What A Zoo! CD by Joanie Leeds & The Nightlights Review + {Giveaway – Ends 5/30} (CLOSED)

Fun, lively, energetic, great kids music! That all describes the wonderful CD we recently reviewed “What a Zoo!” by Joanie Leeds & The Nightlights. Here’s a little more about the artists and album:

NEW YORK (Jan. 27, 2011) – Building on the momentum of her 2010 Parents’ Choice® Gold Award-winning album, I’m a Rock Star, independent children’s musician Joanie Leeds brings her attention to the animal kingdom with the April 12 release of her new kids’ CD, What a Zoo!(Limbostar, $15.00, for ages 2 – 9, run time 37 minutes).  Joining Joanie and her band, The Nightlights, is the critically acclaimed “hip hop for kids” musician, Secret Agent 23 Skidoo.

Gifted with a soulful, “rock solid” voice and an instinctive knack for capturing the essence of any style she goes for, Joanie Leeds has delivered, with each new release, music that speaks to kids in a friendly, non-patronizing way and is imbued with artistic values that thrill admiring adults.  Her presentation is notable for its child-appropriate clarity, yet vocally Joanie soars easily through a remarkable array of styles with such an enviable power and dexterity that it’s easy to forget her intended audience is under age 10.  Joanie truly rocks!  Time Out New York Kidsenthused about I’m a Rock Star, “The title track – with its hint of mid-career Alanis Morissette – isa terrific jam, while the rocking-chair anthem ‘Give Me a Hug’ is a tender, parent-pleasing tune … if she can win over my discerning kid, then Joanie Leeds is indeed a rock star.”

What a Zoo!  presents ten rockin’ Joanie Leeds originals and four covers, each with its own distinctive personality that salutes every child’s fascination with our animal friends.  The lyrics are thought provoking and packed with educational value. “My Butterfly” explores metamorphosis, “Sea Cow” and “Big Blue Whale” focus on endangered species, and the delightful, two beat novelty song “Tofurky” emphasizes responsible eating.  Other songs are just plain fun.  “Happy As A Clam” wends its way through the many animal-isms that pop up in our daily conversations, while the classic “Pony Boy” provides a sweet country touch.  A brilliantly eclectic presentation of the beloved children’s folk ballad “Froggie Went a’ Courtin’“ updates Joanie’s authentic swing phrasing to include a super hip appearance by guest rapper Secret Agent 23 Skidoo.  While the album is light-hearted, Joanie’s cover of the Phish song “Possum” does let kids know what happens when you don’t look both ways when crossing the street!  What a Zoo! offers a perfect setting for Joanie’s vocal virtuosity and impeccable good taste. Its sophisticated humor is rooted in real life experiences and guaranteed never to wear thin with the repeated listenings this CD is bound to get.

The Washington Post named Joanie Leeds’ 2010 release, I’m a Rock Star, one of the best kids’ CDs of the year. In addition to winning a Parents’ Choice® Gold Award, the album was honored with a NAPPA Award, its title track was a finalist in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest, and the song “More Cowbell” reached #1 on WXPN’s Kids Corner. Joanie’s songs have been spinning regularly on dozens of “kidie rock” radio programs and podcasts, including Sirius/XM’s Kids Place Live.  Previous to I’m a Rock Star, Joanie released two albums for adult listeners: My Job Application Knows More About Me Than You Do (2000) and Soul From My Footsteps (2004), a Parent’s Choice® Recommended children’s album, City Kid! (2008), and a children’s holiday CD, Challah, Challah (2009).  Joanie’s City Kid Live! DVD, released in 2010, won three Telly Awards.

Zachariah and I both immediately loved this CD. It’s so fun an quirky. The songs are all great and perfect for young children. I cracked up the first time I heard the song “Tofurky” where they explain that people who don’t eat meat can eat tofu turkey instead. A whole song just about that! It was just too cute, and it was really catchy too. I found myself humming along to the tune the second time I heard it. Zachariah has enjoyed this, and it’s made a spot in his favorite music.

This will make a good addition to your child’s music library. You can check out more about Joanie Leeds and the Nightlights on their website. You can purchase the What a Zoo! CD on their site or through Amazon as well.




Prize – 1 What a Zoo! CD by Joanie Leeds & The Nightlights 

To Enter – Visit their website, then tell me what song you like best on this CD. 

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This giveaway is open now through Sunday, May 29th. I will post the winner on Monday, May 30th.

Open to USA & Canada only!


*Disclosure: I was not paid to post this, but a product was provided for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own.*