Hope Harris “Cousins Jamboree” CD Review + {Giveaway – Ends 7/26} (CLOSED)

Another great children’s music CD is out. You’ll want to check out “Cousins Jamboree” with Hope Harris. Here is a little about the album:

RICHMOND, VA (April 28, 2011) –With a 2011 Parents’ Choice® Silver Honor Award for her new CD Cousins Jamboree proudly in hand, independent children’s musician Hope Harris is all set to share her music with the world!  Rocking songs, whimsical songs, heartfelt songs, and soon-to-be sing-along-songs combine on this 16-track album of Hope Harris originals and arrangements, each one set with imagination, style, and country warmth.

Beautifully produced by the man who co-produces the Dan Zanes family albums, Rob Friedman, Cousins Jamboree cannot help but engage listeners from the get-go, in large part due to the open friendliness and musical purity of Hope Harris’s inviting voice.  Hope relies on the quality of her singing to carry the song and compliments her young listeners by assuming they are intelligent enough to appreciate music that doesn’t rely upon gimmicks.  In creating Cousins Jamboree, Hope’s wish has been to create  a down-home, good-times celebration showcasing country, swing, jazz, blues, ‘50s rock & roll, folk, and show-tune sounds — a montage of American music — while at the same time reminding children that being kind to one another, looking out for friends, and behaving with good manners is a happy way to live.

Wrote Lahri Bond in his Parents’ Choice® Silver Honor Award review of Cousins Jamboree, “Unlike her first album Julie the Starfish and Other Lullabies, which was more subdued, Cousins Jamboree takes a decidedly more energetic approach. Songs such as ‘Howdy Hello,’ ‘Hang on Friend,’ ‘I Love Apples,’ and the fun loving title track all exude country warmness and good time celebration. Though the majority of the album is danceable party music, when Harris turns her pen to such ‘lesson’ songs as ‘Good Manners,’ ‘Seatbelt Buckled,’ and ‘A Little Bit Afraid,’ she does so with style and avoids becoming obvious or preachy. Her cover songs like the lovely ‘Down in the Valley,’ or the Andrew Sisters-esque ‘Five Little Monkeys,’ sit well next to her finely crafted originals. The album closes with the picturesque ‘Holcomb Rock Road,’ which plays like a taste of cool country water.”

Hope Harris’ debut album, Julie the Starfish and Other Lullabies, was declared an “instant classic” by parents and was nicknamed “the magic CD” because of its ability to relax listeners of all ages with an ethereal blend of voice and guitar.  The arrival of Hope’s two sons fueled inspiration for new material, which turned out to be a handy way to keep the boys entertained!  In light of Hope’s ability to sing a song that tells a good story with her characteristic open friendliness and total lack of pretense, Cousins Jamboree promises to be another “instant classic.”

A graduate of the University of Virginia and, later, the Neighborhood Playhouse School of Theatre, Hope Harris spent many years living and performing in NYC, appearing both on and off Broadway, in regional and stock productions across the country, and even doing stints at venues like Nashville’s famed Bluebird Café.  A crowning success in the kids’ realm was her starring appearance, for three years running, as “Baker Bobbie” for the Park Slope, Brooklyn, Chocolate Chip Chamber Music Series, for which she is also a contributing scriptwriter.   Hope now lives with her family in Richmond, VA but returns often to NYC to perform.
Coming next from Hope Harris, in fall 2011, will be Picasso, That’s Who, an album honoring great artists through the centuries.  Looking ahead to spring 2012, Hope plans to release an Earth-friendly CD titled Lemonade Stand.

Cousins Jamboree, previously released locally in Richmond, Virginia, is available online at www.hopeharris.com, amazon.com, and cdbaby.com, as well as at Franklin Goose in Richmond, Virginia.
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CD Details: Cousins Jamboree   For ages 3 - 10.
Label: Holcomb Rock Records
SRP: $15.00
Run time: 42 minutes.

Hope Harris has done a lot. She’s been an actress and music teacher. She’s appeared on Broadway and performed on small stages as well. She loves making music for children, but she has a way of making it enjoyable for adults as well. As a mom and wife, she has plenty on her plate, but her music hasn’t suffered. Maybe it’s her experience as a mom that helps inspire her fun songs too.

My son and I enjoy the songs on Cousins Jamboree. When my son hears “Howdy Hello” he says “That’s my favorite song.” It has a fun beat and catchy lyrics that everyone can sing along. And with other songs like “Five Little Monkeys” and “I Love Apples” this CD will keep your kids dancing. I like that it’s fun and my son gets into the music right away.

Cousins Jamboree by Hope Harris is available online at www.hopeharris.com, amazon.com, cdbaby.com, and at Franklin Goose in Richmond, VA. This would be a great birthday gift for any kid in your life. (Or even a wonderful stocking stuffer for Christmas, if you’re planning ahead.) You can learn more about Hope Harris on her website- www.hopeharris.com.




Prize – 1 winner will receive the Hope Harris “Cousins Jamboree” CD

To Enter – Tell me what your favorite song is from this album, go listen here- www.hopeharris.com.

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This giveaway is open now through Tuesday, July 26th. I will post the winner on Wednesday, July 27th.

Open to USA only!




*Disclosure: I received this product for review. All opinions are my own.*