a Sound."  I had received this CD a few weeks prior and it has become an instant hit with the girls.  With 10 songs, lasting about 30 minutes in length, I usually pop this in and listen to it with the girls in the afternoon.  We love breaking out into our funny dances in the living room, as we listen to this CD, which does not use traditional instruments for the sound.  Instead, as you listen to this CD, you will hear items commonly found around the house, as well as the additional of children singing.  When you put this all together you have an amazing CD that children and adults of all ages will enjoy listening to.   Our favorite song on this CD was none other than the "Cupcake Song," which would have the girls stop in their tracks while dancing, and always had them asking for a sweet treat when it was done.  The other songs are unique in their own right, and no two sound alike, which I like.  I have taken this CD on car rides, and love sneaking a peek in the rearview mirror, to see the girls rocking out in their carseats to these catchy kid tunes.  So, if you love kid-friendly music, why not pick up a copy of Preschool of Rock's, "Everything Makes a Sound."  You will find yourself looking for things around the house, including pots and  pans to tap on and make your own music with your little ones.   Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this CD by the vendor in order to write up an honest review.  The views above are mine and mine alone.