So, in the last week we have celebrated two graduations in our family. One son graduated high school and another graduate preschool. We are full swing into Summer and it is nearly July 4th. Most families will be on the road a lot this summer. Whether you are planning a bunch of day trips or at least one big vacation, chances are you are searching for a way to make those road trips more enjoyable for everyone and filled with less, “Are we there yet?” questions. We were recently sent a brand new CD from Hullabaloo called Raise A Ruckus. With ten major national awards in their hip pocket and an eight-year track record of glowing critical acclaim, the beloved “free-range, organic” kid-folk duo Hullabaloo has pulled out all the stops for their 10th studio CD, Raise a Ruckus.
Produced by GRAMMY® nominee Tor Hyams, Raise a Ruckus takes Hullabaloo‘s down-home, good-times musical ebullience to a new level, with guest artists Grammy® winner Buck Howdy, Grammy® winner Marcy Marxer, Molly Ledford of Lunch Money, and the extraordinary multi-instrumentalist Dennis Caplinger — whose credits include Eric Clapton, JJ Cale, Vince Gill, Ray Price, Rita Coolidge, and Nickel Creek, among many others — bringing their considerable talents to a kick-up-your-heels party with the duo that’s been described as a blend of Johnny Cash, Woody Guthrie, and Mr. Rogers.
Hullabaloo has made a career out of creating tickle-your-funnybone, laugh-out-loud humor that saturates every song and qualifies them as direct heirs to the likes of Homer & Jethro and the Hoosier Hot-Shots. The clever quality of Hullabaloo‘s narrations sets the story of each song in a halo of brainy sophistication, while their knockout musicianship and vocal clarity deliver the entire production with a sense of effortless grace. Steve Denyes and Brendan Kremer can safely challenge any parent or child to listen to them cut loose on a goofy gem like “Dad Upside Down” without cracking a smile. That kind of infectious humor permeates every track of Raise a Ruckus.
The album’s title song — in the old days, a real “get down and boogie” staple on Louisiana Hayride and The Grand Ole Opry — has been given new, kid-friendly lyrics and up-to-date energy, while other songs, like “Trash is My Treasure” (the triumphant anthem of a food-recycling seagull) have a more contemporary slant. One of the most evocatively colorful songs on Raise a Ruckus, “Favorite Day,” calls upon Molly Ledford to combine her vocal and xylophone talents with those of Dennis Caplinger on ukulele and dobro, along with the great sound ofGunnar Biggs‘ slap bass. Buck Howdy really shines on a “Song About Nothing,” which proves that if a song has a great shape and energy, syntax takes a back seat.
Steve Denyes and Brendan Kremer met in kindergarten and have been friends ever since. They started playing music together in the 5th grade band, where they vigorously showed off their developing talents on “Old MacDonald” and “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.” Little did they know that, decades later, these songs would still be among their biggest hits! Steve grew up to be an elementary school music teacher, folksinger, and songwriter, while Brendan became a rock ‘n’ roll drummer. Hullabaloo officially began when Steve and Brendan teamed up to play a few songs at Brendan’s twin daughters’ first birthday party. Fast-forward eight years to find that Hullabaloo has performed more than 1,500 shows throughout the country at venues ranging from birthday parties to fancy concert halls. Along the way they’ve released nine award-winning albums (at last count, with more than 20,000 sold) and developed a loyal following nationwide.
You can take my word that Raise A Ruckus is a CD that will not have parents cringing and hoping their kids will fall asleep so they can shut it off. Parents may actually find themselves singing along and listening even if the do fall asleep. This is truly a CD that kids and parents will enjoy together and one that will make the time go by quickly and with less whining and asking, “Are we there yet?” Raise A Ruckus will be available at hullabalooband.com, amazon.com, cdbaby.com and iTunes. You can also listen for yourself by clicking HERE and going to the right hand side of the page.
Waldmania PR is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. One lucky blog reader will win their own Raise A Ruckus CD. Thank you Waldmania PR for the great review copy and for sponsoring this knee slapping, toe tapping giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!! Open to US and Canadian residents.
Hullabaloo, Raise A Ruckus CD Giveway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:
Please enter the giveaway using Rafflecopter below. Good Luck!!!
I’d like to listen to Road Trip CD!! But they’re are a couple other fun looking ones too!!
I like Santa Songs and 20 Songs Every Kid Should Know
I like 20 Songs Every Kid Should Know! But I think any CD of theirs would be great! My kids and I like their songs!!
I’d love to hear the Santa Songs CD. I love CHRISTmas music.
I like the Road Trip CD
I want to hear Raise a Ruckus CD.
Dad upside down