In Halifax, Nova Scotia, Razzmatazz recordings can be purchased at the following locations:
Woozles Children's Bookstore, 1533 Birmingham Street (both recordings)
Both of the Razzmatazz recordings can be used
to enhance creativity, physical activity, musical experience, language
exposure and other types of learning. The lively, rhythmic, music
inspires joyful participation in toddlers, pre-schoolers, and the
younger elementary grades. Sandy and T.C. sing the original and
traditional songs, which range from the wacky to the sublime, with
children’s voices on some songs. Acoustic instruments, such as guitar,
fiddle, mandolin, banjo, accordian, and all types of percussion create
the rich, natural sound that fills both of these recordings. Keyboard,
electric bass, electric guitar, and drums accompany some of the songs. In “Suitcase full of Songs”, the children flap
their arms and cluck like chickens in “The Chicken Pox Blues”, become
fiddles in “Dum-Dee-Di-Dee-Diddily-Do”, chugg around the room to
“Chugga Choo, Choo” and sing along to “Take me to the Zoo”. French
songs, “Ah! Si mon moine”, “Jai vu le loup”, and “L’Arbre est dans ses
feuilles”, make listening to French a joyful experience, while English
introductions to the latter two songs help them understand what the
songs are about. Another cultural aspect to this recording is the
inclusion of the compelling “Alle Brider” in Yiddish, and “Zum Gali
Gali”, in Hebrew. The lively pace of the music is complemented by the
haunting accapella song “Butterfly”, and “The Swing”, a poem of Robert
Louis Stevenson, set to music. There are 19 songs on this recording.
In “Razzmatazz for Kids” (self titled), the
kids get involved right away in hand-clapping (“Bingo”), shaking (“The
Crazy Shakedown”), hugging (“Going to My Grandma’s), and walking,
riding bikes and blasting off to the moon (“Get Your Feet A’Walkin’”).
The French song “Savez-vous planter les choux” has them making sounds,
as does “I Like Funny Noises”. The Hebrew song, “Hava Nagila” starts
slowly and gets faster, inspiring a spinning circle dance. There’s also
a circle dance with calls to the fiddle tunes “The High Road to Linton”
and “Big John MacNeil” The CD ends with the touching “If I Had a
Rainbow”, sung by Sandy and T.C.’s daughter Lise when she was five
years old. There are 16 songs on this recording.
Suitcase Full of Songs
AWARDS
"Children's Recording of the Year 2003", East Coast Music Awards
"Our Choice", Canadian Children's Book Centre
Canadian Independent Music Awards nominee, 2002
In "Suitcase Full of Songs," we're happy to share with you our enjoyment of many different styles of music.
You will hear guitar, fiddle, mandolin, harmonica, accordian, piano, wooden spoons, banjo, shakers, hand drums,
and rub-board, often accompanied by bass and drums. We're pleased to include musical traditions of Europe, Africa, and North and South America in this group of
original and traditional songs. We've delved into T.C.'s Acadian roots, with their connection to the Cajuns
of Louisiana, and Sandy's Jewish traditions, as well as poems from her childhood. Gordon Stobbe, master of
many styles and instruments, orchestrated every song. Bruce Jacobs, Tom Roach, and Bruce Chapman added their
musical expertise. Our daughter and son, Lise and Dominic, as well as other children, participated in this
project. We thank everyone for their contributions. From front-porch country banjo to pizzicato violin minuet, from blues to a square dance, from waltz to Klezmer,
from calypso to Cajun, this suitcase full of songs is our gift to you.
Sandy and T.C.
The Songs
Banjo (Sandy Greenberg)
Does "Jo" want to join the band?
Introduction to Unsquare Dance
Unsquare Dance (Gordon Stobbe)
With a partner or by yourself, this tune is fun to dance to.
You can groove to the funky beat on this one. Don't be late!
Bi-lingual introduction to J'ai vu le loup
J'ai vu le loup (Traditional - Arrangement by Sandy Greenberg, Thomas Cormier, and Gordon Stobbe)
I was walking in the woods and saw a wolf, a fox, and a weasel having a party. You can join in!
I've Got my Longjohns On (Sandy Greenberg, Thomas Cormier)
Fuzzy, red long underwear really keeps you warm when it's cold outside.
Chugga Choo Choo (Sandy Greenberg)
I made up this song while singing to my son with a little pillow
painted like a train. The Zydeco rub-board drives the tune, and makes
us feel like we're in Louisiana.
Butterfly (Rose Vaughan)
Let's watch the butterfly and imagine we're flying too.
Zum Gali Gali (Traditional - arrangement by Sandy Greenberg and Gordon Stobbe)
Zum gali gali are nonesense words. The verses are Hebrew, loosely
tranlated into English. The message is that everyone has an important
contribution to make, and that we want peace.
Bi-lingual introduction to L'Arbre est dans ses feuilles
L'Arbre est dans ses feuilles (Traditional - arrangement by Thomas Cormier, Sandy Greenberg, and Gordon Stobbe)
There's a word in the heart of the bird, in the egg, in the nest, in
the hole, in the knot, on the branch of the tree that has its leaves.
That word is love.
Coney Island Washboard (Wade Durand, N. Neston, Claude Shugart, W. Whitacre)
Picture playing the washboard, while doing the laundry, on the boardwalk, to an appreciative crowd
The Swing (Lyrics: Robert Louis Stevenson; Music: Traditional,
adapted by Ronnie MacEachern, Arrangement by Sandy Greenberg and Gordon
Stobbe)
A warm, summer day and a swing. What could be better?
Sleeping Over (Instrumental) (Sandy Greenberg)
Here's your chance to get on your dancing shoes.
Razzmatazz for Kids - Self Titled Album
AWARDS
Children's Music Web Awards Finalist, 1999
Parent's Choice Recommended Seal, l998
Canadian Children's Book Centre "Our Choice" l998
East Coast Music Awards Nominee, 1995
This award-winning recording shares with children the music from many
cultures. Musical styles include: Celtic, French-Acadian, Klezmer,
Appalachian, and Rock-a-Billy, Songs are presented in different languages:
English, French, and Hebrew. Concepts promoted in the recording include the
importance and worth of each individual, the value of family connections,
having fun with music and language, physical activity, and sharing and
taking care of our world. In addition to vocals by Sandy Greenberg and
T.C. Cormier and children's voices, you will be treated to the following
instruments: acoustic guitar, fiddle, bass, drums, percussion, keyboard,
banjo, classical guitar, electric guitar, kazoo, recorder, mandolin,
clarinet, saxophone, organ.
The songs:
Glad You're Here (Sandy Greenberg)
This song invites everyone to gather round and find a comfy spot, and lets
them know they're invited to join in on the songs.
Bingo (traditional)
The old favourite. The last time through barks are substituted for claps,
with the fiddle howling for the finale.
