Over the holidays, we had a wonderful collection of CDs to listen to when we wanted a break from Christmas Carols. The Universal Music Family collection is a new line of CDs with songs that are kid-appropriate yet won’t drive parents crazy! And the best part is, it’s all original songs by original artists. I cannot stand to listen to CDs that feature kids singing badly (I’m looking at you, Kidz Bop), so I was especially grateful to receive these CDs.

My favorite of the bunch is the Motown collection. I was pleasantly surprised to find that most of the songs on the Totally 80s collection are still enjoyable to listen to even after 20 years, but I have to question the inclusion of Trio’s “Da Da Da” song. It’s just a guy, and a girl, singing DA DA DA, over and over. My kids didn’t get it at all!

The Universal Music Family collection includes:

– ELLA FITZGERALD: MISS ELLA’S PLAYHOUSE (Verve/UMe) – Introduce kids 1-4 to original jazz hits from America’s favorite songstress like “A-Tisket, A-Tasket … ,” “Organ Grinder Swing (Eenie-Minie-MO),” “The Muffin Man,” “Chew-Chew-Chew (Chew Your Bubble Gum),” “Melinda the Mousie,” “Old Mother Hubbard,” “Molasses, Molasses,” “The Bean Bag Song,” “Two Men in a Flying Saucer,” “The Hot Canary,” and “Old Macdonald.” R/T: 31 minutes.

– FUTURE IDOLS (Decca Broadway/Hip-O/UMe) – Get your little future “Idols” ages 5 and up ready with popular Broadway tunes including “Do-Re-Mi” (The Sound of Music), “Tomorrow” (Annie), “Popular” (Wicked), “Consider Yourself” (Oliver!), “A Day With the Cat in the Hat” (Seussical), “Getting to Know You” (The King and I), “Put on a Happy Face” (Bye Bye Birdie), “Closer and Closer” (The Little Prince), “Big Rock Candy Mountain” (Sing Out Sweet Land), “Anything You Can Do” (Annie Get Your Gun), and “76 Trombones” (The Music Man). Approximately 39 minutes.

– JAZZ LULLABY (Verve/UMe) – For kids 0-4, this collection features relaxing jazz to soothe all, including “Lullaby” (The Singers Unlimited), “Hit the Road to Dreamland” (Mel Torme), “Dreams Are Made For Children” (Ella Fitzgerald), “Two Sleepy People” (Johnny Hodges), “Lullaby For Helene” (Bill Evans), “Over The Rainbow” (Ben Webster), “Lullaby” (Ray Bryant), “Lullaby For the First Born” (Acoustic Alchemy), “Little Child (Daddy Dear)” (Wes Montgomery), “Russian Lullaby” (Ella Fitzgerald), and “Conversation With a Baby” (Abbey Lincoln). Approximately 34 minutes.

– MOTOWN FOR KIDS (Motown/UMe) – Introduce kids 2 and up to classic Motown hits like “Uptight (Everything’s Alright)” (Stevie Wonder), “ABC” (Jackson 5), “Mickey’s Monkey” (The Miracles), “Dancing in the Streets” (Martha & The Vandellas), “Function at the Junction” (Shorty Long), “(I’m a) Road Runner” (Jr. Walker & the All Stars), “Please Mr. Postman” (The Marvelettes), “This Old Heart of Mine” (the Isley Brothers), “You Can’t Hurry Love” (The Supremes), “Do You Love Me” (The Contours), “Heaven Must Have Sent You” (The Elgins), “I Can’t Help Myself” (the Four Tops), “The Way You Do the Things You Do” (The Temptations), and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” (Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell). Approximately 38 minutes

– SONGS FOR THE CAR (Hip-O/UMe) – Kids 2 and up can finally hit the road with songs that will keep them happy in the car, including “Our House” (Madness), “All Star” (Smash Mouth), “Three is a Magic Number” (Bob Dorough), “Teach Your Children” (Joseph Israel), “All Night Long” (Lionel Richie), “Route 66″ (Chuck Berry), “I Got Ants in My Pants” (James Brown), “Stir It Up” (Patti LaBelle), “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” (The Temptations), “Gonna Make You Sweat” (C&C Music Factory), “Mmmbop” (Hanson), and “Manana Iguana” (Bobby McFerrin). Approximately 40 minutes

– TOTALLY ’80S FOR KIDS (Hip-O/UMe) – Kids ages 2 and up will rock out to some of the great songs from this distinctive era including “Celebration” (Kool & the Gang), “Our House” (Madness), “Everybody Have Fun Tonight” (Wang Chung), “Weird Science” (Oingo Boingo), “Axel F” (Harold Faltermeyer), “One Thing Leads to Another” (The Fixx), “Steppin’ Out” (Joe Jackson), “Da Da Da (I Don’t Love You, You Don’t Love Me Ha Ha Ha),” (Trio); “She Drives Me Crazy” (Fine Young Cannibals), “The Look of Love (Part 1)” (ABC), “Rhythm of the Night” (DeBarge), and “Jackie Wilson Said” (Dexys Midnight Runners). Approximately 43 minutes.

Universal Music Family CDs are available wherever music is sold. To
listen to song samples visit http://www.ilovethatsong.com/family.