I remember the days before my two babies when I could go to a coffeehouse and read a book, listening to the music of Shawn Colvin, Carly Simon and Suzanne Vega for hours. Perhaps that’s why I felt like I already knew the music of folk singer/songwriter Maria Sangiolo, even though I was listening to her CD for the first time.
Sangiolo has a loyal following in the Northeast from her four adult releases and with this, her third children’s CD, she is gaining even more national attention.
In Under the Mystic Sea, Sangiolo sings about the ocean in ways that will make you want to go to the “‘quarium, where the little fishes make googley-eyes and starium.”
She has a sweet, strong voice, but it’s really her fanciful lyrics that caught my attention. From “Save the Sharks” to “ No Dolphins Here,” Sangiolo makes it clear that these are not rehashed nursery rhymes, but the imaginative and thoughtful words of a singer with a message, that of ocean conservation.
Her lyrics, “People hurt sharks more than sharks hurt people,” and dolphins “have a brain as big as your head, a part of the whale family, smarter instead,” could be mundane or contrived in someone else’s hands, but Sangiolo effortlessly weaves her meaningful words into her music.
Other songs are just plain fun. “Hairbrush Blues,” my favorite, could be a cover of a B.B. King classic, but instead is about the trials of brushing tangled hair, a chore to which all children (and parents) can relate.

NAPPA Presents: Classic Animal Songs is a compilation of songs by 14 of today’s best-known children’s music artists.
Grammy winner Dan Zanes sings “Water for Elephants,” and there are creature-inspired selections by Raffi, the famous Canadian troubadour, Grammy-nominated Trout Fishing in America, and Sugar Beats, whose lead singer is Sherry Kondor, Carole King’s daughter.
Also on the CD is Phil Rosenthal, a bluegrass singer who has written songs for Johnny Cash and is renowned for his skills on the mandolin and banjo.
But beyond all the accolades the individual artists have reaped, this CD is just good music. The syncopation and harmonies on “Baby Kangaroo” are especially enjoyable and the zydeco flavor of “Alligator Stomp” will delight any toddler or adult.
If your child has ever wondered what a dog is thinking or what is happening at your house when you aren’t home (alligators are jumping on your bed!) or what it’s like to have a salamander as a best friend, this compilation will answer all his questions.

Maria Sangiolo Under the Mystic Sea Raging River Records, 2007
mariasangiolo.com

NAPPA Presents: Classic Animal Songs Shout! Factory, 2007
shoutfactorykids.com

Jax, Whitney Lou’s 2-year-old son, loves to sing off-key and teach his dad dance moves. They groove in Richmond’s West End

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