| Randy Kaplan
blends American roots, folk, alternative, and pop in his
songs for kids and their families.
He also adapts Tin Pan Alley gems, obscure Broadway numbers,
Rock classics, and Delta Blues songs.
He is the music teacher at his neighborhood pre-school,
Beansprouts, and never imagined that so many of his groupies
would be under the age of five.
Here are some excerpts from reviews of Randy's debut
not-just-for-kids c.d., FIVE CENT PIECE
"Brooklyn's Randy Kaplan hits the mark with his
first release for kids, Five Cent Piece, which combines
a gloriously wacky collection of oldies (and originals)."
-Susan Avery / NEW YORK MAGAZINE
"One of the most exciting newcomers to kids' music
since Dan Zanes, Kaplan's debut is full of rollicking
folk tunes."
-E.M. / PARENTING MAGAZINE
"Five Cent Piece combines twangy pop covers and
Kaplan's own endearing tunes in a 17-track set both four-year-olds
and their parents can relate to. In Kaplan's hands, the
Rolling Stones' "You Can't Always Get What You Want"
becomes a lesson in kiddie compromise, and the popular
ditty "Roaches" slips in references to Kafka's
Metamorphosis... He doesn't dumb it down for the kids...
He just expects them to come along for the ride. And they
do."
-Irene Bradish / TIME OUT NEW YORK KIDS
"Randy has one of the most interesting voices I've
ever heard... there's just a bit of grit in there, as
if his vocal chords forgot to shake their shoes out after
a day at the beach... "Over the Rainbow" is
one of those songs like "Unchained Melody" or
"O Holy Night", where I thought it would need
a particularly virtuoso vocalist to pull it off, but Randy's
version is one of the most beautiful I've ever heard.
The earthy twang of his voice along with the gently rolling
guitar may not be in perfect pitch or perfect intonation,
and yet it is so "just right" in every deeply
soulful sense that really matters."
-Eric Herman / COOLTUNESFORKIDS.blogspot.com
"(Kaplan's) debut (kids') CD is a mix of well-chosen
(and often reworked) covers and skewed originals... With
his mixture of somewhat different arrangements, traditional
bluegrass and folk instrumentation, affinity for storytelling,
and wide choice of covers... Kaplan has fashioned one
of the more unusual kids and family albums of the year,
good for chilly winter afternoons or late summer days.
Recommended."
-S.A. Shepherd / ZOOGLOBBLE.com
"Randy Kaplan once again reminds us of the difference
between childish and childlike. His folk songs for children
are honest and ring true, and retain a childlike wonder
at the ways of the world. To remain in awe even in the
dark times is a sign of someone on the right road... Kaplan
covers some children's classics, and his originals have
the same sense of wonder and directness of the best songs
for kids. Never talking down to them, singing to them
in a raspy voice as a friend, as if they are in on the
story, not just waiting to be taught. Kaplan covers "You
Cant Always Get What You Want," with altered lyrics
of course, since kids want slightly different things than
did Mick and Keith. Even "Over The Rainbow"
is given new life here... Kaplan is as trustworthy a guide
through childhood as you'll find, at least musically.
Everyone needs this record."
-Mike Wood / MUSICEMISSIONS.com
"One of my favorite things about Five Cent Piece
is that the CD itself looks like a giant nickel. But it
sounds even better than it looks... Kaplan's original
songs, including "Mosquito Song" and "Shampoo
Me," are as imaginative and rambling as a pre-schooler,
and musically brilliant. The folksy acoustic sound throughout
Five Cent Piece is beautifully mixed. Again, this is an
amazing album."
-Amy Davis / LOVELYDAVIS.blogspot.com
"Following up his stupendous "Perfect Gentleman"
album with an album that's for children and adults who
still like their music fun and sing-along-able Kaplan
covers such children's classics as "Over the Rainbow",
"Kids" of 'Bye Bye Birdie' fame, "I'm a
Little Dinosaur", and "You Can't Always Get
What You Want". His own originals are just as entertaining
and fun for both adult and child. My own 5-month-old son
really loved this album. Thanks Randy!"
-J-Sin / SMOTHER.net
"Guitarist Randy Kaplan knows something about kids
-- to the toddlers of Park Slope, Brooklyn, he's as recognizable
as Elmo from his coffee house morning shows and pre-K
gigs. But as his first record for children shows, he's
also an excellent musician and songwriter... combining
refreshingly straightforward takes on traditional folk
songs."
-M.J. Wilson / WORDPRESS.com
"With a bunch of groupies under the age of five...
Kaplan, who released five CDs for grown ups before putting
out his first kids' album, is continuing to celebrate
with performances that all of his fans can enjoy. Five
Cent Piece, a mix of Kaplan's own original work as well
as covers of Mom and Dad's favorites, will have ears of
all ages perking up. Parents will appreciate classic Stones
with "You Can't Always Get What You Want," while
their offspring may lean more towards songs about city
apartment inhabitants - namely mosquitoes and roaches.
The lyrics are silly - "they're tryin' on your underwear,
checkin' out your grocery list, reading your copy of Metamorphosis"
- and parents will laugh too, getting the joke that's
years over their kids' heads."
-Sophie Friedman / TIME OUT NEW YORK KIDS
For more information call the theatre at: (434)792-2700,
or go to www.norththeatre.com
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