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Classic Henson remakes on new CD "For the Kids"

Remakes include The Rainbow Connection, Mahna Mahna and Sing

Courtesy of Musicforthekids.com
October 13, 2002

Nettwerk America has joined forces with the VH1 Save The Music Foundation to restore music education programs in the U.S. public school system and will subsequently release an album of children's music titled For The Kids, featuring artists such as Sarah McLachlan, John Ondrasik of Five for Fighting, Sixpence None the Richer and Remy Zero on November 5.

For The Kids marks the first partnership between Nettwerk America and the VH1 Save The Music Foundation, with a portion of the proceeds from the album's sales going to the Foundation. The VH1 Save The Music Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of education in America's public schools by restoring music programs in cities across the country, and by raising public awareness about the importance of music participation for our Nation's youth. Since 1997, VH1 Save The Music has provided more than $21 million dollars worth of instruments to 900 public schools in 75 cities nationwide, an endeavor that has delivered musical instruction to 400,000 elementary school students.

"Cutting funding for music in public schools is as harmful to certain students as cutting sports would be for others," commented Five for Fighting's John Ondrasik on his involvement with the project. John Ondrasik's contribution is "The Hoppity Song," which Ondrasik wrote upon the debut of his son Johnny.

Adam Schlesinger, of both Ivy and Fountains of Wayne fame, resonated Ondrasik's statements about the importance of music education, adding "For a lot of kids, it's one of the first things you become truly passionate about, and it can really help you to see the world in new and unexpected ways." Schlesinger appears with his Ivy bandmates on For The Kids, covering The Carpenters' classic "Sing."

Other contributions to the album include Sarah McLachlan's version of the Kermit classic "Rainbow Connection", the Tom Waits' original lullaby "Bend Down The Branches", as well as Sixpence None The Richer's "Good Night Children Everywhere," originally recorded by crooner Vera Lynn.

You can hear the four new Henson remakes on Muppet Central Radio. The CD will be in stores in three weeks on November 5.

The complete track listing is:

1. "Mahna Mahna" by Cake
This "Muppet Show" song, sung by none other than Mahna Mahna and the two Snowths, was regularly performed on network variety shows in the late '60's and early '70's before making it's 1976 debut on "The Muppet Show".

2. "La La La La Lemon" by Barenaked Ladies
From "Sesame Street", this song was originally sung by Bert and Ernie from the 1971 "Muppet Alphabet Album".

3. "The Rainbow Connection" by Sarah McLachlan
This song comes from 1979's "The Muppet Movie" and was originally sung by none other than Kermit the Frog in his quest to have more in life. Beautifully written by Paul Williams and Kenny Ascher.

4. "I've Got to be Clean" by Guster
Another "Sesame Street" tune, this one originally sung by Bert.

5. "Wonderwheel" performed by Dan Zanes
An original inspired by a ride at Coney Island from the gifted ex-Del Fuego who has enjoyed new musical success as a children's artist.

6. "Have a Little Fun" by Glen Phillips
Perhaps best known for his work as the singer from "Toad the Wet Sprocket", Glen wrote this song specifically for this album.

7. "The Hoppity Song" by John Ondrasik of Five for Fighting
John wrote this song upon the debut of his son Johnny.

8. "My Flying Saucer" by Billy Bragg with Wilco
A Woody Guthrie song, "My Flying Saucer" originally appeared on "Mermaid Avenue, Volume 2".

9. "It's All Right to Cry" by Darius Rucker (Hootie and the Blowfish)
Initially performed by football star Rosey Grier in 1972 as part of Marlo Thomas' children's album "Free to Be You & Me".

10. "Sing" performed by Ivy
Originally performed by the Carpenters on an episode of "Sesame Street", later it appeared as a single on the Carpenters' classic from 1973's "Now and Then".

11. "Bright Eyes" by Remy Zero
From the "Watership Down" soundtrack of 1978, originally sung by Art Garfunkel.

12. "Willie the King" by Dan Wilson (of Semisonic)
An original about childhood innocence written specifically for this album.

13. "Snow Day" by Bleu
This Boston artist comes forth with a fun, child-chorus backed song about hoping for a "Snow Day", an original.

14. "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" by Chantal & Raine Maida
The husband and wife duo, solo artist Chantal Kreviazuk and Lady Peace's Raine Maida, perform the Mozart composition.

15. "Good Night Children Everywhere" by Sixpence None the Richer
Vera Lynne, British crooner, was the original performer of this World War II era song. An interesting background on this one, Vera's radio program (from which this song debuted) was an inspiration to the families and soldier of the UK and this song was dedicated to the many children who were listening.

16. "Bend Down the Branches" by Tom Waits
Originally recorded for the award-winning short film of the same name, this marks the first time that this lullaby has been available for release.