About this Artist

• Biography

Editorial Reviews

All aboard! Indie kids-rocker Dan Zanes returns with his fifth disc of age-indiscriminate folksy favorites and original tunes. As always, the onetime Del Fuegos frontman draws on a homespun mix of rootsy sounds, from the bluesy stomp of "Let's Shake" to the New Orleans-inspired "While the Music Is Playing," colored by dance-inciting horns. Another expected treat from the Brooklynite is a host of colorful guests, including the soulful voices of the Blind Boys of Alabama on the gospel-inspired "The Welcome Table" and the dulcet tones of Natalie Merchant, who duets with the gravel-voiced Zanes on the traditional Scottish number "Loch Lomond." The disc's musical texture is further enriched by contributions from longtime Zanes pal Father Goose, a.k.a. Rankin' Don (the Islands-flavored "Pata, Pata"), Nick Cave ("Sweet Rosyanne," accented by calliope-like pump organ), and a group of orphans called the Children of Agape, whose voices soar on the traditional Zulu tune "Pigogo," sung mostly a cappella here. Zanes' music is informed by his activism, an angle underscored by his inclusion of the self-explanatory "I Don't Want Your Millions, Mister," with a few kids joining him on the harmonies. Participation -- both musical and otherwise -- is a must for Zanes, and to that end, the accompanying booklet includes lyrics and chord changes, along with information on the Keep a Child Alive charity (which assists the Children of Agape), so that anyone with a voice can join in the journey. You and your family won't want to miss it. Lydia Vanderloo, Barnes & Noble

Customer Reviews

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