Posts Tagged ‘Music’

Two-time Grammy winner Bill takes us back to his boyhood with stories about summer at the community pool, field trips to the state house and a Valentine’s Day disaster. Heartfelt and witty, Harley’s tales engage kids like no other and send adults on a trip to their own past. Are these stories true? Bill says, “The more I tell them, the truer they get…”

Who is Billy Harley? A two-time Grammy award-winning artist, recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the RI Council for the Humanities, Bill uses song and story to paint a vibrant and hilarious picture of growing up, schooling and family life. His work spans the generation gap, reminds us of our common humanity and challenges us to be our very best selves. A prolific author and recording artist, Bill is also a regular commentator for NPR’s “All Things Considered” and featured on PBS. He joined the National Storytelling Network’s Circle of Excellence in 2001 and tours nationwide as an author, performing artist and keynote speaker.

Our Take…

Bill Harley’s High Dive and Other Things that Could Have Happened is a fun collection of stories of life experiences from his own life. After listening and being quite amused by the stories shared, I came to the conclusion that it would be best suited for children (mainly boys) ages six years old and up though the experiences really can be a thrill for anyone to listen and relate too.

There are three stories which include “High Dive”, “Field Trip”, and ” Monster Valentine”. Some of the stories also have accompanying music. I think Bill does a great job in sharing these stories being very descriptive and getting the point and image across. I hung on every word being told while also laughing out loud at brief moments. Listening to these stories makes me wonder what I have in store and what stories and memories my own children will be creating such as these. I can only hope they’d be as amusing and that we can look back and laugh at them and share them for future generations.

I think this collection would be great to listen to on a long car trip this Spring and Summer season but not limited too! Prepare to be amused and be sure to pick up your own copy today. You can order the CD from Bill Harley’s website.

Disclosure: I received the above mentioned products in exchange for my opinion of them. This review is 100% my opinion and has not been edited or reviewed by anyone. I was not compensated in any other way for this product review.

I think it’s really important to teach my children about historical figures past and present that have and are making an impact on the lives of those around them. Award winning children’s music artist Ellis Paul also felt greatly about this need to be shared not only to his own daughter’s but to other familes and came out with a great new music CD called “The Hero in You” which is the first in a planned series focusing on heroes of all kinds.

This is not the first but a second soon to be well loved family music album available by Ellis Paul. The Hero in You in fact, follows The Dragonfly Races, Paul’s best-selling and award-winning 2007 family music album. This cd is a real treat and not only includes a great number of songs but also a colorful keepsake booklet featuring Paul’s illustrations.

There are fourteen tracks total on this CD and songs about people like Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Edison, Jackie Robinson, Woody Guthrie, and Rosa Parks, and some are not as familiar, but just as noteworthy for their accomplishments. I enjoyed learning through song and am thrilled to be able to share this important inspiring musical collection with my children in a fun and inviting way!

This is a great CD for the family. You’ll not only be encouraging and teaching your children about important people of all kinds but it will send the message that your children can go out and do big things too! I highly recommend this cd for home and classroom use!

Get the latest information about Ellis Paul’s music and performances, and visit his blog at:www.ellispaul.com