Children's songs
Remembering 'Schoolhouse Rock!' Jazz Musician Bob Dorough
Dorough, who died Monday, spoke with Terry Gross in 1982 and 1996. He told her his career was launched when an advertising executive asked him to put the multiplication tables to music.
Ranky Tanky Builds On The Music And Culture Of Slave Descendants
Three members of Ranky Tanky perform songs from their self-titled debut. The band's name and music derive from the tradition of the Gullah, slave descendants from the Georgia and South Carolina coast.
Neil Young's Fascination With 'Americana'
Young's latest album with Crazy Horse, Americana, features songs many of us learned as children, like "Oh Susannah" and "Clementine."
Composing Silly Songs For 'Sesame Street'
Writer and humorist Christopher Cerf has been associated with the Children's Television Workshop since 1970, developing products, producing music album and writing parodies of rock-and-roll songs for Sesame Street.
Dan Zanes
Former lead singer of the indie-rock band the Del Fuegos, Dan Zanes. When he became a father he realized he couldn’t stomach the music for kids so started writing his own. He also formed the Rocket Ship Revue, a touring band that performs dance-party shows for kids. His first CD “Dan Zanes and Friends Rocket Ship Beach” received a Parents Choice Award and the kids liked it too. It also featured Suzanne Vega and Sheryl Crow. ZANES’ new CD is “Family Dance."
Dan Zanes
Former lead singer of the indie-rock band the Del Fuegos, Dan Zanes. When he became a father he realized he couldn't stomach music for kids, so started writing his own. He also formed the Rocket Ship Revue, a touring band that performs dance-party shows for kids. His first CD Dan Zanes and Friends Rocket Ship Beach received a Parents Choice Award and the kids liked it too. It also featured Suzanne Vega and Sheryl Crow. Zanes' new CD is Family Dance.
From the Archives: Bob Dorough Discusses Creating the Music of "Schoolhouse Rock."
Jazz Musician Bob Dorough. He was the musical director of the 1970s educational TV series, "School House Rock" and composer of the popular song "Three is a magic number". (ORIGNIAL BROADCAST MAY 9, 1996).
From the Archives: Singer Tony Bennett: "The Best in the Business."
Singer Tony Bennett. His newest CD is "Tony Bennett Sings Ellington Hot & Cool" (RPM Records/Columbia). Last year he published his autobiography "The Good Life: The Autobiography of Tony Bennett". A grocer's son, Anthony Dominick Benedetto was born in Astoria Queens in 1926. After working as a singing waiter in his teens and then following service in the U.S.
Singer Tony Bennett: "The Best in the Business"
The once post-war heartthrob won new fans with his MTV Unplugged concert. His new CD is "The Playground." He has a new autobiography called The Good Life. A grocer's son, Anthony Dominick Benedetto was born in Astoria Queens in 1926. After working as a singing waiter in his teens and then following service in the U.S. Army, he auditioned for Columbia Records and launched a career that started off with his first big hit "Boulevard of Broken Dreams."
From the Archives: Bob Dorough Discusses Creating the Music of "Schoolhouse Rock."
Jazz musician Bob Dorough, musical director of the 1970s educational TV series, "School House Rock" and composer of the popular song "Three is a magic number". The CD, "Schoolhouse Rock Rocks", was released with contemporary artists such as Blind Melon, Lemonheads and Pavement, playing the old songs. Also, "School House Rock: The Official Guide". (Hyperion Books) by the creators of the series, Tom Yohe and George Newall. Dorough's latest CD is "Right On My Way Home" (Blue Note) (REBROADCAST from 5/9/96)