It's Got a Good Beat...

...and you can dance to it. I'd give it a 78

Does anyone remember Rate-A-Record? The interactive portion of American Bandstand? Am I showing my age? Am I getting confused reactions? Not surprising, usually happens whenever I wax nostalgic, mostly when I talk fondly of Jell-o 1-2-3, ah... I loved Jell-o 1-2-3. But enough about powdered desserts, this post is about music dammit.

The Boy loves to dance. Even before he could stand up, if there was a catchy tune playing, he'd sit on the floor and rock back and forth. Any beat will do, he's even danced when I've tapped my foot on the floor. He has a penchant mid-tempo songs played in a major key - the key of happiness. Songs played in a minor key - the key of woe - he can take or leave.

Here are The Boy's favourite records at the moment.

Nice People You Are - NRBQ



Likely the most influential unknown band of the past 40 years. Other musicians revere them and cover their songs. Unfortunately the listening public couldn't care less. This is their kids album.

The Boy's favourite tracks:

• Nice People You Are
• Encyclopaedia
• Looking for the Tumbleweeds

NO! - They Might be Giants



Aren't all TMBG albums kids albums, even then they aren't intended to be?

The Boy's favourite tracks:

• Where Do They Make Balloons
• In the Middle
• Supertaster

Johnny Cash Children's Album - Johnny Cash



Take any Johnny Cash boom-chick-a song, change the lyrics to be more kid-friendly and you've got this CD. Recorded and produced between 1971 - 1973, it contains some great songs, some mediocre songs and a few stinkers (There's a Bear in the Woods. Spoken word, The Boy does not dance). Added bonus: Carl Perkins plays guitar on this.

The Boy's favourite tracks:

• Nasty Dan
• One and One Make Two
• Boy Named John

Shake and Push - The Morells



Upbeat, fun R&B. This used to be one of my favourite records too. Enjoying a renaissance now that I play it for The Boy.

The Boy's favourite tracks:

• Getting in Shape
• Red's
• Growin' a Beard

Bombay The Hard Way - Various



DJ Remixes of Bollywood soundtracks. Cool, funky and has the type of groove The Boy can dance to. P and I like Bombay the Hard Way Vol. 2 better, but he seems to prefer this one.

The Boy's favourite tracks:

• The Good, The Bad And The Chutney
• Fists of Curry
• Ganges A Go-Go

At War With The Mystics - The Flaming Lips



One of my favourite records at the moment too, so The Boy gets to hear this one a lot. More upbeat than Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, their last release.

The Boy's favourite tracks:

• Yeah Yeah Yeah song
• Sound of Failure
• Haven't Got a Clue

Souljacker - Eels



Much of this album seems to disturb him (minor key maybe?), but there are a few songs he likes. I like them all personally.

The Boy's favourite tracks:

• Friendly Ghost
• Fresh Feeling
• Rotten World Blues

Abbey Road - The Beatles



Dread Pirate Robert played this for us the other day. I totally forgot about this record and embarassingly thought Here Comes The Sun was played by Terry Jacks (that's Seasons in the Sun nimrod).

The Boy's favourite tracks:

• Maxwell's Silver Hammer
• Octopus's Garden
• Polythene Pam